A soft whine came from a thicket, and Leo lifted his head, his eyes narrowing while he focused his senses. He spotted a black nose. A second pup. Somehow this one had escaped the death that had claimed its sibling and probably its mother.
Leo crooned to the wolf but remained still. He didn’t know what had happened to the pack, but he couldn’t leave this pup alone to die. Even worse, someone had trespassed on his land and killed at least two wolves. He had no idea why.
The area bordering his belonged to Ulrim, Protector of the Forest. Ulrim valued the acres left to him by his grandfather, and he gained his title after he refused to sell any portion of his property to Myndunth, The Banker. Rumors had circulated for months regarding a gambling den and luxurious accommodation. The speculation had died a gradual death, since Ulrim refused to comment, other than to confirm his land was not for sale.
Now Leo wondered if something more sinister was afoot. The other side of Hissing Isle contained fewer green spaces and more luxurious homes belonging to wealthy dragons. Some made their fortunes in jewel mines while others traded in leather, wool, foodstuffs, or construction.
Leo wasn’t confident of his suspicions, but he’d hate for the wolves to end up driven from their natural home. While he’d been pondering potential scenarios, the wolf-pup crept from concealment. Leo’s scent would be familiar to the pup. All he knew was he couldn’t leave the creature alone, and he didn’t have time to track the pack since he ached to return to Gwenyth.
“I guess we should follow the scent trail,”his dragon stated, sounding a trifle grumpy.
“Later,”Leo replied.“With that amount of blood, I doubt the wolf is alive. I’ll take the pup home and feed him, look after him while we decide what to do next. I would follow the trail, but I don’t wish to leave Gwenyth alone for too much longer.”
His dragon perked up at the decision.“Darkness will fall soon. Best, we follow the trail during daylight.”
The pup came closer, and Leo remained unmoving until it nudged his hand with its cold, black nose. Leo still waited and let the animal come to him. He murmured encouragement and ran his hand over the pup’s matted fur. The wolf trembled but cuddled closer. It allowed Leo to pick it up, and he carried the cub toward the steel storage chest where he kept necessary supplies—natural remedies in case any of his animals were sick or injured. A lead for his boss cow. Wherever he led his boss cow, the rest of the herd followed, which was handy if he wished to move his cattle to a lower pasture. It also contained empty hessian bags he used to ferry supplies while in dragon form. He plucked one of these from the chest and placed the wolf-pup inside.
Before he left, Leo studied his cattle. They hovered in a tight bunch, acting skittish. He’d shift them tomorrow or the next day to one of the lower pastures where it was easier to watch over them along with the yearling cattle already there.
Leo transformed to dragon and carefully picked up the bag containing the pup. This time he scanned his land as he flew, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing jumped out at him, and he soon landed on his balcony.
When he removed the wolf-pup from the bag, it was shuddering even harder. He cuddled the pup to his chest and strode inside. All was quiet, and when he peeked into his bedroom, he found Gwenyth sound asleep. He figured he’d let her rest.
He grabbed a towel and wrapped the pup in it. The temperature had dropped, and Leo partially shifted to breathe over the kindling he’d laid in preparation. With the fire going, he set the pup down, and once he’d satisfied himself, the wolf would stay put, he went in search of something for it to eat.
“Not too much food,”his dragon cautioned.“I don’t want to clean up after it gets sick.”
Leo snorted. “I’d be the one doing the cleaning. You’d use my fingers and thumbs as the reason I’d be better suited for the job.”
“Do I look stupid? I am a wise and clever dragon.”
Leo snorted again, entirely unimpressed by his dragon’s logic. He heated a portion of beef stew—the meat he’d had over after making his pie—and placed it on a dish. The pup had wriggled free of the towel and savored the radiant heat from the fire. It lifted its head at Leo’s approach.
“Here you go, fellow.” Leo nudged the dish of meat closer and stood back while the pup sniffed and investigated. Finally, he stuck his nose into the bowl and ate a chunk of meat.
“Where did the pup come from?” Gwenyth asked, her husky voice startling the wolf.
He gave a panicked yap and crowded against Leo, seeking protection. Leo smoothed his hand over the pup’s back and crooned nonsensical words to him until the wolf calmed enough to return to his food.
“I found him when I went to check on my cattle. Someone killed his mother and sibling.”
“That’s terrible,” Gwenyth whispered. “Is he okay?”
“He’s uninjured, and he’s eating, so that’s an excellent sign. How is your head?”
“Better,” she said. “I’m feeling hungry again.”
Leo rose from his crouch near the pup and closed the distance between him and Gwenyth. Unable to help himself, he slid his arm around her midriff and dragged her against his side. Without hesitation, Gwenyth curled closer.
“You make me feel safe.” She squeezed him.
Leo’s big heart seized for a second, before giving a thump and racing faster than average. “You make me happy,” he said gruffly. “Let’s have pie.”
“I think your wolf is a she,” Gwenyth said.
Leo glanced in the pup’s direction. She stretched out in slumber after sating his appetite.
“We’re collecting females,”his dragon chirped.“How fun.”
