Steele gasped softly in amazement as he watched Aleu run quickly, but still gracefully beside a small female caribou. Aleu growled then leapt forward and locked her jaws on the caribou's neck. The caribou fell to the ground then Aleu quickly finished it off with a precise bite before she released her jaws. Steele beamed proudly and walked over.
"Well done Aleu," Steele complimented. Aleu smirked and sat down.
"I learned from the best," Aleu replied. Steele chuckled.
"Well, I doubt I'm the best teacher, but I must be doing something right," Steele said. Aleu giggled softly then looked down at the caribou before looking back up at Steele.
"Would you like to share it with me?" Aleu offered with a smile. Steele smiled in return and nodded.
"Sure. You get first bite though. It is your kill," Steele replied. Aleu nodded then took a bite of the caribou. Soon, Steele joined in at her side. After the two had their fill, Aleu and Steele walked back to the waterfall. Aleu stretched then glanced in the direction of town before she looked back at Steele.
"Hey… Steele?" Aleu prompted quietly. Steele flicked his ears upward.
"Yes Aleu?" Steele asked. Aleu sat down and sighed softly.
"How should I tell my mama and papa that I'm leaving soon?" Aleu asked. Steele tilted his head to one side with interest.
"You still want to live out here with me?" Steele asked in a soft tone. Aleu nodded firmly.
"Of course I do. I just don't know how to tell them yet," Aleu said. Steele thought for a moment then gently nudged Aleu's shoulder with his nose.
"Would you like me to come with you?" Steele offered. Aleu smiled brightly and nodded again.
"Yes please. That would make it easier for me," Aleu said. Steele smiled softly.
"Alright, we should be going then," Steele said. Aleu got up and began to walk toward town with Steele following closely behind. Once Aleu spotted the ship, she turned to Steele.
"Wait beside the ship. You'll know when I need you," Aleu whispered. Steele nodded and sat down. Just above the pair, Balto grunted lightly in frustration as he peeked into Aleu's room.
"Gone again," Balto said with a sigh. He flicked his ears when he heard Aleu's soft howl. He leapt off the ship and onto the sand then waited for her. Aleu appeared from the side of the ship then sat down.
"Can you get mama?" Aleu asked softly. Balto flicked his ears slightly in confusion at the request then lifted his head and howled. Jenna, not that far away, heard the howl and easily recognized it was Balto. She quickly headed toward the ship. When she arrived, she glanced between Aleu and Balto for a moment before sitting beside Balto. Aleu looked at her mother and father then took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Mama, papa, I have something to tell you… The past three days I have been going out and learning skills I need to survive in the wild. One of which was how to hunt. I have now learned all that I can and I would like to tell you that… I wish to live in the wild now. I know I will never get a human and this is the path I choose," Aleu said. Balto and Jenna looked at each other with uncertainty. Jenna was the first to speak.
"Aleu, who taught you?" Jenna asked. Balto grunted lightly to himself, already having an idea. Rather than immediately replying, Aleu glanced behind her as Steele walked to her side then sat down. Jenna's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she remained quiet.
"Steele taught me. He has lived out there for quite some time and he taught me well," Aleu said. Balto snorted loudly in annoyance.
"So you've been sneaking out every morning to learn from him. I won't allow you to put your life in danger and live out there with him," Balto said with a grunt. Aleu narrowed her eyes and lowered her ears with irritation.
"My life won't be in danger! I will be staying with Steele. He'll protect me because he cares about me and I care about him. Why can't you understand that?" Aleu asked. Jenna's expression softened and she nudged Balto gently. Balto spared a quick glance at her and calmed down a little. Jenna studied Steele for a moment. She had not seen him since that night she had left the barn to wait for Balto. From the looks of things, he had changed. He did not seem like the arrogant glory hound she knew him to be before.
"Steele, is it true that you care about my daughter?" Jenna asked calmly. Steele met her gaze steadily and nodded firmly.
"Yes Jenna. I do. I know that the Steele you knew before wasn't the best guy in the world, but I have changed. I promise you that," Steele assured. Jenna flicked her tail lightly as she listened to his response, but did not say anything more for the time being. Balto looked steadily at Aleu.
"Aleu, do you really care about him despite his past?" Balto asked. Aleu nodded firmly.
"Yes. He's been nothing but kind to me since the day I met him," Aleu said. Balto flicked his tail once then glanced at Jenna with a nod. Jenna returned the nod and looked back to Aleu.
"If that is the case, you have our permission to leave," Jenna said. Aleu smiled softly walked forward to nuzzle her parents in appreciation.
"Thank you so much. I know this is what I want," Aleu said confidently. Jenna licked Aleu's cheek softly and Balto did the same.
"Make sure you come by and visit us soon though," Balto said. Aleu smiled and nodded.
"I will," Aleu said cheerfully. Balto and Jenna nodded then looked at Steele.
"Take care of her, Steele," Jenna said softly, her eyes meeting Steele's. Though Aleu would not be able to notice, her mother's comment held a soft, unspoken warning. Balto nodded in agreement and gave Steele a similar look to the one Jenna had. Steele dipped his head respectfully.
"I promise both of you, I will," Steele assured. Aleu wagged her tail happily and nuzzled Steele affectionately. The pair then got up and turned to head back. Balto and Jenna watched as Aleu and Steele disappeared from sight. Balto glanced at Jenna.
"Do you think we did the right thing?" Balto asked softly. Jenna smiled warmly and licked Balto's nose affectionately.
"I believe we did. I can tell that Steele's changed for the better, Balto. Aleu will be fine now and she finally has a home as well," Jenna answered. Balto smiled softly and nodded.