Captivated by the Ruler of the Underworld

"I do, a little," Lela admitted to Master Sylvester.

Master Sylvester Gomez didn't say much, a shadow of concern fleeting across his eyes, followed swiftly by a command. "These things are dangerous. I don't want you messing with them anymore, you hear?" With that, Master Sylvester tossed the gun to Mildred, who was trailing behind, and drove his car around Josh Fudge's stalled vehicle, heading deeper into the forest.

Lela was bewildered that Master Sylvester didn't probe any further but decided it was best to keep her mouth shut.

...

Inside his car, Josh Fudge tossed his gun aside, irritation written all over his face.

"What's going on here?"

His subordinate stuttered out a reply, "Mr. Fudge, it looks like we blew a tire."

Fudge glanced at his man in the rearview mirror, his look as venomous as a snake's. "What are you waiting for then? Get on the phone and call the crew!"

The subordinate, not wanting to be literally thrown to the beasts, quickly fumbled for his phone, hands shaking.

...

Deep in the forest, Big White lay in the underbrush, licking at a wound on its hind leg.

Shotguns, unlike regular firearms, didn't fire bullet cartridges but shells. Even though it was a single shot, the tungsten shell would burst into countless tiny pellets upon firing.

Shotguns had once been the primary weapon for apprehending suspects in America.

If not fired at close range, the weapon wasn't deadly, but it was excruciatingly painful.

Big White had dodged the worst, but some of the scattered pellets had still hit him.

Tiny drops of blood seeped out, staining the white fur with bright red.

As he was tending to his wounds, he suddenly sensed a familiar presence drawing near. Before he could even rise, a soft figure barreled into his embrace.

"Big White... Big White, I know it's you, it's me, Cicery."

Lela flung herself into Big White's arms, holding him tight, her eyes welling up with tears.

Inside his car, Mildred Gomez witnessed the scene and felt as if he'd been dealt the most severe blow of his life. Pointing at Lela, his eyes wide with shock, fingers trembling, tongue almost failing him, he stammered, "Sir..."

In his eyes, Sylvester Gomez harbored a deep discontent, feeling a bloodthirsty urge swelling within him. His long fingers were wrapped tightly around the silver pistol.

Yet, upon seeing Lela's joyful expression, his fingers gradually relaxed, forcefully suppressing the savage yearning inside.

Damn.

Annoying as hell.

"Cut the chatter. Keep watch for any predators. If anything approaches, take it down," he instructed.

Mildred Gomez, her face previously ghostly pale, took up her weapon and scanned the perimeter vigilantly.

Big White finally stopped doubting the soft bundle in its arms-it was its beloved young owner.

Its tongue tenderly licked Lela's hand. A whimpering sound came from its belly...

If you listened closely, it was a mix of excitement and incredulous trembling.

Lela knew they couldn't delay any longer.

She looked up, gripping Big White's front paws, about to negotiate, only to see that its hind legs were stained deep red, exactly where it had been hurt before. Gently, she reached out to touch them, and Big White's hind leg trembled and shrank back.

Tears shimmered in Lela's eyes as her voice shook, "Big White, does it hurt a lot?"

Big White sent a loving gaze from its deep blue eyes towards Lela, and noticing her tears, licked her face as if to say, "Don't cry, little master, I'm not in pain." Embracing Big White, her eyes turned sharp in an instant.

Josh Fudge!

You're a dead man.

Sylvester Gomez couldn't stand it any longer from within the car. How could she be so affectionate with a beast?

To those in the know, it looked like a bond between owner and pet; others might suspect a forbidden love.

He swung open the car door, stepped out with his lengthy legs, frustration written all over his handsome face...