The man bolted into the half-built structure.

Rex barked once — sharp, focused — then sprinted after him. Luke followed, gun drawn.

He heard shouting, footsteps, and then — gunfire.

One shot. Then silence.

“Rex!” Luke shouted, his voice echoing through the hollow beams.

When he turned the corner, his stomach dropped. The suspect stood frozen, bleeding from his shoulder.

And Rex… lay still beside him, his fur soaked, his body between the man and Luke.

The suspect lowered the gun, shaking. “He… he saved me.”