you,” Kodi replied grinning.

“Hello, welcome to Nome,” Rosie replied holding out her hand.

“Rosanna it as an honour to meet you child,” Nava replied pushing his head up so it touched her hand.

     Remaining aloof Niju watched the interaction with a mixture of fear, amazement and curiosity. Having seen humans kill two pack members he had the wolf’s natural fear and hatred of humans, yet part of him felt drawn to Rosie. Young as she was Rosie was aware of Niju’s amber eyes, she smiled at him. Shocked at the reaction Niju snarled in confusion, unable to understand why he felt drawn to a human. Hearing the snarl Jenna turned and glared at him, her body language warning him not to hurt Rosie.

     Walking together Nava told the dogs about life in the wilderness in return hearing of their lives in Nome. Rosie and Kodi listened with curiosity, asking questions and in return answering Nava’s. Afternoon turned to evening, as the sun began to set on the horizon the group walked to the outskirts of the town. Stood waiting for them on next to Balto’s boat was Rosie’s father Arthur, seeing him, Nava and Niju tensed in fear.

“We will leave you here, until tomorrow farewell,” Nava said.

“Goodbye Nava it has been nice meeting you,” Rosie replied, stroking him before running over to her father.

“It has been a pleasure to meet you Nava,” Jenna said smiling. “Goodbye until tomorrow Balto.”

“Until tomorrow Jenna,” Balto replied licking her cheek.

            With a bark Jenna ran over to Rosie and Arthur, licking the latter’s hand and sharing a secret smile with Rosie. Walking away Arthur took hold of his daughter’s hand utterly oblivious to the watching wolves. Watching them go Niju felt an intense wave of hostility towards Arthur, regardless of any slight feelings of trust for Rosie, Neju was firmly hostile to the majority of humans.

         As the days passed Nava and Niju began to regain the weight and strength they had lost during the months of famine. Having secured the permission of the local wolf pack to hunt on their territory, Niju daily brought back fresh meat, with the occasional assistance of both Aniu and Cathán. Nava became firm friends with Cathan and Jenna’s father Fire, spending happy hours talking with them and letting them show him Nome.

    Watching Steel’s team return to town late one evening, Nava and Cathán stopped in their tracks, both clearly seeing the husky’s resemblance to Niju.

“LORD ABOVE!” Cathán exclaimed turning to his friend. “Steel looks Niju, the resemblance is uncanny.”

“Who is this Steel’s father? I trust you know,” Nava asked hesitantly.

“Unfortunately I know his father well, his father is called Iron a sled dog who looks like his son and is just as unpleasant.”

“Iron is a dog who pulls a human sled with others dogs.”

“Yes, one of the best,” Cathán replied turning to Nava. “You know this resemblance is more than just coincidence.”

“I do something I have not told Niju. If I tell you must promise not to tell him.”

“I promise.”

     Seeing the sincerity in Cathán’s eyes, Nava sighted heavily with the weight of the secret he carried. Yet knowing what was to come he had to find out as much as possible, especially when the one providing the information was unconnected to the secret.

“Niju’s feckless mother told me his father was a black and white husky called Iron, she then made me swear never to tell him,” Nava replied heavily.

“So it was true, those rumours years ago, about Iron having an affair with a wolf were true.”

“Rumours?”

“They raged for months, it was never clear how they began. If this happened then his sled team will have known. If Niju he comes into town every dog will see the resemblance. Balto has commented on it, he thinks coincidence but it will not be long before he thinks more.”

“I am bound by oath not to tell Niju, the fact is for his mother alone, even now I stand by that.”

“His mother sounds as horrible, cannot say I blame you for wanting to protect him.”

“I had little choice,” Nava replied turning to look out across the tundra. “But soon the truth will be known.”

       Sisters’ pack

     A month had passed since Nava and Niju had come to Nome, Niju had become good friends with Balto while Nava was starting to look and feel his age. After his initial hesitation Niju had warmed to Rosie yet he remained hostile to all other humans, avoiding entering the town unless absolutely necessary. Through conversation with Aniu, Niju knew the location of his niece’s pack, though he could not understand the smile the white wolf when she spoke of the pack, giving him the impression she was keeping something from him.

 “Balto, Uncle, it is time for me to say goodbye,” Niju said as he stood on near Balto’s boat.

“For now goodbye nephew, take care,” Nava replied nuzzling Niju.

“I will,” Niju replied turning to Rosie. “Rosie I never imagined I would become friends with a human.”

“I am glad we are friends Niju,” Rosie replied hugging him.

“I will see you again soon.”

“I’ll walk you out of town Niju,” Balto replied.

            The pair skirted around town in silence, avoiding the humans and sled teams which went to and from town. Walking to small patch of trees the pair stopped to look out across to the mountains.

    “Take care of Nava while I’m gone, recent events have taken their toll on him, he isn’t a young wolf anymore. I’m grateful for your hospitality.”

“It has been a pleasure; I’ll keep an eye of Nava.”

“When I’ve found Nada I will return, only Nava knows where my Mother’s pack lives, I will need his help. See you soon wolf dog.”

       In a swift bound Niju set off into the wilderness, his heart leaping at the prospect of reuniting with his sister. Through deep forests and across bleak tundra he travelled by night to avoid his fellow wolves, hunting at the edges of their territories and scavenging from kills. At times he encountered other lone wolves, some friendly and welcoming, others snarling and hostile. Joining for a while with some of those who were friendly Niju hunted with them and shared stories. With the knowledge of sledding he had gained from Balto and Kodi, he was able to avoid the major sled trails, always passing on this knowledge to any creature he met.

       Travelling alone for the first time in his life Niju thought about recent events. In the depth of the night he howled songs of pain and hurt, songs that broke the hearts of all who heard them.

    “What have I become? I acted out of belief that I could lead the pack to safety but there were more to my actions. I wanted to be pack leader for my own personal benefit. Others sided with me but I forgot my Uncle’s teaching about balance and respect for others. I nearly committed murder twice. .

     Strength with wisdom, cruelty and harshness when needed but a leader will always listen to the advice of others. My actions were cruel and ruthless, traits which have their place but a wolf cannot be those alone. I acted out of fear of losing the only home I had ever known.  

     Nada will not recognise the wolf I have become. Have I changed so much from the carefree pup I once was? I changed, changed when our Mother abandoned us, changed when I become an adult, changed when Nada left. I was always the fighter; Nava could always count on me to protect the boundaries; if harsh action or justice needed to be done I was the one who did it. I chose that role for myself. What will Nada think when she sees me?”        

        After weeks of travelling Niju at last entered the territory of his sister’s pack immediately catching the scent of a wolf. Standing still he watched as a white and brown female with Balto’s markings appeared out of the trees. Seeing his relaxed demeanour the she wolf visibly relaxed, as her eyes looked over his face. Cocking her head with curiosity she approached.

“Who are you stranger?” the she wolf asked.

“Niju, I don’t mean you any harm, I am searching for my sister Nada.”

“Nada is the alpha she wolf in my back, who is your uncle?”

“Nava.”

“Then you are welcome, I am Eagle, come I will take you to Nada,” Eagle replied with a wide smile.

    Walking through the territory Niju and Eagle walked in silence through the snow, Niju brimming with anticipation. Walking into a clearing his eyes landed immediately on his sister who was sat next to a grey and brown male with white markings around his eyes, clearly the alpha male. In an instant brother and sister were nuzzling and licking each other, tears of utter happiness shining in their amber eyes.

“Niju, what are you, why did you?” Nada stammered looking at her