CHAPTER 4 — The Ranch That Became a Target
For three weeks after Victor Hale’s arrest, the Carter ranch became famous.
News vans parked outside the gate. Reporters begged for interviews. Wildlife experts flew in from other states. People called Titan a miracle, a legend, even a monster.
But Mason hated the attention.
Because every time a camera pointed toward the mountains, Titan disappeared deeper into the trees.
The giant dog no longer slept beside the barn.
He no longer walked calmly among the cattle at sunrise.
Instead, he stood on Black Ridge every night, staring beyond the valley like he knew something was coming.
And then one morning, Mason found the first warning.
A dead raven nailed to the front gate.
Around its leg was tied a strip of red cloth.
Emily covered her mouth.
Mason unfolded the cloth with shaking fingers.
Only four words were written on it.
“THE DOG IS OURS.”
That same afternoon, the sheriff returned with a grim expression.
“Mason,” he said quietly, “Victor Hale wasn’t working alone.”
Mason’s stomach tightened.
The sheriff continued, “The men who wanted this land weren’t just ranchers or poachers. They were connected to an underground animal trafficking ring. Rare wolves. Guardian breeds. Exotic bloodlines. They sell them to private collectors.”
Emily whispered, “They want Titan.”
Before Mason could answer, a low growl rolled across the yard.
Titan had appeared near the barn.
His golden eyes were locked on the road.
A black SUV sat half a mile away, engine running.
No license plate.
No headlights.
Just watching.
Then, slowly, the window rolled down.
A woman in dark glasses lifted a camera.
She took one photo of Titan.
Then the SUV vanished down the dirt road.
That night, Mason locked every gate.
He loaded his rifle.
He told Emily to stay inside.
But Titan did not stay near the house.
At midnight, the giant dog walked into the pasture and stood alone beneath the moon.
Waiting.
From the forest came one howl.
Then another.
Then another.
The wolves were warning him.
But this time, Titan did not howl back.
He lowered his head.
May you like
Because somewhere beyond the trees…
someone had brought a trap powerful enough to take a king.
