Chapter 198: Chapter 198 Permission
"Trip for one day??" Alpha Ryker’s eyes widened, his strong brows arching as he tightened his hold on the little pup in his lap. "How am I supposed to live without you, even for a single day!" His deep, throaty voice carried both drama and truth, and he pressed his cheek to her dark hair as though he might lock her in his arms forever.
Luna puffed up her little chest proudly and placed her soft, chubby hand against his jaw. "Daddy, don’t worry. Luna is big girl now! You can trust me!" she declared with all the seriousness her small body could carry. "Everyone will go together, and Luna will come back."
Ryker’s stern face softened, a warm smile tugging at his lips. He let out a low chuckle. "I do trust you, little pup." He tilted his head, watching her with amusement. "So when is this grand trip of yours?"
"Ummm..." Luna’s golden eyes darted as she thought hard. "Teacher didn’t tell us yet," she admitted, then quickly brightened again. "But we are going anyway!!" she added.
Ryker’s chest rumbled with laughter. "Alright, little pup. Then go and enjoy. But..." His sharp eyes twinkled with mischief. "Tell me first, how’s your kindergarten going?"
At once Luna sat taller on his lap, eager to boast. "Luna is very obedient!" she announced proudly, though the faint twitch in her ears betrayed her. "I play nicely with everyone and... and I don’t growl at anyone!" she said quickly, her small fists clenched in determination.
Ryker raised a skeptical brow, and Serafina—sitting beside them—covered her smile behind her hand.
A tiny giggle slipped from Luna as she remembered yesterday’s growls, the way Rocky had jumped and Kelpie nearly toppled over when she’d barred her little fangs. She quickly pressed her lips together to hide it, but her parents had already seen.
Serafina shook her head fondly, stroking her daughter’s hair. "Such an obedient little wolf," she teased softly, while Ryker laughed outright, kissing the top of Luna’s head.
****
"Trippppp," Pyrra repeated flatly, her golden brown eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms.
"Yes yes mom, trip!!" Drake flapped his little hands and wings together, bouncing on his toes. "My all friends are going too! Even Boo is going... and Vlad Jr. too!" he added quickly, hoping the name-drop would convince her.
But Pyrra only shook her head, her expression firm. "No."
"Mom!!" Drake’s voice wobbled with desperation. He scampered closer, tugging at her sleeve. "Vlad Jr. is going toooo, please... ummm... pleeeease..." His big amber eyes widened to full sparkle mode, his cheeks puffed, lips quivering—he put every bit of his dragon-puppy charm into the look.
Pyrra snorted, unimpressed but clearly fighting a smile. "Don’t look at me like that, little hatchling. You think you can melt your mama with those eyes?"
Drake clasped his hands together dramatically, wings drooping like he’d collapse right there. "Mamaaa, if I don’t go, I’ll be the only dragon left behind! Everyone will play, everyone will eat yummy food, and I’ll be stuck here eating boring soup!!" He rolled on the floor in exaggerated agony. "Do you want me to suffer, mamaaa?"
Pyrra pressed a hand to her forehead, muttering about how raising him was harder than fighting ten enemy clans. But her lips twitched despite herself—her son was impossible to resist when he begged like that.
"I will agree if your dad agrees," Pyrra said firmly.
Drake gasped like she had given him the ultimate quest.
Without wasting a breath, he dashed outside, his tiny feet pounding against the ground before he leapt, shifting into his full dragon form, wings flaring wide as he soared into the sky and wheeled in proud circles above the cliff.
"Daaaaaad!!" he shouted, his dragon voice echoing through the mountains.
Blaze, standing tall with the warriors, turned sharply, his eyes widening at the sight of his son spiraling down like a comet. The warriors clapped, some even cheering, impressed by the little dragon’s energy. Drake puffed his chest out in pride, glowing at the attention, then landed right in front of his father, scales glittering in the sun.
"Dad!!" Drake bounced eagerly. "I need to talk with you privately—it’s super, super important!!"
Blaze raised a brow, though a faint twitch tugged at the corner of his lips. Turning to the warriors, his voice cooled as he said, "We will talk about this later."
Then, with a shift, his massive wings unfurled, glowing faintly at the edges, his aura commanding. He leapt into the sky, and Drake followed excitedly. The wind whipped past them as father and son soared together, flying above the misty cliffs until the voices of the warriors were nothing but echoes below.
Blaze glanced at him seriously, his tone deep and calm. "What do you want to talk about, son?"
Drake flapped faster to keep up, his little body working hard, but his eyes sparkled with determination. "Dad!! Teacher said there’s a TRIP SOON!!! Everyone is going!! Boo, Lucien, even Vlad Jr.!! But Mama said I can only go if you say yes!!"
Blaze narrowed his eyes slightly, though not unkindly. "A trip? Hm." He flew silently for a moment.
Drake panicked at the silence. "Daaaad!! If you say no, I’ll be the only dragon left behind! Everyone will eat cake, play, and I’ll be stuck with boring soup!! Please say yes!! Pleaaaseeee!" He spiraled clumsily mid-air, almost bumping into Blaze’s wing.
Blaze’s expression didn’t change much, but there was amusement deep in his fiery eyes. He finally rumbled, "So, you think you’re ready to leave your parents’ side for a whole day?"
Drake nodded furiously, his little wings flapping like crazy. "Yes yes yes!! I’ll be a very good dragon! I’ll eat, I’ll fly, I’ll not bite anyone’s tail... okay maybe just a little—but only if Luna growls at me first!!"
Blaze exhaled through his nose, a sound like a small laugh hidden under his stern tone.
"Alright," Blaze finally said, his deep voice carrying across the skies.
The moment the word left his mouth, Drake gasped so loudly it echoed like thunder. "YAAAYYYY!!!" he squealed, flipping upside down mid-air before zooming around his father in wild circles. His little wings flapped furiously, leaving a trail of sparks as his tail swished with pure excitement.