I sit at the table annoyed and bored beyond belief as April sets the large book from my distant ancestors in front of me.

"So the very beginning of this book is about hatchlings, and progresses to juveniles and then adolescence and the various behavioral changes they will and may have throughout their lives. The most predominant ones are curiosity, playfulness, and prey drive. You seem to exhibit all of those don't you agree?"

I twirl my tail between my talons. Sure.

She looks at me for a moment before continuing. "They also have a fierce need to stay with their clutch and or guardians. If separated they're well known to go looking for them or become sad until distracted or reunited with them." She pauses for a moment. "While you don't have a clutch you do have Axel and the pack, so that helps a lot. When separated with the guardian or clutch or in danger hatchling dragons instinctively trill for help, as dragons are known to be very vocal and great at mincing sounds, but they're not known for their smart decision making skills. Hatchlings may often get themselves into trouble for not having the insight to call for assistance. They may also dig a small temporary den or climb to a higher elevation by use of rock formation, trees, or gliding from high places when threatened. If cornered without an escape route or guardian around hatchlings will attempt to fight off attackers or source of danger to the death if necessary. Like all dragons they feel a deep need to defend territory or clan mates to the best of their ability, which is the main reason in most occasions for why they get themselves into tough situations. In such situations they may attempt to breathe fire or smoke if the need is dire. Often times they may be able to get a few embers out, but it is important to give them water, as they're too young to properly breathe fire and the body lacks the protective fluid to protect them from their own fire. Hatchlings will also attempt to use their fire on raw meat, because instinctively they will try to eat cooked meat, as normally the guardians will provide them with slightly pre chewed cooked meat. Well that explains what happened at dinner right?"

I nod my head slowly. "Well, an hour went past, it's almost dinner time. Did you enjoy our session today?" I nod my head once more, nosing my wing membrane. "Ghost, what's wrong? I would have expected you to try to bite me by now."

I glance at her and look away quickly, weighing my options. I exhale quietly as I feel my emotions and the constant pressure of my situation rising to the surface. I don't feel like myself. I'm so used to being strong and alone and getting things done on my time, in my own way, and I can't do that anymore. And to add to the fact I'm having conflicting emotions just because I'm a dragon now. I feel more like this...thing deep inside me is taking over and I'm losing myself.

She reaches out and brushes my wings gently. "Ghost, it's still you. It's just another part of you you're learning to integrate with. It's important for you to understand while you are a dragon, and that has changed you, fundamentally you're still the same individual. There are just more answers to the hidden things about yourself you never noticed or accepted before. Tell me, before you shifted would you call yourself a perfectly normal human being?"

No. I answer quickly. I knew I had higher senses, but who would have expected this... was the answer to that. I feel so lost and confused. For me to even be talking about it says a lot. I'm a dragon among wolves and lycans and whatever is lurking around out there... where is my place? It's not with you guys..

"Your place is wherever you deem it to be. Ghost, you're a dragon. You're at the top of the food chain, you may not have others of your kind at the moment, but look at it as less competition. I know Troy and Axel or any other wolf will challenge what I'm about to say because it's in a wolf's nature but I won't lie to you. You're at the top of the food chain. You may be small and a baby now, but you will grow. More than likely you'll outlive us all. That means you get to set the tone for your life and what goes on around you. Not just for you but for all of us. Sooner or later you'll be the one running us just like your ancestors before you. Others may judge you or misunderstand you, but to Hell with them. You have a larger brighter and more important role in the world than all of us combined, I can feel it. If you want something, take it."

I look up at her and don't resist as she picks me up walking towards the door. "I think there is something outside you'll be very happy about." Before I can question it she opens the door and outside is Draco, T.J. in wolf form, a few yards from the house.

Excitedly I wiggle in April's hands as she puts me down and I rush to jump onto Draco's back. He stands still as I cling to his back and pull on his ears. It's been forever!

Hey Ghost, I thought you might want some actual company before dinner tonight, since it's slightly after lunch and everything.

I look back at April quickly. "It's fine, go home fun, make some friends!" She calls out to me before shifting into her wolf form and walking around her house only to disappear in the woods.

Well I guess that was the ok Draco, err, T.J.

You can call me Draco if you want, I don't mind.

Draco it is then. I sit on his shoulders as he walks down the well warn path, back to the main pack area. So... how's it going?

It's fine I guess.

This morning wasn't all that fine now was it?

Ya know, I'm still trying to get used to the fact that you're a wolf and turn into a person and all, so I think we can excuse this morning.

You don't think you being a dragon is any less surprising?

You've been watching wolves and lycans shift probably since you were born, so yes I would think it is less surprising. Plus I still haven't been able to shift back yet...

Something must be eating you. He comments dryly and stops for a moment. To my right I hear movement in the trees. Sigh these idiots, hey listen. Don't get worried but my friends want a closer look at you, they're cool wolves, really. But they're kinda pushy.

Before I can respond five wolves around Draco's size emerge from the foliage. I lay flat against Draco's back snarling as they surround us, pushing and shoving against each other roughly to get a look at me.

One is a light sandy brown with a black nose and black on their tail tip, and amber eyes. They stand further away from the group more to themselves on my left, their nose lifted slightly up as they smells the air.

Two in front of me are playfully shoving at each other, careful not to get too much closer. One is black with brown highlights and a white throat and belly, with light brown eyes, and the other more playful one is mostly slate grey with brown flakes on their flanks and a peppered brown and grey tail, and greenish yellow eyes.

The last two on the right are spread slightly apart, one has a dark grey body with a lighter grey snout and belly with white on their paws, with orange and yellow eyes, and the other is a bright all white with a little bit of a sandy brown on the underside of their tail, and deep orange with green highlights eyes.

The two wolves on my right give the pair fighting loudly in front of me an annoyed look, as the sandy brown one tries to circle around me, their head still held high.

I look down at Draco, my tail held high as I fold my wings around myself and Draco defensively. Draco what...

Is that her? She looks so cool!

Let me have a closer look Draco, stop being a hog.

Christ would you fucking MOVE butthead?!

You're only mad because your face looks like my butt.

Guys you're pissing her off, cut it out.

They do this literally every time....

I raise my frills and fan my wings at the sudden onslaught of separate loud voices. At that all the voices hush for a moment as the wolves nervously back away from me.

Woah it looks pissed.

Right...

Don't call her an it idiot. The wolf in front of me bites their darker companion's ear. He whimpers before rearing up and mouthing her nose.

That fucking hurt! I look between the two quickly. The first voice, the one who bit the other, is female, while the one who cried is male.

Quit it! Draco gives a loud rolling bark once and everyone turns their attention to him, including myself. Stop acting like idiots, you're scaring her. Yes she is a her, not an it. He turns his head and gives the wolf in front of us a glare, which in turn he gives a sheepish look and lowers his head slightly. I look around at the wolves that are slowly closing in on me again.

Draco, tell them to back off. I growl out nervously in my mind. At that they leap backwards.

She talks!

Of course she talks dumb ass, we heard Axel talking to her remember?

Well yeah, but I thought it might have been different. Ya know, not like actual English.

You're impressed with her talking, I'm impressed we all heard that.

I feel a breeze gently pass over my frills. I look up quickly and see a low hanging branch. Before the wind can die down I balance myself on Draco's back before spreading my wings and leaping up. I flap them once and I manage to barely get my fingers around the branch. I swing my tail up and dig my rear talons and toes into the bark.

I stay suspended upside down for a moment before I wrap my tail around the branch and claw myself upright. I shake my scales out quickly, my wings out stretched so I can keep my balance.

I look down at new comers growling deep in my chest.

Hey, we're sorry. We didn't mean any harm.

Yeah, come on give us a break. It's not every day a wolf sees a dragon. I narrow my eyes at that and dig my talons into the bark.

Who said that?

The black wolf with the white throat and belly takes a step forward. Me.

I show my teeth and puff my scales up, letting the light of the world shine through my magenta and black wings, a slight tint of my wing color bathing them it it's glow. Don't tell me what to do if you want to keep your face.

I love a challenge, bring it on reptile. He throws his head back and barks loudly.

I narrow my eyes at him. You asked for it mutt. Before he can respond I launch myself off the branch and onto his face, to both of our surprise. I wrap my legs around his face and neck and bite the same ear he was bit on moments earlier.

He whimpers and rolls on the ground while I keep my powerful grip on him, biting further into his skin and fur with my sharp tiny teeth. Oh I'm a reptile right? A fucking lizard huh? Why are you crying now? The reptile bite hurts huh? Can't back up the shit you talk huh?

He rolls onto his feet and rushes off into the foliage as I cling on. Behind him I can see the other's rush after us.

Ashton you fucking dunce, why would you call her a lizard, we KNOW she hates that?

Stop running so we can get her off your face idiot.

I say let her pull his whole ear off, shows him right. Draco's voice retorts in a monotone.

I twist Ashton's ear in my mouth. I look over my shoulder and see we're heading straight for a tree.

I release him and sail over his back just as he crashes into it. I flap my wings quickly and gain a bit of height before I land less gracefully than I intended into the dirt and dry leaves that litter the forest floor.

I shake the leaves out of my snout scales as I hear a low growl behind me. I lift my wing to see Ashton, in his large dark and ash pelt approaching me with his hackles raised.

I turn over my tailand raise my frills in return, stretching my wings to the max on either side ofme and whipping my tail on the ground loudly, clawing at the dirt under me.

I rush forward a few feet and spit a hiss at his snout before backing away quickly, kicking up dirt with my wings.

Talk shit get wrecked mutt.

You bit my ear.

I'll bite it again if you want me to. I retort quickly.

Or I could show you how it feels to be bit. He growls louder and prowls towards me slowly.

Bring it on fur ball. Make my day.

A dark mass flies over my head and into Ashton's chest. He whimpers loudly before a loud bark breaks out and I see a mass of two fighting black masses. Fur cuts through the air as I hear the sound of teeth snapping shut with finality.

Behind myself I hear multiple paw falls. The group of wolves slide to a stop beside me, watching Ashton and the other wolf fighting. I look at the whirling bodies trying to figure out who got the jump on Ashton.

Great now they're fighting again. This is like the third time today.

My money's on T.J.

He does always win doesn't he? I look at the pair as the growling and snapping increases.

You guys aren't going to stop them? I turn to look at them over my wing.

They'll sort this out themselves, they always do.

Why do they always fight?

Well they're young male wolves, what else is there to do?

I curl my tail around my leg nervously. I flinch back when a shrill whine breaks out, causing them to fight harder. The smell of the air stings my nose and I'm more than enticed to climb a tree to safety.

Beyond my sight I hear a quick approaching thundering until a larger wolf, twice Draco and Ashton's size crashes through the trees and lands on top of their slim bodies. The wolf has a blue grey pelt with white fur on his feet, and his tail all black.

He rams Draco with his shoulder, knocking him off Ashton. Ashton rises with the vengeance written on his face, but he is quickly crushed by the older wolf when he promptly sits on.

Would you two like to tell me why exactly you're going at each other's throats? The large wolf speaks in a deep gravelly voice. He looks at the group and his eyes stop on me. He slightly lifts his lips and growls.

I try not to cower at the large bulky wolf above me. I in turn sit and calmly wrap my tail around my feet. Can I help you?

He snorts loudly and ignores me by turning his head to face Draco. Well?

Ashton was growling at Ghost and threatening to harm her, so I thought it would only be right if I stepped in and showed him he doesn't get to do that.

She bit my fucking ear T.J!

You called her a reptile, what else did you expect? Everyone knows she hates that.

I wasn't expecting to get a fucking ear piercing!

ENOUGH! I cringe slightly at his loud booming voice. You don't fight you pack members. Especially over THAT abomination.

My scales heat up and I feel my fire begin to slowly build within me. I stand slowly, my ears flattened against my neck and my wings slightly spread. What did you call me?

You heard me creature. I won't allow something like you causing all these issues in my pack. He stands also and walks around me, cutting me off from the smaller younger wolves beside me as they move out of his way.

Only problem I see here is you, being a big dirty fluffy bully. You prance in here with that atrocious over bite calling me a creature when you look like you came straight out the mist. I take a step towards him.

Watch your mouth li...

Or else WHAT old man?

He snarls and stands over me, his hot breath cascading around me. I look into his dark nose and teeth inches from my snout. I force myself still as I lash my tail in anger. You'd be lucky to get to my age, very lucky.

Shame you lived this long, just to risk it right now.

Risk? Where is the risk?

I snort and roll my eyes. I'll assume someone forgot to tell you dragons are flammable. Who knows, I might just randomly burst into flames while you're too close. I'm feeling especially hot right now. I'd have to assume it's because of you being a bully. I fucking hate bullies, especially over grown prideful ugly ones like you. I stand on two legs looking into his eyes, growling my challenge.

I should.. Suddenly a fearful expression creeps through his fur as he adopts a faraway look in his eyes. He swallows and licks his nose nervously, bowing his head quickly, and turns around quickly trotting into the woods.

I sit there fairly confused as his shape disappears after a few moments. I turn my head to look at everyone. You guys ok? They come closer and lay down. I raise my frills slightly alarmed, but I hold my composure as I take them in.

Wow you really took Maximillian on by yourself. The white wolf crawls a bit closer to me but I don't react beyond extending my neck and touching his nose to mine.

Yes, which is why I was telling you guys to be nice to her and not piss her off. She has this thing where she doesn't know boundaries, right Ghost? Draco stands beside me and noses my neck. I give him a sly grin and rub the back of my head with a wing.

I had to let him know I'll go there.

Well he certainly would have went there with you if Axel hadn't said something. I turn to look at Ashton as I recognize his voice.

What do you mean?

Ashton sits beside Draco and noses my upraised wing gently. Axel heard the stuff he was saying and made sure he shared his disapproval at what he was saying. He actually growled at him through the pack link! Axel may be kinda strict at times but he is a cool guy, he never growls like that or anything. You really have to tick him off to get him to that level. And he did it for you.

I close my wings and hold them tightly to my small frame, trying to ignore the feeling of my fire swelling in my chest and the light pleased feeling that takes shelter in my mind as I think his words over. I look down at my talons, trying and failing to hide my grin. Really. I respond as relaxed and monotone as I can accomplish without giving my fire away. Interesting.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hello everyone !!!

Big big chapter, take it as an IOU for taking forever to write this chapter.

As soon as I post this chapter I'm going to go through the previous chapters and fix some misspelled words, restructure my paragraphs, all that jazz, so don't worry about it.

I want to give a huge shout out and thank you to everyone who has supported me and given me encouragement. This is really part three of chapter fifteen. I'm going to throw myself into part four of fifteen and I'll officially be able to throw you guys into the actual world and not these little teasers and thrillers I keep throwing at you xD

All will be revealed.

As per usual.

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               Draggy <3