Chapter 215: Chapter 215 Scaredy dragon
"For you," Luna said firmly, shoving the packet forward as if declaring a challenge.
Alina blinked, a little surprised at the sudden offering. But her smile softened as she accepted it. "Thank you, Luna, you’re so considerate," she said warmly, crouching so she could meet her little wolf pup eye to eye. Then she gently patted her head, her fingers brushing through Luna’s braids.
The moment her teacher’s hand touched her head, Luna’s scowl softened, though she quickly turned her face away with a tiny huff, pretending she wasn’t happy. But her tail, if it had been out, would surely have wagged like crazy.
Meanwhile, Vlad Jr. was calmly checking the purple basket, his pale fingers brushing through the items with care. When he spotted a slim glass bottle nestled between other juice bottles, his crimson eyes brightened. The label gleamed: Purified High-Quality Blood for Babies. Without a word, he unscrewed the cap and began sipping with practiced grace, his posture straight and refined, as if he were tasting the finest wine.
"Ewwww..." Drake’s nose scrunched up the moment the smell hit him. His big amber eyes widened in horror. Meat was one thing, but drinking blood? That was a whole different level. He stuck out his tongue dramatically, his little wings flapping as he stumbled back like the sight itself was going to knock him out.
"Teacher! Teacher! Vlad Jr. is drinking red juice from a creepy bottle!" Drake cried, holding his stomach as if he might faint.
Vlad Jr. didn’t even spare him a glance, continuing to drink quietly, his lips faintly stained red. He dabbed the corner of his mouth with his napkin like the dignified little prince he was.
Boo, on the other hand, floated closer with sparkling curiosity. "Can Boo try?" he asked, his ghostly face stretching into a wide grin.
Vlad Jr. finally looked at him, his red eyes sharp as he replied coolly, "No. It’s mine."
Alina crouched down beside Rocky, carefully helping him tear open a stubborn packet. Rocky’s little hands fumbled against the wrapping, his face scrunched in frustration until Alina smiled softly and peeled it open for him. "There you go, sweetheart," she said warmly, brushing the crumbs from his small fingers.
Just as she glanced up again, a sharp little giggle caught her attention. Luna, still nibbling on her sweet, had her golden-brown eyes fixed on Drake, who was still making faces about Vlad Jr.’s blood bottle. She leaned forward, her wolfish grin wide and mischievous.
"Scaredy dragon," she drawled, wagging her fluffy tail as she bit into another piece of candy. "Big dragon, but afraid of juice. So scary, huh?"
Drake’s amber eyes widened in indignation. He slapped his chest with his chubby hands. "I am not scared! Dragons are never scared!" he shouted, puffing out his cheeks until he looked like a furious little pufferfish.
"Then drink some!" Luna challenged, pointing at Vlad Jr.’s bottle with a sly smile.
Drake froze, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Uh... I don’t want to... because, um, teacher told me to eat fruits instead!" he declared proudly, grabbing a banana from the basket and holding it up like a trophy.
Luna snorted, covering her mouth with her small hand as she giggled. "Scaredy dragon eats bananas," she teased, and Rocky joined in with a soft giggle, even though he quickly tried to hide it behind Alina’s sleeve.
"Alright, that’s enough, my little wolves and dragons," Alina said gently but firmly, crouching so she was at their level. Her warm hazel eyes moved from Luna’s mischievous grin to Drake’s puffed-up cheeks. "This is not the time to fight. Remember what teacher told you? Hearts stay strong when we love, not when we tease."
Drake’s shoulders drooped, his pout still wobbling on his lips as he glanced away. "But she called me scaredy dragon," he muttered, his voice small.
"And he made silly faces," Luna retorted, crossing her arms with a little huff.
Alina reached out and stroked Luna’s hair with one hand and gently squeezed Drake’s chubby fingers with the other. "Both of you are brave and clever in your own ways. Luna, you’re strong like your daddy, but teasing isn’t the way to show it. And Drake," she smiled at him softly, "dragons can be fierce even while eating bananas, you know. That doesn’t make you any less special."
Drake blinked at her, his pout breaking into a shy grin, while Luna gave a little snort but her eyes sparkled when she heard teacher say she was strong like her daddy.
"Now, how about we share these snacks together instead of arguing?" Alina suggested, holding out the orange she had half-peeled earlier. "Look, teacher will eat with you."
The tension melted quickly. Drake eagerly held out another orange, insisting she eat his too, while Luna shoved a sweet packet toward Rocky.
In the corner, Felix had quietly shifted into his fox form, his fluffy tails curling neatly around him. No one paid him much attention, exactly how he liked it. His small paws held a ripe peach that he nibbled at with delicate bites, his sharp little teeth leaving neat marks on the fruit. Juice dripped down his fur, but he didn’t care; his crimson eyes glowed softly with contentment as he ate in silence, looking very pleased with himself.
Kelpie, on the other hand, was far less subtle. He had discovered a packet of lotus root chips, golden and crisp, and every crunch made his eyes sparkle with joy.
Whenever he got too excited, little droplets of water slid from his fingertips and dotted the soft mat beneath him. "Crunchy crunchy!" he muttered happily, splashing a few drops onto Rocky, who squeaked but then laughed when Kelpie grinned sheepishly and offered him a chip.
Lucien padded across the cushioned floor and went straight to his father. Dante, who had been silently watching Alina surrounded by the babies, allowed a faint smile to curve his lips. The coldness in his eyes softened the moment his son tugged at his sleeve.
"Come here," Dante murmured, patting his lap.
Without hesitation, Lucien climbed onto him and nestled against his broad chest, looping his small arms around his father’s neck. His tiny cheek pressed against Dante’s shoulder as he smiled, his fangs peeking out in his excitement.
"You enjoying?" Dante asked quietly, though his gaze was not on Lucien but drifting to where Alina now sat with Luna, gently brushing the wolf pup’s hair back from her face. Something unreadable flickered in his crimson eyes.
"So much," Lucien replied, a glow of pure happiness lighting his red eyes.