Codename Black: Rise of the Fallen Commander

Trouble

Victoria pulled into the driveway of her rented villa. The gravel crunched under the tires as the car came to a halt. She glanced at Alex, who seemed lost in thought. The day had been long, filled with uncertainties and questions, but she tried to push those worries aside as they stepped out of the car.

As they walked up the stone path, a menacing growl rumbled from the front porch. Victoria’s Tibetan Mastiff, Griffin, stood rigidly by the door, his massive frame towering over nearby bushes.

His eyes instantly locked onto Alex, dark fur bristling as the growl deepened. Alex paused, staring back at the dog with a calm expression.

Victoria hurried forward to greet her loyal companion. “Easy, Griffin. It’s okay. He’s with me.”

Griffin’s growl lessened but didn’t entirely fade. He remained poised, muscles tense, watching Alex with sharp eyes.

Victoria reached down to stroke Griffin’s fur. But her attention quickly shifted to Alex, who studied the animal with a slight smirk.

"I can’t say I expected a dog like this," he remarked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "A Tibetan Mastiff. Quite the choice for a lady."

“How did you know?” Victoria chuckled nervously. She added, “Actually, he’s more for comfort than anything else. It can get pretty lonely out here.”

She hesitated, glancing down at Griffin. “And with everything going on... with my family and the engagement... well, Griffin’s been my protector. My only real companion through it all.”

Alex’s smirk faded. “I see..."

There was a distant look in his eyes, but before Victoria could ask more, Alex stepped closer to the dog.

Griffin, sensing his approach, bared his teeth.

“Uh... you might not want to—" Victoria began, but Alex didn’t stop.

He crouched down slightly.

Griffin snapped his jaws in warning, yet Alex remained unfazed, reaching out toward the massive dog’s head. Victoria held her breath, half-expecting Griffin to lunge.

But then... something shifted.

It was subtle at first. A strange energy emanating from Alex. His presence seemed to grow, gradually filling the space around them with a commanding authority.

Griffin, who had been moments away from attacking, suddenly froze. The growl in his throat was silenced and his aggressive stance crumbled.

Without warning, the fierce dog lowered his head and dropped to the ground, lying motionless at Alex’s feet.

Victoria’s mouth fell open in shock.

Griffin—the dog who had never allowed anyone but her to command him, the dog who intimidated anyone who approached—was completely subdued, not even by force.

“How...” Victoria’s voice was barely a whisper.

Alex gently ran his hand through Griffin’s thick fur. The dog didn’t resist, didn’t growl, didn’t move. He simply lay there, obedient and calm, as if in the presence of a superior. “Good boy…”

Alex’s smirk returned, though this time it held a trace of amusement. “I’ve seen this kind of behavior before,” he mused, but he did not elaborate.

He remembered one of his old subordinates, Ludwig Ragnarsson, who used to keep a tiger. That animal was as docile as a kitten around him but would tear apart anyone else who got too close.

Victoria blinked, her mind racing to keep up with what she’d just witnessed. “You... tamed him. Without even saying a word.”

“Tamed?” Alex stood, glancing down at the dog. “Not really. I think he just recognizes something in me.”

Victoria shook her head slowly, still in disbelief. “Griffin’s never done that for anyone.”

Alex shrugged and gave a small nod toward the dog. “Why don’t I take him for a walk? Seems like he could use the fresh air.”

“You’re sure about that?” she asked. “He’s... not exactly easy to handle.”

“I’ll manage,” Alex replied calmly, already taking the leash from its hook by the door. Without hesitation, he clipped it onto Griffin’s collar and gave a slight tug.

The massive dog rose from the ground without resistance, falling into step beside Alex as if they had known each other for years.

***

Victoria descended the stairs, adjusting her blouse as she prepared for her meetup with Emma. As she stepped onto the porch, the warm evening air greeted her.

But what caught her attention wasn’t the fading sunlight. It was Griffin.

Her loyal Tibetan Mastiff, who barely obeyed anyone, stood quietly at Alex’s side near the garden. Victoria blinked in disbelief.

Griffin wasn’t just sitting calmly. His massive head tilted toward Alex as though waiting for instructions.

Victoria crossed her arms. "Griffin," she called sharply, half-expecting her dog to immediately bound toward her as usual.

To her shock, Griffin hesitated. The dog’s gaze shifted between her and Alex, his body twitching as though he wanted to obey her but was waiting for... permission?

Victoria’s eyes narrowed. "Griffin," she repeated, firmer this time. But the Mastiff still didn’t move.

Alex, who had been casually stroking Griffin’s fur, glanced up at her with an innocent expression, as if he hadn’t noticed the standoff unfolding in front of him.

"Don’t take it personally, but…" he said softly, "he just seems to like me."

Victoria huffed and strode over to them. "Well, it took me six months to get him to listen to me, and you—" she gestured at Alex—"you’ve been here for a day, and suddenly he’s glued to your side? What exactly did you do to him?"

Alex shrugged, completely unbothered. "Nothing special. Dogs are intuitive. They pick up on energy, trustworthiness, I guess." He glanced down at Griffin, who still hadn’t budged.

Victoria’s brow furrowed. "Trustworthiness?" She shook her head. "He’s never disobeyed me like this." She snapped her fingers at Griffin again, but the dog remained by Alex’s side. It was clear his loyalty had shifted.

Annoyed, she reached for Griffin’s leash, gently yanking it. The Mastiff stood reluctantly, giving one last look at Alex before padding over to Victoria’s side.

She stared at Alex, her frustration growing by the second. "What did you do to my fur baby, Alex?" she demanded. "He’s acting like you’re his master."

Alex raised both hands. "I didn’t do anything. Maybe he just likes the company. You’ve got nothing to worry about."

Victoria scowled. "Oh, I’m not worried. Just irritated that he seems to have forgotten who’s in charge around here." She tugged on Griffin’s leash, leading the Mastiff toward the door. "Come on, Griffin," she muttered under her breath. "Let’s get inside."

Griffin, for all his hesitation, finally followed her, casting one last look at Alex as though expecting a command.

Alex only smiled at the dog.

Victoria barely made it halfway to the front door when the deep rumble of engines echoed down the driveway. She paused, turning toward the sound.

Several sleek, black luxury cars rolled up the gravel path, their polished surfaces gleaming in the sunset.

Her heart sank.

The lead car stopped first, and one by one, the others followed suit, lining up like an imposing convoy. Victoria’s grip on Griffin’s leash tightened instinctively, and she felt the tension rising in the air.

"What the…” Her stomach knotted with dread.

Alex straightened slightly, narrowing his eyes as he assessed the approaching cars. "Looks like company," he said quietly.

Victoria swallowed, her gaze flickering toward the vehicles. She recognized them immediately. They belonged to Dorian—her fiancé. And if he was here in person... it could only mean nothing but trouble.