Lary stepped toward him, casually now, as if greeting an old friend.
"Sorry, mate," he said with an apologetic tone that didn't match the moment. "We don't normally do this, but… times are hard. And if we don't feed this guy regularly, it starts looking at our town like a snack."
He reached to Hades's pouch, pulling it.
Hades's breath hitched.
That pouch didn't only have the last few coins but also the letter from Thalia.
"You… You'll regret this…" he growled through clenched teeth, still unable to move, body frozen in place like stone.
"Oh, yeah?" Lary scoffed—and stepped aside.
So Hades could see the beast rising.
The silver-furred wolf slowly stood. Its massive body stretched, muscles rippling under its luminous coat. Its red eyes locked on him and Luna—its chosen prey.
And just before it lunged—
SQUELCH
A blade sank into Hades's side. Lary whispered, "Just to be on the safe side."
Hades let out a guttural grunt, eyes wavering as blood soaked into his clothes.
