The wind blew in my direction, carrying the scent of the wolf straight to my nose. That’s when I noticed it.
The wolf was an omega.
He was a shifter.
As the realization hit me, I raised my head sharply, but the sudden movement sent the wolf skidding away.
“Wait,” I called.
The wolf stopped, his ears pinned back to his skull.
“Don’t go,” I pleaded. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
The wolf stared at me in fear and awe. He seemed curious, but afraid. If I didn’t play my cards right, he’d take off, and I’d be alone again. Even if I stayed hungry, I’d rather have another shifter’s company than nothing at all.
The seconds passed.
Eventually, the wolf’s ears swivelled forward again. Paw by paw, he came closer. He was small, and young. Not a pup, but not quite a fully mature adult, either. Probably bordering on adulthood, just like me.
“Hi,” I greeted cheerfully.
The wolf flinched, but stood his ground, as if determined not to be scared.
“H-hello,” he replied.
A warm feeling ribboned between my ribs. His voice was sweet and airy, like dandelion fluff.
“What... whatareyou?” the wolf asked.
I flashed him what I hoped was a non-threatening grin. “I’m a dragon. Haven’t you ever seen one before?”
He shook his head while staring at my rows of fangs.
“Don’t worry. Dragons don’t eat shifters,” I assured him.
The fur on his shoulders relaxed, but he still seemed wary. Since I’d grown up around dragons, andwasa dragon, it never crossed my mind that I looked frightening to other shifters. Maybe he’d calm down if we knew each other’s names.
“I’m Violet,” I said. “What’s your name?”
His eyes softened. “I’m Poppy.”
I smiled at his sweet name. “Nice to meet you,” I greeted.
He hesitated as if he didn’t know how to reply.
“Nice to meet you?” Poppy offered. He sounded genuine, but also like he was saying the words for the first time in his life.
I snorted in amusement. “Have you never met a stranger before?”
“N-no.”
I paused. “How can that be?”
Poppy glanced over his shoulder again, then bowed his head, deferential. “I don’t—we don’t meet strangers.”
“Who’swe?”
Poppy’s ears flicked back. He continued to speak quietly. “My clan.”
