Chapter 2

Max dashed to the entrance of an alley and, as he expected, spotted a man in a black coat and backpack. He crouched down furtively, rummaging through a wallet.

The man wore a mask, revealing only a pair of shifty, beady eyes that darted around warily every so often.

Max knew that was his target and felt a rush of excitement. He immediately slowed his pace and quietly circled around to the man's back.

He knew that as a husky, he wasn't small, but his strength was limited. There was no way he could take down an adult on his own.

He had to find a way to get Claire's attention and let her handle the thief.

Max took a deep breath and lunged at the man's leg, sinking his teeth into the hem of his pants and letting out a loud, sharp growl.

The thief jerked in shock, scrambling to his feet and frantically kicking his leg, trying to shake Max off. "Damn dog! Get off."

Max clamped down stubbornly, ignoring the man's wild thrashing as he kept growling, his voice echoing through the alley. He was sure Claire was nearby and would hear him.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before Claire ran over. The moment she saw the scene, she put two and two together. Her gaze hardened. She whipped out her handcuffs and shouted, "Freeze! Police."

The thief's face went pale. He never expected to run into a cop. Panicking, he tried to turn and bolt, but Max had his pants locked tight in his jaws. He couldn't budge an inch.

Claire rushed forward, grabbed the thief's arm, and flipped him onto the ground, expertly snapping the cuffs on. "Don't move. You're coming with me."

The thief struggled a few times, but when he realized he couldn't break free, he hung his head, totally defeated.

Then, the system's robotic voice echoed in Max's mind. [Mission accomplished. Rewards received: Temporary olfactory enhancement (24 hours), neutering countdown extended by 72 hours. Current countdown: 96 hours.]

Max let out a sigh of relief, released his grip, and wagged his tail as he trotted over to Claire. He nudged her leg with his head, showing off and waiting for praise, his face full of pride.

Claire crouched down and ruffled his fur, her usual cool demeanor softening into a smile. "Didn't expect you to be so capable. You actually caught a thief. Alright, you'll get an extra drumstick when we get home."

Max barked, excited, feeling secretly pleased with himself. 'Looks like keeping my manhood isn't so hard after all. And getting praised by Claire? That's not so bad either,' he thought.

Claire stood up, grabbed the thief's backpack, and glanced down at Max, giving him a helpless smile. "Come on, Max. Let's go home."

Max wagged his tail and trotted after Claire toward home. Sunlight spilled over the two of them, wrapping the scene in a warm, peaceful glow.

Max knew it was only the beginning. He still had a ton of missions to finish and a long road ahead. But he was not scared anymore because he finally had a goal and someone he wanted to protect.

Claire's place wasn't big, but it was spotless and cozy: a one-bedroom, one-living-room setup with simple decor. The living room opened up to a balcony, where a small desk sat with Claire's police cap and a stack of crime investigation books.

As soon as they walked in, Max started to explore. He dashed around the living room, sniffing every corner, getting used to his new surroundings. His nose was sharp, and with the system's temporary olfactory enhancement, he could pick up every scent in the room.

Claire had handed the thief over to a nearby patrol officer before coming home. She changed into a loose gray sweatshirt, her skin looking smoother against the soft fabric, and her expression relaxed. The usual workday intensity faded away.

"Stay put. I'll get you something to eat," Claire said, giving Max's head a gentle rub before heading into the kitchen.

Max sat on the living room floor, watching Claire's back, feeling a warm, fuzzy glow in his chest.

In his previous life, he'd always lived alone, coming home after work to nothing but a cold apartment and takeout. Having someone cook for him, someone who actually cared, was a feeling he'd never known before; though he was now a dog.

Before long, Claire walked out of the kitchen carrying a dog bowl loaded up with kibble and a massive chicken drumstick, its mouthwatering aroma practically calling Max over.

Max shot over and started wolfing it down, barely pausing for breath. He hadn't tasted anything this delicious for a while. Ever since he became a dog, it had been boring old kibble, and he was totally sick of it.

Claire settled onto the couch nearby, watching him devour his meal like he hadn't eaten in days, and couldn't help but laugh. "Slow down. Nobody's gonna snatch it from you. If you're still hungry, there's more."

Max glanced up at Claire, his mouth stuffed with kibble, and let out a couple of muffled barks before burying his head back in the bowl.