Episode 4
979 Words
Chapter 4: The Devil's Kingdom
The city moved fast.
Crowded roads.
Towering glass buildings.
Luxury brands.
Noise.
Power.
But for Rudransh Singh Rathore—
None of it mattered.
Because today—
Pihu was smiling.
And that alone made the world tolerable.
The massive black convoy stopped in front of one of the most luxurious malls in the city.
Rathore Royale Mall.
Owned entirely by Rudransh Singh Rathore.
Built by his empire.
Controlled by his rules.
Protected by his men.
The second Pihu stepped out of the car—
The entire entrance staff lowered their heads respectfully.
"Good morning, sir."
Rudransh gave a slight nod.
But before Pihu could admire the grand entrance—
A large white blur jumped out behind her.
"Leo!"
Her face lit up instantly.
The giant white panther landed beside her like royalty, his golden eyes scanning everything around him.
Customers froze.
Guards stiffened.
Children gasped.
Some people stepped back in fear.
Because Leo—
With his massive size, white fur, and predatory aura—
Was absolutely terrifying.
But Pihu?
She immediately hugged his neck.
"My baby!"
Leo nuzzled her affectionately.
Completely harmless.
At least—
To her.
Rudransh adjusted his cuffs calmly.
"He goes where you go."
Pihu looked at him, smiling brightly.
"Really?"
His expression remained unreadable.
But his answer was simple.
"Always."
And just like that—
Her heart betrayed her again.
Inside the Mall
The moment Rudransh entered—
The atmosphere changed.
Managers appeared instantly.
Security doubled.
Entire sections were discreetly cleared.
Because when the king entered—
His kingdom responded.
Pihu looked around in awe.
"This whole mall is yours?"
Rudransh glanced at her.
"Yes."
She stopped walking dramatically.
"Wait..."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You mean..."
She pointed around wildly.
"All of THIS?"
"Yes."
Her jaw dropped.
"Rudra, you literally own my shopping addiction."
For the first time that day—
A genuine smirk appeared.
"Unfortunately."
Leo walked proudly beside Pihu like her personal bodyguard, causing everyone to maintain a safe distance.
Some people admired him.
Most feared him.
One child whispered loudly—
"Mama... is that a tiger?"
Pihu burst into laughter.
Leo looked offended.
"He's not a tiger!"
Rudransh corrected calmly.
"He's worse."
First Store Chaos
Pihu dragged Rudransh into a luxury clothing boutique.
Leo, naturally, followed.
The employees looked like they might faint.
But no one dared object.
Because if Rudransh wanted a panther inside—
Then clearly—
The panther belonged there.
"Rudra!"
Pihu held up two dresses.
"This one or this one?"
Rudransh barely glanced.
"Neither."
She frowned.
"Why?"
"The black one is too tight."
"And?"
"The white one is too short."
Pihu blinked.
"You're impossible."
"No."
He calmly selected another dress.
"This."
She looked at it.
Elegant.
Sophisticated.
Covered.
Very... him.
"Are you shopping for me," she asked suspiciously, "or trying to prevent homicide?"
His gaze darkened slightly.
"Both."
Trial Room
When Pihu stepped out wearing his choice—
The boutique went silent.
Soft pink.
Graceful.
Beautiful.
Leo immediately sat beside her protectively.
As if guarding royalty.
Rudransh looked up—
And every dangerous instinct inside him sharpened.
She was stunning.
Far too stunning.
Nearby men glanced.
Big mistake.
Rudransh's expression shifted instantly.
Cold.
Lethal.
Leo growled softly.
A warning.
The men immediately looked away.
Pihu blinked.
"What happened?"
Rudransh stepped closer, adjusting her sleeve gently.
"Nothing."
His voice lowered.
"But you're wearing this only when I'm present."
Her breath hitched.
"Rudra..."
"Problem?"
The answer was obvious.
No.
Absolutely not.
Leo's Mall Fame
As they moved through the mall—
Leo became an attraction himself.
Children pointed excitedly.
Teenagers secretly took pictures.
Employees nervously stayed out of his path.
Pihu giggled.
"Leo, you're famous."
Leo walked with extra pride.
Rudransh sighed.
"Don't encourage him."
Too late.
Pihu had already bought Leo a luxury black bowtie.
"Put this on him!"
"No."
"Please?"
"...Fine."
Five minutes later—
Leo strutted through the mall wearing a designer bowtie worth more than most people's salaries.
And somehow—
He pulled it off.
The top floor food court had already been privately secured.
Because Rudransh didn't trust public spaces.
Pihu happily ate while Leo rested beside her, receiving special gourmet meat prepared exclusively for him.
"Rudra."
"No."
"I didn't even ask yet."
"You were about to."
She pouted.
"I want dessert."
"You already had dessert."
"That was pre-dessert."
Silence.
Rudransh stared.
Leo looked at him.
Pihu smiled sweetly.
And once again—
The devil lost.
"Fine."
Her face lit up.
"You're the best!"
Dangerous mafia lord.
Business emperor.
Feared by thousands.
Destroyed by one woman and one panther.
While Rudransh took a business call—
A brave (and deeply foolish) man approached Pihu.
"Hi... I just wanted to say you're really beauti—"
Leo stood up.
Immediately.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
The man froze.
Leo's growl was low.
Deadly.
And before things escalated—
Rudransh appeared.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Do you have a death wish?"
The man went pale.
"I-I—"
Rudransh stepped forward.
"She is under my protection."
A pause.
"Actually..."
His gaze darkened.
"She is min... with me ."
he corrected
Complete silence.
Pihu's heart stopped.
The stranger practically ran for his life.
Pihu turned toward him, stunned.
"Rudra..."
He looked down at her.
Expression unreadable.
"Stay close."
And though his words sounded like an order—
They felt dangerously close to a confession.
From the highest VIP floor—
A hidden observer watched everything unfold.
Pihu.
Leo.
Rudransh's possessiveness.
His weakness.
His love.
And slowly—
A cruel smile appeared.
"So..."
A voice whispered.
"The devil's heart does beat."
A phone call was made.
"Prepare the plan."
The voice turned colder.
"We're going to use her."
As Rudransh walked beside Pihu—
Completely unaware that war had just begun—
Leo suddenly stopped.
His sharp golden eyes narrowed.
His growl deepened.
Because unlike humans—
Predators always sensed danger first.
End of Chapter 4
- Writer
