Balta Iya'tek

**Balta Iya'tek** is a character on *Wolf's Bane.* He débuts on the third season/chapter. He is a supporting character.

### Personality

Balta is a gentle, loving, respectful, compassionate, sentimental, selfish, patient and reckless wolf. He appears as a brave and strong individual but usually relies on his instincts more which then leads him to be more cowardly and timid. Despite this, he cares a lot about his loved ones and close ones. But because of his reliance on instincts, he has a lot of regrets and feels ashamed.

### Appearance

Balta has a bright sand brown pelt with black on his muzzle and black "sleeves" on legs. His eyes are green.

## History

### Birth & Childhood

Balta was born to his parents in the Western pack's outer territory. He has two siblings, a brother and a sister. His childhood was normal the first few months, despite changing location ever so often, until Southern packs wolves found their den. Balta and his family had to flee and eventually found a new place to stay right next to Suns Judgment, The Desert, which happened to be one of the regions of Lostlore Woods, but not inhabitated by the pack members. They knew they would be safe there since red wolves wouldn't dare to go close to the place. As they were settling in, they had a very unfortunate event. His sister unfortunately had eaten poisonous berries and got extremely sick. She was very weak and had trouble breathing, she didn't have much time. She then died soon after, only at the age of 3 months. It was a very devastating moment for Balta and his family.

### Wandering

Two years later, Balta had become quite reckless as he wandered around the borders of the Southern pack. His curiosity had gotten the best of him and for a few times he almost got caught by the red wolf guards. However, Balta was always able to get away. Back at the den, Balta's grandmother, Huyanah, would find out about his doings and scold him, and remind him of his parents' fate — how curiosity doomed them. Balta would then run a little further away to be alone. His brother, Kota, often would go after him and comfort him. After their parents' death, Balta and his grandmother's relationship had gotten slightly rocky. Kota was the only one who had a good relationship with both and usually acted as the peacekeeper between the two.

### Meeting Makena & Relationship with her

One time Balta had wandered to the Southern pack's borders once again. This time he did it during the night. During his exploration he had come across a young female red wolf. He had sensed her distress and tried to comfort her. The female was surprised to see his kind so close to the territory. Unfortunately the pair's moment together was cut short when few red wolf guards were approaching. Balta was forced to run away and leave the female wolf behind alone. Balta didn't run too far away from the area as he wanted to go back and see this mysterious female again. Balta waited until nightfall and went to explore once more. Unfortunately the female wolf was nowhere to be seen. Balta thought that she was taken back to the pack, and so didn't give up and waited until the next day. Balta kept waiting and was almost going to give up, until much later during the night — almost early morning, the female wolf appeared once again.

Balta approached the female, who seemingly was happy to see him. The pair finally were able to get to know each other. They were able to spend time together for a few hours until the female had to go back to the pack. Before departing, she had introduced herself as Makena. Both promised to each other to meet again at the same spot next night. They continued meeting every night for the next six months, and during them, Balta had fallen in love with Makena. He confessed his feelings the next time they met. Balta expected rejection but surprisingly to him, the feelings were mutual. The young pair then decided to become mates.

Balta kept his relationship with Makena a secret for a short bit, but in the end he couldn’t keep it to himself and found the courage to tell Kota. Kota was surprised but felt happy for his brother.

### Abandoning his mate and son

> I should have never left her behind. I should have stayed with her, died with her. But l didn't.
>
> — Balta on his late mate

One early evening Makena had sneaked away from the Southern pack to seek Balta. She firstly encountered Kota instead, who then led Makena to Balta. Kota called for his brother, who then arrived shortly after. Balta was surprised to see his brother and mate together. Makena pulled him aside further away. There, Makena had told Balta she was expecting pups. Balta first couldn’t process but then switched to being excited. Makena and Balta exchanged hugs and eagerly waited for their future children.

One time when seeing Makena again, he shared thoughts about what names they should give them. Makena didn't answer anything, only looked at Balta very lovingly. Back at the den Balta would heartily talk about his mate and unborn pups with Kota and Huyanah. Kota felt very happy for him but Huyanah had her doubts. A month later, when Balta was seeing Makena once again, Kota had showed up and informed Balta that their grandmother had fallen very weak. Makena understood this and let Balta go, reassuring him that she will be all right. At the den, Huyanah used her last remaining strength to warn Balta about his mate, and remind him of her kind. She then added that even if the pups were going to be part red wolf, she still wished that she would have had the chance to meet them. Balta and Kota sat silently while paying respect to their dying grandmother. Huyanah then let out her last breath and passed. Both brothers felt great sadness but Balta kept himself restrained.

Another month had passed by and this time Makena had shown up at the den. She had requested to move there as wanted to give birth as far away from the pack as possible. Balta and Kota let her stay, and made a place for her to go into labor. On July 3rd, Makena went into labor. It was tough but there were no complications. Makena had given birth to one male pup, who looked identical to Balta. Balta felt great happiness and comforted Makena. The new parents decided to name their son Anuk.

For three days Balta and Makena were able to raise their son peacefully. Until on July 6th,  in the late evening, that peace was no longer. A group of red wolves were approaching the den. Balta and Makena panicked and weren't sure what to do. As the red wolves came closer and closer, Balta's instincts had taken over. Balta took off, leaving his mate and son behind. Makena tried to shout after him but Balta was concentrated on escaping and staying alive. Balta had run far enough where it would have taken him some time to get back. Balta snapped out of his overtaken state and realized what he had done. Balta panicked and tried to get back, hoping his mate and son were still alive and he would be able to save them. While going back, he had come upon his brother who was extremely confused. Both brothers ran back to the den. When they finally arrived, the whole den was completely destroyed. Balta couldn’t pick Makena's scent and he started to tear up, thinking he was too late. Kota then reminded Balta that she most likely was taken back to the pack. Balta's hopes came back up. He then headed towards the pack, Kota following behind.

#### Grief and guilt

As the two brothers arrived, they noticed strange activity within the pack. They went more uphill to see what was going on. Balta went more forward to see better, while Kota stayed behind looking out. Balta saw all the pack members right in the center of the pack forming a circle. He then saw Makena being brought in the middle and Kireg rising on top of a rock. Balta couldn’t hear what they were saying but not long later, he could clearly hear Kireg saying: "Kill her". Balta then witnessed his mate being brutally killed by the guards. Balta turned away and walked up to Kota, telling him what he just saw. The brothers then quickly ran away back to their old den. After they had arrived, all Balta could do was scream in agony, as grief and guilt had overpowered him.

### Anuk

For months Balta believed his son to be dead as well, and thus didn't bother to go look out for him. Until one day, his brother had runned up to him and told Balta to follow him, as Kota believed that he found Anuk. Balta immediately went with Kota. They had arrived at the Eastwood Forest, Eastern pack's territory. They hid behind thick trees and waited. Kota then pointed out the arriving wolves. The wolves were a female and a pup. The pup looked very familiar, as it had the same pelt coloring and features. Balta then looked more closely and listened carefully. He heard the female wolf mentioning the pups name as Anuk. Balta froze up, not being able to move as he couldn’t believe his son to be alive and well. Kota encouraged Balta to go to him, and introduce himself as his birth father. Balta firstly was going to do so until he stopped himself going forward. He noticed how happy his son was with his new family and didn't want to take that away from him, believing that revealing himself might bring consequences. He also didn’t want to destroy his current mindset, in which Anuk doesn't know about his real parents or that one of them is alive. Kota tried to reason with Balta but Balta already had made his decision. Even though he never returned to his son's life, he still watched him afar as he wanted to witness Anuk growing up.

### Meeting his son and revelations

Seven years had passed by. Balta's time was getting shorter and he knew he wanted to meet his son at least once and tell the truth to him before his passing. He ordered his brother to go find Anuk and bring him. It took Kota two days. When the two wolves finally arrived, Balta immediately introduced himself as Anuk's father. Anuk questioned him. Balta took a deep breath and agreed to tell Anuk everything. Balta first told Anuk how he and Anuk's mother met. From there he then revealed what caused Anuk to get adopted, and from that he then told how his mother died. Anuk grew angry and lashed out on Balta, attacking him and pinning him down. Anuk blamed Balta for his mother’s death and how he [Anuk] never got to know nor meet her. Kota tried to intervene but Balta assured him that everything was all right. Balta sympathized with his son, and told Anuk how he can kill him if it would make him feel better. Anuk snapped and let Balta go. Balta then let Anuk calm down.

After things were back in order, Balta continued his revelations. He then revealed what Anuk's mother had told him during their fourth month of meeting. Balta started with how she had immediately wanted to tell Balta about her family, more so of her heritage; giving an expression of a warning. Balta stopped to take a deep breath before continuing. Anuk gave him a disparaging look. Balta plainly told Anuk how his mother revealed that she was related to the Southern pack’s alpha family, the Ohitekah, being the granddaughter of Pyros - who was Kireg’s uncle. Balta watched his son become shocked and speechless by this revelation. He tried to comfort him, only to get turned down. Balta backed away and gave him room to process.

### Redemption arc.

After Anuk had traveled back to his home, Balta had decided to go to him instead. Kota volunteered to go with him and the two brothers traveled to Eastwood Forest. Upon arriving, they had noticed the alarming situation within the pack - as the pack was being under attack by the Southern pack. Balta and Kota watched from afar in horror. Balta tried to look for Anuk from the chaos and as he finally found him, Balta was overpowered by hesitancy and memories. While battling against his subconsciousness, he saw his late mate in a memory and then Anuk by her side; seeing the similarities between mother and son, Balta snapped out of his paroxysm, and did something he hadn’t done before in his whole life. Balta came out of hiding and ran towards the battle ground, to aid his son. As Anuk was trying to free himself, he was about to get attacked by one red wolf. Balta arrived just in time and attacked and fought the red wolf off of Anuk. Confused Anuk was in total disbelief of what he had just witnessed. Balta told him how he didn’t want to repeat his mistake all over again, and how Anuk is his son and the only thing left of Makena. As he freed Anuk, Anuk questioned Balta of what he was going to do next, to which Balta answered that he came to help him, pointing out how Anuk and the others would need all the help they could get. Anuk nod as a sign of approval and the father and son ran towards the fight. The two worked together, taking down the opponents. When the battle came to its end, Balta took his leave quickly, in order for the others - Anuk's sons especially - to not take a notice on him.

## Trivia

* Of the ranking system, Balta was born as an omega, the lowest rank that there is.
* Balta's voice claim as an aging adult is Dell Clawthorne from The Owl House, and as an adolescent/young adult is Dimitri from Anastasia.