Bonus Scene: New Life, and New Friends
Aleu slept peacefully throughout the night, snuggled up to her friend Kenai and her father Balto. It had been a wonderful reunion for Aleu to be with her father, mother, and siblings again. She couldn't wait to spend her first full day back home with her family.
When Aleu woke the following morning, she found that her father was not with them. As she looked around the boat for her father, the sky caught her attention.
The sun is up. Oh boy, we must have been sleeping through much of the morning!
Aleu yawned and stretched her body, then got up to the front of the boat where she and Balto were talking last night. As she observed Nome from the boat, she gently inhaled the fresh air. I've been away for so long. It's good to be back home again, especially when I'm able to be with mama, papa, and my brothers and sisters again!
Aleu kept watch for a few minutes until she heard movement behind her. She watched as Kenai yawned and stretched his body, and she smiled.
"Morning, Kenai." Aleu said softly and sweetly as she walked over to Kenai, settling down next to him, putting her leg around him and nuzzled her friend. "How well did you sleep?"
"Morning, Aleu." Kenai greeted back and nuzzled her. "I slept like a rock last night." Aleu giggled as Kenai rested his head on his paws. " I have to say, Aleu, I can already tell your father is very hospitable, and I just met him last night!"
Aleu leaned down and affectionately licked Kenai's head. "Oh I know what you mean, mainly because I lived here with my father as I grew up. This place may not be much, but its better than nothing."
"You said it. Some may think it's a little lonely here, and it is. On the other hand, its actually quite peaceful." Kenai commented.
"Especially when it's just the two of us." Aleu nuzzled Kenai, and he returned her nuzzle. "We could have this place all to ourselves if my dad still didn't live here though."
"I don't mind at all." Kenai said. "For you, this would be like old times with your dad."
"Oh definitely!" Aleu agreed. "I don't mind at all that we have to live with my dad instead of having this place to ourselves."
The wolf and wolfdog pair leaned their foreheads and noses against each other's. "You ready to live life here again with your family?" Kenai asked. Aleu grinned in response.
"I can't wait! The bonus thing is that I get to live here with you also." Aleu and Kenai spent a few moments rubbing each other's noses, smiling lovingly at each other, looking at each other's eyes.
"Knock knock!" a young voice spoke from outside the boat. "Speaking of which..." Aleu grinned and they walked down the boat.
"Hey, I remember you two from last night!" Aleu greeted. "Nate, and Drake, right?" Aleu said, looking at the red and brown/tan huskies in front of her.
"Correct, except the other way around." Nate replied.
"My bad." Aleu apologized.
"That's alright, Aleu!" Drake replied. "At least you got our names right." The group laughed. "So, I hope my brother and I weren't disturbing you this morning. We saw you looking over at town, and we thought we can come and greet you."
"That's considerate of you." Kenai smiled. He and Aleu then spotted 2 huskies watching them from a distance.
"Good morning." Aleu greeted with a smile. "How are you two?"
Nate and Drake both ran towards the two older huskies and walked with them to Aleu and Kenai.
"Aleu, Kenai, we would like you to meet-" Nate started.
"Your mom and dad?" Aleu guessed.
"Actually, our uncle and grandmother." Nate corrected. Aleu blushed in embarrassment.
Nate spoke again: "This is our uncle, Seward."
"And this is Alyeska, our grandmother." Drake finished. Aleu and Kenai bowed their heads in respect.
"How do you do?" Seward spoke.
"Pleasure to meet you." Alyeska added.
"As you already know, Nate and Drake are my nephews, and my mother's grandsons." Seward said, and Alyeska nodded.
"Uncle Seward, Grandma Alyeska, this is Aleu, Balto's daughter, and her friend Kenai. They just arrived here last night." Drake introduced. "Uncle, I hope you don't mind that Kenai is here."
"Why would that be?" Kenai asked, perplexed.
"I know where Drake is coming from." Seward said. "When I was as young as they were, I used to be very close minded about wolves, despite never meeting one up close and personal. I used to despise them because of stories that I heard from my friends. But, as time went on, I grew to be more open minded about wolves, especially..." He turned to face Aleu. "... when I heard of your father's heroic actions for the town of Nome 3 years ago." He smiled at Aleu. "Your father is a wonder to behold." Seward complimented.
"Thanks. That's my dad! The town hero!" Aleu exclaimed.
"Uncle," Drake spoke, Alyeska's leg wrapped around his shoulder. " you are able to tell that Aleu is half wolf, right?"
"Of course, nephew!" he replied lightheartedly. "I don't mind either that she is half wolf."
"Speaking of which, where is my dad?" Aleu asked.
"Your father is back in town with your mother and a couple of friends." Alyeska spoke.
"By the way, Nate, Drake, if Seward and Alyeska are your uncle and grandmother, where are your parents?" Kenai asked, and looked at Alyeska. "Sorry for interrupting."
"Not at all." she replied.
"Sadly, Kenai, our mom and dad can't be with us. They died from sickness last year. We were coming from San Francisco in the lower 48 US states when they passed." Nate said solemnly, but with no tears.
"Indeed." Alyeska nodded. "My son, Seward, and I came to Nome 7 months ago. When they told us that their mother and father died by the time they got here, we were sad that we wouldn't get to see them again. Their mother, Denali, was my eldest daughter, and Seward's big sister."
Aleu nodded, and turned to face Nate. "I'm sorry for your loss." Aleu said sympathetically. "You too, Drake."
"Thanks. It's okay. At least Drake and I get to be with our uncle and grandmother again." Nate said with a smile. Aleu and Kenai smiled back.
"So, how are you two with each other?" Alyeska asked. "Are you two just friends, or...?"
"We are actually more than friends." Kenai said, and licked Aleu's cheek. "We love each other."
"But we're not mates yet." Aleu said, and leaned against Kenai and licked his face. "Maybe a couple of weeks or a month later, then we'll be mates."
"Well, congratulations." Alyeska smiled.
"Best of luck to you both!" Seward added.
"Thank you." Kenai said.
"Oh, that's right! We better head over to town, all 6 of us!" Seward exclaimed in joy. "Aleu, your brothers are going to have a race soon! I'm sure they would like to see their sister support them."
Aleu glanced at Kenai. "We should go then."
"After you." Kenai replied.
The 4 huskies, wolf, and wolfdog walked together to town. When they were outside of town limits, they saw Balto greeting them, along with Max, Molly, Dingo, and Kodi.
"Hey there, sister!" Dingo greeted. He and Kodi ran over to nuzzle Aleu. She then nuzzled Dingo, and in turn, nuzzled Kodi.
"Hi there, brothers!" Aleu greeted back. "I suppose you two are in a team?"
"Actually, Kodi and I will be competing against each other's teams." Dingo said.
"Wow!" Kenai exclaimed.
"That's right!" Kodi agreed. "Its me and Dusty's team against Dingo and Dana's team! I was able to get into the mail team a while back, and I was able to train Dingo afterwards."
"That's wonderful!" Aleu said. "I hope there's no hard feelings no matter which brother wins."
"Oh, don't worry. Kodi and I aren't sore sports. Just friendly, or brotherly competitors." Dingo said with a grin while looking at Kodi.
"Well, good luck to you both!" Kenai said.
"Thanks, Kenai! We'll catch you later, Aleu." She nodded.
"Ready for the race, brother?" Dingo said as he placed his leg around Kodi's shoulder and rubbed his head affectionately with his other paw.
"Ready when you are, brother." Kodi said.
"Best of luck boys!" Max greeted. "Make your family proud!
"We know your father is." Molly added, and turned to face Balto. He chuckled.
"Of course I am!" Balto exclaimed. Molly turned her attention back to Balto's sons. "May the better brother's team win!" She licked Dingo and Kodi's faces, bidding them luck. They blushed a bit, but still smiled, welcoming her affectionate gesture. Even Max joined and patted their backs. Max and Molly then left to join Nate, Drake, and their uncle and grandmother.
Balto took this time to walk over to address his sons.
"Be careful out there boys. Stay focused, and above all, have fun!"
"Thanks, dad!" Kodi said. Balto placed his legs around both Dingo and Kodi, pulling them to him. He nuzzled both of his sons, and they nuzzled him back. Balto affectionately rubbed their heads. Balto walked away from them to join the rest of the group.
"Let's do this!" Dingo and Kodi exclaimed in unison, then walked back to town to meet with their respective teams.
"Aleu, Kenai, Max and I will join Seward, Alyeska, Nate, and Drake. You two head with Balto." Molly said.
"Had a peaceful morning, my lovebirds?" Balto teased.
"Oh, papa." Aleu blushed, but smiled and nuzzled his chin.
"What's up ahead now?" Kenai asked Balto.
"You two, come with me. The humans are likely not going to welcome you two in their sights, especially Kenai. I got a place where we can watch the race while not being seen by the humans." Balto said.
"Right behind you papa." Aleu added.
Balto smiled at them, and they followed Balto to the rooftops of the buildings, ready to watch Dingo and Kodi compete.