at her brother.

“Times have changed, there is so much to tell you.”

“Oh come and sit with me, you have to meet your nieces and nephews.”

       Soon Niju was surrounded by the pack, meeting Nada’s mate Arden, pack members Pukiq, Mat, Mist and his nieces and nephews. Less than a year old the pups were fascinated by Niju, listening to his tale of recent events with awe. As they listened to the tale Eagle and Arden stared at each other in utter shock as Niju described Balto’s part. 

“Things have changed more than I could ever have imagined,” Nada replied once the tale was finished.

“Neither of us could have, I’m grateful Balto was able to help,”

“Our bother was always had a kind heart,” Arden said speaking for the first time.

“BROTHER!” Niju gasped turning to face Arden and Eagle.

“That’s right, everything you said confirms it.”

“He was separated from us in a blizzard when we were young, we all though he died.”

“He made me very welcome,”

“As are you to this pack, a brother of Nada’s is always welcome here.”

        With a nod to one another brother and sister left the clearing together, walking out of the pack’s earshot. As they walked Nada examined her brother. He had changed much since she had last seen him both in looks and personality, an edge of cruelness and darkness that had not existed before, an edge that slightly frightened her. Yet it did not come as a complete surprise her, she had seen signs when they were cubs. Arriving at the river they stepped onto a large fallen tree that formed a bridge. The tree’s width was large enough of them to lie down on without fear of falling into the icy water below.

  “What do you really want here? When you spoke before……I could tell there was more to you visit then just seeing me?”

“Perceptive as always,” Niju replied smiling. “I want to…….no I need to find our Mother. When you left you said you intend to find her.”

“I never found her, I met Eagle then Arden joined us and the others came. What they spoke of…..Forming a new pack, a new family, they offered a chance to be part of a pack without feeling like an outsider. I realized it would be silly to leave to find a wolf who abandoned me when I was with wolves who were begging me to stay.”

“What about now?”

“Why now? I can understand the opportunity you have but?”

“I nearly become like her Nada! Her cruelty, uncaring nature, I nearly killed an innocent she wolf for trying to take what I believed to be my natural place as leader! I swore I would never become like her in any way……” Niju replied looking at his reflection. “I swear Nada in my blood there has to be something…..evil…”

       “You are nothing like her brother, the fact you even think you could proves you are not,” Nada replied heavily. “You are a fighter who can be relied upon to do what at times has to be done. Evil is a term that is subjective. You acted out in a way others would have in the same circumstances. You need to find peace Niju, whatever is missing in your life you need to find it.”

            Deep into the night brother and sister sat on the log reminiscing about their cub hood, sharing stories of adventures they had growing up in their uncle’s pack. At the same time they began to discuss how they would approach their mother. Words left unspoken for years passed between them, each seeing the lasting affects their mother’s actions had on their adult lives.

          The arrival of dawn the following morning found the pair returning to the pack. Over a meal of caribou late that evening the pair discussed their intents with the pack. While the cubs were shocked at the thought their mother was the leaving, the adults took the news calmly, understanding the deep emotional scars Nada carried.  

“Go with the blessing of the pack, we are strong, we will hold this territory,” Arden said nuzzling Nada.

“If you are going through Nome…….”Eagle began turning to her brother.

“Go with them Eagle if you want to, Balto is our brother and our Father is there, I would go with you if possible.”

“Thank you Arden,” Eagle sighed with relief. “I have to see them.”

 “I understand how important this is to you Eagle, you and Balto were almost inseparable as pups.”

“We will be a family travelling together,” Niju grinned.

           A few days later the trio left the pack’s land with tears of goodbye from the cubs, the youngest litter upset their mother was leaving despite their parent’s explanation.

“I hate to leave my darlings but I have to,” Nava whispered licking each one. “I have to find your Grandma.”

“Couldn’t you go some other time?” asked a little female.

“It has to be now while the pack is strong. I wish you could understand, if I find her I will be happier.”

“We understand Mom, go find what you need to, we’ll take care of things,” said a male.

“I will come back all of you I promise I will come back to you before spring arrives.”

         With a howl Eagle, Niju and Nada set off through the vast forest following Niju’s lead. Like ghost they skirted the territories of other packs, narrowly avoiding a fight with one pack as they passed through their territory one night. After the brief encounter they took extra care. As they travelled Eagle questioned Niju about her brother, keen to discover all she could.

       After weeks of travelling the trio crossed a section of frozen sea, in front of them was Nome. Throwing back his head Niju let out a howl that carried through the town, soon answered by two howls. Balto, Nava, Aniu and Cathán ran down onto the ice to meet them, Balto and Cathán skidding to halt the second their eyes landed on Eagle. Joyous howls filled the air as the families reunited the bonds as strong as they had once been. Together on the ice Eagle and Nada explained their connection, Cathán and Nava’s eyebrows shooting up on hearing about the pups.

“A Grandfather again, that does make me feel old,” Cathán chuckled.

“I am amazed at how much Arden has changed, he’s no longer the pack joker,” Balto replied.

“Not even I foresaw this,” Nava replied.

“Oh Arden and Nada were always destined to be together,” Aniu replied softly.

“Destined?” Nada asked turning to Aniu.

“Always, in all futures you and Arden were together.”

“I can believe that, they are perfect for each other,” Eagle said nuzzling her mother. “I am glad to be with you again, I never imagined I’d ever see you again.

“Neither did I Eagle,” Balto and Cathán said at the same time, causing both to laugh.

“The bonds of family never weaken no matter how much time has passed,” Nava said softly. “In a few days Niju, Nada and I will leave here.”

“I expected that,” Balto replied.

“I’m staying here until they return, I came to see you and Dad, I cannot wait to see the town,” Eagle replied nuzzling her brother.

“You will love it here.”

       As the sun set on the large family walked to Balto’s to boat to avoid prying eyes. Disappearing for a short time Balto returned Jenna and the four of their six pups who remained in town. With revelations coming left right and centre it was a late night for all concerned.   

       Betrayal of the Heart

           Over a month had passed since Nada, Niju and Nava had left Nome together, after a long and taxing journey they had reached the territory of Nava’s brother. Having left Nome early one morning they had travelled slowly for the sake of Nava, using their combined knowledge to travel through the harsh winter. The months of near starvation and his advanced age had taken their toll on old wolf. This had caused Nada and Niju constant worry, both fearing the journey may be too taxing for their uncle’s heath.

          “We are here, when we begin, what is started cannot be undone. What will be revealed will change your lives,” Nava said looking at them.

“You know more than you are telling us Uncle,” Nada said looking at Nava.

“I do but it is for your mother alone to explain. In my defence I never kept silent to hurt you.”

“I believe you Uncle, you always acted for the best,” Niju replied smiling. “No the responsibility is at our Mother’s door as humans would say.”

     Smiling Nava threw his head back in a long howl, calling brother I am here with your grand pups. After a few minutes a howl answered in reply, welcome brother I am coming. Out of the bushes an old male wolf with a dark brown body and streaks of blue emerged, his facing filled with pride and welcome, yet his eyes showing the slightest sight in