The Dragon Mate

Pack

Frost’s POV

I want to lecture Levi on the importance of treating such illnesses, this one is like a plague that until completely erased would only return again and again until there were none left to feed on. The ones who hadn’t fully recovered still carried the disease but if they should fall ill to it again it could spread once again. I fortunately do not need any additional supplies for this one. My own magical reserves and talent was needed. If I were anyone else this would take numerous healers.

The difference was visibly noticeable when they were properly healed. Many looking energized now, having suffered the effects so long they had become unaware of how little energy they truly had. The healthy packmates came and went, watching me work my way through the fairly large number of wolves. Levi’s pack was large, larger than the one me and my father had belonged to.

At one point a group of pups approached, eagerly asking about the glowing lights. I noticed one parent moving forward no doubt to scold the child for interrupting. I had not seen a wolf pup in so long, they were always so happy. I held out my hand for him so he could see. His eyes widening with joy as I summoned a horde of butterflies of various colors. The pups all stared in awe while I returned to my task. I had more magical energy than I knew what to do with and as a dragon I naturally produced more. A bottomless pit to be filled with magical energy produced naturally every second of the day.

“I heard mama say you’re a dragon, can you take me flying?” A female pup asked causing me to freeze.

Father told me it was always alarming the reaction I had to the mention of flight, that at times he worried he’d lose me to my fear. When arms wrapped around me I came to my senses and found I was being held by Levi.

“What happened? Maria was crying saying she hurt you.”

I pull away shaking my head.

“I’m sorry, I promise she didn’t hurt me. I…flying is a painful topic for me.”

He looked like he wanted to ask but was respectful enough not to.

“I told you what happened to my father and I but I did not mention the lasting effects. As I am…after that day, I am as earthbound as you. I have never touched the sky nor do I believe I ever will. That day, he took from me more than just my home but my birthright. The emptiness my father feels alone with pack is the same one I feel for never being able to touch the sky. I did not mean to frighten the pup.”

He held me again though I don’t know why.

“I will tell her not to mention it again. If it’s alright with you I’d like to explain why but without giving away your past.”

“You are alpha, do what is best for your pack.”

I return to my task again letting him go. Not long after I can hear the stampede of little feet. I look up to find the pup, Maria, and numerous others who all appeared to be in tears.

“I’m sorry Ms. Dragon, I didn’t know you were hurt real bad. I promise, one day I’ll find a way to heal you. That way you won’t be in pain anymore.”

The pups were giving a round of agreements, talking about my butterflies and that they were nice and they wanted to repay me.

“It’s alright little one but thank you. My wound I am uncertain can be healed but maybe one day you will find a way.” I reach out to ruffle her light brown hair, surprised to feel the spark of magic within her.

I don’t mention it and decide I will tell Levi to allow him to decide what to do. It is proper among packs to do so. It takes just an hour more to heal the last of the wolves and by then the feast had already been prepared and was waiting for me. I had told them to go ahead and start but Levi wouldn’t hear of it. A proper gentleman, his mate surely was blessed by fate to match with him.

He leads me to the pack hall, it seems the room was meant for many uses including feasts. The pack was large but somehow they managed with the space available. Many grabbing food then giving a greeting to their alpha and honored guest before leaving. Others stayed and sat at the table talking and laughing amongst each other after greeting us both. There didn’t seem to be any order to who stayed and who left. It seemed it was just natural how they worked with each other.

“I was wondering, do your packmates work in the nearby towns?”

Levi shook his head.

“We mostly sustain ourselves. When we have excess of anything we’ll go to have a stand at the market. All members of the pack work together to support the pack. Anything earned at the market goes into pack savings and used for what we can’t provide for ourselves like healers. Occasionally we’ve had to hire a witch, sometimes we have a poor harvest and they’ll fix that. Those with magical energy charge quite a bit, though I doubt I have to tell you that.”

I look at him confused.

“This isn’t news to me no but I suppose I never realized how much it put people back to hire the services of those with talent for magic. In the beginning people would tell me I wasn’t charging nearly enough.”

He gives me a wide-eyed stare.

“Really? I don’t suppose you have magic to aid with crops?” He asks in a teasing tone while look thoughtful.

“Not in the same sense as a witch. Their magic is more along the lines of stealing and manipulating energies, it in a way isn’t natural and can have some bad side effects for those the magic is used for. In the case of crops my talents would be used to contact the Earth Mother and appeal to her. In exchange for tribute in her name she’d grant her blessing. No harm done and can in fact result in those making the offering to be granted a boon.”

He’s looking a bit confused but also a bit awed, it seemed to be a rather common reaction from this pack.

“Can you explain to me what that all means. I don’t know anything about magic.”

I nod happy to discuss magic.

“Earth Mother is the goddess that is responsible for all that touches land, crops, animals, and the people within. She offers her blessing to those who offer tribute in her name. Those who do so are honoring her and it makes her happy. For Earth Mother tribute would be to share the bounty of she offers with those that are not able to receive her gifts. Such as the poor and sickly. Earth Mother loves all her children and to see them aiding each other is an honor to her name. As I mentioned with witches their magic is different, I suppose it is best described as the darker side of magical energy. Manipulating it to do what they want which can react badly as the magical energy resents that treatment. An example is what you’ve hired the witch for, it could result in an even worse harvest or widespread disease. It is why many are weary of witches but because it doesn’t always result in something like that many believe those stories to be old wise tales.”

I look over at Levi’s clenched fist.

“You’re saying my pack became ill because of that witch? Why did she not warn us?”

“Witches are not the most moral creatures among the magically inclined. Many believe their spells well worth any after effect. As I said, I could do something though it will take time. I’d have to set up places of tribute around where you grow your crops.”

Levi still looked angry with himself for his choices. I reach out and take his hand giving it a small squeeze.

“These stories are considered old wise tales like I said, you couldn’t have known. Knowledge of how a witch’s magic works has been lost to time. I doubt other than myself only the witches know the truth. If they were to make this knowledge known they would not receive business anymore. Think not on the mistakes of our past but on the decisions of our future.”

He returned the gentle squeeze with a look of gratitude.

“You are wise for one so young. Thank you. I can ask though why you weren’t aware of the cost for magical services?”

“Well I only really charge for a bit of my time. Truthfully I don’t have the same problems as other magically inclined. I have an excess of magic so it’s no strain on me and I can gather most of what I need. Occasionally I’ll buy ingredients but not often. I told you before healing is a specialty of mine though it’s not because it’s the only place my talents lie. I’m a bit of a jack of all trades in the ways of magic. However it’s the healing arts many need, one that often times can be the difference between life and death, poverty or security. Parents get ill and cannot provide for their families leaving children to starve and suffer. I don’t like to think that anyone would refuse someone something they needed so dearly over money. So whatever my clients can afford they give, I don’t have a set amount. Really the only thing that kind of magic costs me is my time and I’m happy to give it.”

The look on his face now is one I’ve never seen. I turn my focus on my meal savoring the taste. When a female wolf approached, she sat down in the seat on Levi’s right. I recognize her as the one who had spoken to Levi before. She was average height with short blonde hair and green eyes. She was wearing heavily worn clothing which seemed to be the norm among the wolves.

“Something on your mind?”

I look at him and notice the female’s glare directed at me. Must be his mate, I can’t imagine she’d been to happy with Levi so easily touching me as he has.

“Nothing, I’m just enjoying observing your pack. You have a wonderful home here.”

Levi had a grateful smile as he reached out squeezing my hand. The glare intensives and I pull away.

“I do thank you but I fear I do need to return home. I still have much I have to do still.” I say standing up while Levi looks confused as to why I suddenly pulled away.

“Allow me to walk you out.” He said moving to stand but I shake my head.

“No need.”

I activate my teleportation spell and within moments I home. I go looking for my father and find him in his room. In his hands the first gift I had ever crafted for him with my magic.

“Reminiscing?” I ask sitting down at his side.

He puts down the memory orb, a clear crystal sphere that when focused on could show the wielder a memory of their choice. Often times he’d use it to watch the memories of her during her childhood or his lost mate.

“Remembering the days when you were but a pup and I didn’t need to worry about a wolf stealing you away. I suppose those days are long gone though.”

I stare at him confused.

“What do you mean? No one is stealing me away. I’m still here by your side father.”

His arms wrapped around me as he laid down on the bed bringing me with him. I use to crawl into bed with him when I had nightmares. After the incident with our old pack that had been often. I may not be a child anymore but I always enjoyed contact like this, something I had become accustom to with a wolf for a father and fae around growing up. Fae were always affectionate creatures. I close my eyes resting against my father.

“I worry that alpha will steal you away. I know pups are meant to grow up and leave home but I suppose I am not yet ready.”

I curl closer to father reassuring him again I was still here.

“That alpha will not steal me away. I very much doubt his mate would like that.”

A kiss was placed on the top of her head and like the days of her childhood it was the signal to sleep causing her eyes to drift close. Father would chase away the nightmares, he always had so it was safe to sleep.