The next morning, the family split up to search for answers. Father told Melony and Mom to stay and care for the dog. He would ask around the village.

By evening, he returned with a heavy expression, setting his hat on the table with a sigh.

“A neighbor said that short men from the Village of the Three Mountains were seen near the forest this morning. They took all the puppies…”

“What! It has to be them… the Dog-Headed Wizard!” Melony’s mom said, her voice serious.

“Who’s the Dog-Headed Wizard?” Melony asked, puzzled.

“My dear,” her father said gently, stroking her hair, “this may be hard, but you must know. That village is full of deception. The short folk hunt puppies to make potions for the wizard… in exchange for food, money, and comfort.”

“Potions? Made from puppies? What kind of magic is that?” Melony frowned, confused and horrified.

“Witchcraft… it grants whatever villagers desire. But it uses puppy blood as an ingredient. There might be deeper secrets we don’t yet understand,” her father said, preparing their travel gear.

“That place is far. It takes short folk three days to reach us, but your mom and I only took a day to get there. We came back to gather supplies for the long trip,” her mom added, carrying another bag.

The mother dog slightly lifted her head, eyes brimming with gratitude despite her silence.

Her father embraced Melony. “Your mom and I will go to the Village of the Three Mountains. We’ll bring Hamby and the others back. I promise.”

Melony hugged him tightly.

—The second night without seeing her children… the mother dog’s heart must be breaking—

Moonlight filtered through wispy clouds, casting a faint glow on the tall family’s roof. That silver hope reflected in the mother dog’s eyes… as she gazed into the pitch-black night beyond.

Every silence hides a shadow of danger. What will Melony do when fate has already determined something?