"Back there?" Cameron turned to look behind the castle, where an endless expanse of lush trees stretched into the distance,


    Bradley nodded,


    Eddie sidled up. "Count me in."


    Pearl roared and edged closer to Cameron, prompting Eddie to hastily retreat behind Bradley.


    Seeing Eddie''s unease, Cameron hesitated. "It...probably won''t bite?"


    Eddie eyed the tiger warily. "You sure?"


    Cameron shrugged. "Actually... Uh, not entirely."


    Eddie blinked. "Well."


    Bending down, Cameron ruffled Pearl''s furry head. "Be good, Pearl. Mr. Saunders is my friend."


    Pearl let out a low rumble, nuzzling Cameron''s palm as if understanding.


    Bradley led them around the castle to the rear, where a dense forest loomed, separated by the iron fence twice a man''s height.


    Pearl let out an eager growl, the call of a predator drawn to the wild.


    Bradley utched the gate, and in a sh, Pearl bolted into the forest, letting out an excited growl.


    "Pearl!" Cameron moved to follow.


    But Bradley stopped her. "You can''t go in there."


    "Why?" she asked, puzzled.


    Bradley exined, "That''s untouched wilderness, full of predators. It''s dangerous."


    "But Pearl..." Cameron frowned slightly.


    "Pearl is a tiger," Bradley said. "It will be fine."


    Cameron hesitated. "But Pearl has been captive all its life."


    "That doesn''t erase its instincts." Bradley was calm.


    Minutester, Eddie gasped. "Look!"


    Cameron and Bradley both turned. Pearl came bounding back, proudly carrying a half-grown deer in its jaws.


    Cameron was stunned.


    Bradley opened the gate, and Pearl trotted in triumphantly. The gate clicked shut behind it.


    Pearl dropped its prize at Cameron''s feet with a proud growl.


    Cameron stroked Pearl''s head. Without hesitation, Pearl tore into the deer''s


    throat, blood sttering as it feasted.


    Eddie recoiled. "That''s... brutal."


    Bradley shrugged. "It''s just nature''sw."


    "Brad, you''re colder than a sewer rat," Eddie pouted.


    Bradley rolled his eyes at him."


    Watching Pearl relish its meal, Cameron smiled. She thought, ''This ce is perfect. But


    "Is this forest open ess?" she asked, worrying that Pearl would run off.


    Bradley shook his head. "It''spletely enclosed. The walls are over 50 feet high with electric wiring. Only birds get through."


    Cameron raised a brow. "Good. Impressive setup."


    Eddie grinned, shing his charming eyes. "You bet it is, bro. It took me forever to scout this spot for Pearl in Viremont."


    Before Cameron could thank Eddie, Bradley cut in, "I paid for it."


    Eddie scoffed, "I did the legwork."


    Cameron smiled, "Thank you, Brad. And Mr. Saunders."


    Eddie groaned, "Just call me Eddie."


    Cameron nodded. "Thank you, Eddie."


    "Anytime." Eddie winked.


    Bradley gestured to the four guys outside. "Pearl will stay here. I hired them specifically to take care of Pearl from now on."


    40


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