A strange, deep howl echoed between the trees. Not really a howl — more like a vibration, as if the forest itself growled.

“What was that?” one of them asked, turning around.

In the next second, a huge white shape flashed between the trees.

And then he appeared — an Alabai. Huge, massive, with a broad chest and a heavy paw almost like a bear’s. His fur stood on end, his eyes were dark and filled with fury.

“What the hell…” one of the bandits managed to say.

The dog charged without any warning.

With a powerful strike, he knocked down the man holding the knife. The man didn’t even have time to scream — the dog was already over him, growling so deeply the air vibrated.