Another month later…
As another month passed, Balto and Jenna were getting hopeless. Steele lied to them didn't he? Jenna came to Balto's boat.
"Did you get any word from Steele?" Jenna asked.
"No," Balto said, "I'm starting to get worried. Either Steele just cant find them, or he lied to us again."
"Don't get worried, Balto. I'm almost sure he's trustable."
"Says you, Jenna. Steele had a big crush on you for a long time. You don't know how bad he was. I'm just worried we left our kids in the wrong paws. What if Steele tortures them?"
"You're overreacting, Balto."
"I hope so."
Meanwhile, the sled dogs were talking in the boiler room. It's become inevitable to Dingo's boy that Dingo was a permanent sled dog now. He had to let Dingo go.
"I miss Kodi…" Kirby said.
"He's my brother. How do you think I feel?" Dingo asked.
Dusty sighed, "If he could run with us one more time… that'd be nice."
"Do you think he's dead?" Ralph asked.
Dingo let some tears fall, "He's my closest sibling. One of the closest dogs in my life to me! If he's dead… I'd be lost."
Nunivat came into the boiler room.
"Dad said Steele's on our side now," she said.
"What do you mean?" Kirby asked.
"Steele's dad's worst enemy!" Dingo said.
"Well, apparently, Balto ran into Steele and he's changed. He said he spotted Kodi and Aleu in cave."
"How can dad trust him?"
"He said Star, Nikki, and Kaltag helped Steele change, and he apologized to dad and will make it up to him by finding them!"
"So you mean to tell us that Steele turned good?" Dusty asked.
"Wait, did you say Aleu?" Dingo asked.
Nunivat's face brightened up. She didn't think about that either.
"Oh my God! We're gonna see Aleu again!" she yelled.
"Kodi and Aleu are coming back!" Dingo yelled.
The three other sled dogs jumped and cheered with the thought that they could have Kodi back and not have to deal with Dingo for any longer. They liked Dingo, but he pushed them way too hard and wasn't even the lead dog.
Star, Nikki, and Kaltag had noticed something weird between Kodi and Steele. Aleu had noticed it too. Why had they been acting so differently and weirdly around each other? Steele treated Kodi like… well… a mate. He also treated Aleu like a daughter. Kodi treated Steele like a mate too.
Aleu pulled Kodi aside.
"Kodi, you've been acting weird lately. Steele's been acting really weird." she said.
"Why do you say that?"
"The way you and Steele are acting around each other. The way He's been treating us is weird."
"Him and I had a long talk a month ago. He heavily apologized. He promised me he'd take care of us like a son and daughter."
"He's been taking care of you like a mate!"
Kodi couldn't let Aleu know his and Steele's secret.
"I don't see it."
Steele was about ready to head out to Nome.
"I'll be back," he said.
"Where are you going?"
"I gotta check the territory. Don't want more foxes."
Both pups could sense BS. Aleu was too scared to say anything, and Kodi just didn't care.
"Bye Kodi!"
Steele nudged Kodi.
"Bye Aleu!"
Steele walked out.
"See? He nudged you and not me!"
"Yeah, that was pretty weird."
A few hours, later, as Steele was coming into Nome, Dingo and the team were heading out.
"Steele!" Dingo yelled.
Dingo saw the team heading out.
"How are you doing Dingo?" Steele yelled.
Dingo felt some fear over come him as he realized Steele knew his name. Steele had an awkward feeling around Dingo. Damn will it be weird telling him that he mated with his brother. Steele came onto to Balto's boat and knocked at the entrance.
"Hey Balto, are you here?"
Balto was relieved to hear Steele's voice.
"Yeah, I'm over here! Are my kids ok? Did you find them!?"
For the second time in his life, Balto was glad to see Steele. Hell the first time was just a couple months ago.
"I got some news…" Steele said.
Steele didn't know how to Balto that he mated with his son. His fricken son! One of his kids was bad enough.
"Balto… ah… I kinda need to tell you something."
"Is it good or bad!?"
"It's… well… I kind of… your son mated with… I know…"
Balto panicked, "ARE YOU GETTING AT WHAT I THINK YOU ARE!? YOU'RE WITH MY SON AREN'T YOU!?"
Steele didn't want it to go down the way it's about to. He changed his course and did what he does best. Lie.
"Aleu's pregnant."
"WITH MY DAUGHTER TOO!?"
Balto lunged at Steele. Expecting it, Steele reflected it.
"HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE! BRING IT ON!"
"Balto! It's not what you think! Kodi has a mate! Aleu is pregnant! What does that combination make!? Think about it! I witnessed incest with my own eyes! I hate to tell you, but it's true!"
Steele started feeling sorrow and regret. What did he just get those kids into!? He couldn't afford to have Balto be mad at him or have the town hate him more. It's what he needs to do.
"This can't be!"
Balto started feeling light headed and couldn't stay on his paws. He ran to the side of his boat with whatever energy he had and threw up. He passed out afterwards.
"Balto!"
Steele came to Balto and elevated him. What was he doing!? He's helping the guy he hates and is trying to make miserable! But… he cares about Balto now! Balto cares about him! A few minutes later, Balto regained consciousness.
"Steele! Oh God! Is it true!?"
"I'm afraid so. I don't like having to tell you. But I have to."