Just when Caroline thought Raven would be single forever, she noticed Snow staring at him with sparkling eyes. It was like she was shouting that Raven was amazing and cool. Caroline was speechless again. Animals weren't really her thing. After greeting General's pack, Caroline reached out and petted his massive head once more. He had even more scars now—each one a badge of surviving the apocalypse. "Thanks, General. Thanks for remembering me ... and for showing up when I needed you." At that moment, Caroline felt it again—that pure, honest kind of love animals have. She looked at General's pack and silently hoped they'd thrive in Hornvale. They could grow into a force no one would dare mess with. But she also gave him a serious warning. "Watch humans. Seriously—keep your distance. Don't trust people easily." General's bright eyes locked on hers. No words, but she could tell he got it. Once a dog who'd been used and almost eaten, he'd carved out his own place in this harsh world. When Caroline's group waved goodbye to General and his mutant pack, the sun was already spreading gold across the horizon. The dogs marched off in a long line, slowly drifting away. After a while, General leaped onto a high spot and let out a long, clear howl to Caroline. The pack joined in, and Snow howled back from their side. Half a salute, half a farewell—it was a moment that stayed with them as they climbed into the car and drove away. As they moved, Jet suddenly snuck into Caroline's arms like he was sharing a secret. She'd never seen a bird look so mischievous. Right then, Jet's face had that exact look. He looked so mischievous that he made her want to grab that goofy tuft on his head. Jet chuckled and piped up, "Wanna hear some gossip about General?"He was born to socialize. Earlier, while the mutant dogs ate, Jet had zipped through the pack like a party crasher. The dogs knew he was with Caroline, so no one challenged him. But Jet was relentless—hopping, poking, snatching nuts from under wings, and getting cozy with everyone. Then he spilled the "gossip." The thing was, Jet had never met General before. Back when Caroline and Raven saved him, Jet wasn't there. And when General showed up at the apartment, Jet hadn't left home yet. So the big dog's sudden appearance had Jet super curious. He sneaked through the pack, chirping happily, gathering info. Those dogs had been wandering for ages. Finally getting a good meal put them in a chatty mood. Jet had his own plan. Since Caroline trusted General so much, he had to make sure that this dog wasn't a scammer. Jet always looked out for his human. According to Jet, General was the smartest dog in the pack. He even picked the prettiest mate. He made the rules—one dog, one partner. No messy free-for-all, like other packs. They didn't steal from humans either. They kept their distance, living off mutant creatures and scraps in abandoned houses. Their home wasn't nearby. They were just passing through and ran into Caroline's crew by chance. "I don't think General is as clever as Raven or as fierce as Snow. But I gotta admit—he's a real man!" Caroline's mouth twitched. Did Jet binge any drama lately? Since when was he a romantic commentator? "General has been telling the pack stories about you and Raven. Everyone knows about you two. Every single one of them considers you their friend. Of course, with their not-so-bright dog brains, they don't really understand the relationship—they just know 'friend' and 'teammate.' Hmph, they should really be calling you benefactors!" "This time, General even gave orders treating you as part of the pack. If we hit danger together, they're supposed to help us. That's why I say he's a real man."