Ryker pointed at him without looking. “I said maybe, which in adult language means—”
“Yes,” all four interrupted in unison.
Ryker froze.
I raised a brow. “You did this to yourself.”
He looked at me like I had betrayed him. And just like that, the pups started chanting, bouncing slightly on him.
“Spar! Spar! Spar!”
Ryker was still half-buried under four overexcited pups. He lifted his hand just enough to signal surrender. “Okay—okay—hold on. Before I get completely decommissioned—”
“NO HOLDING ON!” Caius announced, tightening his grip.
Ryker wheezed a laugh, then turned his head toward me again, eyes narrowing with intent.
“Alright,” he said, voice firming. “I need five minutes.”
The pups froze mid-wiggle.
“Five?” Lyra echoed suspiciously.
Ryker nodded once. “Me and your mom. Al
