The days settled into a comfortable rhythm, filled with the warmth and love of my family. Each morning, I awoke surrounded by his siblings, their soft fur a comforting reminder of our bond. The den was filled with the gentle sounds of their breathing, creating a peaceful start to each day.

As the sun rose, Lorish would gather her children for the morning routine. We would play in the meadow, our laughter echoing through the forest. I also continued King's training and found myself growing stronger with each passing day.

One morning, as I was playing with my siblings, Lorish called us over.

"Time for some work, my little ones," she said with a warm smile. "We need to be prepared for the challenges of the forest."

We followed our mother to a small clearing. Lorish demonstrated a few hunting techniques, showing us how to hunt when there is snow, and we're more visible move silently and strike with precision. I soon joined in, helping mom teach the kids. We all had to get more food for the winter, but not only meat. Mom spent lots of time explaining which roots and herbs are edible.

After the training, I decided it was time to visit Alexius. I knew I had to be careful, so again, I lied, telling my mother that I would patrol the nearby borders.

I don't feel good lying like that to Mom...

"Be careful, my brave baby," Lorish said, nuzzling me gently. "Come back soon."

I nodded and set off into the forest, my heart pounding with anticipation. I followed the familiar path to the stream, my thoughts focused on Alexius. The boy had become an important part of my life, and our secret meetings were a source of joy and comfort for both of us I guess.

It's a bit like some secret dates. Oh my gosh what am I thinking about, stop it brain!

As I neared the stream, I spotted a large fish swimming lazily in the clear water. I waited patiently, my body tense with anticipation. When the moment was right, I struck, catching the fish in my jaws with practised precision. With my prize secured, I made my way to our meeting place near the waterfall in a small cave.

To my relief, Alexius was already there, sitting quietly and looking into the water. His face was bruised. My heart ached at the sight. I ran to him quickly and dropped the fish near him as I jumped up with my front legs, and did something like an embrace with my paws. I nuzzled my nose into his neck, breathing in my favourite smell. The longer I spent without seeing him, the lonelier I felt.

"Or!" Alexius exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy as he felt my hug. "You're here! I missed you so much!"

"Of course, I'm here. I'm always here for you" I growled and he laughed, not understanding... and yet kind of knowing what I wanted to tell him.

I whimpered touching his bruised chick with my knuckles - I realised that my paws could act a lot like hands, but I still had sharp claws I had to be careful with.

"What happened?" I gowled worried and angry.

He immediately knew what I meant.

"It's not so bad... I guess I deserved that, I dropped the can with milk and all the milk was gone. I deserved it... they have so many problems with me."

Sometimes I wasn't sure what wounded my heart more... How Alexius kept on living or how he thought that the way he was treated was ok. I would try to tell him to find someone else, but I knew better... this village was rather small and very primitive. People didn't have much money here, and they didn't pry into other's business, and no one liked to do charity. And a small boy with some bruises? Children often looked like that, and his uncle and aunt probably talked shit about him... so it wasn't weird that no one wanted to help the boy and they all ignored him.

"You didn't deserve it!" I growled shaking my head in an energetic manner.

"You think I don't deserve it?" He asked shyly.

I nodded and he smiled lightly and then started crying, hiding his face in my neck, as he hugged me with all his power, which he didn't have much since he was a malnourished child.

Later, he cooked the fish over the fire - at least I managed to feed him better than those shitty adults. And after that we kept on keeping each other company, hugging and "talking" in a way.

*

Our days together turned into weeks, and the forest began to change as autumn gave way to winter. The leaves turned brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow before falling to the ground, creating a colourful carpet on the forest floor. The air grew colder, and the animals of the forest began their preparations for the long winter months.

I found myself both excited and anxious as the seasons changed. The King's return was imminent, and with it, the resumption of our rigorous training. I knew I would have to balance my duties with my secret visits to Alexius, a task that became more challenging as the days grew shorter.

The preparations for winter kept everyone in the den busy. I helped my mother and siblings gather food and reinforce our den against the coming cold. Despite the heavy workload, I always found time to slip away and visit Alexius, though I had to be extra cautious.

One chilly morning, as I was about to leave for one of my secret visits, Lorish stopped me.

"Where are you off to again, Orphelin?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm just going to patrol the borders," I replied, trying to sound casual.

Lorish studied me for a moment before nodding. I knew it was weird that I used this excuse so often...

"Be careful, my brave baby. The forest can be dangerous, especially with the weather changing."

"I will, Mom," I promised.

We have had this conversation so often lately. She really is getting worried.

I made my way through the forest, the crisp air filling my lungs. As I approached the stream, I noticed the water was starting to freeze at the edges. I hurried to catch a fish for Alexius, knowing that food would be scarcer as winter set in.

When I reached our meeting spot, Alexius was already there, bundled up in a thin, worn blanket, with his shoes full of holes which showed skin red from the cold. The boy's face lit up with joy as he saw me, and he ran to greet me.

"Or! I missed you!" Alexius exclaimed, hugging me tightly.

I nuzzled him, feeling a deep sense of relief. I dropped the fish at Alexius's feet and watched as the boy's eyes filled with wonder.

"Thank you, Or! That's a big one! And it must've been hard to catch," Alexius said, his voice trembling. "It's getting so cold, and food is harder to find. This fish will help a lot."

I looked at him, noticing the dark circles under his eyes and the way his clothes hung loosely on his thin frame. He was thinner than before, and it broke my heart. I was starting to suspect that the food I gave him daily was the main source of food for him for a long time now.

"Let's go to the cave," I growled softly, nudging Alexius toward our secret spot.

We made our way to our small cave near the waterfall, the familiar sound of rushing water providing a soothing backdrop. Alexius quickly started a fire, his movements practiced but slower than usual. I watched him with concern, wishing I could do more to help.

I mean... shouldn't dragons breath fire?! I'm so useless...

As the fish cooked, Alexius pulled out a small apple and offered it to me.

"I brought it for you," he said with a weak smile. "Couldn't get more."

I accepted the fruit but felt myself tearing up a bit as I imagined this freezing and hungry boy, getting a simple apple for his friend rather than eating it himself.

We sat in companionable silence for a while, the warmth of the fire and the sound of the waterfall creating a peaceful atmosphere. For a long time now I used to spend this time laying partly on his legs, my head on his chest. I was trying to warm him up, and he was petting me all over, and delicately kissing the top of my head. I adored it. I wish this could last forever.

Alexius began to speak, his voice filled with exhaustion. He always needed time to gather some courage to tell me all about the bad things that happened to him that day.

"Today was really hard," he said. "My uncles were in an awful mood. They made me work from dawn until dusk, and I barely had time to come here. It's getting harder to hide that I'm meeting you."

I listened intently, my heart aching for my friend. I wished I could tell him how much his presence meant to me. But the only way to say it was by showing it, so I rubbed my head at his chest and purred a bit.

"The cold is getting worse too," he continued, his eyes downcast. "I don't have enough warm clothes, and the nights are freezing. Sometimes, I can't sleep because I'm so cold."

I nuzzled his hand, trying to convey my understanding. Alexius looked at me with a sad smile, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

My poor boy. So cold. If I could take you with me to the wolves... You would be warm...

"Thank you, Or. For being here with me every day," he whispered. "Living became better thanks to you... now I have a reason to live."

It crushed me. How could they make a kid like that say such things... I wanted to burn that disgusting village.

As the night wore on, we sat by the fire, making sure it was burning and enjoying each other's warmth. I began dozing off, so relaxed and content.

Eventually, the fire wasn't enough as it started to become even colder during the night. I nuzzled Alexius one last time, trying to convey my promise to come back. I would always be back for him!

"I'll see you tomorrow, Or," Alexius said softly. "I already miss you."

He places a soft kiss on top of my head and I feel my whole body tensing for a moment and relaxing. Yeah... I may have been a human once, but I felt like I could totally get domesticated by this boy.

I kept watching as he started running back home to keep warm. When he disappeared from my eyes, I also moved to go back home.

As I reached the den, my siblings greeted me with excitement and wanted to play a bit.

"Welcome home, my little baby," Lorish said. "Now children, it's time to go to sleep. We have lots of work tomorrow."

I smiled and nodded. I was about to lie down when I suddenly heard someone approach our den. I knew this smell.

"Dad!" I roared and threw myself to the entrance.

There he was... the King himself, laughing at my eagerness. He lowered himself allowing me to tackle him in embrace. Soon after me, the pups joined too and we all started to jump all over Father. I was so happy. Pure joy. My dad was back!

"Now, now! I think your mother wants you to sleep. Let's not make her angry shall we?" Father said in his deep, wise voice and joined us in sleep. I was snuggled in so much warmth that I couldn't stop my thoughts from wandering towards Alexius and him, sleeping in a cold barn. I decided I would think of something to keep him warm during this winter. Maybe I'd talk to my parents? Maybe...