Return of the General's Daughter
Chapter 111: A Moment In Time

Chapter 111: A Moment In Time

The estate’s backyard stretched wide under the night sky, the towering silhouette of the mayor’s mansion looming ahead. Veiled in the shifting shadows of passing clouds, Jethru and Lara moved with practiced stealth, their footsteps silent against the damp grass.

A towering wooden fence enclosed the mansion like a fortress, but it was no obstacle. Timing their ascent with the drifting darkness, they scaled the weathered planks with ease and dropped soundlessly onto the other side.

Lara let out a low whistle as her eyes swept over the mansion.

"The mayor is swimming in wealth. His house is as big as a church."

Jethru shot her a sharp glance. "Stop babbling. We split up. Let’s meet back here in an hour."

"Alright, Master," she muttered, disappearing into the shadows.

The mansion’s grand entrance faced east, where a few lanterns bathed the marble steps in a soft golden glow. Lara, however, veered north, her keen gaze locking onto the quieter section of the estate. Only three guards patrolled that area—a curious oversight, considering the rest of the grounds swarmed with security. Then again, the northern wall was a formidable barrier: solid stone, unbroken except for six high-set windows embedded in the gray facade.

Was the wall made from marble?

Were those bedroom windows?

Lara pressed a hand against the cool surface. It wasn’t completely smooth, nor was it rough—perhaps granite? Mount Roca had an abundance of both.

Lara waited and when a cloud veiled the quarter moon, she stealthily moved toward the northern wall.

When she pressed her hand on the wall, she felt the texture. It was not exactly smooth, but it was also not rough. She could not tell if it was marble or granite, as Mount Roca has an abundance of both.

"Damn! This mayor knows how to splurge."

She uncoiled the rope from around her waist, securing a hook to one end. With precise aim, she hurled it toward the spire at the northwest corner of the roof. The metal clinked softly as it caught. Just as she shifted her weight to climb—

A low, guttural growl froze her in place.

Lara turned her head slowly, her pulse steady but sharp.

Two glowing amber eyes pierced the darkness. White fangs gleamed in the dim light, bared in a silent warning. Even if she could not see clearly, she knew that strings of saliva dripped from a snarling mouth.

A German Shepherd.

"Damn it." Lara cursed. ’So this is why only a few guards patrolled here.’

The dog prowled around her in a slow, deliberate circle, muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap. It was sizing her up, reading her every move. Any second now, it would pounce.

Lara’s fingers slipped into the pocket of her backpack.

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed a small piece of jerky into the air. The dog’s instincts kicked in, and its jaws snapped around the treat mid-flight.

Then it paused and chewed.

Crunch.

Silence.

Then—a wagging tail. Even in the darkness, Lara could see the eager sway of its happiness.

She smirked. Too easy.

From her pocket, she withdrew another piece—larger, richer in scent. With a calculated toss, she sent it flying further away. The dog, unable to resist, darted after it.

"Don’t come back," she murmured into the night.

It wouldn’t. Not with the sleep-inducing powder laced into that last bite.

Lara exhaled, listening as the crunching sounds grew fainter. Then, with a sure grip on her rope, she pulled herself up toward the northern spire.

Suddenly, a dark shadow engulfed her and pulled her down.

Lara barely had time to react before a crushing weight pinned her down, forcing the breath from her lungs. She hissed in frustration. I was too careless.

The cool earth pressed against her back. They were concealed beneath the dense thicket of perennials bordering the northern wall.

Above her, a solid mass of muscle and heat trapped her in place. She struggled, pushing against the broad chest, but the man was unyielding—immovable, like a boulder.

Her fingers darted toward the knife strapped to her outer thigh—a lethal response honed by years of training. But then—

Wait.

A scent. Faint yet unmistakable.

A blend of herbs—the same ones she used in the medicinal paste.

Her breath caught as she lifted her gaze.

Two dark eyes stared back at her—midnight pools, intense and unreadable.

"You—!"

"Shhh." His voice was low, commanding. "Stay still."

Lara opened her mouth to snap at him, but then—

Footsteps.

Voices.

"I swear I heard something here." A man’s voice, wary and edged with suspicion.

Growl.

"It’s just the dog."

"You sure? What if it’s not?"

"If you want to check, then go check by yourself."

"Hell no! I’m not going alone."

"Hey wait for me. I don’t like to be left alone here."

Lara waited. Finally, the silence stretched long enough to be safe.

Their voices faded as they retreated into the distance.

"They are gone." Lara’s voice trembled slightly, a mixture of relief and confusion threading through her words. "Aren’t you going to get off me?"

She could feel the rapid beats of his heart pulsing against her chest, a steady reminder of how close they were. His face hovered just inches from hers, the warmth of his breath brushing against her skin, creating an electric charge that sent shivers down her spine.

A flicker of heat ignited in her cheeks.

As if sensing it, he abruptly rolled off her.

"I’m sorry, I did not mean to," Alaric muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. "They would have seen you climbing. I had to pull you back."

Lara sat up, exhaling sharply. "And what the hell are you doing here? You’re still recovering, yet you’re running around like this. You’re wasting my effort!"

Alaric didn’t answer, only offering her a hand. She ignored it, pushing herself up and brushing off the dirt.

They pressed their backs against the wall, blending into the shadows.

"What about you?" Alaric’s voice was quieter now, but sharp with curiosity. "Why are you here?" He threw the question back at her.

"I’m on a mission," Lara murmured, arms crossing over her chest. "With my master."

That made him pause. His gaze flickered with something unreadable before he finally spoke.

"I’m also on a mission." He replied back.

Lara turned sharply and stared at the man.

"How did you wake up?"

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