Lord Griffin's Mighty Return

Chapter 7

“Leo, no!” Selune snapped, giving the lion a light smack. “He’s a guest. Back to your cage!”

Leo let out a low growl, shooting Arthur one last murderous glare before turning and slinking off.

After locking Leo up, Selune handed Arthur a glass of water.

 

"Sorry about that," she said. "Leo doesn’t really like strangers. I don’t get many visitors."

Her icy demeanor cracked for a moment as she glanced back at the lion. “When I got him, he was so small he could fit in my hand. Now look at him.”

Arthur followed her gaze to the massive golden lion, eyeing him cautiously.

“Don’t get near to him.” Selune glanced warily at Arthur. "I know you’re strong, but against a full-grown lion? You’d be toast. Some guy broke in once—Leo ripped him apart. Let’s just say the cops had a lot of cleanup to do."

There was no question that Leo was a powerful lion, standing nearly as tall as a person, with agile, muscular legs that could pounce in an instant. If one faced such a beast, death might be the most fortunate outcome.

Arthur took a sip of water, nodding thoughtfully. Leo wasn’t a pet – he was a predator. A killer.

But Arthur wasn’t worried. The lion wasn’t a threat to him.

“Point taken,” he said with a faint smile. “Leo’s not one to mess with.”

Selune smiled. “I need to make a call and sort a few things out. Won’t take long.” She disappeared into another room, phone already at her ear.

Arthur stayed in the courtyard, his gaze lingering on Leo. The lion lounged in the cage, tail flicking lazily in the sunlight.

But something caught Arthur’s attention—the tip of Leo’s tail was a vivid red, like flame.

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Interesting.’

The stories of the Nemean Lion flashed through his mind - A beast of myth. A lion with wings, golden fur, and a massive body strong enough to carry ten men.

But the most striking feature? Its tail, bright red, burning with eternal fire.

“Could he have Nemean blood?” Arthur muttered to himself.

Even a trace of that legendary lineage would make Leo stronger, faster, deadlier than any normal lion.

Arthur moved closer. Leo, who had been feigning sleep, sprang to his feet, muscles coiled and a deep growl rumbling in his chest.

His sharp fangs glinted in the light, his body tense, ready to strike.

Arthur smirked. “What a spoiled kitten.”

As he spoke, his own eyes flickered faintly, a golden glow emanating from his pupils.

The effect was immediate. Leo’s growl faltered, his body trembling. He lowered his head, tail tucked between his legs.

The ferocity drained from the lion, replaced by submission, as though some primal instinct told him, that he was in the presence of something far greater under Arthur’s gaze.

Arthur unlatched the cage, and gestured for Leo to come out.

Leo hesitated, but eventually crept out, step by cautious step.

Then, to Arthur’s surprise, the massive beast flopped onto the ground, rolling onto his back like a giant, reluctant housecat.

“Good boy,” Arthur said, patting the lion’s head.

He carefully lifted the red-tipped tail, examining it closer. The fiery hue wasn’t just fur—it pulsed faintly, like it carried some kind of ancient energy.

Meanwhile, Selune had been trying to get through to her father on the phone, but every time she called, the line went dead.

Annoyed, she glanced out the window—and froze. The cage door was open!

Heart racing, she stormed back into the courtyard. Her eyes widening as she took in the scene.

Leo, her ferocious, untamable lion, was lying at Arthur’s feet, purring softly.

“What the—how did you do that?” she blurted, striding toward them in disbelief.

Leo immediately scrambled behind her, his massive body practically hiding behind her frame like he was so scared.

“Guess I’m good with animals.” Arthur said with a playful grin.

Before Selune could say anything else, the doorbell rang.

It wasn’t a polite chime but an urgent, shrill buzz that made her jump.

Quickly, she nudged Leo back into the cage.

“Could it be... someone from my family? Did they find me?” Selune wondered, worry flashing across her face.

Arthur’s expression hardened, but before either of them moved, the bell stopped.

Then came a loud, frantic knock—louder this time, like whoever was outside was ready to break it down.