18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 129

If it weren't for Jasper's quick reflexes, he would've been badly scratched by the dog.

Cooper lunged forward, his robust body pushing him aside as he landed on Stella, asserting dominance. He didn't forget to bare his teeth menacingly at him, letting out a fierce "Woof!" 'Back off, don't touch my human!'

He reacted so violently it scared Stella. If it weren't for their bond, and the fact that he was dependent on Jasper for food, she would seriously suspect he might bite Jasper's hand off. Despite Cooper's fierce demeanor, he was usually peaceful unless provoked, but displaying aggression towards his own people was a first.

When Jasper first started training with Stella, Cooper thought he was bullying her and tried to intervene, but he never showed his teeth like this. "Cooper!" Stella sternly called out.

Not only was he jealous, but he was also bossy.

Cooper pushed his ears flat and whimpered, using his paw to push Jasper away, clearly expressing his resentment and baring teeth, again.

Jasper tried to reach out to soothe him, but was fiercely rejected.

Something was off with Cooper, and Stella quickly took him home. "Cooper, what's the matter?"

Stella was a little worried, wondering if some change was causing him to be aggressive and violent. But then he was wagging his tail and putting his ears down, completely unlike his earlier outburst. "Were you trying to bite your trainer?" she asked, pulling his ear.

Well, just mentioning it made him bare his teeth again.

Cooper's hostility was something Stella had seen before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Since Cooper was a member of the 18th floor group, and he had witnessed everything, there was no point in hiding anything. She confidently admitted, "Cooper, your trainer and I are dating."

And there it was again, the baring of teeth.

Stella gently patted Cooper's head to soothe him, "Don't worry. No matter what happens between him and me, you'll always be important to me."

Cooper was angry and turned his head away from her. Did she think she could fool a dog? Cooper had heard these promises before, and then he ended up at a butcher's shop. If he was so important, why was there someone else? Despite his anger towards his owner, Cooper seemed desperate to hold onto something. He followed Stella everywhere, his eyes filled with sorrow, resentment, and deep unease.

A rabbit hopped over, only to be growled at and chased away by Cooper.

What a grumpy dog.

In the evening, when the walkie-talkie rang, Stella was about to pick it up, only for Cooper to snatch it and start chewing on it.

After a struggle, she managed to retrieve it. The casing was chewed up, but it still worked.

"Stella, come and have dinner."

"I'll pass. I'll make something myself today."

There was a pause on the other end, "Because of Cooper?"

Stella hesitated, "I don't know why, but his mood is a little off."

Due to his job, Jasper frequently dealt with the police dog base. Not only were there professional trainers, but also canine psychologists. He probably knew where the issue was. "How about I have a talk with Cooper?" he suggested. Stella was skeptical, "I'm afraid you two will end up fighting."

"Cooper was abandoned by his previous owner, and even ended up at a butcher's shop. This must have had a huge impact on him. Usually, even in the worst conditions, pets are given away, not sold to butcher's shop. That's almost unthinkable unless something really terrible happened. You should try to calm him down first. If that doesn't work, I'll talk to him?"

Jasper's words reminded Stella of something. She looked down at Cooper, who was latched onto her pant leg like his life depended on it, and suddenly understood, "I think I know what's wrong."

She ended the call and knelt down to hold Cooper, "Cooper, did your previous owner abandon you for a man?"

Cooper froze instantly, his body shaking.

"Was that man Hector?"

Hector seemed to be allergic to dogs, with mild symptoms including constant sneezing and severe ones involving rashes all over his body.

Cooper was incredibly loyal. Stella had fed him in a previous life, and he was willing to risk his life to protect her. Therefore, unless there was a special circumstance, he would never pee on his previous owner. Hector had it worse. Every time they met, he got bitten. Given Hector's playboy nature, it was quite common for him to hook up with Cooper's previous owner. Hector's charming, sun-kissed looks, sweet words, and manipulative tactics could easily make girls fall head over heels for him, even to the point of giving up everything, including their pets.

Sure enough, just the mention of Hector's name made Cooper bare his teeth, almost to the point of flying into a rage. Stella gently comforted him, "Cooper, in your previous life, you protected me with your life. In this life, no matter who I meet, you'll always be the most important to me, and I will never abandon you because of some man."

Cooper stared at her deeply, as if he was crying, incessantly pawing at his face. In the end, he stubbornly turned his face away, refusing to communicate.

For a day and a night, he refused to eat or drink.

Stella didn't expect it to be this serious, his hunger strike was making her anxious.

Jasper knocked on the door, "Let me have a talk with him."

Stella felt conflicted, but made space for him in the living room, waiting in the hallway.

As soon as Jasper entered, Cooper stood up and bared his teeth defensively. Jasper closed the door behind him and commanded in a deep voice, "At ease!"

Cooper immediately obeyed, standing tall and alert. By the time he realized something was amiss, Jasper was already at his side.

Jasper sat on the floor, face to face with Cooper, "Cooper, I know you're loyal and want to protect her for life. But that doesn't stop me from liking her." Cooper bared his teeth even more.

Jasper reached out to pet him, but Cooper knocked his hand away, his muscles tensing up.

"Cooper, I'm not here to tear you two apart, but to join you."

Cooper's eyes widened. 'I don't need this!'

"I know you're very strong, but the world out there is dangerous. Are you sure you can protect her all on your own?"

"How about we have a match?" Jasper suddenly suggested, "If I win, I'll protect her with you, okay?"

'Come on, who was afraid? Let's fight.'

And so, both parties prepared themselves, creating a tense atmosphere.

Jasper stood up, grabbing Cooper's front paws and positioning himself, "Three, two, one!"

He moved swiftly, kicking at Cooper's hind legs. Cooper, losing his balance, fell to the ground, questioning his existence.

He rolled over, leaping up, wanting to tear Jasper apart.

"At ease!" Jasper issued the command again.

His damn legs wouldn't move again.

"You're a good dog, Cooper. If you lose, you lose. No cheating."

The dog, battered and bruised from losing so badly, remained silent. He was about to lose his mind.

"Let's make a deal. If I ever treat her badly in the future, you can teach me a lesson then, okay?"