Alina laughed through her tears, her heart so full it almost hurt. "Oh, my sweet troublemakers… you all missed me that much?"
Finally, she let Sable go. The little boy's face was glowing with joy, his soft hair sticking up from her hug, and his dimples refusing to hide no matter how hard he tried to act calm.
"Okay," she said, putting her hands on her hips in mock sternness. "So, Teacher was on leave because her family member was sick, but why on earth did you all start a protest and bully poor Professor Hobb?"
"Principal lied!" Luna huffed, her golden eyes blazing with righteous fury. "He said there was a wolf cub race and that I'd miss it if I didn't listen to him—but there was no race! I waited all day!"
A few others nodded fiercely in agreement.
"I didn't get my peaches!" Felix blurted, crossing his arms. His seven tails puffed up like a cloud of indignation. "He said I'd get fresh peaches, but he never gave any!"
