A/N: Hope you're all doing well. Here is the next chapter! Enjoy :)

Chapter 10: Learning To Suffer

He sat there for a while, contemplating everything that had been said to him. Everything that had been done to him. Everything that was done for him. He wasn't able… no he wasn't allowed to make his own decisions. That was what he was taught all his life from a pup to now.

It wasn't fair. None of this made sense and yet the more he thought about it, the more everything clicked into place. The more the memories started to become tainted with lies and false hopes. The more the kind words spoken to him all his life became twisted and dark. The more he thought about his entire life, the more the truth started to creep in. Slowly poking holes in his life and eventually ripping apart his very existence. Yes, here in this moment sitting by the quiet creek, he was learning to suffer.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath through his nose to calm his anxious mind. He flinched slightly when he felt a warm soft sensation under his chin. Then he heard Tala say something to him, but she sounded so far away and hushed.

When he opened his eyes, he realized she had left him alone. He was grateful to her. She seemed to understand him, even if he didn't fully understand himself.

He stared out in the water in front of him. It was still and pristine. The crystal blues flowing looked like glass against the white snow and stones surrounding the creek. There was also mud caked by the riverbed from the mix of rain and snow constantly pelting down on the pack.

His eyes followed the path of the river. The water is moving slowly, ice being broken by the constant stream. These sights calmed him and allowed him a moment of peace to observe the sights of nature.

He scoffed at himself, his ears flattening against his head in disbelief. His mind argued with him. On one side, this seemed like a cruel attempt from his brother to disable him from thinking straight.

Akeli always had a way of using the right words to distract Balto and mess with his sanity. No other wolf could get into Balto's head like Akeli, and it didn't help that he was his brother of all things. Balto seemed to be Akeli's puppet and Akeli was in charge of deciding which strings to snap and pull.

To Balto, this seemed like another attempt to rattle his confidence and make him think less of himself than he already did. But there was another nagging thought in his mind he couldn't ignore.

What if this was true?

Balto couldn't ignore the words that Akeli had said. In all his times of jesting and taunting Balto, not once had he ever brought his mother into it. It was always targeted towards him and him only, so it was rather startling when he dropped Mira's name in his usual tirades.

And the words he had said, they felt too complete, too strung together. It seemed too real to even be considered a lie because in his lifetime, Balto had thought about those exact words.

He cursed to himself when he became so transparent in front of Akeli. He knew he had thought about it. He couldn't even hide it from his brother. There was an unsettling feeling deep within because he had thought about it and he knew it wasn't the story he was made to believe. There was something hidden within the layers of love and warmth that he had been given by Mira all his life.

And that very thought terrified him. And the fact that Akeli seemed to know his thoughts was enough to make him lose his sanity. Just for a moment, a second to let the words sink in. He couldn't even scoff and just toss it off as another lie, another string of words to rattle him. There was truth in those words.

He was a brown and tan wolf while his mother was a pure white arctic wolf. There was no denying it. He saw it every day. He knew the others in the pack questioned it, but eventually everyone accepted him. He wondered if it was only because he was a pup at the time and had nowhere else to go. His real parents abandoned him. He never even knew them. He was just brought into this new pack.

Did they just accept him out of guilt and pity? Is that why Mira even became his mother? Not out of love, but out of obligation to his poor soul? He felt sick to his stomach at the thought.

And what about his true parents? Where were they? He didn't even remember one thing about his father or mother. Why would they abandon him? Had he run away? Had his parents been killed? These questions were plaguing Balto's mind, and each new question left a dark unwinding fabricated answer. That's how he had to cope with this. He had to make up the truth to his questions because he didn't have the answers and he probably never would. All he had known all his life was a lie

He closed his eyes again when he felt the rapid beating of his heart start again. The constant thud felt like a trigger being pulled inside of his body. He could feel it clenching and tightening in his throat, the dull echo sounding like drums in his ears. The cool feeling that sunk into every part of his skin. He felt his claws flexing in and out in the dirt. He couldn't control the anger and rage that was burning inside of him. His ears were folded back, the fur tips becoming wet from the heavy snow falling.

And then there was a heavy feeling of dread as well because the more he sat there, wishing these thoughts away, the more they came forcing their way into the confines of the brain. Ripping apart every warm memory and every kind word. He couldn't ignore it now. It felt too real. And that's when he lost the battle against his mind because as he sat there, staring out at the water beneath his feet, his very existence was falling apart in front of his eyes.

Tala cast a quick glance over her shoulder after she had walked away from Balto.

He sat there, his shoulders hunched inward, tail tucked under his body. His head hung lowly over the creek in front of him. His ears were plastered back, and she could practically feel the tension and stress radiating off him.

There were no words she could say to him. He wasn't open to talking, but something had happened. Something had changed within him. He would never speak to his mother like that. Not ever.

And yet he had. Perhaps out of fear? Maybe anger at himself? She wasn't sure but she would get to the bottom of it. She had an idea of what had happened, and she planned to face him face to face the moment her anger settled in. She didn't want to let her emotions get the better of her in front of Akeli or else he would use that to his advantage.

Tala made her way back over to the healer's den to check on Jenna and see how Toboe was treating her. It had been rather quiet there since Balto's outburst. Tala couldn't ignore that slight fear that Toboe might have done something to the husky to shut her up and with that thought in mind, she quickened her pace.

Mira was nowhere to be found when she entered the den. She must have left to have a moment to herself as well.

Like mother. Like son. Tala thought with a sad smile forming on her muzzle.

Oh, how wrong she was.

When she entered the den, she was appalled to find the husky alone by herself. Toboe was nowhere to be found either.

Tala could feel a growl rising in her throat. Not only had Toboe not tended to the husky, but he had also left her alone. Just because she was in the healer's den did not mean she was safe from the pack.

Jenna laid curled up, shaking. She had pressed herself as closely as she could into the wall, her legs were crushed under her weight. Her eyes were closed tightly, and her muzzle was clamped shut as quiet whimpers escaped her.

Tala could tell she was trying to remain as still as possible, but she couldn't control the shivering.

"Jenna?" Tala whispered softly, coming closer to the husky.

Jenna opened her eyes slowly, hearing the warm tone and looked up to see Tala standing right in front of her.

No! P-please don't hurt me!" Jenna cried out, suddenly overwhelmed with fear when she realized how close Tala had gotten to her.

Tala jumped back, startled by Jenna's yelp of terror.

"No no it's okay! I won't hurt you." Tala whispered. She tried to calm her racing heart as she took a few slow breaths.

She watched as Jenna pushed herself even more into the walls if that was possible and kept her eyes on Tala.

Jenna watched her closely, her body still coursing with trembles. Her eyes were focused on the wolf and her eyes widened when Tala took a hesitant step forward.

"I won't hurt you." Tala tried again to reassure the terrified husky.

Tala noticed Jenna was staring at her mouth, so she closed her jaws to hide her sharp teeth from the husky. She stepped back and moved a few paces before sitting down.

Jenna watched with cautious eyes as the golden brown shewolf moved away and sat down, facing her.

Tala kept her eyes on the husky, keeping her distance, but still watching her.

Jenna stayed still for a few moments, cursing as her body continued to rebel against her by shivering violently. When she realized, Tala wasn't going to move, she slowly unraveled herself and got a little more comfortable.

Tala tilted her head when she saw the heavy bruising on the husky's leg.

"He didn't even bother setting the herbs first." Tala said more to herself, a growl rising in her throat at Toboe's lack of consideration for the husky.

"He said he had to get something to shut me up." Jenna said quietly, looking up at Tala. Her eyes showed the pure terror that she was trying to fight.

Tala let out the low growl she had been holding back and noticed Jenna's demeanor take a turn for the worse.

"S-Sorry." Tala apologized, closing her mouth. She had to keep a level head or else the husky would pass away from fear. She was sure of it.

Jenna didn't say anything, but she relaxed again once it remained silent for a while. She let her eyes glaze over and slowly pulled her legs out from under her as she settled down on the ground. She kept her eyes low and tried to calm her rapid breathing.

"He's just so selfish sometimes. I have no idea how he ever became a healer." Tala grumbled out, her eye twitching.

Jenna looked up at her. She could sense the wolf's irritation and didn't want to play any part in adding to it.

She curled her tail around her trying to use it as a security blanket. She blinked a few times and rested her head on her paws keeping her eyes on the ground.

"How are you?" Tala asked suddenly.

Jenna lifted her head off her paws, her ears perking up at the voice. The words themselves were kind and the tone was warm, yet she hesitated before replying.

"I-I'm okay." Jenna responded, her mouth feeling dry and her tongue moved about lazily as words formed.

"Those bruises don't look too good, but you'll heal in no time." Tala reassures her with a smile.

Jenna only had one thought constantly running back and forth in her mind and when she saw the smile and she could sense the calm take over the wolf, she decided to speak up.

"W-w…." Jenna starts, her brown eyes getting big with curiosity and fear as she tries to sit up to be at eye level with Tala.

"It's okay. Take your time."

"W..when will I be allowed t..to leave?"

Tala's ears flattened immediately, and she tucked her tail underneath her haunches. She didn't have an answer that would satisfy either of them. She wasn't sure what Mira's final decision would be for the husky, but she knew they wouldn't kill her. That was something she could say to give her some comfort.

"I don't know, but believe me Jenna, what happened to your friend won't happen to you."

"He wasn't my friend." Jenna stated, her voice cold and stiff.

"Oh." Tala didn't expect Jenna to respond to her at all. She expected her to just listen, maybe even ignore her presence.

It threw her off when she spoke, and she honestly had no idea what else to say.

Jenna tried to sit up with her bruised leg, but she couldn't hold herself up and fell back down with a grunt.

"It's okay. Let me help you." Tala came closer, but she paused when she saw Jenna's chest heaving up and down fast with wide eyes immediately glued on her. She started panting.

Tala moved back with a sad look on her face. She couldn't even get near to help the husky. And she didn't want to scare her further by forcing her way into her space, even if her intentions were good.

Jenna didn't deserve to have more fear. She deserved peace of mind and Tala intended to give her that.

"I'm sorry. Look I…I'll go see where Toboe is. Just try to keep still. It will hurt more if you keep moving." Tala said in a soft tone.

She rose off her haunches and stood up. Jenna just kept her eyes glued on her.

Tala gave her a small smile before turning around and starting to walk out the den.

"Is he alright?"

Tala turned around and could see that Jenna was actually sincere in what she was asking. The slight tilt of the head and the kindness in her eyes was a different sight than Tala was used to seeing from her.

Surely, she wasn't asking about Balto after he had basically attacked her with his outburst. Almost stepping on her in an attempt to get the truth. But then who else could she be asking about?

Tala was shocked that despite the husky being terrified and not wanting to speak to anyone, she was asking about Balto.

"You mean Balto?" Tala asked, even though she knew the answer.

"Is that his name?"

"Y..yes it is." Tala responded, slightly unsure of the husky's interest in her friend.

"Okay."

"O…Kay." Tala repeats Jenna, drawing out the single word, her confusion muddling her thoughts.

"I hope he's okay…I mean." Jenna reiterates and furrows her eyebrows in an attempt to cover what she was trying to say.

Tala just stands there, completely frozen in place. Her legs were completely rigid, and her eyes bounced back and forth as her curiosity got the better of her.

"He is. He…will be. And I'll make sure he doesn't scare you again." Tala says quickly, tripping over her words.

Feeling dumb as she continues to stand there waiting for Jenna to say something, she decides to take her leave.

Tala feels the cool wind rush through her fur and make her coat come to life. She takes a look back at the healer's den and watches as her breath of air flows into the sky. She closes her eyes and tries to calm herself down.

She didn't expect Jenna to speak to her at all, let alone ask about Balto. She didn't know why it bothered her so much, but she couldn't ignore the fact that it did.

Tala rolled her shoulders and kept walking aimlessly. She looked back out towards the creek and saw Balto had left. She sighed to herself and started the very wary walk to the one who was the master behind the pack's anger and pain.

Tala paused in front of his den, unsure of her previous plan. She didn't want to enter his den feeling the way she did. But she had to figure out what had happened.

She walked inside and felt a cold sense of dread fill her bones. He was facing the wall, his back turned away from her.

He looked like a huge mass of white. His purple eyes lit up against the dim lighting in his den.

"What did you do?" Tala asks in a cold tone.

Akeli turns around and a sly smile creeps onto his muzzle.

"Ahh…the alphas cheerleader. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Okay that's Chapter 10. There's some major stuff coming in the next chapter, and I honestly wasn't going to end it here, but it felt like it might be too much to stuff in one chapter. Also, I apologize for any grammar issues. I'm sorry for the long wait! I hope to update soon. Thanks, and please review! :)