Bonus Scene 2: Mother and Daughter Moment
Jenna laid down on the floor of her shed outside her house, looking out the open door with her daughter, Aleu. It had been a long day for them both, but Jenna is just thankful that she could spend the day with her eldest daughter. Jenna didn't care that she had a half wolf for her eldest daughter (much like Balto being her wolfdog mate), Aleu is still her daughter, and that is what matters to Jenna. Jenna quietly smiled and admired Aleu. She noticed, and turned to face Jenna.
"Mom, what are looking at?" Aleu asked.
"Just you, my baby." Jenna replied sweetly. Aleu blushed in embarrassment, but smiled back at her mother. "Aleu, I am so thankful that you are back home again, that I'm able to spend time with you again. Yes, it's been a over a month since you returned, and that you've taken that time to catch up with the rest of the family, but I'm still thankful nonetheless."
"I'm glad that I'm back home again, mom... with you, and papa, and my siblings." Aleu replied. The two smiled at each other, and nuzzled one another.
"You know, Aleu, now that we're here, this actually reminds me of the night your father came back after seeing you off. He and I were lying down just like this, talking about you." Jenna said as she wrapped her leg around Aleu's shoulder.
"What did papa say to you?" Aleu asked.
"He said that you left to join a wolf pack in need. We were also worried that we may never see you again." Jenna's face fell for a moment before she smiled. "But that was in the past. Now we know that we'd see you again, and here you are. By the way, did I also mention that right after you left your father, he was reunited with your grandmother?"
"Really? Wow! He never told me that when I was spending time with him after returning! I hope that I can introduce you to grandma." Aleu exclaimed.
"No worries, baby. I already met your grandmother. Plus, your father did tell me that he would like to introduce me and the rest of the family to his family." Jenna replied.
"Oh... But how did you meet grandma?" Aleu asked, puzzled.
"Didn't your siblings tell you about the time when your father was lost in a blizzard?" Aleu nodded after a moment.
"That's right... I was told that story." Aleu replied.
Jenna nodded. "It was during that time that Aniu showed herself to me. She told me that your father was alive, and that she was talking care of him after he was attacked in the wild. She assured me that she would bring Balto back home safely."
Aleu took a moment to let the news sink in. "The day after I returned home, papa did tell me the whole story behind why he kept the truth of my wolf heritage from me. He told me that he was separated from grandma. Knowing how highly he told about her, papa must really love grandma."
"Yes. Before your father and I became mates, I already knew how much Aniu meant to him." Jenna replied. "I felt so happy for Balto when he told me he was reunited with her after he saw you off."
"If only I could see papa together with grandma. It seems that he has a very close relationship with her." Aleu commented. Jenna silently nodded.
"Maybe one day."
Mother and daughter enjoyed each other's company for a while before Jenna broke the silence.
"By the way, Aleu, you have a really nice bandana. It fits you well." She complimented.
Aleu giggled, blushing slightly. "Thank you, mama. It shouldn't be a surprise though, considering that it was your old bandana that you kept for me."
"Good thing I kept it for you." Jenna said gently.
"Shifting topics again, mama, I remember hearing how me running away affected Yukon." Aleu remembered.
"Oh yes. It was hard for Yukon to know that you ran away. He really felt sorry for having a rocky relationship with you when you two were pups. I'm so proud that he apologized to you when you came back, and that you two have grown close ever since."
"I'm glad that I was able to give him the chance to apologize. Before then, I never knew that I was annoying Yukon with my howling when we were pups. He really meant everything he said to me."
"Your departure not only affected him, but it also affected me as well. It really hurt me after finding out your father returned home without you, and that we didn't know if we would ever see you again. Balto was the last person to say goodbye to you when you left."
"Mom, I'm sorry if I really did hurt you after running away. I would never do that to you. I told papa how sorry I was, and how I regret hurting anyone's feelings. I didn't even think on how me running away would affect you and my siblings." Aleu nuzzled her mother to assure her.
"It's okay, my daughter. I don't blame you for me being so hurt over your disappearance. What matters now is that you are here again, and that we are together. I love you, Aleu."
"I love you too, mama." Aleu replied. They both leaned in and deeply nuzzled each other. They then continued to watch the outside world in silence until night time came.
"It's late, sweetheart. Why don't you go on back home?" Jenna suggested.
"Very well, mom. See you again tomorrow. Thank you for spending the evening with you." Aleu thanked.
"You're most welcome, sweetheart. See you tomorrow. Say hi to Kenai and your father for me." Jenna said.
"I will, mama." Mother and daughter nuzzled and embraced each other for one last moment before Aleu departed for the boat outside Nome. She was truly thankful that she is home with her father, mother, and siblings again.