Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

On the other side of the forest, Isaac was perched comfortably on Noir, the sleek black leopard, ambling through the underbrush. Noir, ever curious, took his time sniffing at the fallen berries along their path.

Isaac sat quietly, his mind racing with thoughts of Brielle's recent actions. She had sensed danger and immediately placed him on Noir's back, choosing to stay behind herself. A pack of ten hungry leopards was no joke their destructive power was terrifying. Why would she let him go first?

Dad always said people were inherently selfish, and women were the best deceivers. If Brielle were truly malevolent, she would have abandoned him in an instant, escaping on Noir herself. For the first time, Isaac felt his young mind struggling to grasp the situation. Initially, he thought to leave Brielle to the mercy of the leopards, a fitting end with no trace left behind. He could then find a better woman for his dad, helping him move past this sorrow. There was no need to fret over Brielle; she was just a bad woman trying to take his dad away. He wouldn't accept her as his mom.

As Isaac clung to Noir's neck, his eyes began to well up with tears. If she had to be cruel, why not go all the way? It would make it easier to hate her, wouldn't it?

Hate? When he realized the emotion brewing inside him, his eyes widened. He had deliberately patted Noir's neck earlier, signaling the leopard to leave the area. Now, they were some distance away from Brielle, and returning would take about ten minutes. He sighed, eventually tugging at Noir's ear.

"Let's go back."

Noir's ear twitched, and with a flick of his tail, he turned around.

"Noir, buddy, no eating."

Isaac had mentioned the word

"friend" to Brielle earlier. Those ten leopards were Noir's friends from the mountain. So, even if they stayed, there wouldn't be any danger Brielle, left behind, would also be safe. Her scent, mingled with Noir's, would protect her until it faded. After all, Noir had been brought home from the mountains, those ten leopards being his pals from the wild.

If Isaac truly abandoned Brielle, leaving her to fate, she would become nothing more than a late-night snack for the leopards once Neir's scent wore off. Seated atop Noir, Isaac wondered if he'd

regret this decision. the

but

chance to rid himself of chose mercy instead.

"Noir, back we go."

Noir, sensing his master's resolve, dashed back toward where they had come from.

Meanwhile, Brielle, surrounded by the leopards, dared not move. Every slight twitch of her leg would earn her a lazy glance from one of the creatures, as if she were disturbing their rest. So, she sat still, perhaps saved for a later meal.

When she heard noises not far off, she turned, only to see several leopards stand up, tails swaying. Then, Isaac's voice called out.

"Brielle, come here."

Brielle froze, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. It reminded her of Max, whose mature, reassuring voice was a stark contrast to Isaac's youthful tone. Indeed, the child bore Max's genes. But now wasn't the time for reminiscence. With a whisper of urgency, she exclaimed, "Why did you come back?!"

The surrounding leopards all rose, a sign of impending doom. Brielle's heart sank. This was it; they were all going to meet their end here, including Noir, likely to be attacked by his own kind.