Long May I Reign (Myths & Legends: Dragon Gods)

Wolves on the Rise (unedited)

I rub her scales between my fingers as I hold her close to my chest. She doesn't stir much but  presses her back into my hand. My fingers brush over the bandages that cover her self inflicted wounds, and to keep her scales intact with her body. I lay my head back on the wall as I contemplate getting up to finish some work and get some rest myself.

 I lift her off my lap and one purple eye opens to glare at me. She huffs as her vision focuses on me, and opens her jaws to give an adorable yawn, before closing her eye again.

I smile as I stand and walk her towards the large series of boxes my pack left in here hours ago. They were set up to form a series of tunnels for her to hide and feel comfortable in, once I noticed she preferred to remain hidden instead of being in the open. I open the doors to the entrance and set her in the comforter at the entrance. 

A few hours ago she would have woken up and latched onto me until I held her again, but this time she doesn't stir and remains asleep as I close the door behind her. I tip toe to the door, stretching as my pack mate opens and closes the door behind me. I give him a quick nod of appreciation as I walk past him down the well lit hall. Took her long enough to sleep. After a few minutes of walking I open the steel door to be embraced by the night time air. 

I take a lung full as I quickly strip my clothes off and fold them neatly before I call forth my inner wolf. The familiar feeling of fur sprouting from my skin, bones elongating, and my senses heightening is almost enough to ease my anxiety from the events of today. I pick up the bundle of clothes and stuff them between the band on my leg, there to keep them with me in between shifts. I start off at an easy trot, determined to get a bit of exercise before I turn in for the night.

I look over my shoulder at the containment center that had the marking for werewolf over the door. Sure it was built to contain raging lycans until they calmed down enough to shift back to human form or take direction, but it was just about the only place she couldn't burn to the group. Although I did feel guilty we didn't have any rooms with neutral smells available for her. I could only imagine what the stale scent of angry lycan would set anything with a strong nose off to fright. 

Off in the distance I saw a group of three wolves run into the forest to do some boarder patrol. Looking back over my shoulder at the building one more time I felt a slight itch in my fur to secure my territory, whether it was because of the little dragon I couldn't say. 

My little dragon. I pause and stomp my foot at the train of my thoughts. Shaking my head I run off in their direction, welcoming the distraction of a run.

***

My head feels heavy as I come out of my slumber. Flexing my talons, I extend my wings to feel the world around me. I can't spread them too far because I'm covered in a thick comforter. I crack one eye open as I swivel my ears in a circle slowly to pick up and strange sounds. Nothing. Lifting my snout I smell the air and stick my tongue out to taste it as well. I recoil as the sharp pungent taste and acid like smell fills my nose. I growl low in my throat barring my fangs. 

Slowly snaking my way out of the comforter den I'm slightly stumped when I see I'm surrounded in brown walls. My original intent on attack derailed I extend my nose and sniff the wall. Cardboard. Off to my right a bit further in the box I see an even sized hole, large enough for me to stick my head out. Closing my wings I tentatively creep forward, taking a moment to steel my resolve I stick my head through the hole. On the other side is the same clawed concrete room I've been in.

Snorting gently an urge takes over me as I push myself further and snake myself out of the hole. Looking back I feel extremely proud of myself. Sticking my chest out I slide in and out a few more times trilling playfully to myself. Rolling around over my tail once I make it to the other side just to rush back out. Panting out of breath, I recoil once more as I notice the acid smell. Growling I raise my frills and creep past the wall of boxes, until I come to another open hole into my new fortress. I look up to see I'm in an empty space between boxes and wall. Tucking my feet underneath myself I suddenly leap up onto the box. Thankfully it doesn't bend under my weight as I survey the room.