Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 45

"Pudding, you little rascal, how did you get out here?"

The security guards had no time to worry about Isadora now. All their attention was on blocking Pudding, who was bounding toward the gate. They circled around, hands outstretched, but no one dared grab him too roughly.

Everyone knew Pudding was Mr. Fitzgerald's pride and joy.

There was a time a new housekeeper, not knowing any better, treated Pudding like any ordinary pet. She was out in the garden one afternoon, sweeping up the autumn leaves. Pudding, ever playful, dashed through and scattered the neat piles everywhere. Frustrated, the housekeeper gave him a gentle tap with her broom.

That was all it took.

Victor found out-and fired her on the spot.

After that, everyone at Stratus Manor understood: this dog was as much the master of the house as Victor himself.

Now Pudding barked excitedly, dodging left and right, making a beeline for Isadora.

"Don't hold me back! I smell someone who feels just like mom," his every movement seemed to say.

big, fluffy white dog barreling toward her. It was a Samoyed, strong and nearly up to her waist, clearly getting on in years but still agile and

an instant bond with him. Had

was a child, she'd always loved cats and dogs. She once found a stray puppy with a limp by the roadside, brought it home in secret, and hid it in her room. The next

breathless, standing up to

had jabbed a finger at her head. "I already have to feed you, you little burden. Now you want me

in thought, Isadora instinctively opened the

just a couple of feet in front of her,

wild,

guards looked

proud and aloof-he barely acknowledged strangers. Even the dog's caretaker had taken over a year to earn his

unmistakable recognition-

at the staff. It was obvious this dog ranked high in the

realized, and then it clicked-sometimes, to win favor, you needed the right

this dog to

out a hand, and called softly,

lit up. He bounded straight into her arms, licking her hands and sleeves,

scent-it was