The Dragon's Queen (Karisma) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Memory Mind Share (Part 1)

10 Years Ago…

Karisma’s POV (Age 7)

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I groan as I feel the warm sunlight coming through my window. I pull my blanket over my head, trying to go

back to sleep.

“Time to rise and shine, little one.” A deep voice called out as a soft knock landed on the door. I mumble a response of displeasure. I never liked waking up in the morning. Especially when I was up late reading some of my favorite comics.

I feel him coming closer. “Come now, little one. I need to take you to the daycare before going to my office for work.” Papa said. I wiggled under the blankets and snuggled myself deeper into the soft fabric.

The next thing I know, I am squealing with giggles as Papa tickles me through the blankets. I hear Papa laughing as I try to jump and wiggle away from him. I almost fell from the bed, but his strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me into his lap.

He pulls the blanket away from my face and looks down at me, full of love and care. “There is my sweet little girl. Now let us get you ready for the day.” he said as he nuzzled my cheek. I giggled more as his soft

beard was tickling my skin.

“Papa, can’t I just spend the day with you?” I asked. I was still nervous about being in the day care with all the other pups. I like it most when I can stay with Papa or Mother because I was never around pups before

I came here.

Papa smiled down at me. “I know you love being with your mother and me the most, but you need to start spending time with pups your own age, little one. I don’t want you to be too isolated from those who will be your peers. It would make your adult life much more difficult,” he said in a soft tone as he set me down

on the floor.

I know he is right, but after last year, it is still hard to let new people in. I cling to Mother and Papa so fast because Angela trusts them, and they accepted me without hesitation into their family. Even their son Jason claimed me as his little sister and always tries to make me smile.

I pout as I go over to my dresser and pull out some navy blue jeans and a light long–sleeve white T–shirt with a cute puppy on the front. Going to the bathroom, I changed and brushed my teeth before walking

back out.

Papa was still sitting on my bed with my hairbrush in his hand. I went over and climbed back onto the bed with my back towards him. Papa always loved brushing my hair for me, and he was always gentle with it.

After brushing all the tangles out, Papa ran his finger through my hair. Separating it so he could braid it for me. “So, little one, which part of the story did you fall asleep on?” He asked as he was braiding. I gulped as my eyes moved towards the other side of my bed. The comic I was reading was still on the bed instead of

< Chapter 30 Memory Mind Share (Part 1)

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my

bookshelf. Papa knows I cherish my comics, so I would not have willingly left them on the bed where

they could have been wrinkled or torn as I moved around in my sleep.

I slumped my shoulders in defeat. “I’m sorry, Papa. I was just getting to the good part. The hero found out his bride had been kidnapped, and he was working so hard to get her back.” I said. Papa laughed as he finished my braid and then pulled me into his lap, hugging me from behind.

“That does sound like a good part, but I need you to promise that you will not stay up so late next time. Your health is always my number one concern.” he said. I nuzzled into the crook of his neck. “Okay, Papa. I

promise not to stay up late again.” I said.

Papa nuzzled my hair and kissed my forehead. “That is my good little one. Now, let’s get you to the daycare.” he said while standing up with me in his arms. Instead of putting me on the floor, he tossed me

up into the air and caught me with his back.

I squealed with laughter as Papa then gave me a piggyback ride downstairs and towards the front door.

Mother was there with Jason as he was getting ready for day care as well, though he would be in the big

kids‘ room.

In the Starlight Pack, pups are homeschooled within the pack for the first ten years before transferring to the human middle school. It is so we have more control over our animalistic urges and know how to keep

ourselves hidden from humans.

I heard Mother laugh as Papa gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before scooping Jason up into his arms.

Jason and I laughed as Papa loved to show off his alpha strength. He carried us to the day care and was split up into three groups. The green wing was known as the Pups wing. That is where the youngest pups of newborns to three years old are cared for.

Once a pup turned four, then they were moved to the purple wing, known as the Little Tyke’s wing. It is the wing where we learn basic studies that elementary schoolers learn. That was my wing as I was seven. Once I turned eight, I would be transferred to the blue wing where Jason was. The blue wing was known as the Juvenile wing.

The Juvenile wing is where we learn more about our werewolf laws and customs. Jason would be there until after his tenth birthday, then once the new school year started in the human world, he would be transferring.

For some reason, as soon as Papa set Jason and me down. I felt a cold shiver run through my body. Something was wrong. Something bad was going to happen today. “Papa… I won’t go home.” I said in a weak voice. Papa looked at me with concern, but he placed a hand on my head and smoothed back a few stray hairs.

“Do not worry, little one. You are safe. No one here would hurt you.” he said. Then he turned to Jason.” Make sure your sister gets to her class safely, son.” he said. Jason’s little chest puffed up with pride as he held out his hand with a big smile. I smiled back as I took it, but I still felt like something was wrong.

I knew Papa watched us until we entered my classroom; he always did, but this was one of the few times

< Chapter 30 Memory Mind Share (Part 1)

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it was just Jason and me. “Jason, something is going to happen today. Please be careful.” I whispered.

Jason looked down at me with concern. “What is going to happen, Kari?” he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling about being here today.” I told him. He

looked like he wanted to stay with me, but we both knew that the daycare wouldn’t allow that. Jason

hugged me close. “Just keep calm and stay close to the shelter door. Alright?” He asked. I nodded. Each

wing in the day care had a sheltered safety room built underground with an access point in every room.

Once an emergency was active, the adults would hit panic buttons that would lock the doors and bring

heavy–duty metal shutters down over the windows.

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