Chapter 38
Alina’s fingers twitched with temptation as she finished fluffing out Luna’s fur. The little wolf pup was now dry, clean, and adorably puffy like a living, breathing gray cotton cloud.
Luna had returned to her usual grumpy self, but Alina could barely resist the urge to squeeze her and run off with her tucked under her arm. "I’m a teacher, not a thief," she whispered to herself with a tiny sigh.
After ensuring every child was dry, dressed, and comfortable, Alina gently herded them all back to the classroom. Today’s lesson plan had been washed away along with the cafeteria flood, so she decided not to hold any more classes. Instead, she let them rest, draw, and chat quietly.
Sable curled up near the window with his notebook. Boo whispered silly theories about the principal to Rocky, who stared with his usual stone-faced seriousness.
Felix was playfully mimicking Alina’s voice while sketching her portrait, though he’d given her an extra-long nose for some reason.
And Luna, still in her wolf form, refused to return to her human shape just yet. She stayed right by Alina’s desk, pretending not to be attached... but never leaving her side.
Meanwhile, back in the tall, imposing office of the principal, Dante Nightshade sat at his desk but not alone.
Lucian was in his arms, his small frame pressed tightly against his father’s chest. His little arms were looped around Dante’s neck, his head resting on the curve of his shoulder as though it was the safest place in the world.
Dante didn’t move much, but one of his large hands rested on Lucian’s back, gently patting in a steady rhythm, as if trying to soothe away all the day’s tension.
His expression, usually sharp and cold had softened considerably.