An unimpressed Pox gripped his axe as Shiro hovered, sniffed, and jumped on and around him.

‘Oh, come on Pox, loosen up. This is one of our most esteemed guests. You would do well to give him a warm welcome.’ Mammon said casually.

Pox shifted his eyes down to Mammon and grunted.

Like a tenacious fly, Shiro did not back down. Between Pox's legs, he snuggled in and rolled around; he raised himself on two legs, only to reach Pox’s knees; he even showed him his best and irresistible puppy eyes. Still, Pox hardly blinked.

‘He’s nothing but an insect to you, isn’t he?’ Mammon sighed.

Pox narrowed his eyes. Mammon gave the giant ox a teasing smile, then asked, ‘Any trouble while I was gone? Has he been to see her?’

Pox shook his head.

‘Good. That means he will be here soon.’ — Mammon reached for the door, but then paused. — ‘And Leviathan? Any sign of him?’

Again Pox shook his head. Mammon said nothing, squeezed the handle and pushed the door open, allowing Shiro inside. Shiro ran to Mara’s arms as she stared at him in blatant shock. Tears rolled down her cheeks as they lovingly greeted each other.

‘How? How did you bring him here?’ she asked with her mind.

‘Much like you were. He was just more, how shall I say… compliant?’

Her joy was too great to make note of the jest. She held on to Shiro as if he could disappear at any moment. It made little sense that the snobbish Mammon would go to lengths to bring him to her, but then she thought back to Miina’s remarks about the warrior wolf. She lifted her eyes to him, and there he was with that smile that never seemed trustworthy. But maybe there was more to him after all.

‘Thank you.’ She whispered aloud.

‘Oh sorry, I didn’t quite catch that?’

Her smiled turned into a scowl. ‘I said thank you. For bringing Shiro.’

‘Oh, no need for that. We will do anything to make your stay more pleasant.’

‘We? You mean…’

‘Yes, of course, my master too.’

Mara remained dubious, but Shiro’s licks were quick to wipe her frown and made her giggle beyond herself.

‘You haven’t disciplined him much, Shiro.’

‘Not more than necessary. I know he’s all over the place and he forgets his size, but I love him just as he is. I couldn’t imagine him any other way.’

Mammon’s expression softened.

‘Well, he loves you too. He is very loyal to you.’

‘He’s my best friend; my family.’

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‘And you his.’

‘The way you say that… it’s like you know anything about Shiro and me.’

‘It’s plain to see, for one, but we got to know each other well during our brief journey. Turns out he’s a distant cousin of mine, go figure.’

‘Is he now?’ — She looked sideways, coming off flatter than she intended. — ‘So he was in my flat all this time? He doesn’t seem hungry at all. Hasn’t it been a few days at least?’

‘We sorted that too. He won’t be hungry for a while.’

‘I see.’ — She replied. She was grateful, of course, but something about Mammon’s closeness to Shiro made her envious. — ‘I wish you would’ve told me you were going. I would’ve asked to at least leave a message for my agent, Haru. He must be worried sick.’

Mammon put on his teasing smile again. It was as if he wore it as a mask to cover his true intentions.

‘Indeed, a shame, but wouldn’t it have spoiled the surprise? If it bothers you that much, we can send word to this Haru. Let him know you’re well.’

‘Oh, that would be-’

The doors flew open and Lucious walked in.

He wore his customary dark mask, but this one only covered a portion of his face, leaving his mouth and one eye out. It no longer shocked her. Miina had told her that it was customary for royalty to cover their faces. Not only to show that they were royals, but some of these masks also worked as power enhancers or limiters. Regardless of what he wore on his face, it was plain to see he looked annoyed.

‘I’m told you’re giving the servants a hard time about the outfits for the banquet tonight.’ He said in his usual haughty tone. He hardly finished his sentence and Shiro was on him, surprising him. Lucious was clumsy in his attempt to placate the sudden large and heavy intrusion, but Shiro couldn’t sniff and lick him enough.

‘What is this thing? What’s it doing here?’ He spoke aloud, but Mara read his lips.

‘This thing?!’

‘Mammon, can we please do something about this!’ Lucious said as he struggled to keep his composure and his mask from being plucked off of his face. His arms flailed now, but Shiro was relentless. Mara stifled a giggle and made no efforts to call Shiro back. To see the prince of Hell looking so clumsy and unable to control a dog, was something for the history books. Mammon too must’ve found it amusing; his face was straight but his tail was wagging. Suddenly, unable to contain herself, Mara’s unrestrained laughter filled the room.

Lucious stopped for a moment, just keeping Shiro at bay, and watched her. Even Mammon glanced at her with surprise, but then quickly offered a satisfied nod. It made her too self-conscious, forcing her laughter to vanish just as fast as it came. This certainly wasn’t the time to be laughing. She was supposed to be an enraged kidnappee! Seeing Shiro again must have clouded her mind momentarily.

As if to remind Lucious that he was still there, Shiro gained more ground and forced him on his backside. The dog was dangerously close to overtaking him. He cleared his throat, and in his most humourless tone addressed Mara.

‘Can you pull your beast away, please?’

‘He's not a beast, his name is Shiro. And I have a hands-free policy with him. When he jumps on you like that, he just wants a cuddle and then he’ll leave you alone.’ She attempted to respond in kind, she hoped.

‘Argh, Mammon!’

‘Yes, master Lucious.’

‘I know you’re finding this amusing. But it’s enough now.’

‘I see. How can I help?’

‘I don't care! Just make it so he doesn’t knock me about.’

‘Alright, let’s see. Shiro, come.’ It was all it took for Shiro to obediently move to Mammon’s side. Mara’s eyes widened. Shiro had never been that docile. The wolf warrior greeted him with pats over his head, and Shiro sat without even being commanded to. Mammon whispered words to him now. At the same time, he reached for a pouch from his inner jacket pocket and fed him what looked like to be some biscuits. Shiro gulped them down without hesitation.

‘I thought you said he ate earlier?’

‘He did, this is just a snack of sorts.’

It wasn’t long before the transformation began. Lucious used the opportunity to stand up and dust himself off.

‘What’s happening?!’ Mara said aloud.

‘Please don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe. He is going to be fine.’

Shiro, unaware, carried on, but the more he ate, the smaller he became. By the time Mara reached him, he had already swallowed the last piece of the biscuits. When she held him, Shiro was a small pup. Even his barks and yips were wimpy as he attempted to reach her face like he did just moments before, but now couldn’t reach.

Mara knelt on the floor with a disturbing mix of disbelief, fascination and endearment.

‘What… what have you done to my dog...?!!’