A new life
A new life
By Janus Oberoth
"I need something to eat" Luna thinks while she laid her paw on her swollen belly.
She is a wolf with a black fur and eyes of a penetrating amber color.
Until a month ago Luna was considered one of the most beautiful wolves of the Storm pack, she was the younger daughter of the leaders of the herd, which granted her an important position inside the pack, but now she does not have the privileges that she had before, not even some rights like other wolves of wolfs of low status.
She is confined to her den, everything for cause for an error that she had committed; she pays the price of the prejudice of her pack. She was pregnant of the cubs of a dog that she had known a month before.
Luna caressed her belly thinking about her cubs that grew inside her, Luna's happy thoughts are replaced by anguish and the fear of knowing that will happen to those cubs so soon they arrive to this world.
Luna could not understand as the members of the clan, including her parents decided to kill those innocent cubs of a crime that they did not commit, Luna could accept that punishment be directed to her, but not to the cubs.
The privations that Luna suffered were terrible, she had nothing to eat, she would have been parched had it not been for a little water grotto in the den. Luna had been under obligation to eat up the unlucky rats that had dared to enter the den room of the hungry wolf.
Luna was thinking about how the things arrived to this point which she doesn't have anything in her life just the consolation and the sentiment of new life that she has inside her, in addition to the support of somebody who she loved a lot.
Luna's thoughts are interrupted when somebody enters at the den, she directs her look to the entrance of the den and sees black-colored wolf like her, just this wolf has white paws and his eyes were brown-colored.
"The wolf has one important portion of caribou's leg in his mouth.
"Malek" says Luna looking at her brother that gets close to her and deposits caribou's piece of leg near to Luna's feet.
She immediately begins to devour that meat while Malek looked at her.
Malek was the older brother of Luna, he was the first to be born and therefore someday he would be the clan's next leader. Malek and Luna loved each other since they were cubs, he had been the only one to raise objections to Luna's and cubs' punishment.
When Luna finishes, she gets up and nuzzle Malek affectionately; he that he does the same thing.
"What happened to you?" Luna asks seeing some injuries in Malek's body; they are licked by Malek himself.
"I was discovered when I entered to the warehouse, they beat me up" Malek says smiling at Luna that was looking at him in silence.
Malek had stolen food all that month for give it to his sister.
"Malek, you should not have taken a risk like that" Luna says looking at Malek.
"Come on sis, you needed that food, I know it" Malek says looking at his sister that looked at him in silence.
"Did the guards have the courage to attack you?" Luna asks looking at Malek.
"In the beginning they did not it, even they told me that they would forgive me if I returned meat, but I refused because that meat was hidden" Malek says looking at Luna.
"Malek this cannot continue; you should not take a risk to help me" Luna says looking at Malek, he smiles with a sneering smile.
"A beating will not stop me" Malek says looking at Luna.
"Malek, this is serious; if dad and mom learn about it, you will be in problems" Luna looking at Malek.
He looks at her in silence because he knew that Luna told the truth.
"Luna, you must flee from here, if you do not do that, you will not live for a long time just like the cubs" Malek says looking at his sister that looked at him.
"I know it, I do not care about what will happen to me, but cubs, they do not deserve to die for something that I made" Luna says beginning to sob.
Malek nuzzles her affectionately to encourage Luna; she looks at him, Malek smiles at her affectionately.
"Tomorrow is my turn for the guard, so you will be able to use that to escape" Malek says looking at Luna, she looked at him surprised.
But, if the pack learns about that you helped me to escape, you will get into trouble" Luna says looking at Malek that smiles at her and lays his right paw on Luna's shoulder.
"It is not important for me, if my life can assure that my nephews live just like you, I will be more than happy to die; besides I have a plan" Malek says looking at Luna, she looked at him surprised.
"Even if I can escape, where I would go?" Luna asks looking at Malek.
"Do you remind that town near the sea about I spoke when I returned of that accident on the river?" Malek asks looking at Luna that nods.
"That town is called Nome, there you will find to Balto, he is a half wolf that lives on the town outskirts, in a old boat, he a nice guy just like the rest of the Nome's dogs, the things are very different there, I am sure that Balto will find the way to help you" Malek says looking at his sister that nods while Malek gets up.
"I will go to rest, if dad or somebody of the clan sees me here, the plan of escape would be able to look compromise" Malek says looking at Luna.
Malek slides through the hole and disappears; Luna leans back and closes her eyes.
Next evening, Luna found herself asleep in her den; she was resting peacefully until she feels that somebody moves her body. Luna opens her eyes having the blurred sight of somebody that found itself in front of her. When Luna's sight becomes clear she recognizes his brother Malek that is in front of her.
"It is time" Malek says looking at Luna.
She gets up; both come out of the den and quietly head toward the entrance of the cave of the pack. They walk with care not to wake up the rest of the wolves.
Malek and Luna finally get to the entrance and go towards the outside for a tunnel, when Malek and Luna came closer at the end of the tunnel; she sees that a silver wolf is on the tunnel's ground, he is unconscious. She gets surprised seeing Malek's friend called Anuk.
"What happened?" Luna asks looking at Malek.
"I had to put him out of count in order that you can escape" Malek says looking at Luna that looks at him surprised.
"When he wakes up, he will accuse you" Luna says looking at Malek.
"I don't believe it, he had no time at least of seeing me, he stayed a moment only while I told you that he was going to check that everything was in order, in that time I attacked him" Malek says looking at Luna.
"You should leave" Malek says looking at Luna that looked at him.
"Come with me" Luna says looking at Malek, he shakes his head.
"I can't, if I also go away, the clan will not stop hunting us" Malek says looking at Luna.
"Before he goes away I want you position yourself behind me and throw me against the cave's wall" Malek says looking at Luna, she gets surprised hearing his brother.
"I... I cannot do that" Luna says looking at Malek.
"It is the only way of justifying that you escaped, if Anuk and I are unconscious, it would mean that you went away without my help, I will stay and I will sabotage the search" Malek says looking at Luna.
She nuzzles Malek affectionately, he does the same thing.
Malek stretches his paw and rest it a moment on the belly of Luna.
"I would have liked to know your pups" Malek says while he looks at Luna that looked at him with a smile.
"You will meet them, somehow, you will meet them" Luna says looking at Malek.
He kisses Luna on the forehead before she positions herself behind him.
Luna takes Malek for his scruff of the neck and throws him against the cave's wall. Malek falls on the ground; Luna nuzzles him affectionately before coming out of the cave and escaping toward freedom.
She walks for three days; Luna could not allow herself the luxury of stopping long time to rest because she knew that her clan's members got close to her more and more.
She did not eat anything since she had left the cave. She crossed the mountains and forests on his way toward Nome.
After the fourth day, she can observe Nome from a cliff, the buildings of Nome's coastal town excelled in the landscape; Luna breathes relieved seeing that she had finally gotten to her destination.
Luna again enters in the forest and begins to walk down the hill to come out of the forest; she can observe Balto's boat in the distance. She leads her steps toward that place where she arrives after some minutes. Luna felt that her strength abandoned her at every step.
The cool wind hits Luna that gets close to Balto's boat, she gives some turns around the boat to study it, and she finally resolves to climb.
Luna gets to the deck; she observes an old small bucket close to the bridge.
She enters at the bridge.
"Hello?" Luna asks, she does not obtain answer, so she enters in the cabin.
She observes surroundings, in search of some sign of life, short Luna downs her head and starts to sniff the wooden floor.
She perceives a dog's or a wolf's odor, the trail leads to Luna to some stairs that led to the internal part of the boat.
Luna observed stairs. She listen some steps; she turns over to find herself face to face with a wolf of grayish color with amber eyes.
"Who are you?" The wolf dog asks looking at Luna that looked at him attentively.
"Are you Balto? Luna asks looking at the wolf that nods lightly.
"At last I find you, I need your help" Luna says looking at Balto.
"My name is Luna; I am the sister of Malek, I..." Luna says she cannot finish the sentence; she faints in front of Balto.
Luna opens her eyes slowly, the blurred image that tapeworm in front of her cleared slowly.
Luna sees that no longer was in the boat's bridge, she found in some place made of wood, she could see a couple of tables, chairs and a cabinet, Luna deduces that she was inside of the boat, under the bridge where one can access by the stairs that Luna had seen through previously.
Luna found herself reclining in a bed made of cloths; somebody had placed her into that place in addition to cover her with a blue blanket. Luna had a serving dish with water and a couple of rabbits next to the serving dish. Luna has a drink of water while she listen voices that came from the stair. Luna listens to the conversation attentively.
"How is she?" Ask a feminine voice.
"She will be all right, she just seems weak" Balto respond.
"Do you know why she is looking for you"? Asks the other voice.
"No, she fainted before saying it, she only managed to tell me that her name was Luna and his brother was Malek" respond Balto.
"That one is not the young wolf's name that you did save of the river? Ask the feminine voice.
"Yes it is, she looks very similar to him" Balto responds.
"It means that he sent her here for an important reason" the feminine voice says.
"So it seems I am surprised that she managed to get here, I hope that the cubs are fine" Balto says.
"I also expect it, she is despaired to take such risk" the feminine voice says.
"So, there will be no walk" the feminine voice says in happy tone.
"Today no, we will have to postpone it" Balto says.
"It seems me the best, I will go back home with my girl" the feminine voice says.
"Let me accompany you to the town outskirts" Balto says.
Luna listens as the voices become weaker to die out; she again falls asleep because of fatigue.
Some hours after, Luna wakes up again and observes the surroundings that were in semidarkness, she sees that Balto sleeps a few meters of her. Luna felt that he had pain in the muscles for the effort that had done.
Luna takes the rabbits and begins to eat them meanwhile Balto is sleeping. When Luna finishes the last rabbit, she falls asleep again; she finally has full her stomach after passing several days without eating.
On the following day Luna wakes up listening voices that come from ship's bridge. Luna even found herself reclining in the same place, she was feeling completely reconstituted.
Luna listens to some steps that they down by the steps of stair, she directs her look at the stairs listening as the steps become stronger, and she notices that Balto enters in the place next to a female of red fur.
"How are you?" Balto asks looking at Luna, she responds affirmatively.
Balto and the red female dog sit in front of Luna.
"She is my mate: Jenna" Balto says presenting to Jenna that greets to Luna.
"Why you were looking for me?" Balto asks looking at Luna.
"Malek told me that you would be able to help me, I was compelled to escape of my clan" Luna responds.
"Why did you flee of your pack?" Jenna asks looking at Luna.
"For this reason" Luna says while she sees below her and touches softly her belly.
"My cubs' father is a dog and that was not tolerated by my clan, my brother convinced me to escape because my destiny and the cubs did not differ a lot" Luna says looking at Balto and Jenna, they were looking at her completely surprised and horrified understanding Luna's words.
"Malek thought that you would be able to help me as you made it with him" Luna says looking at Balto and Jenna.
"And we will do it; we will help you with all that we can" Jenna says looking at Luna that looks at her very grateful.
"We have daughter called Alue, she is the leader of wolves' clan, and we can talk with her in order that you can join to her clan" Balto says looking at Luna.
In that moment they can hear voices that came from the top of the boat, they hear laughs and frolic.
"Those boys, I told them that they must be more careful, there is a pregnant female here" Balto says while he gets up and walks to the stairs, he uses them to up to the bridge.
Some moments later, laughs descend of intensity.
Luna sees as Balto appears with other dogs red dogs, a total of 5 dogs very seemed to Jenna, three were males and two females. They use the stairs to down where Jenna and Luna are waiting.
Balto and dogs get close to the place where Jenna and Luna are.
"Luna, they are my children: Saba, Dingo, Shastha, Dakota and Kodi" Jenna says looking at her sons and daughters that greet Luna, she greets them.
Balto's and Jenna's family go away and begin to chat and having fun while Jenna and Balto are sit next to Luna while they chatted animatedly.
"I hope that you get not upset by the noise" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"It does not bother me; they and I have approximately the same age" Luna says looking at Jenna.
Luna thinks that Dingo and Kodi are very attractive, especially Dingo. Luna sees that Dingo puts is attention in her many times while he chatted with his brothers.
Luna found funny the thought than any one of Balto's and Jenna's children, you would be able to be interested in her because she is pregnant.
"If you are recovered, perhaps you wish to take a walk, being here can be boring, I know it" Balto says looking at Luna that proves to agree.
She gets up next to Jenna and Balto head toward the stairs that they use to get out of the place. Luna goes out to the exterior of the bridge.
Luna breathes deeply feeling as a refreshing wind, it hits her face, and she sees the sea and Nome's town. Balto and Jenna next to Luna come down of the boat and observe the ocean.
Luna previously could not have seen the sea; she is looking at it attentively. She thought that it was something very beautiful.
"Beautiful, don't you think?" Jenna asks looking at Luna that responds affirmatively.
"Balto and I always walked on the beach, it is very romantic" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"Where we will go for walk?" Luna asks looking at Balto and Jenna.
"We will show you the town, if you stay here, you should meet our friends, and you will have fun with them" Jenna says looking to Luna.
"But I am a wolf, the humans will not leave me enter in the town" Luna says looking at Balto and Jenna with fear.
"Trust us" Jenna says looking at Luna that looked at her.
Balto begins to walk toward Nome's town next to Luna and Jenna.
Luna is among both. Luna's anxiety grew at every moment that she got close to Nome. She had heard the fact that the humans were not tolerant with the wolves, they killed wolfs and removed their skins to use them as trophies.
The little group enters in Nome by the main street. Luna observes as the humans are concentrated in their works, there are dogs that play and chat among themselves while other ones walk or help to their respective masters.
Luna notices that a lot of human looks and dog's look are directed toward her.
Luna was feeling very missed seeing that the looks of the humans and dogs are of curiosity more than fear.
Luna sees that a lot of Nome's dogs greet very respectfully to Balto when they were close to him, they nodded lightly. Even the young dogs greeted Balto of a most informal form, but equally respectful.
A person smile and caress to Balto that wags his tail of happiness. Luna knows that something was strange in the attitude of dogs and humans with her because she was not attacked or feared.
A lot of young dogs were looking at her attentively achieving that she blushed for the attention that she received.
Balto and Jenna show the town to Luna; she sees everything with a lot of interest because she didn't know form of live of the humans. At night Balto and Jenna take Luna to the boiler room where present her to their friends that received her very well.
Balto and Jenna are with their friends while Luna is with Dingo and his friends.
Luna pass as very pleasant moment since Dingo's friends were very attentive and amusing, Luna noticed as Dingo sneaked a look at her in repeated occasions.
When all Nome's dogs leave for their houses, Balto goes with Jenna while Luna waits in the boiler room. Balto returns after some moments and next to Luna they head toward the boat.
Luna and Balto go up to the boat and enter at the bridge. Luna leans herself on Balto's bed while he leans some meters away. Balto falls asleep after saying good night.
Luna was looking at him thinking about the events of that same night, she could not remember when she had been last time that she had had so much fun.
On the following day Luna is leant in Balto's bed that accompanied her just like Jenna and Dingo.
"Balto, when we will have the walk that you promised me?" Jenna asks looking at Balto.
"I do not know it Jenn, I do not want that Luna be alone" Balto responds looking at Jenna that looked at him with phony reproach.
"Why don't you go for a walk? I can take care of her" Dingo says looking at his parents that look at each other some moment.
"It seems a good idea, are you agree?" Jenna asks looking at Luna.
"Yes, I do not have any problems with that" Luna responds looking at Dingo that smiles content.
Balto and Jenna say good-bye and they go out of the place to begin with their walk.
Luna decides to rest a moment for that reason Dingo gets out letting alone to Luna, she closes her eyes and falls asleep some moments later. Luna wakes up a couple of hours later, she does not see Dingo.
"Dingo?" Luna asks worried.
Some moments later she hears steps that come from the stair from where Dingo appears.
"Yes? Anything bad does happen to you?" Dingo asks getting close to Luna that feels relieved seeing Dingo.
"No, I am all right, but I was not sure that you be here" Luna says looking at Dingo that smiles.
"Do you want to play yanks?" Dingo asks looking at Luna.
"Yanks?" Luna asks confused.
Dingo sees surroundings looking for something, next he gets close to one of the corners and takes a piece of cloth with which he returns to the place where Luna found herself reclining.
"The game consists in than you take one end of the cloth and I take the other one, both pull at the same time trying to take the cloth of the other one" Dingo says explaining the rules to Luna that takes one end of the cloth while Dingo smiles.
"It would be easier if you were standing" Dingo says looking at Luna.
She gets up and gets out of Balto's bed. Luna and Dingo begin to pull the cloth in opposed addresses, they growled themselves playfully. Luna found the game full of fun; it was like when she and her brother played at taking off a piece of meat.
Dingo found that Luna was very strong by her condition of wolf; Dingo pulled the cloth with all his strength just like Luna. In some moment Dingo releases the cloth for the fun at the expense of Luna that moves back rapidly and that falls in the wooden floor, Dingo rapidly gets close to her and helps to Luna to gets up.
"I'm very sorry, I should not have released the cloth" Dingo says while he feels remorseful.
"Take it easy, I will not get disarmed for a fall" Luna says looking at Dingo with a smile.
Dingo smiles just like Luna that again takes the cloth, she and Dingo resume their games in the meantime Balto and Jenna were looking at them from the stairs.
At night after Dingo and Jenna went away, Luna leant on Balto's bed to be able to sleep, Balto covers her with his blue blanket. Luna smiled at Balto that also you smile. Luna noticed in Balto, the loving look of a father that contemplated her.
"Luna, tomorrow I have to travel early because Kodi and his team need me to deliver medicines and supplies to a distant town, so I will not be here with you" Balto says looking at Luna.
"I will let you the necessary food, if you desire you can enter at the town" Balto says Balto looking at Luna.
"When you will return?" Luna asks looking at Balto.
"I will return in a day or two, everything depends on the climate" Balto responds looking at Luna.
"Will I be alone in the boat?" Luna asks worried about be alone in the boat.
"No, at night Jenna will take you to her house and you will sleep there" Balto responds looking at Luna that gets surprised hearing Balto's answer.
She cannot believe that she would spend the night in a human house. Luna falls asleep thinking about Jenna's house.
On the following day Luna wakes up and yawns, she observes a couple of rabbits ahead of her. Luna notices that Balto was not in the boat, she takes rabbits and begins to eat them with pleasure because she is hungry, when Luna finishes she gets out of the inside of the boat. It was noon; she observes the sea for several minutes.
Luna comes down of the boat and addresses herself to Nome; she enters in the town with more confidence that in previous times, because she had verified that the humans were not so bad like she thought.
Luna notices that people did not put a lot of attention to her, and if they made it they were not looking at her as a oddball.
Luna stops to rest after of walking some streets. Already only there were two weeks before his cubs be born which fatigued her a lot at times.
"Look mom", a wolf" a little boy says indicating to Luna that looks at him.
The little boy gets scared and clings to the legs of his mother that looked at him with a smile.
"We should say it to somebody; she can be dangerous" the little boy says watching to his mother.
"I think that she is dangerous, no if you enter the town in broad daylight and without intentions of hiding" the woman says looking to the little boy that looked at her attentively.
"But she is a wolf" the little boy says looking at his mother that looked at him with a soft smile.
"That is true, but wolves are not murderous bloodthirsty as it is said, they only are dangerous if they are defied and their habits are not known, they prefer to go away of the humans" the mother says looking at the little boy that listened to her attentively.
"She is pregnant, so I do not think that she represents a threat, Balto is wolf in part and he made a lot for this town" the woman says looking at her son that looks at her.
"Yes, he safe to my older brother" the little boy says looking at his mother that nods.
The little boy looks at Luna and smiles at her.
Luna reciprocates moving her tail, it was her first time that she does that for a human, but it seemed the right thing to correspond to the little boy's greeting.
After some minutes Luna continuous her walk toward the boiler room, the conversation had confirmed her that Balto was somebody very important for Nome's people.
Luna spends the rest of the afternoon and the night in the boiler room. Dingo puts a lot of attention to Luna that started to have especial sentiments for him.
The boiler room little by little gets empty slowly until Dingo and Luna are alone; they play some moments more until Jenna enters at the boiler room.
"Dingo, shouldn't you be in your home?" Jenna asks looking at Dingo that down his ears while he says good-bye to Jenna and Luna, and gets out of the boiler room.
"Isn't you very strict? Besides he is a young dog and can take his decisions" Luna asks looking at Jenna.
"Yes, he is it theoretically, but even is new, besides if his master was not going away certainly would close the door, Dingo is a good dog and son like all my children, but sometimes they commit some error" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"Yes, that is truth" Luna says looking at Jenna.
"Let's go" Jenna says looking at Luna.
They get out of the boiler room; Luna and Jenna walk on the main street of Nome that is completely deserted.
They walk during 10 minutes until they arrive to the extreme opposed of the town, Jenna guides Luna to a house at the little hill.
"This way" Jenna says heading for the posterior of the house.
Jenna indicates to Luna she must enter in the house by the dog's door. Luna enters using it with difficulty because her swollen belly, but when she achieves it, she is in the kitchen.
Luna looks everything with great detail, Jenna enters in the kitchen.
Jenna walks to the living room followed by Luna.
"You will sleep in my room" Jenna says looking at Luna
She nods lightly you and continues examining the living room.
"I will be going to see if my girl is asleep, do you want to come with me?" Jenna asks looking at Luna.
Both get on the superior floor where Rosy's bedroom is.
Jenna and Luna walk toward a room from where a dim light gets out. Jenna and Luna stop in the room's door and peek in.
Luna observes as a redheaded girl is on his bed while she reads a book with the light tenuous of the lamp.
Jenna enters in the room doing a facial expression to Luna in order that she followed her. Luna and Jenna enter in the room. Luna can see than a wolf's image is on a book's cover.
Rosy takes down the book when she listen steps in her room.
"Jenna¡" Rosy says looking at Jenna that gets close to her bed and stand up on two paws on the bed to allow that Rosy caress her and embrace her.
At that moment Rosy notices the presence of Luna that is looking at her.
"Is she your friend?" Rosy asks looking at Jenna that barks in a soft way.
Rosy extends her hand slowly toward Luna that is nervous until Rosy's puts her hand on her head. Rosy begins to pass her hand by Luna's head time after time.
Luna closes her eyes feeling a pleasant sensation feeling Rosy's hand touching her head softly. Jenna was looking content the scene. Luna does not know why she starts to move her tail.
She imitates Jenna and lays down her forepaws on Rosy's bed that rapidly embraces the young wolf that feels very happy; she feels the girl's love.
Rosy separates of Luna that sits on the floor, Jenna takes one of the blankets and starts to drag her along on Rosy's body that leans back and say good night to Jenna and Luna.
Rosy turns off the lamplight and falls asleep rapidly.
Luna and Jenna get out of the bedroom, they down by the stairs heading for Jenna's room where they enter moments later.
Jenna closes the door. Luna observes the chimney that is on allowing that the environment of the room is a comfortable temperature.
"Use my bed" Jenna says indicating her bed.
"I cannot, it is your bed" Luna says looking at Jenna.
"Do not argue, the pregnant females have preference" Jenna says looking at Luna with a smile
Luna agrees and gives some steps to next leaning on the fluffy bed of Jenna that comes closer and leans back in front of Luna.
"What was reading your girl? I only saw the image of a wolf" Luna asks looking at Jenna.
"It is a book about wolves" Jenna responds looking at Luna that looked at her attentively.
"That book is about the wolves' behavior and habits, the humans did observations" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"Why they study us?" Ask Luna looking at Jenna.
"It is because the humans are that way, they are curious by nature and wish to know everything about all" Jenna responds looking it Luna.
"Why your girl read that book in particular?" Luna asks interested.
"Rosy wants to be a veterinary, that is to say a doctor that helps dogs and wolves if she can, she wants to start to get ready from now on" Jenna responds smiling while she looks at Luna that looked at her.
"I have a doubt that I want to clarify" Luna says looking at Jenna that looked at her attentively while she expected the question of Luna.
"During this time I noticed that Balto is much-respected for Nome's dogs, in addition to be loved by people, today listen to a woman saying that Balto had made a lot for this town, but Balto is half wolf, as far as I knew the humans would not treat him so well" Luna says looking at Jenna that smiles.
"Balto is Nome's great hero, as far as I know he is very famous between the dogs of other towns and more far of Alaska" Jenna says smiling.
"It is true that Balto began as pariah at the town where people and the dogs refused him, but everything changed" Jenna says looking at Luna that was looking at her attentively.
"Two years ago there was a great epidemic, a lot of children fell ill, among themselves my girl, the medicine that children needed could not be transported by some way that the human had" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"Then dogs' team was sent to bring the medicine, but the team lost in the middle of the storm, so Balto went to find it, I accompanied him, but I had to return to Nome because I was hurt by a bear's attack" Jenna says remember those days.
"Hope disappeared, but Balto did back with the sleigh and save the town's children" Jenna says finishing the story that lets Luna completely surprised.
"For that reason a lot of humans and dogs don't see to Balto as a threat, they have learned that wolves are not a threat for the fact of being wolves, people and dogs have changed their way of thinking thanks to Balto" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"Are you the mate of Balto to be thankful with him?" Luna asks looking at Jenna.
"No, I felt something for Balto even before the epidemic, in the course of time both of us knew to each other better" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"How me are talking about the past, would you tell me why your clan did hate your cubs?" Jenna asks looking at Luna.
"They believe that dogs are traitors because they live with the humans; my clan think that we must live without mixing up with dogs" Luna says looking at Jenna.
"I never knew the name of the father of my cubs, an afternoon he just seduced me, when my clan learned about it, I got involved in a great problem, my parents and the clan's leaders did one assemble to decided what to do" Luna says while she remembered her past.
"They in first instance removed me my name" Luna says with pain in her voice.
"Removing your name?" Jenna asks confused.
"Yes, I never again would be able to use my name, it is as I did not exist or I had not been born, so I should not use Luna's name" Luna says looking at Jenna that gets surprised.
"They kept me in arrest in my den, they wanted use my cubs like an example for the rest of the members of the clan" Luna says.
"When I was under arrest I did not eat much, so I was forced to eat the rats that I could catch" Luna says looking at Jenna, she looked at her completely surprised and horrified by Luna's story.
"I would have died there if Malek would not help me, he was the only one who opposed to the measures of my parents, he received several beatings because he steal food to give it to me, he risked a lot to leave me to escape in his guard, he attacked his friend and requested me attacked himself in order that everything seemed as if I would have decided to escape without help" Luna says looking to Jenna.
"Malek stayed with the clan to sabotage the search that would be tracked me" Luna says looking at Jenna.
"He is a good brother" Jenna says looking at Luna that nods.
"Yes, he told me that his life was not import him, only I and my cubs; now I no longer am afraid to die giving birth because I know that my cubs will be loved" Luna says looking at Jenna that gets surprised seeing as tears start to roll by Luna's face.
"Here I was welcome with open arms without caring about my condition, you, your family and Nome's dogs have welcomed me, supported me and given compression that I did not have in my own clan, except by my brother" Luna says while she was sobbing.
Jenna embraces Luna that embraces her while she was crying with her head on the shoulder of Jenna that caress softly her back to calm her.
Luna leans back again in bed while she sniffles, she sees Jenna that smiles and stretches her paw to clean the tears of Luna's face.
"If you do not have name, Balto and I will give you one" Jenna says looking at Luna that looked at her confused.
"Balto and I chatted about you for some time, we want to adopt you" Jenna says looking at Luna that gets surprised hearing Jenna.
"Would I be your daughter?" Luna asks looking at Jenna.
"Yes, you will be our daughter, we talked about this with our family, they are in agreement in adopting you, you will have all the rights of Nome's dogs, of course if you accept" Jenna says looking at Luna says that feels as her heart burst in joy.
"Absolutely, I would love to be your daughter" Luna says looking at Jenna that feels very happy hearing Luna.
"Then, Balto and I will talk with Doc in order that he realizes the ceremony of adoption" Jenna says looking at Luna that feels very happy of finding a new family.
"Now I want you to lean back backwards, I will give a massage to belly in order that it helps you with your childbirth when there come the moment" Jenna says looking.
Jenna moves a little to be seated in front of the stomach swollen of Luna.
Jenna lays her forepaws on Luna's belly. Jenna begins to draw circles on the belly of Luna that closes her eyes enjoying Jenna's massage. Jenna stops after 10 minutes.
Both females retake their previous position.
"Did you enjoy it?" Jenna asks looking at Luna that answers affirmatively.
"Your cubs are very active" Jenna says looking at Luna that laughs.
"I hope that is not a sign that they will be mischievous" Luna says looking at Jenna, she laughs smoothly just like her.
"I want to give you something" Jenna says looking at Luna that looked at her attentively.
Jenna takes off her kerchief and places it on Luna that gets surprised.
"It is... your kerchief" Luna says while she looks at the kerchief.
"Yes, my mother gave it to me, now I give it to you" Jenna says looking at Luna.
Luna cannot believe that Jenna is giving her something so special.
"I cannot accept it" Luna says while she tries to take off the kerchief but Jenna prevents it.
"If you are my daughter you should use it, at least for a while in order that Rosy's parents manage to identify you us somebody closes to me and allow you coming here without any problem" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"I... I do not know what to say this it is..." Luna says looking at Jenna, she smiles.
"You do not have to say nothing, your look tells me everything, I consider you as my true daughter without being important that you do not have my blood, Balto also considers you as his daughter" Jenna says looking at Luna, she feels as some weeps in her eyes.
"My mother gave me that kerchief when I had your age, now I give it to you in order that you can give it to one of your daughters when the right time comes" Jenna says looking at Luna that nods.
"I believe that it is moment of going to bed, if Balto arrives tomorrow, it will be the great day" Jenna says while she gets close to Luna.
Jenna gives her a kiss in the forehead before leaning back. Both give themselves the good nights; Jenna falls asleep rapidly while Luna sees to Jenna.
Being Balto's daughter and Jenna, it was one of the a lot of things that Luna had in the head, she could not believe the great spin that her life had given, before without no hope for her future, but now the future for her and her cubs was of great promise.
On the following day Luna wakes up and yawns some moments, she opens her eyes slowly while her eyes get accustomed to daylight.
Luna notices in front of her is a bowl with food for dog. Luna holds out her neck a little to catch up with the bowl and beginning the food.
Luna eats the food without hurrying up; she feels the different taste to some animal's meat that she used to eat. She thought that dog's food was good in spite of being done by humans that did not know anything of the canine pleasures.
Some moments later, Luna finishes her food, the door opens Rosy enters in the room.
"I see that you enjoyed the food" Rosy says while she looks at Luna that wag her tail.
Rosy gets close to Luna without no fear, she places her hands on Luna's head to start to caress the wolf that closes her eyes to enjoy the caresses of the girl that was smiling sweetly.
Some minutes after, Jenna enters in the room, she is happy seeing the scene that happened in front of her. Rosy gets out of the room without before giving some caresses to Luna.
"Rosy is a very tender and happy girl" Luna says looking at Jenna that smiles.
"It is truth, since she chose me being little, I have enjoyed her company every minute" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"What time is it?" Luna asks looking at Jenna.
"Close to the noon, Balto has arrived one hour ago; we went to see Doc" Jenna says looking at Luna.
"The ceremony of adoption will be tonight" Jenna says looking at Luna.
If she would not be pregnant, she would have jumped of joy.
Luna was very happy hearing the news of her adoption.
The next hours pass slowly for Luna that was desperate waiting that the night comes; she was very impatient and nervous. Finally arrive the night, she and Jenna along with Balto head toward the boiler room.
Balto and Jenna can see the anxiety of Luna, they were looking at themselves and smile smoothly thinking that soon they would have a member more in their family.
They finally get to the boiler room and enter in it, Luna, Balto and Jenna head toward the place where Kodi and the other ones are waiting. They sit next to Dingo and Saba; Kodi and the rest of his brothers are sitting behind them.
Luna observes as the boiler room is full of dogs.
Some moments later, Doc heads toward some crates that were willing in rectangular form, Nome's dogs used them as a platform. Doc gets on the boxes and sees to Nome's dogs that were looking at him attentively.
"As you know, today we have a ceremony of adoption, as the adopted is an adult, I will not have the obligation to make a decision about the family that will care her" Doc says looking at Nome's dogs that start to gossip among themselves.
Doc indicates to Jenna, Luna and Balto will get on the improvised platform, they get on the platform while Nome's dogs gossiped among themselves.
"Today, Balto and Jenna did communicate me their desire of adopting Luna, she is new among us, she has adapted to the laws of our town in spite of her origin, I am sure that they will not have any objections about she lives here" Doc says looking at Nome's dogs that show their support to Doc.
"Balto, Jenna, come closer please" Doc says looking at Balto and Jenna that get close to the place where Doc is waiting.
"Both have communicated me your desire of taking Luna as your daughter" Doc says looking at the two dogs that nod.
"Will you protect her, love and take care of her, just as one of your children?" Doc asks looking at Balto and Jenna.
"We will do it" Balto and Jenna responds looking at Doc that you look at them.
Doc looks at Luna requests her come closer, she comes closer toward Doc while Jenna and Balto go away a little to offer space to Luna that stop in front of Doc.
"Luna, being an adult you can take the decision by yourself; do you wish to be Balto's and Jenna's daughter with the implications that this will have?" Doc asks looking at Luna.
"Yes, I want it" Luna answers looking at Balto and Jenna that looked at her with some smiles of happiness.
"Then from now on she is the daughter of Balto and Jenna, and therefore have all the rights and obligations that our laws offer her, if she desires can change her name to have a new start as a citizen of our town" Doc says looking at Luna.
"My mother must give me my name" Luna says looking at Jenna.
Jenna is looking at Luna with some surprise, Jenna looks of the presents is focus on her. She is feeling inconvenience by the attention that is put on her.
"Kari, your name will be Kari" Jenna says looking at Luna, she smiles.
"Very well, from now on your name will be Kari" Doc says looking at Luna, she is very happy while Nome's dogs are applauding with enthusiasm.
"Can I say some words?" Luna asks looking at Doc that nods and gives way to Luna that looks at Nome's dogs.
"Three weeks ago I was compelled to flee away from my own clan, I was rejected and forced to leave what once was my home, the reasons which I left for: the prejudice and the ignorance; I do not desire explain the exact reasons" Luna says while she sees to Nome's dogs.
"When I arrived here I did not have high hopes for me and my cubs, but here I was I was received with open arms by my new family just like all of you and the humans; here my wolf's condition or my pregnancy were not important" Luna says looking at the dogs.
"You accepted me without no prejudice, I want to thank you with all my heart, I will be very happy living here next to my new family and my friends" Luna says looking at Nome's dogs that immediately burst into applauses.
Jenna and Balto meet with their family next to Kari that is nuzzled with affection by part of their new stepbrothers and stepsisters; they give her the welcome.
Kari is congratulated by all Nome's dogs; close to an hour later the boiler room is empty except for Kari and her family that celebrate a moment before of leaving the boiler room.
They accompany to Kari and Balto to the boat before returning to their homes.
That night Kari sleeps very happy thinking in the happy days that waited for her and her cubs.
On the following day Kari wakes up slowly and yawns for next stretching out her body, she feels as her nose touches something, it is Dingo's nose.
She almost falls down with one's back up against seeing Dingo that is looking at her very closely.
"What happen with you? You almost kill me of the scare" Kari says very upset.
"I'm sorry; it was not my intention" Dingo says looking at Kari that was puffing irritation while she leans back again.
"Where are dad and mom?" Kari asks looking at Dingo.
"They are walking on the beach" Dingo responds looking at Kari that relaxes a little.
"Why are you here so early?" Kari asks looking at Dingo.
"It is because I wish to talk with you about something important" Dingo responds looking at Kari that looks at him attentively.
"You need a mate that takes care of you, and cubs need a father" Dingo says looking at Kari.
"Do you volunteer?" Kari asks laughing in the meantime sees to Dingo that does not laugh and looks at her very embarrassed.
"Talking seriously, do you wish to be my mate?" Kari asks looking at Dingo that nods.
"Since the first time that I saw you" Dingo responds looking at Kari that looked at him very happy.
"I feel the same way, you went who else took care of me besides dad and mom" Kari says looking at Dingo.
He feels as his heart was accelerating of joy to hear the answer of Kari that smiles seeing Dingo's reaction, he jumped for joy.
He stops some moments and getting close to Kari kiss her, Kari joins her mouth with the one of Dingo.
"Well, we should talk with Doc in order that he realizes the wedding celebration" Jenna says looking at Balto that she nods.
When they heard the lot of noise, they I decide to see what happen, both saw everything while they remained hidden on the stairs.
That same night the ceremony of union of Dingo's and Kari's is realized in the boiler room, a lot of Nome's dogs congratulate the new mates.
A week later, Kari's cubs are born in Jenna's house where she and Rosy take care of the cubs next to Dingo that licks and gave affection to his mate's new cubs. Two months pass since the cubs' birth.
Dingo, Kari and their pups are walking and playing on the beach while Balto and Jenna observe them from Balto's boat.
Kari's pups run and play by the beach while Dingo and Kari are looking at them very happy. Dingo and Kari nuzzle to each other while pups fought among themselves.
Pups stop their games when a shade covers them. They look up and see to 20 wolves that were looking at them.
Pups run towards Dingo and Kari. Balto and Jenna jump of the boat and get close to the place where Dingo and Kari next to their cubs are.
Dingo growls and get in position of combat, Kari unlike Dingo remained impassible by the wolves' presence.
"Dingo, please come back to the town with the pups, I will see about this" Kari says looking at Dingo that gets surprised just like Balto and Jenna; they have the feeling that those wolves and Kari knew.
Dingo indicates to the pups follow him, he walks away with the pups back to Nome not without giving a last look to Kari that smiles at him smoothly.
When Dingo and pups go away, Kari looks at wolves directly.
"What do you want here?" Kari asks looking at the wolves.
A black-colored wolf bursts through the group and stops in front of Kari.
"Luna, we must talk" the wolf says looking at Kari that looked at her.
"Luna does not exist any longer, mother; my name now is Kari" Kari says looking at the wolf that gets surprised just like the rest of the wolves.
"Kari?" the wolf asks looking at Kari.
"Yes, it is the name that my parents, Balto and Jenna gave me" Kari says looking at Jenna and Balto that smile.
"When I escaped and came here, I was received by the dogs and humans of Nome's town" Kari says looking at her mother that looks at her surprised.
"My wolf's condition was not important for them, Balto and Jenna just like my stepbrothers took care of me since I arrived here with hunger and almost died" Kari says looking at her mother.
"Here I found the support that you did not give me" Kari says looking at her old friends and members of her clan.
"Jenna gave me this kerchief as a gift as her mother gave it to her; Dingo the dog that you saw some moments ago is my stepbrother and my mate, he has taken care of me, he loves the pups that you intended to kill" Kari says looking at her mother and wolves.
Balto and Jenna are looking at the wolves with a lot of indignation.
"Luna, that decision was made by the council because you broke off a very important law for our clan" the mother of Kari says.
"That was an error, but I do not repent about it, it gave me much happiness" Kari says looking to his mother.
"Your father has died" the mother of Kari says looking to Kari that gets surprised just like Jenna and Balto.
"He died in an accident when he fell by a ravine" Kari's mother says with sadness.
"Now that he has died you are supposed to assume the clan's leadership" Kari's mother says looking at her daughter.
"I am sorry it a lot" Kari says.
"First you exiled me of the clan, now you want that I take the leadership, it seems very illogical to me" Kari says mockingly looking at the wolves that get upset by the comment of Kari that is he content by the effect that she caused in the wolves.
"Besides, I was erased of the existence of the clan; so I do not have that right, why do you recourse to me? If Malek is the successor" Kari asks looking at hers mother that looks at her in silence.
"You Brother have renounced to the clan after being cast away" the mother of Kari says looking to Kari that gets surprised knowing that her brother had renounced to the clan.
The fact that she went away was a thing, but that the clan lost the leader's successor, it was something very serious.
"We discovered your brother's farce about your escape, in spite of the fact that the members decided that lesson will be enough, he refused flatly to say where you was hidden; he finally get tired of the beatings, she told us that you lived in a town close to the sea, we searched long time and finally we found you here" Kari's mother says.
"Where is he now?" Kari asks looking at her mother.
"Your brother lives with a clan directed by a wolf called Alue" the mother of Kari says looking at Kari.
She notices that her daughter in addition to Balto and Jenna get surprised.
"Alue, she is my stepsister" Kari says looking at her mother that gets surprised just like the wolves.
"You know what the clan faces, you must return" Kari's mother says looking at the black-colored wolf that looked at her.
"I told you that I will not do it, this is new home with my family" Kari says looking at her mother.
"Luna does not play, without a leader the clan will not be able to survive" Kari's mother says looking at her daughter that is not affected emotionally.
"Perhaps be better that way" Kari says.
"If the clan worries you, only allow that the clan's males put their paws on you to decide who will be the leader and you will continue to be the alpha female" Kari says looking at her mother that looked at her surprised next to the wolves.
"Kari, you cannot say something like that" Jenna says getting close to her foster daughter that looked at her.
"But, because them I had to leave everything in my life" Kari says looking to Jenna, she nuzzles her a moment of affectionate way.
"Kari, resentment is not good, you just damage yourself, I know it by own experience" Jenna says while she looks at Kari that looked at her, Kari looks at Balto that proves to agree with Jenna.
Kari looks at Jenna again sees to her mother that looks at her, before she said something a great quantity of dogs come closer to the place next to Dingo, they position themselves behind Kari, Balto and Jenna.
"Where are the pups?" Kari asks looking at Dingo.
"I leave them with Saba" Dingo says looking at Kari that sees Nome's dogs.
"As our citizen, you have a right to be protected" Doc says looking at Kari.
"No, it is not necessary" Kari says looking at Doc.
Kari looks to the wolves and her mother
"Forget what I told you mom, but I will not go away of Nome" Kari says looking at her mother.
"If you decide that is ok, but you will have in your conscience what would be able to happen to the clan" Kari's mother says while she was looking at her daughter.
"No, you made a decision for yourself when you refused your successors" Kari says looking at her mother and the rest of the wolves that they turn over and walk toward the forest while Kari and the other ones are looking at them.
"Are those wolves a part of your clan?" Dingo asks looking at Kari that nods.
"But they did not want you in their clan" Doc says looking at Kari.
"Yes, but I was their last hope, my father died and my brother has defected of the clan, for that reason they are without leaders, now this can destroy the clan because they will fight for the leadership" Kari says looking at Dingo that looked at him surprised.
"Now I know that my brother Malek lives with Alue" Kari says looking at Dingo that gets surprised.
"I want to visit him; would you show me how I get there?" Kari asks looking at Dingo.
"I'm sorry, but I do not know how to arrive there, dad is the only one that knows the way" Dingo says looking at Balto just like Kari.
"If you wish to go there, I will take you there" Balto says looking at Kari that feels very happy hearing Balto that smile just like Jenna.
On the following day Balto along with Kari and her cubs come out of Nome, Dingo and Jenna say good bye to them.
The cubs walked playing around; Balto and Kari are looking at them.
"How much time is the journey to Alue's territory? Kari asks looking at Balto.
"Close to four hours, but I think that it will take a little more, if we go with pups" Balto says looking at Kari.
After six hours of long walk with some rests, the group enters in Alue's territory where they are received by a couple of wolves that escort them.
When they enter at the main cave, Balto goes away to the den of Alue.
Kari looks the surroundings just like her cubs that never before had been in a similar place and among so many wolves.
Kari hears a familiar voice that calls her, she sees with surprise that Malek gets close to her rapidly. Malek embraces Kari that also embraces him strongly.
Kari is very happy, they break off the hug and see among themselves with smiles while they rinse some tears of their eyes.
"Malek, they are your nephews, pups he is your uncle Malek, my brother" Kari says looking at her pups that greet Malek that smiles at them.
"How did you know that I was here?" Malek asks looking at Kari.
"Because mom, she and some members of the clan visited me in Nome, they wanted me in the clan again to assume the leadership" Kari says looking at her brother that looked at her surprised.
"What about dad?" Malek asks looking at his sister.
"She died in an accident" Kari responds with sadness while she looks at Malek that gets surprised hearing the news.
They see as the pups start to play.
"Luna, you look so beautiful with that kerchief, it looks like the one of Jenna" Malek says looking at Kari that smile.
"In fact, this is Jenna's kerchief; my name no longer is Luna, it is Kari" Kari says looking at his brother that looks at her confused.
"Balto and Jenna adopted me close to two months ago, just before my pups were born, she gave me her kerchief as sign that I am her daughter" Kari says looking at Malek.
"So I suppose that you have a good life in Nome" Malek says content knowing that his sister was happy in Nome.
"Yes, in Nome the dogs treat me very well, even the humans are not afraid of me; Rosy, Jenna's girl is the one that more love gives me" Kari says smiling while she looks at Malek that smiles.
"What about suitors?" Malek asks looking at Kari.
"There are no suitors, only my mate: Dingo" Kari responds looking at his brother that gets surprised and smiles.
"How is your love life?" Kari asks looking at Malek.
"Very well, in spite of the fact that recently I become incorporated to the clan, I right now have some bowing acquaintances with a wolf, the course of time will say if the situation becomes more formal" Malek responds looking at Kari, she smiles.
In that moment both see Balto approaching next to a young wolf of grayish color. Balto and the wolf stop in front of Kari while Malek makes way for Alue.
"Kari, she is Alue" Balto says looking at Kari that extends her paw to flap the paw of Alue that smiles in a friendly way.
"So you are my new sister" Alue says looking at Kari that nods.
"Is true that Dingo seated head with you?" Alue asks looking at Kari.
"Yes, just before I gave birth to my pups" Kari says looking at Alue that laughs.
"Dingo, he always turned over his head seeing a good-looking female dog, even sometimes hit itself with other dogs and things to delight his eyes" Alue says laughing while she looks at Kari that laughs just like Malek and Balto.
Kari spends a week with the wolves before returning to Nome along with Balto and her pups. Malek promises to visit his sister in Nome every time that it is possible for him.
The End
Balto, Jenna, Doc, Dingo, Saba, Alue, Kodi, Rosy are @ Universal
Luna (Kari), Malek and Shastha are my characters