Ryan's gaze snapped to the sudden commotion—a squad of the Lord's Elite Guard was thundering down the street on their domesticated beasts, cutting an imposing figure. At the center of their formation rode a girl, no older than sixteen or seventeen.
As they closed in, the beasts slowed their pace, and with effortless grace, the girl swung down from her mount. She moved with a sharp, confident energy, her presence commanding attention the moment she landed.
Ryan's focus locked onto her immediately. She wore a gleaming silver breastplate, its polished surface catching the morning light. Beneath it, a short black pleated skirt flared slightly as she moved, accentuating her long, pale legs. Her striking features were almost too perfect, as if sculpted by an artist's hand, and the soft glow of dawn only enhanced her beauty. A high ponytail framed her face, the dark strands swaying with every step, radiating an air of youthful vitality.
Her eyes landed on Sasha, and a look of pure delight crossed her face—like a child finding a long-lost treasure. A brilliant smile spread across her lips, warm and utterly disarming. She strode forward without hesitation, crouching as she reached out toward Sasha.
"Yuna, you little troublemaker—so this is where you ran off to!" she cooed, her tone laced with mock scolding but overflowing with affection.
Ryan's brow furrowed. He lifted a hand, instinctively shifting to block Sasha. "Miss," he corrected, "this is my dog. Her name's Sasha. Not Yuna."
The girl froze mid-reach, her eyes flicking up to him in surprise.
"Yours?" Her tone carried a hint of skepticism, but then her expression shifted—her brow knit slightly, as if questioning whether she had misheard.
"Dog? You said 'dog'? What is that?"
Ryan hesitated for a moment, realizing this world might not have "dogs." He quickly corrected himself, stuttering slightly:"I... I mean, my beast. Sorry, I misspoke."
Several guards immediately bristled. "Bullshit!" one barked. "That's the Young Mistress's companion beast! No way it belongs to you!"
The girl waved them into silence without looking away from Ryan, then tilted her head slightly, lips curving into something between a smirk and a challenge. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan to prove that?"
Ryan met the girl's playful gaze, sensing the mischief in her eyes. A sense of reluctant understanding settled in him. With a deep breath, he resolved to let his actions speak for him.
"Sasha, sit."
Ryan's voice was calm yet firm. Instantly, Sasha obeyed, sitting down with focused attentiveness, ears perked.
"Sasha, hand."
She lifted a paw and placed it neatly in his palm. Ryan chuckled, running a hand over her head. "Good girl."
Sasha's tail thumped eagerly against the ground, her joy unmistakable. These were simple commands, ones she'd known since she was a pup—executed with effortless ease.
Ryan shrugged slightly, glancing up at her, his tone uncertain. "That proof enough for you?"
The girl blinked, tilting her head. "Frostshadow Wolves are smart. That doesn't prove she's yours."
With that, she crouched slightly, a playful glint in her eye. "Yuna."
Sasha ignored her.
"Sasha," the girl tried instead. The dog's ears twitched toward her. "Hand." To Ryan's dismay, Sasha trotted over and placed her paw in the girl's outstretched palm.
The girl beamed, ruffling Sasha's fur. "See? I can do it too."
Ryan's eye twitched. "You just called her Sasha."
She stuck her tongue out playfully. "Just messing with you."
She grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. "But seriously, Yuna only showed up at the manor last night..."
"Sasha," Ryan interrupted,his voice steady.
"Right, Sasha." Her smile deepened, crinkling the corners of her eyes. "How funny—her name's so close to mine."
She closed the distance between them in two light steps, leaning in until her breath ghosted across his cheek. Up close, her eyes held a glint of mischief beneath long lashes. "Speaking of names... I'm Natasha."
A fresh, floral scent—tinged with something uniquely her—drifted toward Ryan, making his chest tighten. At this close range, Natasha's features were even more striking: her face carved with flawless precision, eyes like sunlit water, clear enough to drown in. Long lashes trembled faintly under the light, softening her sharp allure. Her lips, pink as just-bloomed cherry blossoms, begged to be tasted. The sheer proximity of such beauty stole his breath.
Natasha's slender fingers scratched Sasha's head again. The dog's eyes slid shut in bliss.
"Sell her to me." Natasha said it casually, like suggesting a coffee run.
"Huh?" Ryan blinked.
Straightening, Natasha pinned him with those luminous eyes. "I said, sell me Sasha."
Ryan's pulse stuttered. Her gaze held the magnetic pull of midnight stars—irresistible and unnerving. Heat crept up his neck. Get a grip. He schooled his expression. "Why?" He aimed for neutral; it came out strangled.
"Because I've never seen a Frostshadow Wolf this tiny. Or this cute."A chuckle as she studied Sasha. "Is she a mutation?"
Frostshadow—? Oh for— Ryan barely swallowed the laugh. She's a husky. A literal chaos machine.
"Well? Selling?" Hope lit her face.
"No."
Disappointment flickered through her eyes, dimming their brightness. Ryan's resolve wavered. That crestfallen look undid him.
The rejection had been purely instinctive, he thought to himself, but now, seeing her like this... something inside him shifted.
"But… you can foster her." He relented.
"Really? Perfect!" Natasha's grin reignited, sudden and dazzling as spring sunshine.
Ryan's traitorous heart lurched. Her joy was a live wire—vibrant, contagious, impossible to look away from.
Ryan's decision to let Natasha foster Sasha wasn't impulsive—it was calculated. Though a pang of reluctance tugged at him, he knew entrusting Sasha to the girl's care in this treacherous world might actually keep the husky safer. Besides, his impending journey into the wilds was no place for a dog.
Natasha stroked Sasha's fur with glee, her gaze finally taking in their surroundings. Her eyes flicked to Hank at Ryan's side, then to the overloaded Juggernaut tethered to a post. "Heading out of the city?"
Ryan nodded, glancing at her elite guards. "You too?"
A shadow crossed Natasha's face. "I wish," she murmured, the wistfulness bleeding through before she caught herself. With a shake of her head, she brightened. "Actually, I need to meet my brother at the gates."
Ryan noted the evasion but let it slide.
Natasha patted Sasha's head and smiled.
"I'll be taking Yuna—oops, Sasha—then!"Natasha chirped.
"Get a leash,"Ryan warned."She's a runner."
Natasha signaled a elite guard, who produced a long, sturdy leash.With practiced ease, she secured it around Sasha's neck before crouching to scratch the husky's ears."Come, Sasha. Let's find Brother."Her movements were fluid as she mounted her domesticated beast, every motion poised—like a rehearsed dance.
Natasha reached to her waist, took out a small pendant, and tossed it lightly toward Ryan. The pendant traced a perfect arc in the air, its silver filigree shimmering before landing steadily in Ryan's palm. Ryan glanced down at it; the pendant was finely crafted, with intricate patterns etched into the metal. The central ruby was a vivid red, gleaming brightly in his hand.
"That's my token," Natasha said. "Present this to find me at the lord's manor anytime."
Ryan nodded, tucking the pendant away, an odd warmth settling in his chest.
Natasha watched him, satisfied.
"See you around,"A nudge to her beast's flank, and the creature turned. The elite guards fell into formation around her as they moved at a pace slow enough for Sasha to keep up.
A few steps in,Sasha paused,turned back, and gazed at Ryan.
Ryan's chest tightened slightly. He smiled. "Go on. Be good."
The husky yipped and trotted after Natasha's mount, tail wagging.
Ryan watched as Natasha and the elite guards disappeared down the street, her grace a stark contrast to the hulking beasts.
The image lingered in his mind long after they had vanished.
Beside him, Hank finally spoke up. "You let her take Sasha, but… why not just sell her outright?"
Ryan's jaw tightened. "Sasha's my companion. My family. I don't put a price on that."
Then, after a beat: "How much do Frostshadow Wolves go for, anyway?"
Hank thought for a second."Ten gold, give or take."
Ryan hissed through his teeth.
"Incorrect." A voice cut in from behind them.
Both men turned. Tobbs leaned against the smithy's doorway, arms crossed, his tone lazy."That's not just any Frostfang Wolf.It's a one-of-a-kind mutant. Easily worth fifty gold."
Damn it. Would it be too late to chase after Natasha and sell Sasha after all?