Freya's Point of View
The last four days without Papa and Mama felt like forever and a half.
But they also might've been the best days of my whole life.
Papa left me with his pets—Erza the giant bear, and the three wolves: Fen, Onyx, and Sira. They followed me everywhere. Erza always made a great pillow, even if she growled a little when I tried to braid her fur. Sira was the best at chasing away scary thoughts when night came. Onyx acted like the grumpy big brother, and Fen... well, Fen let me ride him like a furry dragon. So he's my favorite. (Don't tell the others.)
But the real fun?
That came from the ten dragons Papa left behind.
He said they were here to protect me.
But I think they were also here to make sure I never stopped smiling.
There were five girl dragons who I adored from the start.
Flurry was a white and silver Nadder who always wanted to race.
Bubbles was a bubbly green Scauldron who liked to splash water over everyone, especially when it wasn't bath time.
Daisy, a chunky yellow Gronckle, kept trying to feed me rocks (ew, but cute).
Whimsy was a Changewing who liked to vanish and sneak up behind me with loud BOOs.
And then there was Twinkle, a pale purple Speed Stinger who let me ride her like a rocket.
We played tag in the sky. Well, they flew—I just held on for dear life while laughing until my stomach hurt.
They took turns lifting me up, twirling through clouds, flipping upside down. They even let me touch one of the rainbows after a storm.
(I'm pretty sure it was real.)
The five boy dragons were rougher, but just as fun.
Spike, a red Monstrous Nightmare, loved wrestling in the grass.
Bolt, a Deadly Nadder, was always challenging me to climbing games on the rocks.
Crash, a Timberjack, liked knocking trees over "by accident" when I dared him.
Gust, a Changewing boy who liked to make fake sounds and prank the others.
And Flicker, a blue Zippleback, was always setting stuff on fire then pretending it wasn't him.
With them, I was the "Alpha Princess."
We made up stories where they were my dragon guards and I was being chased by imaginary evil Vikings. We played "pretend war" where I led the charge on top of Erza, waving a stick and shouting nonsense.
Sometimes they let me win.
Sometimes I definitely earned it.
But no matter what, I was never alone.
And even when the sun went down and the sky got dark, they curled around me, like one giant dragon nest of warmth and safety. I liked listening to them breathe. It made me feel like nothing bad could reach me.
Still... I missed Papa and Mama.
A lot.
Especially at night, when I looked at the stars and wondered if they were looking back.
⸻
This morning started just like the others.
Me climbing all over Flurry's back while Bubbles and Twinkle argued about who got to take me flying first. The boys were setting up a game of "ambush the Alpha," where I had to defend my pretend dragon castle.
I was about to yell "Charge!" when I heard it.
A roar.
Not any roar.
His roar.
I froze, heart thumping.
I turned my head, eyes scanning the sky.
And then I saw them.
Seven shapes in the air.
Sleek. Massive. Beautiful.
Papa, at the front—his wings wide, his tail curled, his claws glowing with starlight even in the daylight.
Mama, beside him—her silhouette sharp and strong, her eyes always watching.
And behind them—the Vanguard.
Razorwind. Fang. Veil. Torrent. Daggermaw. Thrash.
Just like Papa promised.
"They came back," I whispered, a smile already stretching across my face.
"They're okay!"
I screamed so loud I startled Flurry into the air.
"MAMA! PAPA!"
The other dragons all looked up, roared in return, and took off toward the clearing.
I didn't wait.
I ran as fast as I could, heart bursting with excitement and happiness.
I was going to see them again.
My Papa
My Mama
My family.
Ounce I reached the cove I saw my Papa who landed first, wings folding with that graceful power that always made him look like the sky itself bent to him. The moment his claws touched the ground, I didn't wait.
I launched myself at him.
"Papa!"
He caught me mid-leap with ease, arms wrapping tight around me as I buried my face into his chest, practically tackling him with the force of four days of waiting, worrying, and missing him.
"I missed you so much," I mumbled into his collar, refusing to let go.
He chuckled softly, his voice warm and low. "I missed you too, my little star."
Behind us, there was a soft thud—another landing.
I turned my head just in time to see Mama shift mid-descent, her sleek Night Fury form folding into her hybrid one with flawless grace. She reached us in two steps and wrapped her arms around us both.
"Mine," she whispered fiercely, nuzzling into both of us. "My Alpha. My hatchling."
I just smiled and hugged them tighter.
It was warm, and it was safe.
And it was perfect.
⸻
Papa looked up toward the clearing where the ten dragons he left behind were now landing, watching the reunion with pride.
He let me down gently, but kept one arm around my shoulders as he looked them over.
"Well?" he said, his voice sliding back into that deep tone of authority. "Did she behave? Was she safe?"
The dragons bowed immediately—wings folded tight, heads lowered.
"She was," said Flurry, stepping forward proudly. "Alpha, she behaved like a proper princess."
I beamed.
Papa raised a brow.
But then he turned his gaze slowly—knowingly—to the youngest of the bunch.
Twinkle.
The pale purple Speed Stinger fidgeted under his stare, her wings twitching.
"She did," Twinkle said nervously. "B-but... well... a lot of the time we were... um... playing. And cuddling. And wrestling a little. But no one got hurt! Promise!"
Papa sighed.
Then gave me that look.
The one that said, You are such trouble, and I love you anyway.
"You really are my little troublesome princess," he muttered.
I pouted. "Hey!"
But before I could whine properly, he held something out in front of me.
A glint of gold caught the light.
A necklace—thin but strong, with a ruby in the center that sparkled like fire. The chain shimmered with runes etched so finely they seemed to glow.
"For my star," he said gently. "A gift. From Papa. To make up for being away."
My eyes went wide.
My heart skipped.
I reached for it with trembling fingers, speechless for just a second.
Then I grinned. "You're forgiven."
The whole cove erupted with laughter.
Even Mama chuckled, rubbing my head and whispering, "Smart little hatchling."
Papa fastened the necklace gently around my neck, then turned back to the ten dragons, his expression serious again—but proud.
"You did well," he said. "All of you."
Their heads rose slightly, eyes gleaming.
"You protected my daughter. You kept her safe. And from now on... whenever I have to leave—you will be her guards. Her watchers. Her pack."
The dragons perked up immediately. Some chirped, others hissed softly in excitement.
Twinkle jumped in place, tail wagging like a puppy.
"Bodyguards," Papa said with a smirk. "You'll keep her safe. And make sure she doesn't fly off a cliff without telling someone first."
"I only did that once!" I squeaked.
More laughter.
Papa ruffled my hair, eyes softer now.
"Trouble or not," he said, "you're mine."
And I leaned into his side.
Because I wouldn't want to be anything else.