Daddy's Little Wolf

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"Over here!"

I looked up and grinned. "Aspen!"

Aspen beamed, his tail whipping back and forth like mine. He ran over and leapt into my arms. I laughed while he giggled. Using my dragon strength, I swung him around a bit and then set him down.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" asked Aspen, his silvery copper tail hitting my silvery purplish heather-colored one.

"Yeah, it has been a long time. The last time we met was at Christmas a couple years ago, wasn't it?"

"Mmhm, sort of. But time passes differently in our parallel universes." remarked Aspen, releasing me. "I'm already almost forty years old now and you're about twenty now, correct?"

My jaw dropped. "R-really? Time passes by that fast here? Will I be affected?"

Aspen chuckled and took my hand, bringing me over to his mate and daddy. "No, but consider it perks to having a friend that has the blessings of all gods, goddesses, and the Creator."

My words left me, but I continued to stumble along as Aspen brought me to the car. Raven, who looked practically the same age as when I'd first met him, petted my head and my ears swiveled as I looked up at him. He chuckled when Aspen did the same.

"You are like two peas in a pod."

"Well, Anwyll is pretty unique just like me. So yeah, I could see why you'd say that, Daddy."

I climbed up into the backseat and plopped down just as Raven picked up his tiny mate. I covered my eyes but peeked through my fingers to see Raven maul Aspen's mouth, but it was obvious that Aspen was eager to do the same with his mate. Raven's shoulder-length black locks were pushed back by tiny hands, and I watched a set of tall, black wolf ears emerge from his head. A huge, fluffy black tail unfurled and wiggled in tandem with Aspen's fluffy, silvery copper tail. It was so cute to watch.

I could barely believe that Raven was already fifty-seven. To be honest, it looked like he had gotten younger since I last saw him. He looked so much more happy and much less stressed than before. That made me smile.

"Baby," murmured Raven, nuzzling Aspen's jawline before meeting his lips again for a quick smooch. "Anwyll's waiting for us."

Aspen glanced at me and I smiled. He blushed and hid his face, which made me giggle. Aspen was so cute and tiny. Raven chuckled again and approached my side. I scooted over so he could set his mate next to me, then kissed Aspen's wolf and human ears before shutting the door. With a blush on his cheeks, Aspen buckled himself in and I did the same.

"So, um, any new family members?" I asked, just as Raven climbed into the driver's seat.

Aspen grinned. "Yup! I have three kiddos, although my eldest is already grown up and Mated, and my youngest ones are still underage. But their mates live with us. And I told you over the phone that we have family members from other realms and even one from our mirrored world, all of which have mates as well."

"Wow," I murmured. "It sounds like you have a huge family."

Aspen giggled. "Yup! I'm so happy. My papa is doing well, too."

"Ah, I have a papa, too!" I exclaimed with a broad smile. "We met each other pretty recently."

"What's he like?"

"He's really different from your papa. I inherited the same kind of hybrid genes that he does, so we're both wolf-dragons." I explained, and Aspen seemed amazed. "He's also really dense and way too blunt sometimes. And my papa has a really lethal aura. He can literally kill people without meaning to do so. And that's why he can't come live with me. But we visit each other whenever we can."

Aspen noticed my disappointment at not being able to live together with my papa and had me lean over. He petted my head and I teared up, but I didn't let myself cry. Aspen and I were going to hang out all day on his family's property, so I didn't want to dampen anyone's mood once we arrive there. I was actually really excited to see everyone that I had met before.

"I'm sorry, Anwyll. My papa is actually looking forward to seeing you again 'cause we're both small and we have our ears and tail out all the time." commented Aspen, continuing to pet my head. "Albeit for a different reason."

"Mm," I replied, lifting my head. "Thank you."

Aspen smiled. "You're welcome."

We had some fun banter on the way there with Raven chiming in to make us laugh. It was fun so far. I was missing my own family a bit, so I contacted my daddy telepathically in my home universe.

"Hi, Daddy."

Daddy seemed surprised but happy with my sudden contact. "Is all well? Did you arrive there safely?"

"Yes, Daddy. Aspen and I were talking about our families, and I started really missing mine."

"I miss you too, even though it has only been an hour since I last saw you."

I giggled childishly. My daddy was happy. "I know the feeling. Please tell everyone that I love and miss them."

"I will let them know, baby boy. Stay safe, all right?"

"Thank you. You too, Daddy."

After we said goodbye, I refocused my attention to the car as it pulled up to a big mansion that was even bigger than the one at home. And there was quite a few people outside of it. Aspen giggled when he noticed my surprised expression, then eagerly unbuckled himself as Raven parked the car. As soon as we were out of the car, a man I recognized as Aspen's papa, rushed forward and picked my friend up.

Aspen beamed and pecked his lips, which made my cheeks warm because Blaze deepened the kiss with his son. I like kissing my papa, but I wouldn't do it with tongue. Raven ruffled my silvery purple-heather waves, so I looked up at him again.

"While Blaze is busy with his pup, I'll start the introductions." he said, so I nodded. I twiddled my fingers, then Raven offered his left hand. "Not everyone is here right now, but you'll meet them all eventually."

"Um, thank you." I said softly, taking hold of a few fingers.

Raven smiled and shook his head. "You're welcome. You must be nervous to be here without your daddy and the rest of your family," he commented, then chuckled when my ears perked at a loud squeal. "But don't worry, our family will feel like another one."

A big-breasted woman pushed through the standing group and rushed towards me. Raven stepped back, saluted me, and mouthed "good luck." Before I could ask what he meant, the woman scooped me up and hugged my form. Her rich, deep brown skin was smooth as she rubbed her face on mine. Her silvery-white hair was really long and in a pretty braid with little beads on a few strands. Her violet eyes gleamed with pleasure as I leaned back and my silver-ringed violet ones brightened as I smiled at her.

"You are far too fetching, little wolf. What is your name?" she asked with a bright grin.

My tail wiggled as I replied with a happy smile, "Anwyll. What's yours?"

"Polaris!" she exclaimed, bouncing around in a circle. "You are too cute!"

I blushed and turned my head. "Y-you're very beautiful."

Polaris grinned and turned around to look at someone. "Honey, he is too adorable. A bigger version of Aspen!"

A giant man strode forward. But he was in the middle for height based off the two really, really tall men off to my right who were talking to Raven. Polaris hopped over to him and he leaned down a bit to receive a firm smooch. I was squished between two different but pleasant kinds of soft chests.

"May I take him?"

Polaris whined, but she surrendered control over my form as soon as the man gave her a more firm kiss to her lips. I was passed over to the tall, big muscled man. He reminded me of a veteran soldier in a way. His tanned skin was mottled with scars that were both old burn marks and what looked to be blade marks. His pretty long, black hair was nice, too.

"Hello, Anwyll."

"Hi," I replied happily. "Are you Polaris' mate?"

He nodded. "My name is Dior. Aspen brought us together. Do you have a mate?"

I shook my head. "There are no mates in my universe. I have a big family that I love equally. It's kind of like Aspen kissing his papa, but we're not related."

The man's big hand gently petted my head and I gave him a small hug to his neck. He petted my back for a moment, then passed me to a person whose arms were outstretched. I stared into light gold eyes and lighter coppery hair, then grinned and hugged Vernon's neck.

"I missed you." I said softly, my tail wiggling over his left forearm.

Vernon cooed, "Aw, I missed you, too. Would you like to meet my mate?"

I leaned back and nodded. "Yes, please."

A taller, more broad-shouldered male stepped forward. He had white-gold irises and very red strawberry-blond hair. He curled down a bit and hugged Vernon's waist as he rested his chin on his mate's right shoulder.

"Mom said he'd met you back when I was still in his tummy. Last time it was an accident that you came over to our parallel world. This time it was purposeful." he stated, and I blinked.

"Yeah, I wanted to visit you guys. I ended up contacting Aspen through my magic and we set it up for today."

"How old are you?" he asked. "Oh, and my name is Auriel."

"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Anwyll!" I replied, leaning forward to poke his nose with mine. Auriel blushed and moved his head back, then chuckled when my tail wagged again. And then I answered his other question, "I think we're about the same age, but Aspen said the flow of time is completely different here than in my world."

Auriel hummed, then kissed Vernon's head. "That's interesting. I'd like to talk more with you, but my mate and I have to get back to the kitchen to prepare for lunch."

I nodded with a smile. "Oh, okay. Thank you for coming out to meet me." I said as Vernon put me down, then waved at the Mated pair as they hurried off. "Talk to you later!"

I frowned to myself a moment later. Were they really in such a hurry or did I offend them somehow?

Huge hands wrapped around my midsection and I was lifted high into the air. My tail wiggled and I grinned down at the super tall, broad-shouldered man who was clearly nonhuman with his special golden eyes with ice-blue striations and sharper-tipped ears. His super long white hair was braided over his shoulder, stopping under his chest. His skin was dark, even darker than Polaris' tone, but I liked the contrast between his hair and skin tone.

"Your name is Anwyll," he murmured, and I nodded with my tail wagging behind me. "Goodness, what a precious pup."

I grinned. "What's your name?"

"Longwei," he rumbled, holding me in the crook of his right arm. "I am the second dragon companion of Aspen."

I tilted my head. "Companion?"

"The stones and markings on Aspen's hands and arms are proof of Draco's and my bonds to our precious companion. We are forever linked to him."

"Ooh, okay. Thank you for explaining."

"You are very welcome, Anwyll." he said with a smile, then chuckled when I gave him a hug. "What a sweet child."

He turned to someone shorter than him bit still very tall next to Raven. "This is my son, Branimir. He may look mean with that scar on his face, but he's kind to Aspen." he said, then laughed when Branimir's black eyes narrowed at him.

"Nice to meet you," I said softly, and he smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you, too." he replied, then reached up and pinched my cheek. I pouted and he grinned.

I was then handed to someone much shorter yet still very tall, but he was very different from Longwei. He had pale skin and long black hair with a blue sheen. From his elbows to fingertips and hips to feet, he had draconic features. The rest of his body was mostly human. His ears had sharper points, too. So his talons were wrapped around my waist as he held me.

"Mm, Draco?" I asked, and he silently nodded. "I have never met you, but Aspen told me about you. Have you heard about me?"

He smiled and poked his nose against my left cheek. "I have heard about you. From what Aspen told me, it seems like your scent has changed somewhat, but your appearance is the same."

"Mm, well yours hasn't changed at all." I remarked, nosing his jawline as I sniffed his fiery, ashy scent that Aspen had told me about. "And I like that."

"Would you like to cuddle my small dragon form?"

"Yes, and then you can cuddle mine." I replied with a grin, which made his eyebrows lift. I giggled and smiled while Draco's talons petted my head.

"Let me see my pup's friend, Draco." stated Blaze, just as Draco reluctantly set me on the ground.

Aspen was cuddled in his mate's arms again, so Blaze picked me up and settled my form against his right side. I delicately placed my hands on his shoulders and looked at his face. He looked about the same age I'd seen him last time, even though over twenty years had passed in this universe's realm. His crimson-red hair and dark gold eyes gleamed as we catalogued each other's appearances.

Blaze's lips curled up. "I'd almost forgotten that natural purple tint to your gray hair, Anwyll."

I grinned, my huge and very fluffy tail swishing over his right forearm. "But I didn't forget your blood-red waves, Blaze."

"They are very memorable," remarked Freya, coming over to me and petting my head. Aspen's mama hadn't aged at all—just like her mate, Blaze.

Blaze turned his head and pecked his mate's lips, then returned his gaze to my face once more. He looked at me curiously, then lifted his left hand to brush back my wavy, asymmetrical side-swept bangs a bit more to see the mark of the vampire king. It looked like a tribal tattoo of a crown across my forehead and an inch below my hairline. It was pitch-black in color and couldn't normally be seen unless someone was really close to my face or my bangs were pushed back.

"What is that?"

I giggled. "It's the mark of the Vampire King!"

Blaze was about to say something, then hesitated. Aspen perked up, his tail wagging. "Really? You're the king of all vampires in your universe? How!" he exclaimed, his tail moving even faster now.

Raven chuckled and kissed Aspen's head, then calmed his mate's tail with a simple touch. Blaze made a soft noise when I turned my head and my wolf ears refocused on him, although they were moving around with Longwei, Polaris, and Branimir talking in the background.

"Well, I attended a vampire meeting with one of my lovers, who is an ancient vampire, and defeated the old king through a test of strength. I got the mark and a somewhat sentient sword from that fatal encounter."

Aspen's jaw dropped. "How are you so strong?"

Raven and Blaze suddenly laughed. Aspen and I looked at them, then at each other, and finally back to the ones holding us. Blaze leaned on a nearby pine tree and cupped the back of my head, tears streaming down his cheeks while he gasped for air. I reached up and gently cupped his face, blowing cool air over his hot face. My magic calmed his laughter and he took deep breaths of air. When I glanced back at Aspen, he was calming his mate down with little kisses and a firm hug. He's so tiny and cute. I feel tall whenever I stand next to Aspen, which is such a rare feeling.

"Blaze, are you okay?" I asked, petting his head with my right hand while squeezing his right shoulder with my left hand.

His dark gold eyes flashed a brighter shade and a growl rumbled in his chest. I quickly lifted my hands, unsure if I did something wrong. His growling got louder, then I heard Aspen giggle behind me.

"Papa and Papa Wolf really like you, Anwyll. They want you to keep petting their head."

"Ooh, okay. I was worried I did something wrong." I explained, then beamed and continued petting Blaze's head. His lips curled up and wolfish purrs rumbled in his chest.

Raven moved a few steps closer and leaned in close to Blaze, then chuckled when Aspen's papa nearly melted the moment Aspen's hand moved with mine on his head. Blaze shivered and inhaled deeply, then looked at Raven with a pleading expression. Aspen's mate snorted with a smile and handed over Aspen to Blaze. My friend snuggled into his papa's arms immediately, but I was worried that we were too heavy with our combined weight.

After I vocalized my concerns, Blaze groaned and leaned on the tree again. I glanced at Raven to see him snickering, muffling himself as he hunched over. I frowned. I can't understand Blaze's quirks, but everything seems perfectly fine as I look at Aspen and Raven.

Blaze suddenly nuzzled my face, pressing his nose into my hair and breathing deeply. His wolfish purrs started up again, so I relaxed and tucked my nose down. Blaze whined something under his breath, then tightened his grip on both Aspen and me.

"So cute..." he whined louder. "They're so cute! Little pups! My tiny pup and another small pup..."

I blinked, then lifted my curious gaze to Raven's pleased expression. "Is Blaze okay?"

Raven reached over and gently patted my back. "Blaze is always like this with Aspen. He's so happy to have another pup who looks like his tiny, precious pup in his arms."

"Ooh, okay." I replied, my huge tail wagging and smacking against Aspen's big, fluffy tail while it did the same to mine.

"Lunch should be ready soon, Blaze. Let's take the pups inside."

Blaze slowly nodded. "My pup and his pup-friend need food."

Raven smiled and kissed Blaze's cheek. "You can cuddle with your pup later, Blaze. I would like to spend some time with my mate."

The brightness faded in Blaze's golden eyes and he allowed his son-in-law to take Aspen, then hugged my form closer to his chest. He started carrying me inside, so Draco shifted and I saw his small dragon form. It was so cute and smooth. Draco greeted his companion with a kiss to his cheeks, then flapped over to Blaze and me. I reached out my right arm and he dove into the available space between Blaze's chest and mine, then he snuggled under my arm as I wrapped it around him.

"Dray wants to cuddle with Anwyll!" Aspen giggled happily, then smiled as Raven took a seat on the huge couch inside the mansion. "I want to introduce my other kiddos to you, Anwyll."

"Food will draw them out from their lairs, correct?"

"That, and time with their beloved uncles, Branimir and Longwei." added Raven, winking at the aforementioned two.

Polaris had left to go somewhere else with her mate, so it was just some of Aspen's immediate family members and companions. Freya flopped down against Blaze's side and silently begged to hold me for awhile, but her mate only reluctantly agreed to share.

It was a bit uncomfortable to be on Freya's lap, even partially, mainly because I was so unused to affection from females. Aspen noticed my discomfort and sat up, but I moved my fingers and let him know I could handle it. I could trust my friend's mama. I just can't trust my own mother and other women who remind me of her. Freya is not like my mother, so I forced myself to relax and quickly found my upper body being cradled like a baby in her arms.

I peered up at her. Her bright gold eyes gleamed as her lips curled upwards. I was a bit concerned, but Blaze kissed her cheek and rested his head on her chest to gaze at me.