The Winged Wolf Queen

The Egg Beneath the Volcano

The ancient chamber trembled.

Fine dust drifted from the ceiling as another deep rumble echoed through the volcano.

The enormous egg resting upon the stone pedestal suddenly pulsed with a warm golden light.

Astera instinctively stepped back.

"...What now?"

A thin crack appeared across the shell.

Then another.

The glowing lines spread in every direction until the entire egg seemed wrapped in a web of light.

The chamber fell silent.

Then—

Crack.

A tiny piece of the shell broke away.

Something moved inside.

Astera held her breath.

Slowly, a small black nose poked through the opening, sniffing the air.

A pair of enormous golden eyes blinked once.

Then again.

The tiny creature pushed with all its strength until its head finally emerged from the shell.

Astera stared in disbelief.

"...A dragon?"

It was nothing like the terrifying dragons described in ancient legends.

The hatchling was unbelievably small.

Its body was covered in soft red-and-golden fur that shimmered like glowing embers beneath the crystal light. Tiny silver scales peeked through the fur along its back and tail. It had four short paws, a long fluffy tail, oversized ears that twitched curiously, and bright golden eyes that seemed far too large for its little face.

There were no wings.

No horns.

No fearsome roar.

It looked fragile.

Almost harmless.

The little creature looked around the chamber in confusion before its gaze settled on Astera.

For a long moment...

It simply watched her.

Then it let out a tiny sound.

"Mrr..."

It struggled to climb over the broken shell.

Its little paws slipped.

The hatchling tumbled forward and landed on the stone floor with a soft thump.

It quickly shook itself, scattering tiny pieces of eggshell across the chamber.

Astera remained where she was.

She neither stepped closer nor reached out.

Her expression stayed distant.

Empty.

The hatchling looked at her again.

Its tiny tail began to sway as it slowly waddled toward her.

"No."

Astera took a step backward.

"You've mistaken me for someone else."

The little dragon ignored her words.

It continued toward her with clumsy little steps until it reached her boots.

It gently rubbed its head against them.

Astera stiffened.

"...Don't."

She carefully moved her foot away.

The hatchling blinked in confusion before following her again.

"No."

Her voice became firmer.

"I can't take care of you."

It only looked up at her with those impossibly bright golden eyes.

Astera looked away.

"I'm barely alive myself."

Another tremor shook the chamber.

Small stones rained from above.

She glanced toward the tunnel.

"I have to leave."

Without another word, she turned and began walking toward the exit.

Behind her came the soft sound of tiny footsteps.

Tap...

Tap...

Tap...

Astera stopped.

She didn't need to turn around.

She already knew.

"...Go back."

The footsteps stopped.

She waited.

Then...

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

The hatchling had started following her again.

Astera closed her eyes for a moment.

"No."

She turned around and pointed toward the broken shell.

"Your home is there."

"You belong here."

The little dragon tilted its head as if trying to understand.

Then it happily trotted toward her again.

Astera sighed quietly.

"This isn't a game."

She carefully picked up the tiny creature with both hands.

It was surprisingly warm.

The hatchling looked at her with complete trust.

That innocent gaze made something tighten painfully inside her chest.

Ignoring the feeling, she carried it back to the stone pedestal and gently placed it beside the broken egg.

"There."

"You'll be safer here."

The hatchling watched her silently.

Astera turned away before it could follow.

She had taken only a few steps when she heard it.

Tap...

Tap...

Tap...

She froze.

Slowly...

She looked over her shoulder.

The tiny dragon had climbed down from the pedestal and was following her once more.

Its little legs were so short that it almost stumbled with every step.

Still...

It refused to stop.

Astera frowned.

"I told you not to follow me."

The hatchling only blinked.

Then it took another determined step.

Tap.

Another.

Tap.

Astera felt irritation rising inside her.

"Why?"

"I don't know where I'm going."

"I don't even know if I'll survive."

"I'm trying to escape a place no one has ever escaped."

She looked at the tiny creature.

"If you stay with me..."

"You'll probably die."

The hatchling didn't seem frightened.

It simply continued walking toward her.

Another violent roar shook the volcano.

BOOOOM!

A large crack split across the chamber ceiling.

Chunks of rock crashed onto the floor between them.

Astera instinctively stepped back.

The hatchling stumbled.

Its tiny body lost balance as loose stones rolled beneath its paws.

For one terrifying moment...

It slipped toward a narrow crack glowing with molten lava below.

Astera moved without thinking.

She lunged forward and caught the little creature just before it fell.

The hatchling trembled slightly in her hands.

Then...

It slowly looked up at her.

Its golden eyes were no longer merely curious.

They were filled with complete trust.

Absolute faith.

As though it believed, without the slightest doubt, that she would never let anything happen to it.

Astera stared into those innocent eyes.

No hatred.

No judgment.

No disappointment.

Only quiet dependence.

Her fingers tightened ever so slightly around its tiny body.

A faint sigh escaped her lips.

"...You're stubborn."

The little dragon gave a soft, content sound and gently rested its head against her arm.

Astera looked toward the collapsing tunnel.

Then back at the hatchling.

"I don't know who you are."

"I don't know why you chose me."

"And I don't know what tomorrow holds."

She paused.

"But..."

"I'm not leaving you here."

She carefully adjusted her grip so the tiny dragon rested securely against her shoulder.

The hatchling immediately curled closer, its fluffy red-and-golden tail wrapping lightly around her arm.

Astera didn't return the affection.

Her face remained calm.

Guarded.

She simply turned toward the tunnel.

"We're getting out of this volcano first."

"Everything else..."

"We'll figure out later."

Another thunderous roar echoed through the ancient mountain.

Without looking back, Astera walked into the dark tunnel, the tiny dragon quietly following her every movement, completely unaware that it had just chosen a girl who no longer believed she had a place in the world.