The night was thick with silence. The grand Lancaster estate, bathed in the silver glow of the moon, stood like an untouchable fortress, but within its walls, shadows lurked.
Sarah Whitmore sat in her dimly lit bedroom, staring at the flickering candle on her nightstand. The flame swayed gently, casting long, restless shadows on the walls. Her mind was a storm—thoughts crashing violently against each other, urging her, warning her, tempting her.
Duke needs to go.
Her grip tightened around the edge of the vanity table. She had tried everything—kindness, tricks, deception—but the wretched creature wouldn't be swayed. He had cost her too much already.
Now, it was time to make a choice.
With a deep breath, Sarah stood and moved toward the window. Outside, in the quiet garden below, Duke lay stretched out on the grass, oblivious to the storm brewing in Sarah's heart.
Her lips parted into a slow, deliberate smile.
Tomorrow night, she would put an end to this.
The Last Warning
Duke sat upright, ears twitching. The wind carried whispers, a soundless voice only he seemed to hear. His deep brown eyes stared toward the house, unblinking, alert.
Isabel watched him from the porch, feeling a strange sense of unease settle over her.
"You hear something, boy?" she asked softly, crouching down beside him.
Duke let out a low growl—not one of anger, but of warning.
Isabel ran a hand down his thick fur, her fingers tingling with something she couldn't explain. Duke had always been perceptive, sensing things before they happened. He had protected her before.
What was he sensing now?
Her gaze traveled to the upper windows of the house, where she could faintly make out a silhouette behind the curtains.
Sarah.
A shiver ran down Isabel's spine.
Duke barked once—loud and clear, as if making a statement.
Something was coming.
And he would be ready.
Sarah's Dark Plan
The following evening, as the estate prepared for another elegant dinner, Sarah made her move. She had timed everything perfectly—Moris was occupied with business calls, Isabel was helping the staff set the table, and Duke…
Duke had just finished his evening meal.
Sarah smirked. It was laced with just enough sedative to slow him down. Not to kill him—not yet—but to make him vulnerable.
She slipped into the garden under the guise of a quiet stroll, her heartbeat thudding against her ribs. There Duke lay, still awake, but sluggish. His breathing was heavier than usual. His head rested between his paws.
She had won.
Slowly, she crouched beside him, pulling out the small leather leash she had brought. It was time to take him far, far away.
But as she reached out—
Duke's eyes snapped open.
In an instant, he lunged.
Sarah gasped, stumbling backward as Duke growled, his teeth bared, his body suddenly thrumming with energy.
What? He shouldn't be this strong. The sedative…
Panic gripped her. Had she miscalculated?
Duke's barks were loud, furious, warning the entire house.
The doors to the mansion burst open. Isabel and Moris came rushing out.
Sarah's heart pounded as she realized—she had been caught.
The Moment of Reckoning
"What the hell is going on?" Moris' voice cut through the night like a blade.
Isabel's eyes darted between Sarah and Duke, taking in the scene—the leash, the fear in Sarah's expression, the fury in Duke's eyes.
"Sarah…" Isabel's voice was soft but sharp. "What were you doing?"
Sarah scrambled for words, but they caught in her throat.
Duke, still growling, stepped closer to Moris, his body rigid with rage.
Moris' gaze darkened. "Tell me the truth. Now."
Sarah licked her lips. "I—I was just trying to take Duke for a walk. He—he must have misunderstood."
Duke let out a deep, guttural growl.
Moris' expression remained unreadable. But in his eyes, Sarah saw something chilling.
Doubt.
For the first time, Moris was truly questioning her.
Sarah felt the world closing in on her. She had to think, had to act fast before everything unraveled.
She had come too far to lose now.
With a steadying breath, she forced a tear to fall.
"I was trying to bond with him," she whispered. "I just wanted him to like me."
A pause.
Isabel looked unconvinced. Duke remained tense.
And Moris?
Moris said nothing.
The silence was deafening.
Sarah clenched her fists, her mind racing. She wasn't done yet. Not even close.
If she couldn't get rid of Duke tonight…
She'd have to get rid of Isabel instead.