*Kael's POV*
Pip thrashed in my arms, her tiny body remarkably strong for such a small child. Her face had turned an alarming shade of red, tears streaming down her cheeks as she reached desperately toward the path where the golden retriever had disappeared.
"WANT DOGGY!" she screamed again, kicking her legs against my chest.
I held her firmly but gently, keenly aware of my strength compared to her fragile frame. This was not a battlefield where brute force would win the day. This was... parenting. And I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.
"Pip," I said, attempting to modulate my voice to something less commanding than my usual tone. "We can't have a dog."
This was apparently the wrong thing to say. Her wails intensified, piercing my sensitive hearing.
"YES! WANT DOGGY NOW!"
Nova pressed her hands over her ears, shooting me a pleading look. Milo had retreated to Lykos's side, while Arden watched the tantrum with analytical detachment.
