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OMG!!! No, I'm not dead yet but...! *does a little happy dance* I'M ALMOST DONE WITH IT!!!

Seriously guys, I'm not pulling your leg - I really am nearly done! =^.^= Since the SAT's have been out of the way since last week (and I've gotten what I need to do in art taken care of) - I was free to do some MAJOR work on Newfound Emotion - and I've been working on it for the better part of the night already...

And the best part...I'VE ONLY GOT ABOUT 5 MORE PAGES TO GO!!!! WAHOO!!! *break dances like Daxter* YEAH BABY, YEAH!!!

After thinking about it, I've decided that, in addition to the last chap, I'm also going to do a brief 2 or 3 page epilogue picking up the story a few months after the events of the last chapter - it'll give it closure AND give me an excuse to write a huge author's note at the end (which I need to do, seeing as I have so much to tell you about how this fic came to be and what I saw/did/read that influenced some of the various twists and turns that it took along the three years it's taken me to write it.)

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me for so long guys - keep at it for a few more days. I promise it'll pay off!

May God forever Bless, Keep and Guide you all,
All my love,
BaltoLuver63

See? I told you. I'd love to tell you all why I haven't been up to writing this for so long...but that'll just have to wait till the Epilogue. Sorry.

Anyway, enjoy the end! God knows I've made you all wait LONG ENOUGH!

Chapter 14
The Counterattack

Kavik snorted, pushing himself to the limit. Though he wasn’t as spry as he’d once been, he was still one of the fastest among his kind and held the rapid pace he’d set with ease. Balto ran beside him, his great furry head lowered, eyes narrowed in concentration while behind him, Kirby Ralph and Nova struggled to keep up. He risked a glance over his shoulder to check up on the three sled dogs tagging along in his wake and was dismayed to see they were in danger of falling behind. He somehow managed to bite back the stream of curses that wanted to come spewing from his mouth, expressing his frustration in a low growl that rumbled up from the depths of his chest.

He found himself wondering why they weren’t making more of an effort, before the all-too-obvious answer came to him, making him feel stupid and old. Anxious though he was to save the two trapped lovers, he had to remember that the three canines plodding along behind he and Balto had just completed what was supposed to be a five-day run in only three day’s time and had only gotten back to Nome a little over seven or eight hours ago; hardly enough time to recuperate and be ready for something like this. It was really a wonder they were managing to move this fast at all.

Knowing he had no alternative didn’t keep him from hating himself as he resolutely forced himself to slow the pace. The great wolf/dog beside him followed suit, though he shot his snowy brother a mixed look of anger and frustration. He could read it easily enough; ‘What’s wrong with you!? We can’t afford to slow down! My son and his mate are counting on us!’

Kavik replied with a curt nod followed by an almost imperceptible jerk of the head, indicating the three sled dogs behind them, their breathe coming in ragged gasps that he didn’t care for. ‘I know, I know, but we have to otherwise those three will burn themselves out before we even get there.’ He tipped his snout forward, indicating the area ahead from where the orgy of scent was spewing. ‘Besides, strong as we are, there’s no way the two of us could hope to take down Forest and his cronies while they’ve still got a hold of Kodi and Dusty.’ Bottom line; like it or not, they’d simply have to suck it up and pray to God that they’d be able to get there in time, because if they kept it up, Kirby, Ralph and Nova would be too tired to last long in what promised to be a no-doubt bloody affair.

Their actions did not go unnoticed however. Ralph spoke up, sounding indignant. “Hey! What gives!? Why the hell…are we…slowing down…?”

“Because I want you three…to be ready for whatever we’ll have to do.” Kavik replied, speaking a little easier now that he had more air to spare for chitchat.

“We’re wasting time!” Ralph retorted, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth, “If we don’t hurry…they’ll – ”

“Do what he says!” Nova interrupted, voice lashing out like a double-edged sword of rage and worry – rage over what the three mongrels ahead of them had nearly done to his sister and worry over whether or not they’d make it in time. “I’m not…gonna let…that fleabag Forest…kill Kodi or my sister…because you two were too stupid…to listen to reason!”

That ended the debate. Kirby and Ralph each slowed their pace, dropping back behind Kavik and Balto once more, identical masks of primal fury on their faces – though whether it was from the tongue-lashing given them by their furious comrade or his being right about their foolishness wasn’t clear. Truth be known, Kavik really didn’t care if they spurned him for the rest their lives after this rotten business was over and done with; all he cared about was their being able to save his niece and nephew without having to worry about whether or not they were up to the challenge.

A sudden gust of wind blew in from the east, carrying with it a scent that made Kavik literally freeze in his tracks, his head whipping to the right, body tensing. He barely noticed how he’d nearly caused what would’ve been a very painful collision between himself and Nova, who was somehow able to avoid the snowy lupine at the last minute only to have a near miss with an ancient oak. He stood there, heart hammering in his chest, his mind screaming for him to move as his nose was assaulted by the reek of blood emanating from a clearing not half-a-mile in front of them…yet it also brought with it another scent, one that was now slowly but surely closing in on them from all sides. He cursed himself for a fool for allowing himself to forget where he was…to forget who owned this snowy wood.

If tempers had been on the brink before, whatever dams held them in place crumbled like sand before a tsunami at this latest display of what seemed to be pure insanity on Kavik’s part – at least in the eyes of one opinionated young canine.

Kirby turned, eyes burning, livid. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING” he roared, spit flying from his muzzle in long, foamy ropes as he glared angrily up at the larger wolf. “Do you want them to get killed!?! Is that it, huh!?! Are you in cahoots with that dirty, disgusting piece of sh – ”

“Kirby,” Kavik cut in, chopping off the rest of what would’ve been a very lengthy rant with surgical precision, “do yourself a favor; Shut up. Now.”

This only seemed to further infuriate the headstrong Husky, and he seemed not to have noticed the way Kavik was looking everywhere but towards the sound of his voice. “Why I ought to – ”

“Back off!” Balto interjected, the words coming out from between clenched teeth in a snarl, and angry and confused though he was, the younger dog had enough sense to follow the hybrid’s advice, snapping his mouth shut. Balto took a deep, shuddering breath, trying unsuccessfully to calm himself before turning to his brother. “Kavik, whatever it is, please hurry! They’re hurt, both of them, and badly! I can smell their bl – ”

“I’ll tell you what I smell,” his white sibling interrupted, speaking with a terrible enforced calm that sent a shiver running up all their spines, least of all Balto’s. “I smell wolf, and lots of it…and they’ve got us surrounded.”

Dead silence greeted this.

Kavik moved quickly taking a step forward, head held high, his voice hardening as a note of authority rumbled up from his throat as he addressed the medium-sized pack surrounding the five of them. “That’s close enough, all of you!” his nose picked up a sudden spike in the pack’s collective aroma. Good…he had their attention. “If we’ve trespassed against you or offended you in some way, then I apologize, but two of our kin may or may not meet their demise in these very woods a few moments from now!” He paused to let the weight of this message sink in. “Whether they live or die could very well depend on how long you choose to keep us detained, so I urge you to reveal yourselves and let us see each other face to face so we can resolve this in a way that satisfies us all and be on our way!” This plea complete, he stepped back, forcing himself to remain calm while he waited for their verdict.

((()-()))

Dusty tried to scream, but her throat refused to work – either she’d damaged her vocal cords too badly in such a short time or more likely, she was simply too tired to muster the energy she needed. She was exhausted; her body was heavy with it, her sides like iron, her legs lead. She watched helplessly as the brute called Pride moved toward Kodi while Forest held him down. She started to whine, a sudden darkness touching her heart. Did she know what was coming? You’d better believe it…but that didn’t make what came next any easier to bear.

He wouldn’t stop…no matter how much she cried for her beloved, they still refused to leave him. Her heart seemed to shatter as the high, dry crack of what sounded like a tree branch snapping in a high wind registered in her ears. Tears streamed down her face and she wept. Not just for him, but for herself as well – for being so useless, so weak that she could do nothing but lie here helpless to do anything but watch as they tortured him. “Kodi!…Oh God, Kodi, no…no, no, no, no!”

The beast standing over the bloodied russet Husky paid no heed, merely stood back to admire his handiwork and to allow Forest a few snide remarks before seizing Kodi’s other foreleg in his jaws. There came another of those high, explosive cracks, followed by another breathless scream of agony that tore at her heart like an ice pick. Kodi’s forelegs lay limp to either side of his head, the bones beneath his furry flesh twisted grotesquely. His breathing became ragged, labored as he struggled to say conscious, his face ashen.

“Awww…does it hurt, Lover-Boy?” Forest asking, his mocking high soprano making the other two laugh wickedly. Forest turned his attention to Sabbath, a grin splitting his ugly face. “Sabbath…what do you say? Feel up for a little…action?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

What little color she had left drained from her face as she heard the smaller dog’s reply. “Finally…I was afraid we’d never get around to this.” She shuddered, feeling him press his nose against her as he savored her scent once more, helpless not to let out a sob as ran out his tongue and sloppily licked her cheek, his saliva soaking her fur, his breath foul beyond imagination. “Get ready honey…Uncle Sabbath’s gonna break you in, make you a big girl….” A chuckle. “Aww, don’t cry, my peach,” he cooed, for he’d seen the tears that had begun to coarse down her face. “I promise I’ll be gentle…or not, depending on how much you scream….”

((()-()))

Nova stood, ears pricked, eyes moving ceaselessly, trying to keep an eye on every furry body at once. For all the good it was doing him, the Husky might as well have tried to count the snowflakes that were now beginning to dance and spin as they tumbled through the frosty air. He knew it was futile, but still, he couldn’t help it – it was in his blood, after all.

The wolves were larger than he was, their pelts more matted, with teeth a good deal more wicked looking. While some didn’t look as though they were as well fed as he and the others were lucky enough to be, he had no delusions as to who would win in a fight. Thin and under-nourished though they might’ve been, but one look into their wild eyes told him all he needed to know. It was their eyes that most unnerved him, really – all the things he saw burning in their yellow orbs. Where he was accustomed to gentle browns and soft blues, here was harsh gold and flat, dull amber. They looked at him with eyes that spoke of the hunt, of the thrill of running down game in the wood, the primal surge of triumph as the stench of blood flooded their nostrils as they brought down a deer after hours, sometimes days of hunting. These creatures were hardened warriors who had survived without a comfy stove to keep them warm on frigid nights, and they were a force to be reckoned with…. If you were an enemy, that was, and he for one was heartily relieved when that fear was laid to rest soon after Kavik’s booming address to the pack, who had turned out to be one both Balto and Kavik knew quite well. The wolves recognized them as friends in need and had come striding into the fading light with their claws sheathed.

First, he tried to keep count how many their were…but soon gave up on this; they were creatures of the wood and knew secrets he could only dream of. Such knowledge allowed them to become one with the shadows with an ease that was more than a little unsettling to behold. Every time he thought he had an accurate headcount, he would look away only for an instant…only to be greeted with the sight of two or three more wolves where only one had stood a moment before. It was to keep him off-guard, he knew…and to keep them from knowing just how many they were.

He soon gave up on keeping tabs on them and instead focused his gaze on the one Kavik had hailed as Ash, who, it seemed, was an old friend of his, judging by the warm greeting he gave them. Soon after the larger white hybrid had delivered his speech, the pack had come forward, Ash bounding to the forefront, his tail wagging happily at the sight of his former packmate of old. Kavik had returned his feelings, albeit for the briefest of moments, before addressing a wolf named Jeremiah, who was apparently the Alpha of the assembled pack. Here, fortune smiled upon them once more, for it turned out that the mahogany wolf knew not only Kavik, but Balto as well. Together, the group was able to quickly make clear their reasons for trespassing…and to ask for one other favor that was of particular interest to the small rescue party…one that would give them a distinct advantage on the battlefield to come….

((()-()))

“…You understand?” Balto asked, his tail twitching the slightest bit, belaying his desire to be off with all speed as soon as time allowed.

Jeremiah nodded, his eyes bright. “Aye, if it comes to that…count on us.”

Ash gave his own affirmative, a thin smile spreading over his scarred face as his yellow eyes glinted in the semidarkness. “…We’ll have your backs if the ******* turn yellow and run….” His smile disappeared. “But forget that – you must go, now.”

Kavik nodded and he and Balto moved off, the three sled dogs falling in step behind them as they began once more to head towards their waiting friends. The light had all but faded completely and snowflakes were beginning to drift slowly downwards as winter made a desperate attempt to cling to the world. The yellow-eyed crossbreed blew out a breath and shook himself, trying to shake the tension from his limbs. His heart was already pounding, and they’d yet to even within 400 meters of their destination. If this kept up, he’d be a wreck by the time for action came…and he’d throw himself from a cliff before allowing himself to become the reason that their plan – already risky to begin with – might fail.

Feeling his brother’s gaze, he said, “Don’t worry…I’m fine.” Which was a complete lie; he was certainly nowhere near ‘fine’ – in fact, he was about a hair’s breadth from a heart attack, or so he felt. But, his Kodi and his mate needed him to be fine, needed him to keep a cool head, so he forced his heart to slow to a more reasonable pace.

Kavik’s eyes sparked slightly – just enough to tell the hybrid he could see right through his flimsy façade – before he nodded and returned his gaze to the fast-approaching meadow before them. From the lupine’s right came Kirby’s anxious half whimper. “…Please, someone tell me we’ve got some sort of plan…?” The three looked instinctively to he and Kavik but Balto left most of it to the snowy juggernaut. True, he had had his share of skirmishes before, but they were as nothing when compared to Kavik’s life in the wild, which made the scuffle he’d gotten into with Steele so long ago look like nothing more that puppy play.

Balto heard him suck in a breath and then let it out speaking in low, slightly earnest tones. “All right…. Listen up, all of you, because I don’t want to have to repeat myself…and we all know just how much is at stake here.” Ears perked a little higher and eyes brighten as they all turned their collective attention on him, listening as he laid it all out on the table. It seemed a simple enough maneuver…but Balto was wise enough to know that what Kavik was proposing would require precise execution from all of them.

Kavik finished and Balto, recognizing his unspoken duty, continued one where the other had left off. “…Okay…here’s how we’re gonna do it….” He looked to the end of their little line. “Kirby, Ralph – you to take Pride while I handle Sabbath and Nova and Kavik take care of For–”

Kavik shook his head, cutting him off. “No – that’ll never work.” He turned to Balto, speaking quickly, all business. “They’re exhausted, Balto. Maybe if they were fresh it could be done, but Pride won’t fall as easily against two as he will with three.” He turned to Nova. “Go with Kirby and Ralph – they need you more than I do.”

The golden Husky bit his lip, looking a little uncomfortable with leaving the elder hybrids to fend for themselves. “But…that would mean–”

“Nova, please,” Balto said, and the fevered light the golden Husky saw burning in his eyes ended whatever argument he might or might not have been about to make, “I can handle Sabbath…I’ll be fine.” He tried for a smile, but it felt forced and ugly on his face so he put it aside.

“All right…” A beat. “…What about Forest?”

“Leave him.” All eyes turned to once again lock on the formidable white-furred crusader as he spoke, his voice as flat and soulless as steel, a fiery and somehow chilling desire in his eyes. From within his muscled chest there came a low rumbling and for an instant, the fire became an inferno as he bared his teeth in a brief snarl. “He’s MINE.”

A few blessed seconds, of considering silence, then Ralph spoke up. “…Will this really work?” He didn’t sound disbelieving so much as he seemed to be searching for a bit of balm for the worry worm trying to eat its way into his heart.

“Yes.” Not a moment’s hesitation.

“How can you say that?” Kirby burst out suddenly, his voice slightly scratchy with anxiety and the aftereffects of that week’s run. “How can you be so ***** sure?”

Kavik smiled and looking at it, Balto was glad it wasn’t aimed at him. “If we’re to save them, then it must.” He said with an air of finality, his tone once more brisk, “For I see no other way.”

There wasn’t much left to say after that. Words were only good for so long…and Forest and his friends had passed the point of no return long ago. There was no recourse for their actions – had Kavik not given them fair warning? Balto knew he had – and then some. So if anyone was responsible for what came next, be it for better or worse, it was the three bloodletting monsters that had dared to lay paws on his son and his mate.

Telling himself this made it a little easier to accept what he had to do. He was no killer – none of them were, at least not in the way their quarry was – but he understood that there were times when even an angel must exchange harp and halo for flame and sword.

((()-()))

Kirby was nervous.

…. Okay, so maybe that was a load of moose crap, but he was pretty far from the calm, cool and levelheaded leader he’d always been, that was for ***** sure. Heart pounding, he gulped and tried to will away the lump in his throat. This was no time to get choked up, no sir! His friends were counting on him, trusting him to save their very lives, and he wouldn’t allow himself to be the one who sent this whole situation spinning off into chaos.

“…***** it….” He growled, almost too low for even his own ears.

From his left he could feel the weight of Ralph’s concerned glance and he did his best to suck it up empty his mind. Eyes narrowing, he focused all his attention on the grass beneath his paws, forcing himself to analyze every detail, knowing it would keep him sharp and on edge, right were he needed to be, in other words. The feel of it was dry, the smell tangy and sharp – it was Spring all right – yet underneath it, he could feel the mud and muck squishing between his toes. Something about it’s cold, clutching caress calmed him somewhat, though if pressed, he wouldn’t have been able to say why, only that it did.

From five feet to his right, he saw Kavik’s great almost bearish form sink low to the ground, his belly lowering until he looked to almost be slithering through the foul mess. Kirby and the others followed suit, but none of them could slink and stalk like that great predator. He moved like the wolf he truly was, and never mind the quarter of canine in his blood; that was gone, cast out for now. The wolf/dog’s eyes were flashing like twin embers and all the usual warmth and kindness they were accustomed to were nowhere to be seen. Kirby understood that such a dramatic change in character was necessary – for if there was one among them who could not be bested in true combat, it was Kavik, of this he had no doubt – but still…that look was a little creepy.

A dull, wet crunching sound cut through the murmured sniggers and jeers emanating from the clearing, followed by a hoarse cry of utter agony that made Kirby’s stomach turn. Perhaps thirty seconds passed. More sniggering, now downright laughing, and all the while he could hear a low, piteous sob that was Dusty. Dusty, crying as though her heart would break as they forced her to watch as they tortured her only love. Dusty, who had never so much as gossiped or bad-mouthed even the lowest of curs, brought low by this…this pack of demons. Another of those sickening reports rang out, and the tan Husky realized what he was hearing a spit-second later.

His legs…they were breaking Kodi’s legs.

As if to confirm it, the tortured dog cried out again, sounding weaker this time. Next to Kavik, Kirby saw Balto’s entire body tense, the corded muscles coiling beneath his fur. Looking at him, Kirby finally realized that he himself had been preparing to spring – his exhausted muscles were bulging, pulled taut in readiness for the eventual leap to come. His heart pounding away like a drum in his chest, his whole body nearly shaking with anticipation as well as fear now, Kirby tried vainly to relax, but it was like trying to eat what the humans called ‘pee-nut butt-er’ without getting the stuff stuck to the roof of your mouth; impossible.

‘Why in God’s name are we just sitting here?!?’ He thought frantically. His heart rate nearly doubling, he cast a furious look at Kavik…but he was just sitting there, coiled like a snake who’s forgotten how to strike. He wrenched his gaze away, looking toward the clearing where two of his best friends were being subjected to God-alone knew what. ‘Why don’t we DO something!? Kodi’s dying and Dusty might be too and we’re just fu– ’

“…Steady…” Kavik’s voice carried in a mutter so low Kirby almost thought it had been only the wind…yet it held a note of command that hadn’t been there before – not even when he’d addressed the combined forces of the two great wolf packs. Somewhat incredulous, the tan Husky turned his gaze back to the regard their pale leader…and saw he wasn’t the one Kavik had been talking to.

It was Balto…. And it was a good thing too, because from the looks of it, the older crossbreed was even more enraged and horrified at what he could hear going on in front of them than Kirby was. The wolf/dog shivered, seemed on the verge of propelling himself forward again, but Kavik’s low, deadly quite growl stopped him.

((()-()))

Kavik watched his brother’s face cramp in rage and fury as the cries of his tortured son reached his hypersensitive ears. Knowing what his instincts would cry out for him to do, the other called out to him, telling him to stay put. It wouldn’t bode well for any of them if all fell to ruin simply because of bad timing…and Kavik knew Balto would never forgive himself if something were to happen to either Kodi or Dusty because of it. Looking at him, the towering warrior could see the desperation and the pity burning in his eyes…and knowing he was not alone in this made things a little easier to bear. Not much…but it was still something. He tipped his head, speaking directly into the other’s cocked ear.

“…Do you love them?”

A shakily drawn breath followed by an even shakier exhalation. “…You know I do….”

“…Then trust me.”

An affirmative twitch of the head that was almost imperceptible.

Kavik focused his attention of the field again, his paws flexing, claws sheathing and unsheathing, digging miniature furrows in the muddy ground. Balto might hold for a few seconds more, but he knew he was a different story. If he didn’t give the sign soon…there was no telling what his barely contained wolfish bloodlust would drive him to do once the dam of his willpower had broken. An eon seemed to pass in those next few seconds…then, incredibly…he suddenly heard Pride let loose a bellow of pain in the clearing in front of them, then a snarling curse from Forest…and it happened. The dam broke…and when he rushed forward, mud and grass and water flying from his furry hide, the others were only too eager to follow.

It was time to teach these monsters what happened when they touched his family…once and for all.

Yes, that's right - this was so FREAKIN' long, I had to break it into two chapters.

WARNING: This is where things get a little on the messy side, kids. Nothing too horribly graphic or explicit, but still, I feel the need to give you all a heads up all the same.

Now that that's taken car of...enjoy! n.n

Chapter 15
The Reckoning

Pain.

For a few hellish seconds, it was all his delirious brain could register. The craziest part of it was that there really were no words to describe it, none that he knew of anyway. Kodi lay in the slowly reddening snow, barely conscious, his vision swimming in and out of focus like a badly put together camera…and the colors…they kept changed. First gray, now black, then full color, then back to gray and now…color, finally. He blinked. It took an effort. He stared up at the leering faces of his torturers, seeing past them to lock eyes with his beloved, thinking; ‘you monsters, oh you sick monsters, what’ve you done to her!? What’ve you done?!?’…Because all he could make out with his spotty vision was a dog-shaped purple blotch that wouldn’t stay constant.

In actuality, it really was something of a miracle he was even conscious at all – with both his legs broken on top of all they’d subjected him to before now, he should’ve fallen prisoner to shock at least ten minutes ago. But, as his team would’ve attested to, he was not lead dog for nothing…and he and pain were more than casual acquaintances. He lay in the now bloody snow and tried to remember a moment when he’d felt this horrible and couldn’t. The closest he could come to comparison had happened many years ago, back when he had first decided he’d wanted to join the mail team. He’d been training of course – how could he expect to have a chance of making it into the ranks of Nome’s most respected circle of canines without some kind of one-up on the competition – and he’d pushed himself too far, too fast, pulling muscles in both his back legs (and, he suspected, one in his back as well.) This was like that, only about a thousand…no, make that a billion times worse.

And he was tired…so very tired. He could feel the pull of unconsciousness, sensed in some instinctive way that it would be the best, the only way to escape this agony, this Hell that had been thrust upon him…but he wouldn’t. Not quite yet anyway, for something else, some minute strain of wolfish blood that had never affected him before took hold now, urging him to fight it, to look for some opening…because there would be one. All he had to do was wait…and watch….

So he waited, his legs and head throbbing in pain…and suddenly, Pride’s paw was before him. Right there, not half an inch from his twitching nose. It was what he had been waiting so diligently for…something too good to pass up. It wouldn’t pay for a tenth nor even a hundredth of what these mongrels had done to him or his mate…but it was all he could do. So, with his last bit of strength, Kodi lifted his head, opened his mouth and sank his razor sharp teeth into Pride’s left hind-paw, a taste like copper flooding his mouth an nose. The mutt let loose a cry of agony that was, under the circumstances, like music to Kodi’s swollen ears…but there was one thing missing and, what do you know – it seemed he had a little more energy left than he thought, enough at least to give his head a vicious twist, listening to the crunch of bone with a sort of savage primal joy before Forest delivered one last blow to his head and he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep…. But not before he heard someone – sounded like his father – calling his name…..

((()-()))

Of the three of them, Sabbath was the only one who could’ve claimed to have really had time to react to what happened. It had just happened to darn fast…but then again, that was the way things of this nature always did; quick and never clean.

He hovered over Dusty, listening with glee to her sobs of desperation, savoring the moment when he would turn those sobs into shrieks. He licked his lips, sucking back a long ropey strand of drool and prepared himself…when the wind abruptly shifted. It wasn’t much, just the barest change in degree…but it was enough and suddenly he could smell them, smell him – the one called Kavik, the huge monster whose battle prowess had given them reason to tremble like pups in the snow before him. Swearing he turned, meaning to warn the other two of the impending ambush…but before he could get so much as a single word out, Lover-Boy had broken Pride’s paw in what looked to be three or four places and the brute’s almost womanish shriek of agony drowned out whatever he intended to say.

Another roar, this one much louder, exploded from directly behind and slightly above him. Thought was out of the question; he merely reacted, half-turning and half-rolling out from under the huge snarling white thing that came rocketing out of the grass. He had a split-second’s vision of a vast furry body, a huge mouth bristling with fangs easily an inch and a half long as Kavik landed in the center of the clearing and barreled forward, striking Forest squarely in the chest with his massive head, bowling him over.

Growling curse after curse, Sabbath turned, springing for Dusty, planning to at least finish off his work. If he couldn’t have her, then at least he’d get what satisfaction he could from her death! He raised a deadly paw…and from the corner of his eye, saw a flicker of movement from the still swaying grass. Again, only the Samoyed’s lightening quick reflexes saved him as Lover-Boy’s father, Mr. Town Hero came bounding into the clearing with a snarl of built up rage, his jaws closing with an audible snap over the air where Sabbath’s left foreleg had been only a moment before. Furious at being denied even his simplest pleasure, he flitted backwards, out of the way of Balto’s furiously snapping jaws, his own lips writhing back to expose his smaller, but much sharper teeth.

Stooping low to the ground, they circled each other, Dusty between them, hackles raised, bristling with anger, each waiting for the other to make the first mistake and pay for it with his life. Finally, Balto sprang, intending to bowl the slightly smaller dog over and go for his soft underbelly, but Sabbath was crafty. Quickly, he moved to put Dusty’s broken form between them, forcing the other to pull up for fear of further injuring her. It wasn’t much of an opening, but it was all Sabbath needed. Launching himself forward, he struck out, lashing the other’s mud-spattered face with his paw, leaving bloody furrows on his enemy’s muzzle. Balto stumbled backward and Sabbath, knowing he had to keep the upper hand if he was to have even a chance of survival against him, pushed his advance, making as if to seize Balto’s foreleg and then striking his side with full force, knocking him over. Grinning fiendishly, the Samoyed leapt, jaws agape, only to have Balto deliver a stunning kick to his exposed chest with one abnormally large paw.

Stunned, the wind temporarily knocked from his lungs, Sabbath fixed him with a burning look from his honey-colored eyes. The wolf/dog was on him like a beast as the two of them rose, circled, then came together over Dusty’s prone form, both of them rising up on their hind legs. Fangs flashed and claws scarred as the two combatants flailed at one another, Balto’s advantage of greater weight hampered by the fact that he didn’t wish to fall forward and risk further injuring Dusty. Desperate, knowing he could not last much longer in such a fight, Sabbath looked for any opening, but there was none to be seen. His foe was all teeth and claws and bone, refusing to expose his throat to him. With a mighty heave, Balto struck, his claws gouging the other’s face, laying it open to the bone. Blinded by the sudden loss of his right eye, Sabbath let out a scream of pain and stumbled backward…and that was when the Gray Bitch made her move.

Had he been given time to consider it, Sabbath would’ve said his greatest mistake throughout this whole bloody affair would’ve been his dealing with Dusty. He had simply not paid her enough attention, hadn’t administered near enough pain to keep her docile and compliant to his whim…and now he was paying the price. Far from being incapacitated to the point of shock, the iron-willed canine fought through the haze of pain as Sabbath stumbled near her and, summoning the last of her strength as Kodi had done not five minutes before, sank her teeth into her tormentor’s leg. Not having the energy to shatter the limb as Kodi had done, she settled for giving it a quick twist, distracting the Samoyed long enough for Balto to bring him down. Half-blinded, cut in a dozen places and facing a sudden explosion of pain in his leg that was impossible to ignore, the Samoyed finally felt Balto’s teeth sink into his forleg, the bone snapping between his steel jaws a split second after Dusty’s own counterattack hit home.

It was too much. Sabbath let out a placatory yelp as his adversary finally pushed him to the ground, pinning him on his back in the mud with one massive paw. Sabbath struggled weakly, his breathing ragged as he did his best to suck in what he knew to be his final breaths. He starred up at the face of the hateful enemy who had spoiled his one good aspect. Where there had once been shiny fur and golden eyes that drove women wild, there was blood and dirt, not to mention one less eye. Yet he grinned savagely, in spite of the pain raging through his system. He had to say this…had to….

((()-()))

“…C…Cowards…”

It came out in little more than a whisper, but Balto heard it plainly enough, and it made him angry all over again. This…this thing that didn’t even look like a dog anymore so much as something out of a nightmare had the nerve to insult him – and after what he’d done…!

Leaning down, moving his paw a bit to allow the wretch to have his last say, Balto stuck his nose close to Sabbath’s, growling out from between clenched and bloodied teeth. “What was that?”

The Samoyed struggled – the words were costing him everything Balto could tell, but for the first time in a long while, he felt no pity. Only disgust. “…Bunch…of cowards….taking us…while we’ve got…our…our backs turned….”

Fighting to control his rising temper, the wolf/dog’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he increased the pressure one Sabbath’s chest. “…And what about the bunch of dogs who’d sneak up behind a defenseless female and try to violate her, huh? Who’d thrash her to within an inch of her life…only to come back and do it again?”

Sabbath’s sick grin shone up at him, his remaining eye shining wetly as he let out a weakened old man’s whisper of a laugh from his bloody mouth. “I….I d-did…what I h-had to….” Another of those sick laughs. “…D…do it…again…if I…had the ch-chance….”

“I’ll bet you would, you b*****d.” Balto snarled.

Sabbath laughed into his face…and after that final blast of pain subsided and the darkness came, he embraced it with open paws, never knowing what horrors the afterlife held in store for him.

((()-()))

Nova snarled, his eyes burning from his bloodied face. Around him, Kirby and Ralph were doing their best to keep up, the three of them circling Pride continuously, ignoring their aching bodies and open, dripping wounds, determined to see this through to the end. In the middle of their small circle, Pride stood, hackles raised, looking desperate and just as tired as they were. Bleeding from half a dozen different wounds and limping around on a useless leg, the Husky mutt was still a force to be reckoned with, even with all three canines doing their best to bring him down. Lips writhing back from his once-white teeth, Nova faked a right, then a left, before charging his foe directly.

The beast did his best to follow him, but he was at a fatal disadvantage. With only three paws left to steady himself and three attackers to contend with, it’s safe to say Pride knew what would eventually happen but, like Sabbath, he just couldn’t conceive of surrender. No, he was a fighter till the end, and so what? Would Nova really have preferred it any other way than this? Would Kirby or Ralph for that matter? True, they were not hardened warriors or psychopathic killers, but they knew the difference between taking a life when it was defended or doing the same to a dog who had asked for quarter. Because even if he had asked for forgiveness, even if he had given himself up the moment they appeared, it would’ve been no different; death was the only suitable punishment for a repeated offense such as his.

Pride intuitively knew this, and so he had chosen to stand his ground and fight and die on his feet rather than on his belly. Dodging Nova, he tried vainly to catch him under the jaw with his paw as he passed…only to have Kirby leap from behind, ripping into his unprotected back with claws as well as fangs. The brute spun, trying to throw him off, but in so doing forgot about his mangled paw. When he put his weight on, Nova saw his face seize up in a mask of pain and he knew there would never be another opportunity like the one before them. Praying Kirby could hold on and keep him distracted for just a bit longer, he turned, rushing his prey from one side while Ralph came at him from the other. The four collided in a mass of fur and teeth and claws. Kirby was nearly crushed when he lost his purchase as Ralph bowled Pride over onto his side. Nova struck like a snake, the blood pounding in his ears as he hit the monster again and again and again, but the stubborn sonuvagun just wouldn’t expose himself.

Desperation fueled a fire in Pride’s raging body and he kicked out, landing a blow to Ralph’s face with his one working back leg more out of mere luck rather than skill. This dealt with, Nova jumped back as the Husky turned, snapping at him with foamy jaws, trying to drive him far enough away so he could deal with Kirby, who was still attacking his back with savage fury. Finally, Nova saw him snap. Twisting his head, Pride snapped at Kirby, catching him by the ear as he tried to flit out of harm’s way. The tan Husky yowled in pain, and struck back, catching Pride across the face with a paw. Then it happened – Pride finally lifted his head a bit too much and exposed his throat.

Nova needed no second beckoning; he had been waiting for this moment, more, praying for it. He rushed in, his heart pounding, fast as he legs could carry him. Pride saw him coming and released Kirby’s ear in favor of blocking himself…but Kirby would have none of it. Neither, it turned out, would Ralph, as they both abruptly seized the struggling canine in their jaws, Kirby by one ear as Ralph rushed in to push him over onto his back. Pride tried to turn, but by then it was too late; Nova struck for the throat and held, his teeth locking like a vise until the larger canine went completely limp. Then and only then did he release his hold and pad away on legs that shook with each step.

He sat on his butt abruptly, his tongue lolling from his mouth like a slab of meat as he tried to catch his breath.

“You guys…okay?” They all turned. Balto was moving shakily toward them, looking a little roughed up with a few cuts, but nothing that wouldn’t heal in a week or so.

Nova nodded, his lips twisting into a hopeless sort of smile. “…Yeah…I guess….” He turned to Kirby. “How’s…your ear?”

Kirby did his best to grin. He looked as exhausted as Nova himself felt. A good chunck of his left ear was missing and there were two or three nasty looking claw marks on his back. “…I’ll live.” He said at last. Amazingly, he chuckled. “At least…this make…for a good story back in Nome.”

Smiling tiredly, he turned at last to the last member of his little three-dog army. “Ralph?”

The Husky nodded. He had an ugly gouge along one flank that probably went clean to the bone, but other than that there was nothing else wrong with him, at least as far as Nova could see. “I’m…just fine,” he said, still a little winded. He jerked his head to the left, indicating Pride’s limp form. “…He’s not.”

“…N…Nova…?” The head of the dog in question whipped around, his pain forgotten at the sound of his sister’s call. Summoning what dregs of strength he had left, he limped over to where Dusty lay, dropping onto his belly beside her.

“Hiya sis’…” he said, doing his best to fight back the tears that wanted to come streaming down his face as he got a good look at her. It was a good thing they’d gotten here when they had, and not a second too soon; Sabbath had shown her no mercy. Old wounds had reopened along her back and sides and her face looked puffy, as though she’d been struck repeatedly by an unforgiving paw – which Nova had no trouble conceiving. She looked up at him and he saw those blue eyes of hers, usually so bright and clear, were now dull, giving her a dazed sort of look. He licked her cheek and she smiled – a weak twitch of the lips – before looking at him as if seeing him for the first time. Her brows knitted together.

“…You’re…you’re hurt…” the concern he heard in that simply statement undid him and the tears that had been threatening for the last few minutes began to fall.

“I…I’m okay, honest.” He lied – it would be a miracle if he was able to do more than hobble a dozen paces the next day with all that his beaten and worn-out body had been subjected to in the last 48 hours.

She actually smiled at that, as though amused. “…You big fibber.” She chastised him, a little clarity returning to her now. He saw her gaze shift to either side of him as Ralph and Kirby came over to offer her what comfort they could. “…Hi guys….” She paused, seeming to force herself to speak. “…Did…did you all…come out here….just to r…rescue…lil’ old me?”

They had a good chuckle or two over that before she called to him once more. “…Nova?” Now there was real concern in her voice.

“…Yes?”

She swallowed, visibly forcing herself to speak. He wanted to tell her not to, that she had a long road of recovery ahead of her, but knew it would do no good; if ever there had been a stubborn goat among his family, she was it. “Wh…Where’s K-Kodi…?” she licked her lips, either from anxiety or to get her tongue used to forming words again he couldn’t tell. “I…Is he…all right?” Mean of course, was he still alive.

Nova turned – it seemed to take a dreadful amount of effort and he wondered vaguely about how the seven of them would manage to get home in the shape they were in – and saw Balto lying by his Kodi’s side, doing his best to clean his son’s wouldn’t. Every now and then, Kodi would give a grunt or a moan as his father reached some particularly nasty injury, but other than that he remained still. Probably unconscious Nova guessed, and he was the lucky; he would have quite a painful time of it in the months to follow with two broken legs.

“N-Nova?”

He turned back to her. “He’s hurt, badly…but he’ll pull through.” He licked her cheek, trying to give life to what felt like a lie for some odd reason. “He’s too stubborn to die….”

She nodded, her eyes drifting past him, then Ralph, then Kirby. She seemed to be looking for someone. “Nova…?” There it was again, that touch of worry in her voice, only slightly more urgent this time.

“Dusty…please, you shouldn’t talk. You’ve been through a lot and your body is weak.”

She nodded fractionally, but went on anyway. “Nova…wh…where’s Uncle Kavik?”

He jumped slightly, having nearly forgotten about his adopted uncle in all the commotion. He turned his head this way and that…but his uncle’s white furry hide was nowhere to be seen….

((()-()))

Elsewhere, deep in the woods, the moon shone down through the trees, illuminating the snow that had yet to melt under spring’s warm and gentle hand. An owl hooted, a low, eerie sound that carried on a whispering wind. Twigs and branches snapped underfoot as something in a great hurry without a lot of sense rushed ever onward. Forest crashed through the undergrowth, feeling branches and twigs snapping under his paws but not caring. He had to get away – had to! That was all that mattered! He felt as though someone had set fire to his lungs and his limbs had begun to feel heavy from exertion, but he wouldn’t – no, he couldn’t stop, for to stop meant death because –

“…Run, little doggie. Run as fast and as hard as you can….”

Forest felt his bowels loosen dangerously and pushed onward, trying to block out the sounds of his pursuer, blindly telling himself that there was no way Kavik could catch him, just no way! He’d find a way out of this, he’d come back, come back and finish off Lover-Boy and his little girlfriend too!

With the recklessness of the d**ned, he scrambled over several deadfalls, repeating this lie to himself, driving his fevered muscles to greater heights. He’d been running for hours, or so it felt. Clearing the last fallen tree, he jumped down, landing in a heap in the snow six feet below. His shaky legs held for a moment, but when he tried to force himself to walk, his body refused to move, so he gave in and sank down onto his belly, greedily gobbling snow in an attempt to put out the inferno blazing in his throat. He tried to think – the wolf was injured; he’d gotten him in on the shoulder when they’d gone crashing down the hill from the meadow a little while back. He’d bleed pretty good too, must’ve gotten him pretty deep. The Husky personally hoped the white-furred crusader was bleeding out at that very moment.

‘I got him, got him good’ he thought, smiling to himself, conveniently forgetting that Kavik had scored a number of far more crippling injuries than a cut shoulder. He glanced down at himself – might as well take stock of his wounds while he could. He was dismayed to see that blood was still dripping from what remained of his tail – the wolf had practically bitten it off in at attempt to put a stop to his running and he silently promised himself that he would make him pay for such an embarrassing and cowardly attack – and from two or three other ugly-looking gouges to his flanks. His head still throbbed where Kavik had ripped the ear from it, but that was all right – he could do without it if it came to that. The albino Husky suddenly found himself wishing for his sorry excuse for a shed with its moldering pile of hay. Sure, it wasn’t much, but anything would be better than lying out here in the cold sn–

That’s when he heard it.

The crack of a twig, followed by the louder, crueler report of a young sapling branch giving way as the massive bear of a lupine passed. The Husky who had so boldly challenged this relentlessly stalking horror now felt himself begin to quake with fear, helpless not to. Like all those of his ilk who had come before him, Forest was, at heart, a coward, and now was no different. Part of him wanted to run, to bolt like a stag that has scented the hunter lurking near the pond, his rifle poised for a headshot. Still another part whispered to him in a high, scratchy voice made tinny with panic that he should reveal himself, give up and simply beg for forgiveness.

It would never work, of course, but what was his alternative? Stand and fight? The very idea of it was a bitter joke – he was no match for Kavik, never had been and never would be, this much at least he understood. Run then? His body decided that without much debate; he was exhausted. The only thing he could manage would be a loping cripple’s hobble – thanks mostly in part to a punishing blow the beast had scored to his right flank, which was still throbbing and screaming like a bear caught in a trap. Suddenly, a third option presented itself; why not just stay where he was? The wolf had to be tired…and he wouldn’t dare venture too far from town, would he? Forest thought not, and looking around…he saw that yes, if he had to…he could stay right where he was.

Without realizing it, he had fallen into a cave of some sort, formed by the root system of some long dead tree. Yes…why shouldn’t he stay here? Sabbath and Pride could handle themselves without him and he would seek them out soon enough. Yes, all right, Lover-Boy and Miss Bitch would get away, there was that, but they’d broken his legs, hadn’t they? Let him try to run on those after they got don healing! He sniggered, imagining Kodi stumping along like a cripple. They’d live yes, but they’d always remember him…and who was to say he couldn’t leave here and come back in a few years or so? Kavik and Mr. Hero were older than he and they would be dead in a few years anyway. They wouldn’t be around to protect Lover-Boy then, or Little Miss Bitch either, so–

He stopped, tongue frozen in mid-lick as he starred at the snow behind him. It was bloody…he sniffed. Fresh blood too. He felt his stomach tighten and realized a second before the wolf’s voice spoke from directly in front of him that Kavik hadn’t been trying to stop him when he’d bitten off his tail.

He’d wanted to give himself a bloodtrail…something so easy to follow, he could take his sweet old time, let his prey wear itself down before finally striking.

‘…D**n it…’ He thought, cursing himself for a fool, fighting back panic. ‘That’s it, I’ve got to go, tail or no tail, I’ve got to get out of h-’

“…Hello Forest.”

If there had ever been any doubt in the Husky’s mind about there really being a special place in Hell reserved for those such as he, they were obliterated as he heard that growl sound from directly in front of him. He turned…and found himself starring up into Kavik’s face and as he looked into those blazing blue eyes, he felt his bladder let go.

If he had any kind of conscious thought in that moment…it was to realize just how much bigger and stronger Kavik was…and just how much damage a creature of that size could inflict upon him, especially when his blood was up...and he was mad….

((()-()))

Kavik looked down at the bloody, squirming excuse for a dog on the ground before him and felt nothing but contempt. An hour or so ago, he would’ve torn this piece of filth limb from limb and spat on the remains before leaving them to the vultures with a curse. The problem was, he’d underestimated what the Husky could do when he was fighting for his life – as the bloody wound in his shoulder clearly proved. He had not let Forest get away from him by choice; he’d just had the bad luck of striking his head on a rock as they rolled down the hill from the meadow where Kodi and Dusty had lain. Another dog with a little more guts and a little less cowardice in him might’ve taken the opportunity to finish the job while he’d been momentarily stunned, putting him down for good and making sure he stayed that way instead of merely wounding him and leaving it at that. In the time he’d been patiently tracking him, Kavik had come to realize that Forest was nothing like the wolf Juji had been, far from it actually. Whereas Juji had been a crafty and ruthless leader, the Husky who was now begging for mercy before him was just a case of your garden-variety bully being confronted by an older and tight-fisted disciplinarian elevated to a higher level.

He’d been tracking him at a leisurely lope, knowing that all he had to do was let his quarry run rampant through the woods, hopped up on a combination of fear and adrenaline, running flat out until he exhausted whatever reservoirs of strength and stamina he might have. He had more than enough reasons to gut this monster, this backstabbing *******, this sorry excuse for a mutt and leave to bleed it out on the snow – part of him even wanted to, very badly too – but that wasn’t his way….

Now, here he was, the cause of so much pain and the object of so much hatred…Kavik sniffed delicately at the frosty, fragrant air. Yes…and, he’d wet himself on top of it all. In light of this latest show of utter cowardice, whatever vestiges of his monumental anger remained turned into a sour soup of utter disgust. Lip curling, he clouted the husky soundly across the face, sending him flying through the air and out into the night with a yowl of pain.

“…You really disappoint me, you know that?” He asked the bloody, wide-eyed, wanna-be rapist as he advanced with calm deliberation, the snow crunching almost hungrily under his paws. “I mean, I was expecting a little more from the likes of you.”

He watched with cold satisfaction as Forest struggled to his paws, his temper rising to overtake his fear of the approaching lupine. Lips writhing back from his teeth in a predatory snarl of hatred, the Husky stalked forward, his wounds apparently forgotten. “…Hard to judge someone’s worth…when you sneak up on them like a filthy wolf.” He spat.

Kavik’s eyes blazed and he moved closer, the two of them moving in a slow circle now, each trying to level the other with his eyes. “Big talk” he snarled, “coming from a dog who has to use two lunkheads just to get the drop on one big, bad female.” He retorted.

“I’d like to hear you say that when I’ve got you by the throat.”

“…Come and get me then, if you can.” Kavik retorted. Forest hesitated for only a fraction of a second, then charged forward recklessly, hoping to overpower him with sheer brutality. It was a stupid move, perhaps the oldest and stupidest of them all, but then again, Forest was in dire straights…and at least he wouldn’t feel so bad about putting him down. Forest was big for a Husky, true, but he was tired, bleeding and had been on the move at high speed for the last hour or so, while Kavik’s wound had already begun to scab over and he’d had plenty of time to breath the fire out of his lungs to afford himself a cool head in battle.

He stood motionless in the snow, poised to strike, formulating his plan of attack while waiting for Forest’s lumbering charge to bring him within striking distance. Sidestepping his adversary at the last minute, he turned, striking with lethal accuracy, his razor fangs ripping into the soft mane of fur at the other’s left shoulder. The Husky’s momentum carried him forward for a few more paces before he went down, his right foreleg abruptly crumbling before Kavik was on him, hacking and slashing with tooth and claw, laying him open in a dozen different places, all the while raging at him at the top of his voice, his furious tirade drowning the other’s pathetic pleas for mercy.

“Like that, huh? No, too BAD!” He smashed his head into Forest’s side, hearing a rib crack before the other flew through the air to land in a heap a few feet away with a yelp. Kavik could hear the ragged breathing of his enemy, and even as he watched, Forest tried to stand, tried to flee, but all he could manage was a few steps. Kavik wasn’t about to let him off so easy – he’d had enough of toying with this mutt and this business, which had been unpleasant to begin with, was leaving him with a bad taste in his mouth. He closed in, hard and fast, dealing another blow. More blood soaked the snow.

“…Please…”

At this, Kavik nearly broke. “…How dare you…” he breathed, his hackles rising, jaws locking together in a snarl of fury as his eyes blazed. “How DARE you ask for MERCY after what you DID!” Again, like some bird with half a brain, Forest tried to rise. A hefty blow to the side of the head put him in his place. “I tried to warn you, Forest.” He growled, flipping him over onto his back, exposing the other’s soft underbelly. Instinctively, the Husky tried to resist, lashing out with his hind leg. Kavik seized it in his jaws, snapping the bone like a twig.

“I told you to leave town and take your mates with you when I could’ve ended all three of your pitiful lives right then and there!” He placed planted a paw against his prey’s chest, pushing him further into the snow, cutting off what little wind Forest was trying vainly to suck back into his screaming lungs. “You chose to ignore that. What’s more, you made the biggest mistake of all and tried to finish what you’d started!” Forest’s eyes were bulging now, his breathing harsh and ragged. “Then, when I get out here, what do I find? Some sorry excuse for a mutt who won’t even stand up for his so-called friends in a fight!”

Forest looked up at him, hatred burning in his green eyes. “…Get…you…” he somehow managed to gasp out. He had quite a set of lungs on him, Kavik had to give him that.

“You won’t get squat.” Kavik snarled, removing his paw from Forest’s chest and giving him another kick to the ribs with his powerful back legs. This time there could be no mistake; there was definitely a break in there somewhere. Kavik bent, grasping the now limp Husky by the scruff of the neck. The were standing on the edge of a slight bowl in the ground, the remnants of some ancient lake, long dry these many years, or Kavik assumed. He spun quickly, using his momentum to propel the bloody dog out into the night, watching as he landed in a heap. He moved soundlessly forward over the snow, watched with a detached expression as Forest struggled to a standing position, his limbs shaking, teeth locked in a snarl of mingled pain and fury. Finally, he was before the shaking Husky.

A dry laugh came from the other’s throat. “…Well…come on…” he taunted, green eyes burning. “Finish me off…”

“No.” He sounded almost bored with the idea.

A snigger of sick amusement bubbled from the other’s throat. “Hah! I get you now…wolf talks big…but when it comes down to the killing…you just can’t abide the thought…of getting…your ‘widdle paws dirty!”

Kavik’s face remained expressionless. “I’m not going to kill you, Forest…they are.” He tipped his snout upwards, indicating the high bank looming behind them. With an effort, he turned…and Kavik saw his eyes go wide as he beheld the sight that greeted him.

Wolves, easily numbering over 50 in all, materialized out of the shadows, their eyes glowing witch-like in the darkness. There pelts ranged from dull black to mottled gray to a patchwork of browns and tans…but they all looked at the Husky with a conscious thought pulsing from their collective aroma; hunger. Tongues licked at long ropey strands of saliva that dripped from mouths filled with teeth as long and sharp as Kavik’s own. One of them came drifting down in the crater to stand at Kavik’s side. She was a large female wolf with a light gray coat and glittering yellow/green eyes. She spared Forest a single unpleasant glance before turning her attention back to Kavik. She smiled.

“Hello Uncle Kavik.” She moved forward and nuzzled him affectionately. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too, Aleau.” He replied, smiling in spite of himself. He licked her cheek, and was gratified to see she could still giggle and blush with the best of them. “I wish we could’ve met again under…more pleasant circumstances.”

Her jade eyes hardened and she turned to regard Forest, who wilted under that withering gaze. “…Is this the one you told Jeremiah and the others to watch out for?”

“Yes.” Kavik turned, regarding Forest one last time. “Allow me to introduce you to my niece Aleau, Kodi’s sister. She’s been away for a year or so, but she got a little lonesome, so she decided to swing by and check up on her family, see how things were going.” His eyes flashed darkly. “Bad luck for you, my friend.”

Jeremiah himself came striding out to meet them, accompanied by Ash, looking concernedly at Kavik’s shoulder, then at Forest. “My, my” he said, his tone flat and icy. “So this is the brute who’s caused your family so much pain?” He snorted. “I expected something more.” He spat on the cowering Forest before turning to the two of them, his mood brightening considerably. “Come now – I dare say your family’s anxious to know what’s become of you after being gone for so long.”

As they turned to go, Ash spoke up. “…What shall we do with this one?” he asked, jerking his head in Forest’s direction. Already the wolves had begun to close in, trying hard to restrain themselves, not daring to move until give the order to do so.

“…What you will.” Kavik replied. He felt suddenly tired. Bloodshed was a nasty, but sometimes necessary business, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

“Come on, then,” Jeremiah called and he began to lead them back through the woods in the direction of Nome.

((()-()))

Author’s Note:

And…Oh my dears sweet Lord, it’s DONE! throws up arms THANK YA JEEZ-US! Ahem. Anyway, yes, I know these last two chapters took FOREVER to get going…but at least it’s finally done. All in all, I’m pretty pleased with the way things turned out. . The bad guys have been vanquished – thanks in part to Aleau’s pack and Jeremiah’s Ice River Pack (who are property of my good friend and faithful reader Lone Wolffanwriter) – and Kodi and Dusty have been saved. All’s well with the world again! Yay!

Like I said, I’m sorry for taking so long with this, but I’ve just been having a bit of trouble getting into writing lately…and I think I’ve almost gotten my fix for a while. I’ll polish this off soon with a nice little Epilogue with an attached Author’s Note thanking everyone and explaining all the secrets that made this fic turn out so well! Unfortunately, you guys will probably be waiting till sometime next week before I post that, as I’ve been feeling a little under the weather lately (I even had to stay home today, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise – look how much writing I’ve gotten done! He works in wonderful and mysterious ways, no?

Anyway, thank you all so much for sticking with me through all that’s happened these past few months! God forever bless and keep you all!

BaltoLuver63

*Faints*

Ha-HAA! Yes!
Oh man, friend, that was bloody brilliant! I mean that in every sense of the word.
I didn't really expect you to use the Ice River Pack or Aleu's pack. I thought Kavik had Forest for sure, but hey, that works too.
In fact, my favorite part was Kavik's little remarks here:
Kavik’s face remained expressionless. “I’m not going to kill you, Forest…they are.” He tipped his snout upwards, indicating the high bank looming behind them.
And here:
“Allow me to introduce you to my niece Aleau, Kodi’s sister. She’s been away for a year or so, but she got a little lonesome, so she decided to swing by and check up on her family, see how things were going.” His eyes flashed darkly. “Bad luck for you, my friend.”

"Bad luck" is such an understatement.

You have a real talent at writing, my friendn I understand if you've...'had your fix for a while,' but I'll always hope to see more from you. At least the Epilogue, when that comes.

Write on.
-LWf

Heh - yes, I must admit, I rather enjoyed the way things turned out for the villians. I decided that Forest's ending would be better that way than to have kavik rip him apart (which is what most people were no doubt expecting). Is Kavik a killer? Yes - only when he absolutely must be, though, and under the circumstances, he knows that any punishment administered by a veritable HORDE of his lupine bretheren will be far worse than anything he could dish out by himself. Rest assured, when I said 'had my fix' I was referring to the day's worth of writing - I've no intention to stop writing. n.n The epilogue should be up in a few day's time, if all goes well. Glad you liked the way it turned out.

LOVED IT. Can't wait for the Epilogue. Also, just one tiny little thing BaltoLuver63. It was extremely good, but i noticed one thing when i was reading it. I believe you spelled Aleu wrong. You spelled it like: Aleau.


That's it. Everything else; flawless.

Hey I liked the last too chapters, I think Forest would have killed him but how you did it worked out great, done! It is finally done I can see you are happy wappy with that, no more of fans (I am the annoying one) begging for more but it is done...what is next there is no next?! o.O!!!

*Dramatic Music*

It is Krazy now.. I liked the story but I feel sorry for Forest and Pride one on one he could kill any them expect Balto he killed one by himself I wanted him to kill him too WISH came true!! YaY! (He pwns!) Tis a fun read, which was the first to get me on he edge of my seat I was leaning reading fast dieing to know who would win which fight. So it was quicker read....but DANG! Dusty and Kodi must have it fairly rough after that, it will be a long recovery period, I don't think I would recover...X_X. Really amazing story I loved it and it was the 2nd story I read when I first came on here. I see it done YAAYY! YEAH! I am happy to see it done. Yes you are prized writer on here one of the best of the best! Oh it wasn't worth the wait for one matter! Nah Just kidding it was really sweet! Worth the wait expect for one millisecond wasn't worth the wait, one not worth millisecond too long xD. It was because I needed to to click on the subject made me wait longer that is why. I have really enjoyed this story I am glad tis finished oh joy the enduring wait paid for with satisfaction of a great story by a great writer.

Alright! So what the Next story you are going to write for us BaltoLuver63?

I'm so glad you guys liked it so much! n.n It really means a lot to me that you've stuck with me this far! The Epilogue should be along shortly - hopefully by Friday (now that school's finally out and I have summer, summer, summer!) As for what comes next as far as writing goes...you know, I really can't say. As much as I hate to admit it, Balto's really become just a phase for me - it had it's two years of popularity, but I'm afraid to say that, like anime, I'm moving on from it. Most likely, I'll probably will write something, but I can't say what right now.

Anyway, thanks SO much for all your help through this! God bless you all!
All my Love,
BaltoLuver63

I completely understand, friend.
I can't quite say the same because, if this is a "phase" for me, it's lasting quite a bit longer than I expected. It seems I'll be here for a while, but you never know...

Write on!
-LWf

Hey guys!

Okay, I know I should probably be expecting a true hurricane of rotten tomatoes that you all have been itching to throw thanks to my long delay in posting the epilogue I promised over a year ago and I'm more than willing to accept whatever punishment you want to lob my way - believe me, I know what it's like to be disappointed...

But, the good news is that I'm finally back and ready to give you what I promised so long ago. The epilogue will most likely be up this coming Friday to finally tie up all the loose ends that have been blowing in the wind for far too long.

I've been a very busy little wolf this past year - getting hit by a car isn't something you just brush off, but I'm all better now and, having finally completed my first semester of college, have the motivation to finish what I started. To all of you seeking an explanation for my long absence: I'm sorry, but after graduation, I was buried so high and so deep in life that by the time I returned to the fandom, the light within me had all but burned out. As any author will tell you, it's okay to put a project on hold, but there comes a time when the work can no longer be revived. Fortunately for me, all I only have a little bit left to do before my work on this fic is done.

As for my other fanfic, Newcomer...well, it's sad to admit, but I'm afraid I simply let it sit for too long. In trying to work on another chapter for it this past Christmas, I managed to pump out 9 pages but I no longer felt any real connection to the characters. I'd dropped the thread of the story somewhere in the past year and it was so far gone that I couldn't quite find it again. So, under the advice of a friendly professor, I've decided that, rather than try to breath life into a corpse, I shall create a whole new being - that is, scrap the old Newcomer and start from the ground up. The essential story will remain the same, but this will give me the chance to fix some glaring contradictions that have bugged me every time I've read through the story - honestly, I'm surprised no one pointed out the absurdity of Kavik being able to remember the face but not the name of the wolf who killed his mate after only a year had passed. One would think THAT sort of information would stick, even if everything else turned to oatmeal.

So, I guess this is it for now. I'm glad to be back and looking forward to finishing Newfound Emotion and bringing a smile to the face of all my fans who haven't already pronounced me a dirty liar and forgotten all about me. For those who are still holding on, thank you - I promise you won't be disappointed.

God bless and keep you all,
BaltoLuver63

Well, well, look who's back!
Good to see you around here again, friend, even if it is just for a little while.
I'm anxious to see this Epilogue of yours. It should prove very interesting.

Hope college has treated you well so far.

-LWf

Well nice to know that you will hold though on that epilogue, life can be tough, sure glad you're back!!

Hay bud, hope everything on your end is going well and that you're ok. Its been awhile since ive spent much time on this site but I just read through this amazing story of yours again a d was blown away by it all over again. It bought back some fond memories =). I noticed you promised an epilogue but never posted it.
It got me worried about you man. I hope you read this post even though theres a high chance you wont, but you might still use the same email and will see this. Either way, I wanted to say that your skill with storytelling is incredible and I hope life has been good to my old wolf friend. I know that its been years and life has deffinatly changed alot for the both of us man. I know it has for me. Keep on writing bud, you still have a fan here! =D