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. 

Nothing and no one in here but the bowels fused into the wall, the business light fixtures over head I might be able to touch now that I notice them, and the steel door. I snake my tongue out and taste a sweet earthy scent. Tilting my head I jump off the boxes and go to investigate the area not far from the steel door. There his scent it strongest. I don't think his name as primal recognition registers in my head. I walk in a tight circle and lay in his scent, feeling immensely calmer.

Until I feel a twinge on my neck. Confused at the sensation I turn my head, and slowly the feeling covers me from snout to tail. Anxiety fills me as I can't feel anything but this. I look over to the box and quickly dart inside, no longer having fun as I dart through the maze until I find my den with the comforter. There I bury myself in it, growling lowly in my chest. Words not able to express the feeling of something coming.

~~~

My eyes flash open as I'm jolted from my sleep.

Vampires in our territory! Heading directly for the den!   

Growling I toss my sheets to the side, not stopping to grab anything as I bolt through my door and down the stairs of the pack house. I see my fellow pack members rush through the halls and out the door with me. Before I even make it over the the steps I shift quickly to my wolf form. Spotting Troy I jog to him to stand at his right.

What's the status? He ask the scouts through the pack link.

About maybe a hundred in total. Not even at the five hundred year mark more than likely from their actions. They seem to think they're very smart by scoping the place out, but they are acting just like that pair of leech doctors that looked over the... dragon. Wild and focused. He quickly showed the image he was looking at. The group of one hundred odd young vampires splitting off into groups. The larger group hanging back, probably to try and get the jump on us. Sad day for the ticks, especially when they didn't realize the pack was far larger that one hundred individuals. But that also filtered my possible doubt that they may be more coordinated and have a larger group within the area of our territory.

I need ten groups of scouts to inspect the rest of the territory. Twenty wolves will wait here in case the scouts run into trouble. Everyone else hold a stealth formation and fan out into the woods. Let's wait and see what they're after. My heart sunk as I notice the collective idea of who they were after. 

Spit Fire... I growl in anticipation. Troy looking over at me he huffs and runs into the woods. Me and the other warriors run to follow him. In the dim of the link I hear the other beta, Vice, coordinating the pregnant females with pups, pack elders, humans, and security to the emergency bunkers. 

Everyone in the werewolf containment center, if we notice they're heading for the scaly, make an opening to the ones we find in there we can trap and get out of them why exactly they want her. In the privacy of my mind I lash out at his proposal. Sure it was a good sound plan that she would still be safe in the long run probably. But probably put me on edge. Troy gives me a momentary side eye.

Axel, whats wrong? He ask me privately out of the pack link.

I don't like it. 

Why? You have a better idea?

She isn't bait. At that his sense of understanding trickles out. Shaking my head I focus at the task at hand. After about half an hour of jogging we get into position to ambush the ticks as they make it to the pack den. Once there we'll wait a few moments to see if they head towards the containment center. If any of them go there... I growl and snap my jaws with finality.

After about an hour of waiting they finally reached the clearing for the den. They didn't seem coherent enough to wonder why they could get into the heart of wolf and werewolf territory. 

They've taken the bait. They totally ignored everything else and are heading towards the containment center. I ground myself in my intentions to slaughter every single one before the day is over. Even the one's we need to talk. After I'm done with them we won't be able to get them to shut the fuck up. Bet.

They've made it to the center. Initiating open lock. Operation fuck these vampires is a go. Only about twenty are here. The rest are wandering the grounds as look outs probably.

At that Troy leads the pack as one, we begin to close in the space to the vampires.

***

I lay in my den, scared beyond belief. My scales are on edge as I huddle in my den. The silence of the room deafening. I hide my snout in my curled hands and tail, instinct bubbling in my chest I begin trilling softly into the sheets. Far off in the distance I hear the creak of a loud door.

I swivel my ears forward to focus on the sound. Boots walking on the door faintly fill my ears. My inner fire almost goes cold as I hear the footsteps getting closer. Instinct overrides fear as I raise my head and trill in distress loudly. 

The scrambling of boots on the floor fills my ears as they sprint towards me. I hunker down and curl up tightly. Not far off I hear hisses as doors are opened. Claws scrape over the metal as the foot steps push further. I hear running past the room and I hold my breath and hold deathly still. My heart pumps in my ears, and shutters as I hear the window barrier being slid to the side. Half way as I take a breath the door to the room is opened slowly. 

My heart races painfully in my chest.

"I hear you lizard." My heart goes cold as the image of my dream flashes through my mind. "Come out come out.. I know you're in one of these boxes somewhere." I hear a box roughly picked up and shaken before being thrown to the side. I don't move an inch, then another one is shaken and throw on top of the box I'm in.

Still I hold still. I flex my claws, and stiffen my wings. If this vampire wants me it's going to be a fight to the death if I could help it. And I don't plan on losing either. The man curses and stomps his way through my maze, kicking everything against my den. 

He stops then grips my box. I slide to the side as he shakes it quickly before throwing my home against the wall. I squeak as my horns make contact with the hard wall. I blink and light filters onto my den and the sheet is snapped back over my head. 

Looking up I see flaming orange eyes, sharp pointed teeth sticking out of his mouth, and his hunger written all over his face. I curl my tail around myself as I slightly spread my wings back back up into the wall. 

"Well there you are, I thought you were going to keep me waiting all day."

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Another chapter forged ^.^

If everything goes to plan I MIGHT post another one before the day is over.

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                                            Me

P.S. I feel horrible for forgetting.
I dedicate this chapter to dahfne22 and YaBoiScotland for being my two must active supporters. From voting to always commenting on specific parts of my chapters and the words of encouragement. Love you guys.