• The night stood cold and frigid as Alex lay tangled in the damp grass. His body shook violently as each gust of wind blew. Alex knew, he just knew he would freeze to death, and no one would ever know or care. Tears flowed down his pale cheeks. He couldn’t last remember when he had been warm and safe. Alex had forgotten what it meant to be safe. He wept for what he had lost. Alex had lost his family, friends, his home, and even his hope. The night’s cold embrace drew closer around him.
    “Wait….”
    Startled, Alex listened for the voice again. It was only the wind blowing. Sighing heavily Alex curled himself into a ball.
    “Don’t die…..not yet.” Again the voice rang out over the wind.
    Slowly Alex sat up, his body tense. “Hello!” Alex called weakly through the wind.
    “I’m here…find me.” Alex stood on shaky legs with the wind threatening to knock him down.
    “Where are you?” Alex called his voice grew in strength with each stride he took.
    The unknown’s voice drifted to him again from his left. “Here, I’m here. Find me….”
    Alex followed the sound of the voice to where an old log had fallen during another storm. He noticed a hollowed out hole in the tree’s side. It was large enough for Alex to fit into, and he soon found himself hidden from the relentless snow. The hollow was dry and snug, with only a slight chill to it. Leaves were scattered across the bottom of the log. Straight in the back Alex noticed a pile of them. Alex crawled towards them, his frozen body dragging across the floor. Alex heard the voice again as he drew nearer.
    “Please get me out….” Alex scattered the leaves as quickly as his frozen hands could.
    Alex gasped and startled backwards, bumping his head on the log’s ceiling. There sitting in front of Alex’s eyes was a wriggling white form of a baby dragon. It’s head leaned up to face him. The dragon tilted it’s head curiously at the boy. It seemed to smile it’s little teeth poking out. The dragon raised itself up and wobbled to Alex. It made soft growling sounds as it approached Alex’s still form. Again it smiled up at Alex and nuzzled the boy’s cold legs. Almost immediately he noticed his legs grew warm, and the warmth spread throughout his body. The baby dragon growled again before climbing into Alex’s lap.
    “Thank you,” the baby dragon said nuzzling Alex’s chest. “You saved my life.”
    Alex rubbed his hand against the dragon’s back surprised to find it soft. He noticed the dragon was covered in a soft layer of downy feathers instead of scales. “You sort of saved my life too, little dragon.” Alex whispered.
    The dragon growled. “I have a name you know, and its not little dragon either. It happens to be Lune.” Lune said curling himself into a ball in Alex’s lap.
    Alex laughed shakily to himself. “Of course you have a name, well I guess you should know mine,”
    “Your name is Alex.” Lune stated.
    Alex gazed dumbfounded at the dragon. “How did you know?” he stammered.
    Lune looked smug even with his eyes closed. “I know because I’m your bonded.”
    Alex grew confused as he gazed down at Lune. “Bonded…” he echoed the word to himself. “Yes bonded Alex, I am your dragon.” Lune said.
    Alex thought for a moment about something he knew about bonds and their dragons. “But I’m not a noble….” Alex started to say but Lune cut him off.
    “Alex it does not matter who you are, a dragon chooses his or her bond with their hearts. Not the other way around.” Lune explained, his voice began to drift into sleep and Alex to found himself to tired to question further on the subject.
    With Lune sleeping soundly next to him, Alex found himself feeling safe. A feeling he thought he would never feel again. That night Alex slept snug and warm with his dragon bond right next to him.

    End Chapter One