Isabel stood frozen, gripping the stick tighter. The creature's heavy steps pressed into the grass, its shadow swallowing her whole. She flinched as it lowered its head, sniffing once… then again. Its nose brushed her hand.
The growl faded.
Its eyes shifted to the stick. Its head tilted slightly. Its tail twitched—then began wagging faster. It stepped closer, staring at the stick like nothing else existed.
Isabel blinked.
"…What?"
"Don't worry."
She turned sharply.
Orion walked toward it, calm, like this was completely normal. "It's just a puppy."
"A… puppy?"
She stared at the massive thing in front of her as if he were joking. The creature lowered its head and looked at her with wide, hopeful eyes.
Orion wrapped his arms around its thick neck. "Good boy." The puppy made a pleased rumbling sound.
Orion glanced at her. "Come on. It likes you."
"No. I'm fine here."
The puppy's ears drooped. Its tail slowed… then stopped. A soft whine escaped it.
Orion sighed. "You're hurting its feelings."
"…It has feelings?"
"It does."
Isabel hesitated. The puppy just… waited. Slowly, she stepped closer. Her hand brushed its fur. She froze.
"…It's warm."
Her voice softened, surprise melting into something gentler. Something so big… yet so gentle.
Her lips curved faintly. "You're actually kind of beautiful."
The puppy nudged the stick in her hand. She blinked, then threw it. It run across the garden and came back with the stick in a flash. She tossed it again. And again. And again.
Her laughter filled the garden. For the first time since arriving, she felt light.
Then—a loud roar split the air. The ground trembled faintly.
The puppy bolted behind Orion.
Isabel tensed.
"…What was that?"
"That's its mother," Orion said casually.
She stared at him.
"…There's more?"
"Yeah," he chuckled. "A lot more things here."
He glanced at the time and groaned. "I have to go. If I'm late again, Lyra will kill me."
He hugged the puppy. Then—unexpectedly—he hugged Isabel too. "I'm glad you're here." Before she could reply, he ran off.
The puppy picked up the stick and placed it gently in her hands. She smiled, "You want to play more?"
Its tail wagged eagerly. She threw the stick farther. The puppy sprinted after it and disappeared near the trees.
Her smile faded. The forest felt… too quiet. She stepped toward the trees.
Near the gate, the puppy froze, growling softly at something in the shadows.
"What is it?" she whispered.
Behind the fence… behind a tree… a woman stood, watching. Isabel squinted and stepped closer—
A hand landed on her shoulder. She spun and struck—but her fist was caught easily.
Her breath caught.
"…Lucius."
His hand was warm, holding hers steady. His eyes flicked to her hand. "I didn't know you could fight."
"…Don't sneak up on me," she muttered. "My heart can't take that."
He didn't let go immediately, glancing over her hand again. Then slowly, he released her.
"You're late," he said.
She checked her phone. He was right. Not again
"Time doesn't come back once you lose it," he added quietly. "Even for people who have more than others… remember that."
She glanced toward the trees. "I thought I saw someone. Standing there. Just… watching."
Lucius followed her gaze. "If you see something strange," he said softly, "tell me first."
"Why?"
"Because this is my territory."
His voice didn't rise—but it didn't need to. Isabel didn't reply. But something in his tone didn't sit right.
He stepped past her. "Come with me."
"…Are you always this bossy?" she asked.
He half-turned. "If I was being bossy," he said evenly, "you would know."
He walked ahead. She followed. Inside his office, he handed her a file.
"Your contract."
She didn't open it. "Before that… I have a question."
"Ask."
"I'm good at my job," she said slowly, "but not important enough for someone like you to personally bring here."
Lucius watched her quietly, then moved to the window. The forest outside stretched endlessly.
He spoke without turning.
"A professor with a good reputation and a quiet life… Why would someone like that leave everything for a small town like this?"
Her expression tightened. "Maybe I wanted change."
He stared long enough to make the room feel smaller. Then he sat down.
"I'll be away for a few days."
"This town has rules. Follow them."
"Are you restricting me?"
He gave a small smile. "Do you want me to?"
His tone didn't match the smile.
Isabel blinked. "What—?"
"If you leave the mansion," he said quietly, "inform Isaac."
"And if I don't?"
He didn't even blink.
"You will."
He checked his watch. "My flight won't wait." He opened the door. "We'll finish this later."
She stepped out. The door closed softly behind her.
Down the corridor, Lyra stood outside her room. When she saw Isabel, her expression hardened, and she stepped toward her. "No," she said sharply, blocking her path.
"You shouldn't have come here," Lyra whispered.
Isabel didn't move.
Lyra leaned closer. "And if you value your life… leave." She walked past. Silence followed.
Isabel's chest felt tight.
"…Did I make the right choice?" The thought lingered longer than she wanted.
Inside the office, Isaac stepped from the shadows. "You're going to the meeting," he said.
Lucius nodded. "If I don't… they'll cause trouble with the college project. I want it done. Fast."
Isaac studied him. "They want you gone. Out of town?"
Lucius met his eyes calmly. "I know. I want them to move. It'll show me who's brave enough to act."
"And… her?"
Lucius' gaze softened slightly. "She's braver than she looks. That might make things… harder."