Chapter 172: Dragons and Wolves on a Journey

“Fine.” Lya finally gave in, her tone resigned.

A victorious smirk stretched across Caleb and Drake’s lips as they exchanged a knowing glance. They couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.

But before they could fully savor their victory, Lya’s voice rang out again, sharp and unwavering.

“But!”

Her tone cracked like a whip, instantly silencing them.

“I’m sending a messenger to inform Soren of our arrival.”

No one objected, and in the heavy air of determination, a subtle shift occurred.

Lya closed her eyes briefly, and a surge of raw, ancient energy rippled through the air, vibrating down to the earth itself. A wave of sovereign magic engulfed her form. A moment later, a dark light with shimmering blue hues pulsed around her, expanding like a supernova before erupting in an ethereal whirlwind.

Her human form vanished into a shimmering mist, and in her place, a colossal dragon rose into the sky.

Lya, in her draconic form, towered over the clearing with breathtaking grandeur. Her obsidian scales swallowed the light, shifting with streaks of blue and silver luminescence that pulsed with power. Her massive wings unfurled in an imposing display, casting an immense shadow over the ground. Her curved horns, veined with glowing energy, added to her regal and untouchable presence.

The pack members, far from feeling fear, gazed up at her with pure admiration. They no longer saw just their Luna—they saw a dragon queen, a living legend of power and nobility.

Without hesitation, Soraya and Lina followed suit.

Soraya stepped forward, her movements fluid and graceful. A brilliant emerald glow enveloped her, and as it faded, a magnificent green-scaled dragon emerged in her place. Her harmonious yet powerful form radiated a calm wisdom, her golden eyes filled with both kindness and unshakable resolve. Though smaller than Lya, her wings still bore a regal presence, their colors shifting in the sunlight.

Lina, on the other hand, let her energy crackle around her, charged with youthful intensity. Her transformation was swift and seamless—her agile, streamlined body was built for speed. Though smaller than the other two, her moss-green scales absorbed the light with an elegant subtlety. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and excitement, a reflection of her restless energy.

As the transformations settled, Lya bent her hind legs slightly, lowering her head in a measured movement. Another pulse of magic ran through her, and at the base of her neck, just before her wings, a custom-fitted dragon saddle materialized. Crafted from dark leather inscribed with silver runes, it was wide and secure, designed perfectly to accommodate Caleb and Loric.

Soraya quickly followed her lead, a smaller saddle forming on her back, clearly meant for a single passenger. She turned her massive golden gaze toward Drake, amusement flickering in her eyes.

“I hope you’re not afraid of heights, Beta,” she rumbled in a teasing growl.

Drake burst out laughing and climbed onto her back without hesitation, clearly eager to seize the opportunity.

Lina, however, did not conjure a saddle. She shook her head slightly, making it clear that she had no intention of carrying anyone. Her body was built for pure speed, and she intended to take full advantage of it.

Without hesitation, Caleb approached Lya, running his hand over her warm scales before gracefully mounting the saddle, positioning Loric securely in front of him.

All around them, the pack watched in awe, their expressions a mixture of pride and admiration.

Once everyone was settled, Lya slowly spread her wings, their massive expanse shrouding much of the ground in darkness. She turned to lock eyes with Caleb, her gaze brimming with intensity.

“Hold on,” she murmured, a playful glint in her gaze.

Then, with a single, thunderous beat of her wings, she launched into the sky, Soraya and Lina soaring close behind.

Their journey to the lycan kingdom had officially begun.

The sound of Loric’s laughter echoed through the sky, carried by the wind as the three dragons climbed higher. Far from being scared of the dizzying heights, the little boy embraced the moment, his joyous giggles infectious.

Seated behind him, Caleb could feel the vibration of his son’s laughter through his own body. His heart swelled with immeasurable tenderness, and in his mind, Handres chuckled, his deep, resonant voice filled with amusement.

“Our pup knows how to enjoy the good things in life.”

Caleb didn’t respond, simply tightening his arms protectively around Loric.

“Higher, Mommy!” Loric cried out, his arms outstretched as if trying to catch the clouds.

A deep, amused rumble filled the air as Soraya chuckled.

“What do you say, Princess Lya?” she teased. “How about some aerial acrobatics? Like when you were a wild little hatchling?”

Lya, leading their flight, hesitated mid-wingbeat. She turned her head slightly, shooting Soraya a half-exasperated, half-amused look.

“A wild little hatchling?” Drake perked up, clearly intrigued by this revelation.

There was a brief silence.

“Drake…” Lya warned, her tone lacking any real menace.

The Beta burst into laughter, clearly delighted by this new piece of information he would undoubtedly exploit later.

Lya let out a long, dramatic sigh, her wings slowing slightly as she considered Soraya’s suggestion.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Soraya…” she finally said.

Before she could argue further, Caleb’s velvety voice slipped into her mind, interrupting her doubts with a soft yet persuasive murmur.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, babe. Give him this memory.”

His warm presence wrapped around her through their mental link, steadying her.

She glanced back, first at Loric’s eager expression, then at Caleb’s knowing gaze.

A draconic grin stretched across her massive snout.

“Hold on tight…”

Without warning, she tucked her wings close to her body and dove.

She plummeted at breathtaking speed, the wind whistling past her scales, carving a perfect arc through the sky. Just before she would have skimmed the treetops, she snapped her wings open in a powerful updraft, sending leaves and dust spiraling into the air.

Loric clung tightly to the saddle, but instead of fear, he erupted in pure, exhilarated laughter.

“Again, Mommy!”

Soraya followed suit, executing an elegant spiral before soaring back up, her golden eyes shimmering with delight.

Drake, clutching her back, let out a low whistle.

“Damn, Soraya! You didn’t tell me you were this nimble!”

The dragoness smirked. “Oh, Beta, you’ve seen nothing yet.”

Then came Lina.

Smaller and lighter, she shot forward like a green comet, weaving through the air with reckless ease. She zipped between Lya and Soraya, moving like a flash of lightning.

“What’s wrong? Getting slow in your old age?” she taunted, her voice full of mischief.

Lya exhaled sharply, a thin wisp of blue smoke curling from her snout.

“Lina…”

But it wasn’t Lya who reacted first.

Caleb, seated behind her, felt his competitive instincts ignite.

His blue eyes burned with challenge.

“Are you really going to let her pass us like that?” he murmured in Lya’s mind, a smirk forming.

Lya’s wings tensed.

“She’s just a kid, Caleb. She’s playing.”

“And we can’t play too?”

His tone was smooth, teasing— but she could feel the challenge in it.

Lya flapped her wings once, then twice, subtly increasing her speed. Then, in a split-second decision, she straightened her trajectory and surged forward, accelerating with effortless precision.

"Hold on, wolf," she warned, a glint of pure enjoyment shimmering in her reptilian eyes.

Caleb tightened his grip around Loric and leaned forward, moving in sync with the dragoness.

Soraya, seeing Lya pick up the pace, had no intention of being left behind. She folded her wings slightly and climbed rapidly before diving into a graceful looping maneuver, closing the distance with strategic precision.

"Oh, now this is getting interesting!" Drake exclaimed, his laughter echoing through their mental link.

But Lina, far from being intimidated, took full advantage of her natural speed, darting between them like a green arrow. She spiraled through the currents, dancing with the wind as if she had been born for it.

"You’re all too heavy!" she teased, laughing.

Lya immediately felt Caleb react.

"Oh, she asked for it," he murmured, a predatory smirk curving his lips.

The dragoness narrowed her eyes slightly. She took a moment to analyze the flow of air currents, then, with flawless mastery, she pressed her wings tightly against her body and launched into a blistering acceleration.

A sonic burst of wind rippled around them as she shattered the atmosphere, passing Soraya within seconds and closing in on Lina with relentless precision.

"What was that again, Lina?" she rumbled, amusement dripping from her growl.

Lina, who had been giggling moments before, glanced over her shoulder—only to see Lya bearing down on her like a titanic force of nature.

Her reptilian pupils dilated slightly.

"Oh, crap..."

She attempted to swerve out of the way, but Lya, bigger and stronger, cast the massive shadow of her wings over her, blocking her escape route.

Lina struggled for a second, then, realizing she was completely trapped, she burst out laughing.

"Alright, alright! You win, Princess!"

Lya slowed slightly, positioning herself firmly at the lead—where she belonged.

Seated behind her, Caleb ran a warm, affectionate hand over her smooth, black scales.

"That’s what I love about you, babe."

Lya huffed in response, but she couldn't suppress the surge of pride that rippled through her mind.

Soraya and Lina settled into position beside her, and soon, the three dragonesses flew in perfect harmony, ruling the sky with undeniable majesty.

Below them, the Sacred Moon pack watched in awe. They were not just legendary creatures.

They were queens of the sky.

And they were about to make an unforgettable entrance into the Lycan Kingdom.

**Zéberta - The Royal Castle**

Soren stared at the tiny glowing messenger that had just relayed Lya’s brief message.

The Luna, the Alpha King, and their son were coming to pay their respects to Jack and Emma.

Nothing unusual on the surface.

But something about the message’s short, clipped wording set off alarms in his mind.

"That’s all she said?" he asked the messenger once again, as if hoping it would reveal something more.

But the little glowing creature merely flickered happily before vanishing in a shower of silver sparks, leaving Soren frustrated and thoughtful.

The Lycan King sank back into his chair, exhaling deeply.

He could smell trouble coming a mile away.

And yet, he couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly was bothering him about this seemingly innocent visit.

Caleb and Lya were simply coming to honor the dragoness’s adoptive parents.

What could possibly be suspicious about that?

Everything.

Soren had known Caleb for too long—far too long. And if there was one thing he knew without a shred of doubt, it was that the Alpha of Sacred Moon had a knack for finding trouble, just as much as his mate had a knack for attracting attention.

"I just know I’m going to regret this..." he muttered, rubbing his fingers over his temples.

Abruptly, he pushed himself up from his chair and opened the window of his study, scanning the clear sky with a faint sense of unease.

Nothing yet.

But his Lycan instincts were warning him.

"Caleb, Lya… what the hell are you two bringing me this time?"

With a deep sigh, he called for his advisors.

He was determined to assemble a reception team—just in case.

With those two, it was always best to prepare for the worst.

He just didn’t know yet how right he was.