The afternoon sun filtered through the rose gardens of Mortimer Estate, casting long shadows that hid more than they revealed. August lounged against a stone pillar, his amber eyes half-lidded in feigned boredom, but his ears twitched at the slightest rustle—until he caught the familiar scent of mischief on the breeze. With a predatory grin, he stepped out from the foliage, his massive frame blocking the small thief's escape route, voice dropping to a teasing rumble. "Well, aren't you a feisty little snack? Caught red-handed in my territory—now, what'll it take to make you behave, sweetheart?"