A Recycling Pup and a Flying Pup

Chap. 18 : Barkinburg

The royal towers of Barkingburg rise ahead, shimmering against the dawn sky as Sweetie lands the jet just outside the castle courtyard. Skye and Chase disembark, the air heavy with unspoken tension between them. Sweetie struts forward, offering Skye a smug smile, her eyes gleaming with triumph. Skye narrows her eyes, her mistrust flaring as Sweetie leads them inside, through the regal halls lined with banners and portraits.

"Chase!" The Princess of Barkingburg's voice rings with joy as she approaches them, her face lighting up at the sight of him. "What a surprise! And Skye, too! Ryder didn't mention he was sending you both, but I couldn't be happier!"

Chase's gaze darts to Sweetie, who steps forward with a practiced bow. "Yes, Princess," she says smoothly. "Ryder wanted to ensure Skye and Chase had a little... private time here in Barkingburg. And you know, who better to help arrange it than me?"

The Princess claps her hands. "How thoughtful of Ryder! Of course, I'm thrilled to host my favorite pups. I'll have the staff prepare a suite immediately." She gives them a warm smile before hurrying off to make arrangements.

Skye glances sharply at Chase, feeling the knot of suspicion in her chest tighten. Everything feels too orchestrated, too wrong. Before she can press him, Sweetie gestures for them to follow her deeper into the castle, where she ushers them into a large, opulent room and closes the door behind her.

The heavy silence falls over them, and Skye turns to Chase, her voice steady but laced with barely contained anger. "Alright, Chase. No more dodging. What's really going on here? Why did you bring me to Barkingburg? And don't tell me Ryder ordered it, I know that's a lie."

Chase's ears droop as he takes a slow step forward, his face a mix of frustration and regret. "Skye... you don't understand. I had to bring you here. I couldn't... I couldn't just let you be with Rocky. He doesn't see you the way I do, doesn't appreciate you the way you deserve."

Skye's chest tightens as his words sink in. "Chase... this isn't love. This is manipulation. I wanted to go back to Adventure Bay, to the team. To my friends." Her voice wavers. "You're supposed to be my friend, too. How could you do this to me?"

Chase's face flickers with pain, but he stands his ground, voice growing firmer. "I know you don't get it now, but you will. One day, you'll see that this is what's best for us. Rocky can't protect you, can't give you what I can."

Skye shakes her head, backing away, her heart pounding. "You don't know what's best for me, Chase! And it's not your place to decide! You've lied to me, taken away my pup-tag, and now dragged me here against my will. This isn't the Chase I know!" Her words strike him like a slap, and she can see the uncertainty waver across his face, his ears drooping slightly.

For a moment, there's a glimmer of remorse in his eyes, but it quickly hardens again. "I did this for you, Skye. For us. Can't you see that!?"

Skye's gaze pierces him, her voice barely a whisper, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "I don't even know who you are anymore, Chase. This... obsession, it's twisted. You're not the friend I thought I could trust." She forces herself to keep her voice steady, though every part of her wants to break down. "Let me go back. I'll never forgive you if you don't."

He falters, his determination crumbling slightly. "Skye, please... you'll thank me someday. I know you will."

But she's done listening. She turns toward the door, determined to find her way back, only to realize something is wrong. Her paws won't budge; a strange numbness creeps up her legs, and the paralyzing sensation from her injury the night before spreads, locking her in place.

A shiver of panic races through her, and she glances back at Chase, her eyes wide with despair. "I... I can't move. Chase! I can't believe you'd let me stay like this..."

Her voice breaks, and tears spill down her cheeks as she tries to will herself to move. The walls of the room seem to close in around her, her strength and resolve crumbling under the weight of everything she's lost. She feels trapped, a prisoner in a strange place, surrounded by people she can't trust.

For the first time, Chase's resolve falters, his ears folding back, his expression twisting with remorse. But before he can speak, Skye's voice rises, a raw mixture of fear and fury. "This is not love, Chase. This is cruelty."

In that moment, her tear-filled gaze locks with his, her defiance a blazing reminder of the rift his actions have created. He lowers his head, goes to the door, and before he steps out of the room, he shoots angry eyes at Skye and he says, "Then you might as well think about it alone."