Chapter 72 Dance
Alpha Ryker huffed a small laugh, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. He lifted a heavy hand and gently ruffled her hair. "Little pup... you keep staring at me like I’ll run off the moment you look away."
Luna sniffed dramatically, ignoring how her nose scrunched up at his teasing. "I’m making sure Daddy okay," she declared, her tiny voice so serious it made his lips twitch. "If Daddy move too much, I bite you. Stay down."
A low chuckle escaped him, though the motion tugged at the healing wound across his ribs. "So fierce," he rumbled, pride shining through the exhaustion in his eyes. "Did you finish your homework, my moon?"
Luna puffed her cheeks, looking scandalized. "Not yet! Teacher said... write one to ten." She squinted at her paper, the numbers clumsy and crooked. Then her tiny eyes darted up to him again, worried, protective, impossibly fierce for such a small wolf. "You sleep. I guard."
Ryker’s throat tightened, a warmth so deep it pushed away the pain for a moment. He traced a hand lightly over her cheek, his touch gentle despite the strength in his hands. "Good girl," he murmured. "Strongest little wolf I know."
---
The next morning dawned fresh and soft, sunlight pouring through the tall windows of Little Fang Kindergarten. Alina felt a quiet excitement in her chest as she walked down the hallway, her bag bouncing lightly at her side. Fifth day, she thought with a small smile. Only one more day until my trial is over. I can do this.
She pushed open the colorful door to Class D, her eyes sweeping over the tiny seats and the circle rug in the middle. As always, her little students were already waiting, some still rubbing sleep from their eyes, some already chatting in their squeaky voices.
But her eyes went straight to Luna, curled up on her usual beanbag, this time in her human form with her wild gray hair in uneven pigtails. Alina walked over and crouched down, smoothing a bit of hair behind Luna’s ear.
"Good morning, sweetheart," she whispered softly. "How’s your daddy today?"