-Afternoon - Nefiru's POV-

I tracked down the wolves with the sun reaching half of the afternoon while recovering magic reserves, but only lightning elementals and mana replenished past half my capacity by the time I found Raiga's attackers. I approached from the south a group of wolves that were resting under the shade of a tree, injured, panting tired, and whining from the pain or possibly hunger, then used the Lightning boost before they reacted to my presence.

*Whoosh...* I rushed towards the green wolf as big as a horse in the outer part of the pack.

All the mutts heard me coming and perked their ears in alert before getting up to run away, but my target was already too close and managed to grab her right hind leg without sinking my teeth so deep.

"HYACK!" She screamed pulling the leg but saw it was futile. "GRRR..." The Rank 4 beast struggled to return a bite.

How typical... I deemed while stopping the incoming jaws with my left paw.

I pulled her body closer before making a circular motion with my neck which turned the wolf upsidedown in the air.

*Ooph!* "HIIUP!" The beast landed on its back and cried out.

I open my mouth, and the free creature started pedaling in attempts to get up, but I dropped my entire body over to hold her down, then she started wrestling to get out while using the remaining of wind magic to attack me...

"HIEE..." She started whimpering in fear of her fate as no other wolf came to her rescue, and the tired animal now lays still under my body heavily breathing after exhausting her magic.

Heh... This wolf must have some talent since she was Rank 3 at the time my siblings descended from the volcano. I realized after comparing her current progress with our first meeting.

I lift my body while still holding with the paws, but she tried to slip away from my grip, and I had to pin her down again before petting the fur with my relatively clean paws thinking what to do next. The action repeated several times until the she-wolf was calmer and started panting normally but her elevated heart rate still revealed her anxious state in the silence that pervades this section of the forest.

I conjectured that using my prisoner to confuse her alphas with our scents together and traversing through wolf territory might require cooperation to pull off smoothly. Therefore, I decided to try out the wolf language I have been memorizing over the past months to communicate.

I only know the meaning of a few growls to imitate, so this is going to be an experiment, and I'll compliment with actions or drawings on the ground if needed. I affirmed while using magic on my vocal cords for complete control.

"MINE!" I declared looking into wolf eyes.

I think they use this for food though. I wondered watching her reactions.

The startled she-wolf opened wide her green eyes and stopped breathing for a moment as she stares back at me without blinking. A moment passed as she lost some tension before daring to utter a growl at me which I tried to interpret.

"....Mine!?...." She questioned on the ground gazing at me from the corner of her eyes.

"Mine!" I reaffirmed separating to let her get up.

"....Safe....mine....pack....far....return?" She asked unmovingly.

Er... So broken...but it should be something about not being safe away from the pack. I assumed.

"Safe." I comforted lying down some distance away.

The she-wolf lifted her head to look at me before slowly getting up and shook off the dust on the fur, then approached.

"....Safe?" She stopped to ask for confirmation.

"Safe. Mine" I announced her position remaining still.

She was surprised at first but now showed excitement wagging her tail, then started walking around my motionless body while sniffing and eventually she approached close enough to make contact.

What are you so happy about? And is it necessary to know my scent? I retorted gazing at the careless beast. Although she probably realized that being at my mercy, the only way to ensure her safety is gaining my favor considering the bit of communication we had in wolf language. I assume to be the reason for the beast's actions before getting up

My movement surprised her but stayed still next to my body, then I extend my right forearm to pet the green wolf when she became rigid and started trembling a little, so I paused until her eyes told me it was okay to proceed. I slowly lowered my paw onto her back feeling the green wolf quiver momentarily but stayed still as I caressed the fur softly from the head until her tail for a few seconds before strongly pulling our bodies together. The she-wolf didn't resist my rough snuggling as she won't easily die from it and surrendered her body to my strange behavior trying to relax, but probably wishing it doesn't take long...

How nostalgic...for someone like me who adored pets. It's like hugging a dog or a plush toy considering my terrible sense of touch and strength. I compare with my cheerful niece's dolls. Although this should also be uncomfortably painful for her, it's better than being eaten which the dragon infant me would probably do despite seeking company. I affirm recalling memories that get buried with new experiences. Still, she is more obedient now than most dogs I had, and maybe will make an excellent pet, so I'm be naming her Safi since 'safe' looks like some keyword for us... In any case, that's enough mushy feelings... I asserted satisfied and let the wolf go.

After being done hugging the she-wolf, she suddenly showed her rear to my face with the tail raised.

Woah!!? I backed away from her privates in surprise before seeing her looking back. Oiii...!! That escalated too quickly! I retorted at the shameless wolf waiting for me to do something. Wait a minute... did I force her to be my mate earlier? I may have used the wrong vocabulary saying she was mine.... Crud. I realized the fatal mistake of memorizing a language during their mating season before wondering what to do next.

Hmm... I think I jumped to conclusions... She's not in heat so it must be another level of intimacy at this point to sniff her back-- Ugh! I'll just...pretend to do the deed since it'll be worth her recognition. I complied restraining my nose.

The wolf was satisfied and turned back to lick my snout.

"Go!" I ordered pointing with my head north.

She starts walking ahead while looking back and I rolled my eyes following behind.

...

We enter wolf territory an hour after resuming our advance and continue moving in a northwest direction where my siblings landed the first time after leaving the volcano. We traversed unhindered save for a few low ranking and normal wolves who approached but turned away with a growl from my escort.

"Safe...." The wind user looked back happily to inform that she's protecting me.

Sighs... I totally did propose... I reaffirmed dropping my ears in defeat, led inside wolf territory by a jubilant green wolf wagging her tail from side to side. My plan was a little too effective, and it's scary when things go my way like this...I'm not used to it. Still, what is this wolf thinking to accept a dragon that eats her kind of all things? Well, I don't sense bad intentions, and beasts aren't as cunning as humans which makes them simpler to deal with than people, but... does she know we can't have children? I ponder about the convenient companion nodding at her.

After walking for a while inside wolf territory, we pass the small stream of water that I encountered during my sibling's rescue, then continue miles deeper until the forest ended, and appeared a vast area of tall grass painted golden by the sunset. Quite similar to the one behind the Ragefire estate, the soft wind of the afternoon rustles and creates waves on the brown vines while carrying the smell of familiar rodents which I named Rakats in my infancy. We advance through a landscape with rocks becoming numerous while the sound of running water gets louder before arriving at a river thirty meters wide and riddled with stones up to a dozen meter high with green moss growing on them near the water.

...I wanna live here. I affirmed my desire while stopping at the riverbank where gravel and sand extends a couple of meters until the water.

"WOOF!" Safi calls my attention pointing at rocks before she starts jumping on them.

Oh, you guys got a bridge to cross...seems made with magic judging by the flat surface. I stare at the strange formations of a disconnected bridge that requires jumping the gaps. Although the river doesn't look too deep, so I'm going this way... I assumed advancing on the water next to her as it gradually became deeper with the stronger flow.

"GHUO!?" I uttered being dragged by the current.

"GWRUO?" The she-wolf asked atop of a pointy stone.

"Go!" I commanded to continue without me.

I guess I'm diving now. I resolved, looking at the white stream by the center of the river before plunging inside gripping the stones with my claws.

I held my breath while moving sideways to the left and facing east where the current comes, then collect water elementals as fishes the size of people swim close to me...

"PHUA!" I took a deep breath extending my neck out of the water after managing to cross.

Okay... it was deep but awesome! Those fish look like a potential food supply too. I affirmed looking around for the wolf who was waiting by the northern bank already.

I walk out of the water smell Midas in what should be his territory, then we continue northeast, past some big rocks and isolated small trees around my size until I saw them standing still some thirty meters away.

Erm... This WAS the wrong time. I stared at the two wolves with their rears touching.

"....Pack leaders...." Safi informed me watching her alphas while wagging her tail as if their intercourse is a happy occasion.

Yes, yes...can't you see they are also tied up? I retorted looking at the green wolf next to me before observing Midas and Mirati who haven't noticed us. Should I interrupt them? I don't know how long they might take...forgot to ask. But Safi didn't get close so we probably have to wait. I conjectured and decided to get comfy.

I pulled my wolf pillow closer and laid down together, then rested my head on her back before closing my eyes while hearing her licking me. Regardless, I couldn't stay hidden from the Alphas sense of smell when moments later the ruckus made me lift my head and confirmed being stared at as they pull apart.

Argh! I did not need to see! Ugh, now I can't unsee that when eating a male wolf.... Stupid giant wolves can't envy dragons... I regretted finding out too much information and buried my head under Safi's belly. These oversized wolves feel no shame even though intelligent beings are supposed to feel some embarrassment, and this pet of mine probably won't reject anything besides chewing her alive... her spirit tells me so. However, it seems I've been influenced by humans too much...I'm a Dragon, and I forgot that all morals are meaningless for magical beasts...even my younger self was right about dragon behavior. I realized and pulled my head out to face the incoming green, and golden wolves running to my sides within our magic range.

""GRRR!"" They both growled taking a stance while dripping seminal fluids.

Well, I don't think convincing these two will go smoothly, but I was prepared to convey my intentions passively... I asserted before Safi started whining with her tail lowered and exchanged a conversation with the two angry beasts showing their teeth in hostility.

Heh~ Hesitant to follow her Alphas. She's not a total bitch, huh? Wait...is she their daughter? I wondered watching their reluctance to attack. Oh dear, this isn't Romeo and Juliet, so stay away... I thought to push the green wolf to the southwest with my paw.

"Go!" I commanded.

She complied taking some distance, and a barrage of attacks immediately befell me.

"GHUAH!" I uttered hit by dozens of stones thrown by Midas and vacuum balls by Mirati which crack my scales painfully.

I stood still taking their aggressive actions, and my legs sank into the ground by the same ability Midas used to bind my siblings, but I continued to endure for several minutes when Midas on my left stopped attacking.

*THUMP!...* I heard a loud noise of something falling right behind me.

!!... This smell of sulfur--it can't be! I turned around to confirm my guess and a red dragon twice my height curiously inspects my body. Oh, crap...! The last beast I wanted to see...Father. I stared back as my legs are bound before wondering his motives. Why is HE here? It can't be for any good reason, so please leave. You are going to ruin everything... I asserted observing the impressive Dragon.

"I...Danger....pride....allowing....beasts....you?" The red dragon questions my affairs.

Hmm... It's probably something like he thought I was in danger but found out that I'm allowing weaker beast hit me which bothered his dragon pride even more. I interpreted. Da fuck? What do you care? Oh, I get it...he considers wolves his food supply, so it was annoying seeing them kill a dragon. Also, he doesn't know I'm his son huh? I analyzed.

The three wolves froze on the spot and fear now oozes from them after understanding it's not possible to flee the Magic range of the high ranking dragon which showed interest in our conflict.

"Play!" I answered pulling my body from the ground.

The red dragon was surprised for a moment and looked at the wolves who trembled and lowered their ears under his gaze. He appeared to believe it somewhat because a little dragon like me wouldn't make it so far in wolf lands, then looked back at me not understanding something.

"....Small....your Rank?" The fire dragon questioned.

Yeah... I don't know how to answer something like that with my basic dragon language. I realized and decided to let him know.

"Not much Dragon tongue," I growled in reply.

"GRROO..." He grunted in frustration after understanding.

The high rank lost interest and stared at Midas intently.

Oh shit! I knew it! He was out hunting and saw us by chance... I confirmed running in front of the golden wolf while facing my parent.

"Ally. Need." I pleaded looking up at the upset dragon.

This guy has a short fuse, so I'm courting death here... I concluded and decided to reveal.

"Father..." I spoke bowing my head in submission while keeping my eyes on him.

Big red was taken aback once more and deeply sniffed trying to identify me.

"HOW!?" Father interrogated up close.

"Smart!" I proudly declared.

"GHNU!" He uttered with parts of his snout twitching.

Big Red's mood turned ugly and quickly lashed out at the green wolf on his left.

"....Safe--" Safi said looking at me as the big Maw approached.

"GLOMP!" Big Red bit down on the unmoving wolf and lifted her up.

Sa-Safi...! I called her name, shocked by her unexpected ending.

*CRACK...! MUNCH...* The red dragon loudly chewed the wolf in front of us.

The mana wave confirmed Safi's death, and sadness washed over me as I stare at the red dragon with a blank expression unable to think or do anything. He swallowed Safi's corpse forming a large bulge that traveled down his throat, then licked his lips and opened the wings before taking off.

*WHOOSHhh...* He flapped strongly, causing whirlwinds that raised dust and flattened the grass momentarily before flying away, and quickly became distant.

I approached the bloody remains of the green wolf painting the grass and slumped down before it.

I-I... I treated her like a pawn, but I feel so empty now... Our time together was short, and it made me happier than eating her, but in the end, she could be considered my first Beast friend in this world. I review looking up the darkening skies. I was so focused on her Alphas that took for granted that she was, in fact ... a treasure. I grieved the loss of my wolf pillow. She didn't accept her death and accused me of being a liar, but that was out of my control... I justified being bothered by her last actions before dying. Argh! I must avoid losing a companion in this manner again...no matter what! I reaffirm my resolve in frustration.

A sharp pain suddenly appeared near the base of my tail and turned back to see a green wolf latching onto it.

"GRRR!..." Mirati angrily bites down like a mad dog.

Ah! Forgot about these guys... Well, she's not using magic, and Midas isn't doing anything either, so there are no ill intentions. I observe without taking action

Sighs... That fucking lizard did it on purpose, and not warning me to leave his territory also have nefarious reasons behind it...I really want to mess him up someday. I recalled the red dragon culprit.

The golden wolf ignored his mate approaching from the right and crouched on my side before sniffing the bloody site, then turned to scrutinize my actions with a poker attitude that is hard to determine what he's thinking.

"....Safe?" He questioned.

"GHONU!" I groaned in defeat remembering the green wolf's last growls. "Safe. Mine. Pack." I repeated what I told Safi flopping my neck over the black sand.

The annoying wolf slubbering my tail stopped, and Midas open jaw shows a funny expression I did not expect to see a wolf do.

Don't make it more awkward! I complained shaking my head.

They had a brief conversation I couldn't understand with too many gaps in the language, then headed towards the river.

"WOOF!" Midas turned back calling me.

I immediately grasped and was about to follow behind, but felt the need to say goodbye to a friend before leaving and poured my feelings of gratitude and mourning into a short wail.

"WOOUuu...UUOOoo..." I howled towards the sky which incited the other wolves to join as they realized the meaning.

I'm so sorry Safi... May you lead a better life next time. I said farewell before following the alpha pair to the river.

The two wolves went into the river to take a bath while I stared at the water run upstream.

Fuck... I don't like how things turned out, but this will work in my favor since their attitude took a 180 degree change, and even though that looks suspicious...this is the second time I saved his life. I deduced as the cleaned golden wolf approaches after Mirati dried their fur using wind arts.

I was prepared to deal with the language barrier between us and started drawing on the sand with a claw as soon as he showed interest in communication. I drew the birth of our siblings; my descend from the volcano, our first meeting, and how I met Safi.

I'm glad to have practiced claw-sketching. I affirmed satisfied of the technique.

The earth magician understood and imitated my method using his magic to form moving sand figures representing his questions. At one point, me swallowing their pack member alive came up, and the she-wolf on my side made her anger known biting me again.

Ugh... Will you stop that already!? I discerned the cause feeling annoyed.

I waited until she was done biting my tail, and faced her to apologize lowering my head with eyes closed.

"WROUF!" She scoffed in unacceptance but stopped her violent actions.

They probably really were their daughters, but Midas doesn't-- ah nevermind... his glare tells me he's angry too, but this guy is harder to read for some reason. Weird. I analyzed their behavior when the golden wolf displayed another question.

Ah... My purpose for being here at long last. I recognized the expected query.

I painted us, three siblings, joining the wolf group confronting snakes when they wake up from hibernation as to which he followed up with us eating wolves after giant snakes die out.

Good question... Somebeast still needs to be prey and snakes will probably get exterminated without high ranks backing them, especially now that Reylus and I can fly to reach them up in the trees. Although they'll still have a food supply that we don't eat, so if we control their population like livestock, and perhaps fishing in the river or the ocean, then we could sustain ourselves without munching on wolves. However, I cannot speak for Father until I'm strong enough, but by that time...I might leave this forest too. I inspected before answering the delicate question of our future.

I made my standing clear with a simple drawing that depicted us allies with wolves when heavy footsteps approached from the north. I turned my head behind and my eyes open wide and heart starts beating rapidly after noticing four massive wolves even taller than Father slowly walking up to us.

Holy shit... I can almost walk under these guys! I get up in alert of the high ranking beasts casually approaching. Ah, the howl Midas and Mirati did earlier had a call too huh? Sneaky... I realized watching the large black, green, and golden wolves surround us.