I walked through the camp out outside of the village looking for anyone that needed help. As it always was when I tried to help everyone, they sent me away without wanting anything from me. I just want to help. Why won't anyone let me help them? The people I passed looked at me like I was dirt. I'm used to the feeling of being less than dirt but... Bumping into something I fell back on my bum loseing my train of thought. I looked up at one of the Green Dragons and they looked down at me with shining green eyes. "Ahhh sorry."

I tried to get up but the Green Dragon smiled at me and put me back on my feet. "Wesyug meumeg rquyik, megu jethe sisqu kuk phso." She spoke with a soft tone and gently offered me a hand.

I took it and she smiled as she led me back to the tent. Just inside, she frowned, looking around. Bear walked over to us. "Hephgoth ipkhsth rst wikth tag ragmil sisqu?"

I stared at Bear. Did he always know Dragon? The Green Dragon smiled warmly. "Uren wareme thgin kuk phso. Nrag tkn tkmfeth kpsquthi msfeth jsg sthg. Sisqu rukag uquwaegi urg omganneth E neg. E yqunu hass okwuf oss yac tspf, E ragkp kuk jehru E yqunu opkfg qul." With those softly spoken words, she patted me on the back and walked away.

"Come on then, Pup, let's find you a job." Bear said taking my arm.

"How come you can speak Dragon?"

He sighed at my question rubbing his forehead. "That is a long story. Come let us find something for you to..."

"That is alright, Bear. We have somewhere we must go." Duha said behind me.

I spun excitedly and grabbed Duha. "Mum!"

She smiled and hugged me back. "You leaving?" Bear asked.

Duha nodded looking at the people in the tent. "I need to be away from these people and their constant looks of anger."

Bear shook his head sighing more. "Your things have been recovered, and your wagon is being repaired. Are you leaving without it?"

She nodded taking my hand and leading me away from the tent without saying anything else. "Where are we going?" I asked.

"There is a nice place to stay close by I just need to be away from these people for a while." I nodded looking at the people that glared at us as we passed. Clinging to Duha made me stumble. "Pup you don't need to cling like that. No one will hurt us now. The Dragons will keep us safe."

Releasing my grip slightly was easier as we walked away from the village and the people who seemed to hate us. We walked to the cluster of trees nearby where I heard the soft sounds of running water. She stopped next to the lake and sat on its edge. "We will stay here away from the others." Mum said, gesturing to the lake.

I nodded bending down to run my hand through the water. It looks like Duha's den. She likes living near lakes, it seems. At the sound of footsteps, I froze. Michi walked into the area, dropping the bags with a sigh. "This is a nice place to stay." He said as he pulled some leather and rope from one of the bags.

"It is perfect. The others will leave us alone here." Duha said.

"Maybe not." Michi said looking up.

A large shadow passed overhead and Duha sighed. "It's fine. They are just seeing where we went." The shadow disappeared as Duha unstrapped the sling with the boy in.

He was fast asleep and looked a lot better than when I last saw him. He was fatter and a better colour. "I will make..." Russleing in the bushes made Michi stop speaking.

"I know you wish to be alone, Duha, but I wished to bring you something." Rat said as she walked out of the bushes followed by Dragon.

I stared at him. I can't help but stare at him... he is beautiful. I looked at Rat. Even Rat's armour looks magical. I would love a set for myself. It shimmers. "What do you want Rat?" Duha asked watching them both warily.

She offered a small gold ring to Duha. "This is so that you don't need to stay close. Wolves are like Dragons, they need freedom. So take this, and if we need you, we will find you."

Duha took it putting it on without hesitation. "If there is anything you need of us..." Dragon said softly.

"I will howl for you." Dragon smiled at that.

Rat nodded turning and walking back into the trees without another word. I watched Duha gently wash the boy in the lake. Our pack... I need to be strong to help Duha protect it. If I'm strong then she won't need to call for Dragon. "Mum, will you train me again?"

Duha smiled as she washed the boy. "If you want me to." 

The rest of our daylight hours were spent with me training Katja. Michi set up the camp and cared for the boy. When the daylight gave way to the night, Michi cooked us a meal while we took a bath in the cool lake water. Michi had set up an area for us to bathe without being seen by the camp.

When we were done Katja ate while I brushed her hair. Shortly after she had finished her dinner she fell asleep with her head on my lap. Michi came over to me and picked her up gently. "You eat while I put her to bed."

I sighed as he walked away with her to the other tent he had set up. Looking out over the lake, the reflection of the moon shimmered on its surface, filling me with a sense of calm.

Michi came back and sat behind me. "You're not eating." He whispered in my ear.

"No."

He put his arms around me and I let him pull me into his chest. "Are you not well?"

I sighed. "I'm fine."

"You say that a lot, even when you aren't fine."

He ran his hand up from my gut across my chest to my neck. His fingers danced across the skin there sending sparks of heat trailing after his fingers. "What do you want Michi?"

He chuckled softly his warm breath tickling my cheek. "I want my mate to be healthy and not sick is that a bad thing?"

His other hand slipped into my shirt wandering up and down my chest. "I think you want something else." I said softly.

"What gave you that idea?" His hands moved higher brushing the skin of my breast. My breath caught in my throat as the sparks of heat turned into fire.

"Maybe it's what your hands are up to." I said breathaly. He turned my head gently with the hand on my neck and kissed me. "You are defiantly after something more Michi."

He smiled. "Shall we go to bed?"

I nodded and he picked me up like I weighed nothing. He carried me to the other tent. Sitting me on the furs he laid out, he pulled at my clothing, leaving me naked, feeling vulnerable but safe.

His fingers and mouth explored me leaving me breathless. I gripped him pulling myself up and kissing him hard. He pushed me back down to the furs his body trapping mine under him. Our fight for dominance always seemed to end with him winning. However, this time, I wasn't trying too hard to stop him from having this all his way.

Gasping and moving in a beautiful synergy, sweat pouring from us both as we sort to enjoy each other body's. Every movement builds towards a crescendo of pleasure and fulfilment. Michi gripped me tighter in his arms as our little dance came to an end. We laid panting for a few moments while holding each other.

"Duha... I think.."

I put my hand over his mouth stopping the words I knew he wanted to say. "Don't... say it... yet." I panted.

He smiled as I moved my hand. "I can't help... how I feel."

He inclined his head and kissed me softly on my neck. "Duha..." He whispered into my neck.

"Michi." I whispered back to him.

Those were the last words either of us said after that as we both fell into a light sleep.

***

The next thing I know is an odd vibration in the ground waking me up. Michi was still sound asleep behind me with one arm wrapped tightly around me. I frowned at the rhythmic vibration that seemed former to me. That was when I heard a scream in the distance and it made my brain click into place. Horses! Men on horses! "Michi! Wake up. There's an attack!" I cried pulling my clothing on.

Michi jumped at my call and grabbed his clothes. "You stay here and look after Pup and the boy! I will go to their aid." I called leaping from the tent.

"No, mum, I'm coming!"

Spinning on my heel, I saw Katja standing there, quarterstaff in hand.

"You want me to stay here?" Michi asked from behind me.

"Yes! Come on then Pup. If you think you can hold your own then come with me."

Michi grabbed me just before I ran off holding me close to his chest. "I love you Duha. I will not let you run off and fight without saying it."

He let me go, and I stood stunned for a moment. He said it. I stared into his eyes and was about to say it back when another scream jolted me back to my body, and I darted off for the village.

My long years of running allowed me to cover the distance quickly leaving Pup behind. I can't wait for her to catch up! We would lose the element of surprise.

I crashed into the men in the back of the line of humans. Spinning and hitting everything close to me. I saw a cluster of horsemen with long lances hammering the people from the sides. I know that armour! Those bastards came for me after all!

Katja caught up to me and plunged into the fight with me. I was surprised at the ferocity she fort with. She left herself open to a counter I saw coming. I moved into the space, taking part in the blow, and knocked the man back.

The horsemen circled the back and I made eye contact with the man on the lead horse. I was right it is them! I howled my need for help and heard the reply. Katja pressed her back to mine as the horseman surrounded us. I growled low in my throat. "Pup... run to the back."

"Yes." She answered.

I morphed as she ran and I followed, nipping at the horse's legs to make them give her space. The humans shook off their shock at me mophing but too late. The wild wolves I called jumped in pulling humans from horses and letting their mounts run off. I joined my wild brethren in the slorter of these people who dared to attack me twice.

Soon the leader of the group singled me out. It was easy as I was much larger than my wild brethren with fur that was grey, unlike the darker fur of the wild brothers and sisters who came to help us. He tried to pin me with his lance, but I was able to doge him easily as a wolf. A human fell at my feet, and I was able to launch myself off their body as they tried to regain their feet to take the leader to the ground.

I crashed into him, carrying him with my momentum off the back of his horse that bolted away from the fight. As we hit the ground he rolled away from me and made it to his feet.

He drew a sword and tried to take me down with wide overhead swings that were easily dogged. I darted behind him using his cloak to pull him to the floor in a loud clatter of armour. He tried to stop me from getting close by swinging his sword around him wildly. Darting in between his arms, I tore his throat out easily. The softly metallic taste of his blood on my tongue was sweet with the flavour of victory.

The other horsemen saw me kill their leader and turned tail trying to get away from me and the wild wolves that ran after them, nipping at the horse's ankles.

Wolves jumped and barked at the men as they broke completely. I let my brethren run after the humans as they broke, galloping away. Spinning and growling I faced the people at the back just as they broke ranks and ran after the horsemen. I howled letting my wild friends know that humans were coming for them.