22

"Just curious about that beast of yours," Vernon frowned at Ethan.

My muscles tensed as I growled at him. Ready to spring up, and defend my bonded. I would prefer for him never to touch me or my bonded. My belly came off the ground as he came closer. My growl intensifying.

Savannah walked up to him. Halting his march forward.

"You're pissing off Nix," Savannah snapped.

She wasn't feeling rage. This was pure acting. Her ability to lie was disturbing.

"Honestly I'm not sure I like you myself," Savannah frowned, "Coming in here without our permission. Everything about you leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

"Well we own the building along with the rest of the shelter," Vernon frowned, "What's the problem with us inspecting our property?"

"The problem is you coming in here with the tamed beast that doesn't like you," Savannah frowned, "I'm allowed to be irritated by your blatant disregard for your personal safety. Our beast will harm you if you get to close, and he doesn't like you. He's mellow compared to some beasts, and keeps himself pretty calm most of the time, but that doesn't mean he'll continue to stay calm around someone he clearly doesn't like."

"Again," Vernon smirked, "I wanted to know more about this beast of yours."

"He's busy for the moment," Ethan turned serious, "We've got an appointment with a blacksmith, and no time to discuss it with you."

"I need you to show my that obedience contract your beast is being controlled by," Vernon frowned at Ethan.

"I'll show it to Calen," Ethan frowned at him, "After I'm done. I'd rather answer to him."

My wings twitched as I stood slowly. Following Ethan's lead. Ethan motioned for me to lower my head, and wrapped his belt around my jaws. It wouldn't stop me from opening my mouth, but it looked secure. That was all that mattered to the people outside.

Ethan wrapped a rope loosely around my neck, and led me outside like a plus sized dog. He wasn't strong enough to force me into anything without my permission, but I allowed him to do what he wanted simply because it made the other humans relax.

{So you like this blacksmith} I nudged Ethan from behind.

{Yeah} Ethan smirked back at me {Bit excitable, but worth chatting with.}

I smirked. My body tensed as I thought about it all. I didn't know what would happen when I was strong enough to take on another bonded, but if Ethan liked him then there was a good chance that I would like him as well. There weren't many that would continue to get along with me as I got stronger. I didn't know what was going to have happen in the near future.

At least I was hoping it would be the near future. I was walked to out in front of the shop, and found myself looking at a blacksmith shop that had seen better days. The kid named Bryce ran up to me with excitement written all over his face. He completely disregarded my size, and started examining me with some weird set of glasses. Oddly enough I didn't feel any need to stop him as he ran his fingers along the flat of my scales.

"This is incredible," Bryce smiled brightly, "These are even stronger than the ones you've already given me."

Ethan, and I just stared at him. Savannah had come along as well, and she looked just as confused as we were.

"You want to know something weird," Bryce grabbed Ethan's arm, "The scales got weaker after you left yesterday. I knew you were coming because they got stronger again when you came back."

I snorted to myself at the thought. Interesting. Very interesting. I opened my jaws slowly. Breaking Ethan's cheap belt off my face, and smirking down at the blacksmith boy.

He looked up to my big smirk only just now realized that he'd just been handling a very alive, and very big beast. I dropped my head down so I could look him in the eye. I kept on smirking even when I brought my head down to eye level. I was halfway tempted to talk to the kid, but I managed to keep my mouth shut. My body tensed at the infuriation of the situation.

Ethan was right though I did like the kid. I raised my head back up to its normal height, and dropped my smirk as I looked around at all the other scared children. My wings fluttered slightly in the wind as I slowly opened them about halfway. It wasn't enough to pull the membranes tight which was why my wings fluttered like a tarp in the wind. I laid down in front of the shop, and scooted over to the side closer to the front wall of the building.

I had to be cautious about who I spooked around here. Some were strong enough to wound me. I didn't want to give them any reason to cause me harm. Mostly because that was more trouble than I wanted to deal with right now. I dropped my head down on the overhang that protected the front of the shop from the weather.

It felt good to rest there for now. Humans were dangerous creatures when threatened. Acting as nonthreatening as possible was keeping me alive, and happy for the time being. Relaxing into the front of the building, and enjoying the feel of the sunlight on my scales. Bryce kept coming out to study me from time to time.

Scanning my wing membranes as well as my scales, and talons. He was interested in most of my body. Mostly studying me for materials. I didn't mind. I'd growl at him occasionally if he got to handsy or pushed to much to see more than I was willing to show.

I purred as Ethan scratched between my scales with on the low side of my chest. Shaking the overhang of the building with my purr as well as making the glass shutter. I lost track of time as I sat there purring with Ethan scratching my chest. Bryce just let us stay there. Apparently we were his only customers at the moment.