Bill's POV

I let Draco have every precious second he could with his mother. Although I trusted her no more than I did Lucious, she never hurt her son. She was just too weak to protect him. When she held her son, it was clearly meant to be for the last time. My Draco didn't cry but her tears fell unchecked into his shining blond hair. We both knew that Draco may never see her again. When he pulled away, his mother wiped her tears and kissed his forehead.

"Be good, Draco. Stand your ground, don't let anyone bully you, okay?" She told him. My little mate nodded and kissed his mothers cheek for the last time before turning to me. Without an ounce of fear, Draco approached my side, and put a hand deep in the fur at my left shoulder.

"Just one more thing, Billy." His gentle voice told me as he started to walk from the room... with his hand still at my shoulder. If we weren't in such a place as this, under these circumstances, I might have laughed. This little boy, barely ten years old had a huge, monsterous wolf following him like a puppy on a leash. And I didn't mind in the least bit.

Draco led me to his bedroom, buried deep in the mansion. I hesitated by the door, staring into a large room. It was so big that even the huge pieces of dark wood furniture didn't do anything for the emptiness of it. All I could do was look around the space, devot of any home, comfortable feeling and think, my mate sleeps here? Its so empty and lonely. Again, I found myself mourning the horrible conditions my mate had suffered.

I watched him hurry to his bed and get down on the floor. His tiny body wiggled under the bed easily and came back with a green stuffed animal. A tiny dragon with ugly red eyes. Of course, Draco didn't say much about it. By the way he hugged it, it was clearly a beloved childhood toy.

"Do I need anything else, Bill?" His soft voice asked as he came close. I could see it in his face, my mate was scared and confused. It was far too early to leave home from him but at the same time, he understood he couldn't be there anymore. I dipped my head to nuzzle his hair with my nose, comforting.

"I take it as a no." Draco whispered, stepping close to me again. One hand on my shoulder and the other clutching his dragon.

As we left, I didn't see another wizard. Which was a good thing. I don't know if I could have restrained myself from killing in front of Draco if one showed up. The dark red bruise on his face infuriated me to no end. At the same time, I was somewhat glad that I saw it. After all, if for whatever reason I had missed the bruise than his abuse could have carried on for days, weeks. My mate could have been the victim of a coward for years before I ever found out.

I walked with him to the front door of the mansion. We only paused long enough for Draco to put on a pair of running shoes. Once he was ready, we stepped out into the day light, finding Fenrir waiting for us there. He stared at me with a strange look. I couldn't decide if he were disappointed or relieved for whatever reason. Either way he said nothing to me.

We walked away from Malfoy Manor for a good half mile into the forests surrounding it. Putting a lot of distance between us. Fenrir remained in his human form but I was still too angry to shift back, even if I didn't, I would have prefered to remain a wolf. If I distrusted the wizards before my mate, it was worse now.

"Draco." Fenrir stopped us by speaking softly to my mate. Draco stood still, looking down at the ground while one of his hands pet the dragon in his arms. "Do you understand what is going on right now?" He asked carefully. Draco nodded slowly, still not looking up.

"Y-Yes, sir." His voice trembled, nervously. I sat down on behind Draco, letting my furry side brush against his shoulders, reassuring him. "I'm going to live with you and the werewolves because my... I was hurt."

"Good. You must understand, Draco, things are going to be a lot different from now on. We sleep in caves and bathe in rivers. We each take a part in taking care of one another and you will have to as well. Do you understand?" Fenrir spoke calm and slow, trying to catch Draco's eye. He never looked up but I could tell he was listening.

"I understand. I-I saw people working a lot. I know I have to work hard too." Draco's voice dropped to a scared whisper. I doubted he was afraid of the work in any way. I think he was just afraid of his life changing so quickly.

"I'm Fenrir, the pack leader. I make sure everone is safe. Bill will be taking care of you now. He's a good man, he'll be your friend." Fenrir assured Draco before kneeling in front of the boy. He wrapped him in a hug, reassuring him. I would have smiled at this if I had the face for it.

After several moments, Fenrir helped Draco climb onto my back. He held his dragon close as his tiny fists clutched fur. I wanted to walk slow, so I didn't jostle him too much. But at the same time, we needed to be far away from the wizards, now. Fenrir ran behind me, covering my back as I lead the way. It was strange given our roles but I knew it was only because of the precious bundle on my back.

I'm not sure how Draco being human will go over with the pack. But I will back up whatever decision you and the boy make. Fenrir assured me as we moved. I frowned. I didn't consider that part.

I saw no reason Draco wouldn't want to be a werewolf. We're a very close knit, protective species. We take care of each other very well and fight hard to protect our lands, to protect our families. No, I didn't see a down side to being a werewolf. But I had every intention of allowing Draco to make his choice regarding species and regarding me. I will love him no matter what he is. But if he chooses to be human, I will have to do my best to foresake being a wolf, move away from my pack. If Draco is human, he can't belong in the pack.

For now, since he is a child, there is no trouble in him being a human. Its when he is an adult that he must make the choice. So I don't believe its necessary to bring it up any time soon. And aparently, Fenrir didn't think it was a dire subject yet. There was time to worry about it later. Right now, we should only worry about settling Draco in with the pack, making it his new home. Where no one would dare hurt him.

Fenrir's POV

The child was an interesting concept to say the least. Although he was a wizard, he wasn't trained. What little magic he had inside him was still easily influenced. Going by what a coward his father was, this was probably the best thing for him. I can see by the way my best friend, my beta looks at him that they are indeed mates.

Its happened often enough in the past, a grown werewolf finding that their mate was a child at the time. And it was never an issue. There was never a case where any form of romance or sex was pushed on a mate too soon. Werewolves were naturally family centered and their mates were beloved. I have no doubt in my mind that Bill would never touch the kid until he was a legal adult, in the muggle world.

The child, Draco just seemed to be a different case. Some werewolves find their mate among their own kind. Others wizards or muggles. It was just strange that Bills mate happened to be the son of Voldemorts beta. Which, thankfully, wouldn't have much effect on the negotiations.

I originally chose to keep the pack in the dark about being involved with wizards but Bill persuaded me otherwise. Much of them weren't too happy, as he was. But I felt strongly about this. Whoever these wizards were, they would make a big impact on their world. And going by Voldemorts power, I wouldn't doubt it if he took over. This was just precaution. If I occasionally do things for him, benefitting him, the pack would be safe when he siezed control.

The pack is worth it.

Once we were back on pack lands, Bill slowed down. This made Draco a little more comfortable, enough to sit up. I couldn't help but snort. Bill was a great and powerful wolf. I respected him greatly due to his skills and his natural wisdom. He was a magnificent brown wolf with the stance and confidence of an alpha... with a cute child riding his back like a placid pony. I couldn't help but laugh at the contradiction.

Of course, Bill didn't think it was so funny, how ironic the two fit together. He huffed in my direction before turning away. I smiled to myself as my best friend decided to take his mate down to the lake first. Shaking my head, I continued on my way to the caves.

These were definitely strange times.

Thoughts? Reviews?

Ashtin