The First Tribrid

Chapter 2: Preparation

-Later that day in the dragon kingdom-

"Remind me again why you invited them all here?" Draconis glanced up from the papers he was reading. He needed to concentrate on where to put everyone when they arrived, but his beta was being argumentative and difficult.

"I've already told you all this Balaur, and you're being disrespectful. I could punish you for that."

"But you won't, and we both know it." Balaur grinned and showed his rows of sharp teeth. "I understand we're the only ones with space, but why do they all have to stay within our boundaries? This is going to cause nothing but trouble."

Draconis sighed and stood up, walking around the desk to put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "I know there will be trouble, and I know you will be here to keep it to a minimum. We need everyone to start training together so we know how best to fight and protect one another. This is going to be hard, but it's the best way. Besides, I'd rather have them all in my domain so that we can control the situation."

Balaur grunted in agreement. "Fine. What do you need from me?"

"A few things. First, I need you to follow me so I can show you something. When we get back, I need you to help me with the training regiment so we can hopefully prevent any major disasters before they occur. I know it's not going to be easy, so we'll have to come up with some preventive measures to keep everyone safe in training. I'm also going to need your help breaking the news to our people. They won't be happy we're opening our doors to past enemies."

"Past enemies huh?" Balaur scoffed. "Are you sure you should be dismissing the old grudges so easily?"

"We have no choice. If we don't accept old enemies into our home as friends, we may not survive the war that is coming sooner than we'd like." Draconis sighed and scrubbed his face with his hands. "I just want us to be prepared Balaur, and I need your help to do it."

"Very well alpha." Sympathy for his best friend appeared on his face, but he kept his voice even and full of respect for his alpha. "You have too much stress Draconis. Lead the way to what you want to show me and I'll start training schedules when we return. I'll stand with you for your announcement when you're ready for it."

Draconis nodded. "Thank you my friend. I'll make the announcement tonight. The first arrivals should be tomorrow afternoon, so I don't have the time to waste. For now though, let's discuss other things and let me show you what I've found."

-A half hour later on a cliff overlooking a human town-

Draconis and Balaur stand at the edge looking down at the lights of the town. Balaur runs his hand through his hair in agitation. "Are you sure man? I mean, that's a human town! Do dragons even have mates?" He looked at his friend in concern.

Draconis never took his eyes away from the town's lights as the slowly darkening sky made them appear brighter. "I'm sure Balaur. I feel the pull. There have been records of dragons finding mates in the past. When have you ever known me to not do my research?" The two men chuckled. "I know she's down there, but I can't get any closer. She may not know about our kind. Even if she does, that would almost surely make her a hunter. I just can't risk it."

"Maybe if you don't talk to anyone?" Balaur's skeptical suggestion earned him a humorless laugh from his friend.

"Yes, I'll just walk into a human town that small, not saying a word to anyone, find my mate and what? Stare at her like a psychopath? She wouldn't have to see me speak to cause her to run away from me, and I wouldn't blame her." He sighed and finally looked toward his beta with a serious expression. "This is my biggest reason for wanting the others here. I need to ask a wolf for a favor."