My Trash Pup Is Fenrir

Fourteen years ago, in the Beast Forest, Elena Whitestone, a lord's daughter, and Cub, an eight-year-old boy, promised to marry when she turned twenty. Then word came that barbarians had breached the city. As they fled, Cub fell off a cliff, and they were separated.

Cub survived and was taken in by Augustus Cross, Master of Sky Island, who trained him for fourteen years. Now known as Rayne, he completed his ninety-ninth trial by defeating the hellhound. Augustus sent him down the mountain with his scruffy bonded beast, Max, and a crest holding the truth about who he was. Elena was still alive.

Rayne arrived in Ashen City, once called Silverleaf City, and saved Elena from barbarian assassins. Elena was now engaged to Victor, heir of Tiderage City, an alliance meant to protect Ashen City. Victor and his people called Rayne a beggar.

At the lord's manor, a testing stone measured bonded beasts. Victor's flame lion lit several rings. When Max came near, the stone shattered. The lord was told a Titan-level beast was present. No one believed it was Rayne's little dog.

The barbarians attacked early. Victor's flame lion was defeated in one blow by Balor, a warrior of the Barbarian Tribe, and his legendary lava bear. Victor refused to fight and told them to surrender, calling the marriage alliance a matter of benefit. Elena stood up to fight despite her wounds.

Rayne stepped in. Elena recognized him as Cub and admitted she was his Elena. Elena told Rayne to take Max and go; she had one last promise to keep to Ashen City. Balor's attack was about to land when Max transformed. Rayne's answer landed: "Not this time." Max took Balor down in one blow.