A Dragon's Love

Chapter 17

Yuna hummed softly to herself as she moved around the cozy little house, her hands busy tidying up the mess that had accumulated over the past few days. She was trying her best to keep things in order, but it was hard to focus with the constant sound of whimpering in the background.

Somi, in her wolf form, was curled up on the floor near the fireplace, her large, expressive eyes filled with sadness. Every few minutes, she let out a soft whimper, her ears drooping as she stared longingly at the door.

Yuna walked over to Somi and crouched down beside her, gently scratching behind her ears. "I know you miss Lia, Somi," she said softly. "But she'll be back soon, okay? You don't have to worry."

Somi let out another whimper, her tail wagging weakly as she leaned into Yuna's touch. She was clearly trying to be brave, but it was obvious that she was struggling with the separation.

"How about we play a game?" Yuna suggested, trying to cheer her up. "Or maybe we could go for a walk? Would you like that?"

Somi's ears perked up slightly at the mention of a walk, but the excitement quickly faded as she glanced at the door again, hoping that Lia would walk through it any second.

Chaeryeong, who had been silently observing the interaction, finally spoke up. "She really misses Lia, huh?" she said, her voice soft and understanding.

Yuna nodded, still gently petting Somi. "Yeah, she does. I think she's worried about her. I mean, it's not every day you go off into a forbidden forest, right?"

Chaeryeong gave a small nod, her eyes flickering with concern. "I'm worried too. But I know Lia, and I know she's strong. She'll be okay."

Yuna smiled at Chaeryeong's words, grateful for her optimism. "You're right. Lia's tough. And besides, she's got Ryujin and Yeji with her. They won't let anything happen to her."

Somi let out another soft whine, and Yuna leaned down to press a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Hey, it's okay, Somi. She'll be back before you know it. And when she does, she's going to have all sorts of stories to tell you, I bet."

The wolf-girl looked up at Yuna with wide, hopeful eyes, and Yuna couldn't help but smile. "How about this," Yuna continued, "when Lia gets back, we'll throw a little party. Just the four of us. We can make some snacks, play some games, and maybe even have a sleepover. Would you like that?"

Somi's tail wagged a bit more enthusiastically at the idea, and she let out a soft bark in agreement. It wasn't the same as having Lia back, but it was something to look forward to.

Chaeryeong smiled at the exchange, feeling a bit more at ease now that Somi was starting to perk up. "That sounds like a great idea, Yuna," she said, her tone warm. "And I'll help with the preparations. We can make Lia's favorite snacks."

Yuna beamed at Chaeryeong, grateful for the support. "Thanks, Chaeryeong. I think that would really cheer her up."

As Yuna and Chaeryeong started to discuss plans for the party, Somi seemed to relax a little, her whimpering subsiding as she listened to their conversation. It was clear that she still missed Lia, but knowing that her friends were there for her made the wait a little more bearable.

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In the depths of the forbidden forest, Ryujin, Yeji, and Lia continued their cautious exploration. The air was thick with mystery, the towering trees casting long shadows that seemed to dance with secrets. Lia was focused, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of the rumored abyssal creatures. She moved with a quiet grace, every step purposeful as she led the group deeper into the forest.