night. Leaving town they grinned at each other, letting out howls of utter excitement and joy as they raced through the snow. Skidding to a halt at the edge out on the sea ice they jumped on each other playfully, releasing the tension.

 “That was amazing, I’ve never seen Steel scared for anyone in years,” Balto laughed grinning from ear to ear.

“Well then I’ve done everyone a favour, he needs to learn what I did. Besides he’s lucky I let him off lightly.”

“That was what you call light?” Balto asked raising his eyebrows.

“Listen Balto in a pack setting a wolf would be killed for attacking a leader or at the very least thrown out,” Eagle replied.

“You guys have changed things here for good with that, now the entire town knows about the relationship.”

“That pair forced our paws,” Nada snapped angrily as Cathan, Nava, Jenna and Aniu joined them.

  “Well we can safely call that a fiasco,” Cathan said matter of fact lie. “They will never forgive or forget what you have done.”

“We don’t need their forgiveness,” Nada replied coolly. “All I want now is to return to my pack.”

“I got the truth,” Niju replied, turning to face his uncle. “I don’t regret the fight.”

  “Where will you go now?” Balto asked his voice full of concern.

“With Nava and Nada, I’m not losing my sister again.”

“I knew you would say that Niju, the pack will be glad of your help and my pups will be delighted,” Nada said smiling.

“Another pack member is always usefully especially one related to another member,” Eagle said wisely.

“The past is laid to rest at last no more secrets, at last I can living in peace,” Nava sighted.

  “Everything seems to have worked out for the best,” Jenna replied smiling. “Balto is everything ok?”

“Fine, I just…..Eagle could you pass on a message to Arden?”

“I have a better idea,” Eagle replied, placing her right paw on top of her brother’s. “I know Arden would love to see you, come back with us, at least for a little while.”

“Seriously? Do you think I would be welcomed?”

“Arden would have come with us, the pack always welcomes family of members, Dad the invitation is open to you as well.”

“I would love that daughter,” Cathan replied softly.

“I will join you,” Aniu replied smiling. “We can be a family once more.”

“Well count me in,” Balto replied grinning from ear to ear.

    Smiling at each other the group began to talk excitedly about their trip, Jenna and Balto sharing an understanding smile. Soon two broken families would at last be reunited and past scars allowed to heal.

    Prologue: Family reunited 

         A month has passed since Niju’s fight with Steel, at the edge Nada’s pack’s territory, Nada and her friends stood calmly. With a nod Nada led them across the border line, leading them through well known paths. Reaching a frozen river joyous howls filtered through the air. Instantly the group stopped, their eyes sparking with joy as they howled kin reply. Out of the undergrowth Arden and his pack appeared, seeing the group he skidded to a halt.

“D Dad……Balto!” he gasped in utter disbelief.

“In the fur son,” Cathan replied.

          Instantly the groups merged, greeting each other with joyous gips and licks. Meeting their grandparents and uncle Balto for the first time the pups were shy, soon coming out of their shells slowly. Meeting the group for the first time the pack members were friendly and welcoming, with a she wolf called Mist taking particular interest in Balto and Niju. For his part Balto was friendly, finding her sly and slightly at odds with his own personality. Shaking his head he walked over to where his brother and parents sat talking.

“I see Mist has taken a, interest in you and Niju,” Arden said casually.

“I have a girl brother, besides we are far too different, I cannot understand why she would be interested in me.”

“Had events gone another way you and Mist would be together,” Aniu replied mysteriously.

 “Are you being serious?” Balto replied, his eyebrows raised. “I cannot see how or what would bring that about.”

“Deadly serious, events can always go another way,” Aniu smiled.

“I swear this is going to take some getting used to, mother is a spirit, half sisters are spirits,” Arden replied shooting a glare at his mother. “Will we get to meet our half sisters Aurora and Valeria?”

“Aurora you will meet soon, Valeria in time,” Aniu replied as Eagle and Cathan joined them.

“She has her own life, we both know that Mother,” Aurora replied appearing out of thin air.

            The pack nearly jumped out of their fur in fright, some muttering curses in annoyance at the shock. Aniu, Aurora and Valeria were worshiped by the wolves of Alaska and Canada yet it was rare to see them in person. Seeing his white sister Balto smiled, he had grown close to her over the recent year through her connection to Rosie.

“Balto it is good to see you,” Aurora replied sitting down. “At last we are family again, now all the secrets are in the open.”

“It’s been a shock,” Arden replied smiling.

       As the sun set on the pack gathered together to near the river, raising their heads they howled, their song carrying for miles. They sang of happiness, family and freedom.  

[1] This is Rosie’s full name, Rosie being a shortened version 

[2] Aurora is my name of the White Wolf, details of how/why Rosie can talk to wolves/dogs appear in my other fic Light of the North  

[3] Details of events in other fic Days of Spring

[4] See my fic The Days of Spring for fight scene and info