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00:00The premium service class wolf I bought didn't like me. He only wagged his tail for my adopted
00:04sister. So I brought home a low-class stress relief wolf instead. I was drunk sitting outside
00:10the bar and smoking to sober up. A street vendor crept over. Miss, you look totally stressed out.
00:15Need to let it all out? I've got a stress relief wolf. Good for unwinding. What? The dealer glanced
00:22around nervously. A wolf shifter stepped into the light. He stepped forward and his shadow fell
00:26across my face. The vendor yanked the rough collar and dragged him to one knee. He unclipped a rusted
00:31bite guard, then grabbed the wolf's hair and pulled his head back, exposing his face. His narrow eyes
00:36locked on me like a wild beast. Look at that face, miss. Wouldn't it feel good to smack something that
00:42pretty? He was exactly my type. And my doctor had said my stress hormones were out of control.
00:47I genuinely needed an outlet. But I already had a wolf at home. Ash would mind. Get up. Show her
00:53your build. The wolf stood slowly. He peeled off his shirt. I saw the bruises layered over bruises.
00:59High stamina. Heals fast. 2,000 for two hours of release. You can do whatever you want. Just
01:05don't slit his throat and drain his blood and he'll recover. Slit his throat? People's tastes
01:10had gotten that dark. Forget it. My wolf at home wouldn't let me touch him anyway. This one was cheap.
01:15Obedient sounded fine. How much to buy him outright? Not cheap. He's our best. Name your price.
01:21I'll give you a discount. Just 58,800. My parents spent millions on Ash, my premium
01:29service wolf gift. This one was practically free by comparison. Too much? Fine. Round it
01:35down. 50 grand. I bought him for 5,000 in the end. I wasn't ready to go home yet. So
01:40I took
01:41him to a hotel. The vendor gave me a long list of warnings on the way out. Don't remove the
01:47bike guard until he's fully tamed. Keep the chains on. Both of them. In the hotel suite,
01:53Eli stood still in the entryway, eyes down, waiting for whatever came next. I came out of
01:59the shower wrapped in a robe, still not daring to take off his restraints yet. Go shower. He
02:03looked at me for a few seconds, then turned and walked into the bathroom. After a few minutes,
02:09I knocked. I left my phone in there. He hadn't locked the door. Eli froze his back to me. His
02:14pale
02:15skin made his scars all the more shocking. Water streamed down his shoulders along the rusted
02:19chains, washing away rust and dried blood. His tail hung low, trembling slightly. The fur was dull,
02:25brittle, wild, and fragile at the same time. My brain went offline. I crossed the room and hugged
02:31him from behind, pressed my lips to the bruising on his spine. Eli shuddered. His whole body went
02:36rigid. What are you doing? First time I'd heard his voice. Take it easy. That's not. Hmm? What is
02:43that? That's not how stress Rameef works. I've never done this before. Bear with me. I pushed him
02:48onto the bed. I kissed every bruise, one by one. He lay still and let me, his body tense the
02:53whole
02:53time. He didn't know how to respond. Then, at the crucial moment, he reached out and locked his hand
02:59around my waist. Are you sure? Yeah. I'm just a low-class wolf. My answer was to stop waiting.
03:05He let out a muffled sound and closed his eyes. Ash was my parents' apology. A premium,
03:13competition-grade service wolf. A compensation for the 18 years they lost me. I was 5 when I
03:17disappeared. 23 when they finally found me. When I came home, I found out my parents had
03:23already adopted a little girl, Emma. She'd been with them since she was a baby. She was 17 now.
03:28When I appeared, Emma fell apart. Get out! I'm their real daughter! Why are you here taking my
03:35parents? This is my home! Get out! She screamed and sobbed and threw everything she could reach
03:41at me. Don't cry. You'll always be our daughter. Zoe coming back doesn't change how much we love
03:48you. Emma's been spoiled. You're 6 years older. Just try to be patient with her. I should have
03:55been devastated, but I was 23. I survived those lonely years craving my parents. Now, I was in the
04:01phase of desperately needing money. I let my eyes well up, looked down. I understand, dad. Playing
04:08vulnerable worked. The monthly allowance they wired me kept going up. Morning. I had my cheek pressed
04:15against Eli's arm. My best friend Lily texted me. Where are you? Did you do your usual disappearing
04:21act and go home alone again? No. I bought a new stress relief wolf last night. Been busy. Zoe,
04:27what is wrong with you? I know you're upset that your wolf at home ignores you, but you can't just
04:32go buy a punching bag. You couldn't bring yourself to hit the expensive one, so you went out and bought
04:37a cheap one to beat up? I would report you if you weren't my best friend. I am appalled. I
04:43didn't hit
04:44him. Why would I hit a dog? Then how did you unwind? The way you're thinking. On bed. We both
04:50stopped
04:50typing. Then she sent me a long message explaining everything. Stress relief wolves were illegal.
04:55Traffickers stole young shifters or bought low-class ones cheap. Then they tortured and filtered them,
05:01keeping only those with strong bodies and fast healing. Some became living punching bags for
05:06paying clients. Others ended up in underground fight rings, death matches. Even after rescue,
05:12these wolves were considered feral and untamable. Official shelters offered them for free adoption,
05:16the ones no one took. Euthanized. I know where he lives, if you regret it. I startled, quickly darkened
05:27my screen and turned over. He runs with a crew. They probably won't give you the money back.
05:37But if I catch him alone, I might be able to... I don't regret it. As long as you behave.
05:44Only
05:44listen to me. Nobody else. Okay. There were a few faint scars along the fur of his ears. I couldn't
05:51help it. I reached out to touch them. His ears snapped back instantly. He flinched away. This one
05:57wouldn't let me touch his ears either. Sorry. Force of habit. You can touch them now.
06:07If you still want to. I didn't hesitate. I swung up and sat across his waist, braced my hands on
06:12his
06:12chest and squeezed his ears between my fingers. Eli's breathing deepened. His whole body got warmer.
06:17He tipped his head back, eyes half-lidded, watching me. Can we do it again?
06:24We didn't go straight home. I took Eli to a shifter clinic first. The doctor said his healing
06:29ability was excellent. The bruising wasn't a concern, but severe malnutrition. He needed
06:34long-term supplementation. The total for all the supplements cost more than I'd paid for him.
06:39I don't need it. I can eat anything. Don't spend the money. I won't die.
06:43This amount was what Ash burned through on snacks every month.
06:46It's fine. Do you like these?
06:48I held out a new collar and bite guard in front of him. Slim black metal collar. Custom black bite
06:54guard to match. I hadn't wanted him to keep wearing restraints, but the doctor was firm.
06:59Don't let a feral wolf's looks fool you. He could take out your throat in one bite.
07:03So I'd picked the most comfortable version I could find. When the doctor removed the old
07:07bite guard, he held it up to the light. Fight ring or stress relief. Before this, I mean.
07:14Both. Figured. Look at these bite marks. He did this to himself when the pain got too bad.
07:21Those are from last night. I went very still. In the ring? No. He looked at my back. From when
07:28I was being used. We got home past midnight. Mom and Dad were already asleep. Ash was probably in
07:33Emma's room, as usual. Come in. He hadn't moved. He was staring at something on the floor. I bent
07:41down and picked it up. This is Ash's. On my first birthday in this house, Mom and Dad had given
07:49me
07:49Ash. Zoe's too quiet. We thought having a companion might open her up. Back then, Ash hadn't shifted
07:55yet. Just a small black wolf pup. Why does she get one and I don't? You said you wouldn't pick
08:00favorites. He's mine. She snatched the puppy and ran out. Didn't come back. My birthday dinner was
08:08ruined. My birthday present was gone. Mom and Dad were a mess for days. I cried too. I'm so sorry.
08:15I made her leave. It's my fault. Twelve days later, one girl and one scruffy wolf pup appeared at the
08:21front door. Mom, Dad, I'm so hungry. I was wrong. I'm never running again. Mom and Dad rushed out and
08:29all three of them sobbed together on the doorstep. When they finally looked up, Mom's face went guilty
08:34the instant she saw me standing there. Mom, you hit me? Do you know what the last 12 days were
08:40like?
08:41I just got back and you're hitting me. Do you ever think about what your sister's last 18 years were
08:44like? If you ever make Zoe feel unwelcome in this house again, don't call me Mom. After that, Emma stopped
08:53coming after me openly. She gave Ash back a few weeks later. Not long after that, he shifted dark
08:59curls, soft, downturned eyes. He tilted his head at me and said his first shifted word.
09:04E.
09:06I'm Emma! You remember me! You remember me!
09:13Of course. I remember everything about Emma. Mom and Dad sighed and put an arm around me.
09:20It took weeks of trying before Ash reluctantly accepted that I was his owner. But he refused to
09:25wag his tail for me. Refused to let me touch his ears. Never waited by the door for me. He
09:31only
09:31reacted to Emma's footsteps. He only waited for her. I watched them every time. I told myself I didn't
09:37really care. Because Ash's monthly expenses came out of the account in my name. And Mom and Dad's
09:41quiet guilt kept filling that same account. But lately, I'd been breaking out. Stress hormones,
09:46the doctor said. Ash wouldn't touch me. Eli had shown up at exactly the right moment.
09:51I had no reason to say no.
09:55Sleep with me tonight? I'll take you shopping for clothes.
09:58Will he mind?
09:59Who?
10:00Ash. Wolves are territorial.
10:02He doesn't like sleeping with me. It's fine.
10:04Do you need it again tonight?
10:06Need what?
10:07Stress relief.
10:08I do. But my legs are killing me.
10:10I have good stamina. You can just lie there.
10:12That's very considerate of you.
10:14It's nothing.
10:16In the morning, I stepped out of my room at the exact same time as Ash.
10:20Zoe, why were you talking in your sleep last night? All those little sounds, it was loud.
10:24Sorry. I'll keep it down.
10:26Were you having a nightmare? I thought I heard you crying.
10:29I was having the time of my life.
10:31If you ever have a nightmare, you can-
10:32Ash, I can't find my slippers.
10:34Don't walk around barefoot.
10:36He stepped right past me and went into Emma's room.
10:38How did your slippers end up in the living room if you were in your room?
10:42Because you carried me to bed last night and forgot to bring them.
10:45He sat her on his knee, found the bunny slippers, and put them on her feet.
10:49One by one, patient.
10:50Then he headed upstairs to the bathroom.
10:52Perfect service, wolf. Just not mine.
10:54Zoe, my laundry's in the hamper. Take it to the dry cleaner.
10:59What's that smell?
11:00What?
11:01He stepped close, pressed his nose to my neck, then inhaled.
11:04The deeper he breathed, the harder his hand gripped my waist.
11:06Zoe, why do you smell like another wolf?
11:09Eli had just opened the door and walked out.
11:11He was half a head taller than Ash.
11:13That's my scent.
11:18Zoe, who is that?
11:19His name is Eli. He's my new wolf.
11:21What? You got another wolf?
11:25What about me?
11:26Oh, wow. Mom, Dad, come look.
11:28Zoe got a new wolf.
11:30This is Eli, our newest family member.
11:33Sir, ma'am.
11:34He's even more handsome than Ash.
11:36Competition grade, I assume?
11:37Zoe gets so much allowance.
11:38Competition grade?
11:39He's wearing a muzzle.
11:40His fur is splitting.
11:41His shirt is falling apart.
11:42He's shedding everywhere.
11:43He's feral bottom class.
11:44The kind shelters can't even give away.
11:46Zoe, you only brought him home to mess with me, didn't you?
11:48If he goes feral and hurts you, don't come crying to me.
11:50Zoe, we're not against you keeping him.
11:52We just want you safe.
11:53We can't lose you again.
11:55I won't hurt her.
11:56If it makes you feel better, I'll keep the restraints on.
11:59I can sleep in a crate at night.
12:00Only fight ring wolves sleep in crates.
12:02That's lower than a stress relief slave.
12:03I've already decided he's staying.
12:05Ash's expenses come from mom and dad.
12:08Eli's are on me.
12:09Zoe!
12:10Relax.
12:11Given how Zoe grew up, it makes sense she has a thing for low-class wolves.
12:15It's basically her aesthetic.
12:17Mom, dad, since Zoe has a new wolf, can I have Ash?
12:20He likes me more anyway.
12:22I'm just taking what's left over.
12:25Leftover drained the color from Ash's face.
12:27No.
12:28Ash was a gift from mom and dad.
12:30He's mine.
12:31I decide what happens to him.
12:32My certainty knocked something loose in him.
12:34For the first time, Ash wagged his tail for me.
12:37Just barely.
12:37Small, uncontrolled flicks.
12:39Even if you say that, I'm not forgiving you.
12:41I had no intention of giving him away.
12:43Not because I was attached.
12:45First, the budget they gave me for his upkeep was generous.
12:48I pocketed a healthy margin every month.
12:50Second, Ash was worth a lot.
12:51If I ever decided I was done, I could sell him for seven figures.
12:54Why would I hand that to Emma for free?
12:55She's right.
12:56He was given to Zoe.
12:58If you want him, talk to your sister.
13:01A few months earlier, mom and dad had planned a family camping trip to get us all bonding.
13:06Seven days.
13:06On the night we set up tents, everyone drank a little too much.
13:09Emma called me sis every five minutes.
13:11I called her sis back.
13:12Mom and dad were so happy.
13:13When I came back from a cigarette break, I saw Emma in my tent.
13:16The campfire had gone out.
13:17One small lantern flickered inside.
13:19Ash was lying on my sleeping bag.
13:21Emma was slowly crawling on top of him, leaning toward his mouth.
13:24Their shadows overlapped against the canvas.
13:26I watched Ash reach up and tuck her hair behind her ear, and kissed her back.
13:29Ash, promise me you won't touch her.
13:32But...
13:32Wait until I'm 18.
13:34It's only a few months.
13:35In this world, a wolf who slept with a human under 18 faced immediate disposal.
13:39You know I have standards.
13:41I don't like her touching me.
13:42Can't we just keep this clean between us?
13:44Ash said yes.
13:47The video ended.
13:48Emma, is this how I raised you?
13:50Using yourself to manipulate a wolf just to spite your sister?
13:53Zoe, I was drunk that night.
13:56I thought it was you coming.
13:57Nobody asked you.
13:58I paid for you.
13:58You're here to serve my daughter, not audition replacements.
14:01I'm calling your cellar today.
14:02Mom, why aren't you yelling at her?
14:04Can't you see how calculating she is?
14:05She recorded it.
14:06I made one stupid mistake and she plays it like this.
14:08Ever since she came back, you love me less.
14:10Are you really going to let her run my life?
14:12Emma, you did this.
14:13If you hadn't, there'd be nothing to record.
14:15Both of you, this month's allowances go to Zoe and you're both grounded for three days.
14:19A large sum landed in my account that afternoon.
14:22Mom and dad's invisible scale tipped a little more in my direction.
14:25I'd been fighting for things my whole life.
14:27This was no different.
14:29Three days without Emma or Ash hovering around.
14:32I took Eli shopping.
14:34Everywhere.
14:35He was a specimen.
14:36Built like every suit had been cut for him specifically.
14:40Everything looked good on him.
14:41So I wanted to buy him everything.
14:44But the best part was watching him in a dress suit.
14:48I went slightly feral and bought 12 custom tailored ones.
14:51Then I was too tired to walk.
14:53Eli carried everything with one arm and me with the other.
14:56I had my arm hooked around his neck, tracing the line of his nose with one finger.
15:01Eli, you look like this.
15:03Didn't they try to make you sell yourself?
15:06They tried.
15:06He set me on the bed and dropped to one knee, took off my heels, swapped them out for slippers.
15:13He'd watched Ash do it for Emma a hundred times.
15:16He hadn't fully adjusted to human scale gentleness yet.
15:19He kept catching himself, recalibrating his grip.
15:22But he'd memorized every step.
15:25And?
15:26He went a little pink.
15:28I didn't.
15:28I hurt the client and ran.
15:30They caught me.
15:31I stopped eating to fight back.
15:33They got scared I'd die and cost them money so they threw me in the ring.
15:37I hadn't eaten in three days.
15:39I don't know how I did it.
15:41I bit through the other wolf's throat.
15:44After that, I stayed in the ring.
15:46They kept my food limited so I'd be too weak to resist.
15:50The last fight, I got badly injured.
15:52They figured I was done so they put me on stress relief work.
15:56I survived that too.
15:58This week, they were debating sending me back to the ring.
16:01Then you bought me.
16:03Eli was still kneeling.
16:05Wearing the new suit I'd just bought him.
16:07Both hands wrapped lightly around mine.
16:10He had no idea he looked like he was proposing.
16:14I'm not hiding anything from you.
16:16I am a low-class, violent wolf.
16:19I've hurt humans.
16:20I've hurt my own kind.
16:22I grew up without learning to be around people.
16:24I don't know how to take care of someone.
16:27I barely know how to use a fork.
16:29I don't know how hard to hold you without hurting you.
16:32Last night when you cried,
16:34I panicked.
16:37I remembered.
16:38The second time was so much better than the first.
16:41I'd lost control and made a sound I hadn't expected.
16:44I'm sorry, did I hurt you?
16:45I misjudged.
16:46It's my fault.
16:48You can punish me, hit me, starve me, whatever you want.
16:52Just don't cry.
16:53Please.
16:54I remembered the apology going on for a while,
16:56but I'd passed out mid-sentence.
16:58No wonder the atmosphere that morning had been so heavy.
17:01He'd been stewing in it all night.
17:03You didn't hurt me.
17:04I cried because it was good.
17:06He pressed his nose against my neck.
17:08His silver-white ears brushed my face.
17:11I grabbed them.
17:13Eli's breathing hitched.
17:15He reached up, fingers calloused, deliberate, and slowly traced the side of my neck.
17:21The same spot Ash had pressed his nose against that morning.
17:25Methodical.
17:25Inch by inch.
17:27Are you trying to cover his scent?
17:29It's fine.
17:30I don't mind.
17:31I just don't understand.
17:33You went three days without food to avoid being sold.
17:37But you never fought back against me.
17:38Not once.
17:39You gave up?
17:40He looked up.
17:42His eyes didn't quite meet mine.
17:44They landed on my mouth.
17:45Maybe because you were young and beautiful.
17:47That's an airtight reason.
17:49Maybe because you said you had no experience.
17:53Also because that was the first time I'd ever been kissed.
17:56I just want you to know I am violent and feral.
18:00But I will never hurt you.
18:02Never.
18:03Not ever.
18:04I believe you.
18:06As a reward.
18:11Let me kiss you again.
18:14Eli and I fell into a rhythm.
18:16I finally understood why people spent fortunes on wolves.
18:20With Ash, everything had been a production.
18:23Premium wolves had standards.
18:25I'd had to train with him daily.
18:27Manage his nutrition.
18:29Force feed him supplements.
18:30And run a full grooming routine just to keep him in condition.
18:34So he could use that condition to take care of Emma.
18:37Eli was different.
18:39I followed the doctor's supplement plan and he just glowed.
18:42I felt a little guilty about the contrast.
18:45So I sat him down and did a proper grooming session on him.
18:49Ash walked in while I had both hands buried in Eli's foam-covered ears.
18:54Zoe!
18:55That's my special foam soap.
18:57I bought this one for Eli.
18:59Out of your room already?
19:00You must be so pleased with yourself.
19:03Not really.
19:03You got off easy.
19:05But I'll try harder next time.
19:08Zoe, send him out.
19:09I can explain the video,
19:10but I am not sharing this house with a bottom-class wolf.
19:14You're not sharing anything.
19:16You sleep in Emma's room.
19:17You always have.
19:19Wolves had sharp senses.
19:21Ash had been the only one in the house who knew about my smoking habit.
19:24He'd always complained my room smelled
19:26and used it as an excuse to sleep in Emma's room instead.
19:29It's fine, Ash.
19:30You always said she smelled anyway.
19:32Come stay with me.
19:34Zoe,
19:36you're going to regret this.
19:38Take good care of him, won't you, Emma?
19:41The house settled into a strange cold war.
19:44Ash and Emma spent a while putting on a show in front of me.
19:47They were all warmth and sweetness,
19:49trying to get a reaction out of me.
19:50I had none.
19:51As long as they weren't doing it in my face,
19:54I could handle it.
19:56Eli spent a lot of time watching them.
19:58Emma kept flushing every time she caught him looking.
20:01Then pretending she hadn't noticed,
20:03he was studying.
20:03He watched every move Ash made with Emma,
20:06the grip,
20:07the order of things,
20:08and translated it all into how he took care of me.
20:12Ash, meanwhile,
20:13looked like a ghost.
20:14He kept catching himself staring at me
20:17with something half-formed in his expression.
20:19I knew why.
20:20A few days earlier,
20:21I'd heard an argument spilling from Emma's room.
20:24Emma,
20:24you haven't groomed me in forever.
20:26You have hands.
20:27Do it yourself.
20:28Am I your pet or am you mine?
20:31My products are running out too.
20:33Then ask Zoe.
20:34It's her account,
20:35not mine.
20:36Emma,
20:38why are you like this?
20:39You used to actually like spending time with me.
20:42If you hadn't kissed me that night,
20:44Zoe wouldn't have...
20:45Zoe always groomed you every day.
20:48She never complained about how much work it was.
20:50Blame me?
20:51You didn't exactly stop me.
20:53And now you think she's better?
20:55Then go to her!
20:56Go on!
20:57See if she even wants you.
21:00Did Emma love Ash?
21:02I doubted it.
21:04Emma just loved being the center.
21:06The one everyone orbited.
21:08Ash fawning over her fit that.
21:10Me existing complicated it.
21:12After that fight,
21:13Ash deteriorated fast.
21:15He kept starting sentences near me
21:17and never finishing them.
21:18Too proud to ask.
21:20I ignored it.
21:21Until one night.
21:23I was out on the second floor balcony
21:25in my slip dress,
21:26smoking a post-session cigarette.
21:28Ash came up behind me
21:29and wrapped his arms around me
21:30without a word.
21:33Warm tears dropped onto my neck.
21:35One at a time.
21:39You're not complaining about the smell?
21:41I'm sorry.
21:43Can you forgive me?
21:44I was drunk that night.
21:46I swear I thought it was you.
21:48I wanted it to be you.
21:49I believe you.
21:50If you'd known it was Emma,
21:52you wouldn't have stopped her either.
21:54That's not true.
21:56Before I shifted,
21:58Emma and I were on the streets together.
22:00A group of guys tried to grab me.
22:03We could have struck and tweed pad me.
22:05She ran at them,
22:07screaming and crying,
22:08until they gave up and fled.
22:10You're my owner.
22:11But she saved my life.
22:12I couldn't refuse her.
22:14In the tent that night,
22:15I was half as asleep.
22:17I thought it was you.
22:19When I opened my eyes and saw her,
22:21I felt sick.
22:23I realized I'd wanted it to be you.
22:26I'd wanted you all along.
22:28But she saved my life.
22:30How could I turn her down?
22:33Then keep being grateful to her.
22:35I was never in the way.
22:36Zoe, please don't.
22:41Ash.
22:43Do you know why I smoke?
22:45Because I grew up with a crew of street girls
22:47who were never going to win any etiquette awards.
22:50When I got caught stealing and got beaten up,
22:52they took the hits with me.
22:55When a man tried to assault me,
22:57they scratched his face apart.
22:59When I had a fever and passed out,
23:02they pulled whatever they had
23:03and dragged me to a back alley clinic.
23:07So, I had more people doing things for me
23:09than you ever did.
23:10And I never crawled into anyone's bed over it.
23:13Never said yes just because someone asked.
23:15Ash, you're wired to follow
23:17whoever pays you the most attention.
23:19Someone gives you a little warmth
23:20and off you go.
23:21Ash, they say premium wolves
23:23have the highest human-like cognitiveness.
23:24I believe it.
23:25You've even evolved past a dog's most basic trait.
23:28Loyalty.
23:28I don't know.
23:29I'm sorry, Zoe.
23:30You never talked about before.
23:32I didn't know what you went through.
23:34I only ever heard Emma's side.
23:35She made it sound like you were the one
23:37taking things from her.
23:38Like Ash and everything that came with him
23:40should have been hers.
23:40If I'd known,
23:41I wouldn't have complained about the smoking.
23:43I wouldn't have helped her make things harder for you.
23:45His tear-wet face pressed into my collar
23:47and past his shoulder,
23:49two figures in the dark.
23:50The closer one,
23:51tall and still, was Eli.
23:52The farther one was Mom.
23:53I met her eyes.
23:54My cigarette hand barely paused.
23:56I didn't hide it.
23:58Fine.
23:59She saw.
24:00When I came home,
24:01I'd glossed over the first years.
24:03They'd worked so hard on Emma.
24:05Piano.
24:06Ballet.
24:08Flower arranging.
24:09Everything polished.
24:10Me?
24:11Good at stealing?
24:13Lockpicking with a hairpin.
24:15Chain-smoking before I was old enough to buy them.
24:17I hadn't thought parents who'd replaced me in a year
24:20would love me very much.
24:21Tell them the real version
24:23and they'd probably fear me as much as pity me.
24:25And Emma would run a reason to attack me.
24:28So I'd shown them the clean resume.
24:30Good grades.
24:31Sweet face.
24:31Polite answers.
24:32Like interviewing for the role of daughter.
24:35Mom said,
24:36Go to sleep.
24:37Then she went back to her room.
24:38The hall was dark again,
24:40except for Eli's outline.
24:41He stood watching Ash press his face into my shoulder
24:44and makes small, unhappy sounds.
24:46Eli said quietly,
24:47It's cold out here.
24:48Ash noticed him for the first time.
24:50He stepped in front of me.
24:52Sent the low, warning growl at Eli again.
24:54Eli didn't react.
24:55He stepped closer.
24:57Ash shifted back without meaning to.
24:58Eli draped a jacket over my shoulders.
25:01Looked at Ash.
25:02You can keep going.
25:03I'm just here for the coat.
25:04Ash didn't take him up on it.
25:06He said instead, to me,
25:08Stay with me tonight.
25:09I know what to do.
25:10I was trained.
25:12I'd be better than him.
25:14Is that right?
25:15I mean it.
25:16Please, let me fix this.
25:18His tail went into overdrive.
25:20Eli's expression didn't change.
25:22But his hand at his side closed into a fist.
25:24I don't think so.
25:25You kissed Emma.
25:26The thought of it ruins it for me.
25:29Good night, Ash.
25:32Eli followed me back to the bedroom.
25:34I shrugged off the jacket and looked at him.
25:36Jealous?
25:36He took the jacket and said,
25:38No.
25:39You're exceptional.
25:40You'll have a boyfriend.
25:41Someday.
25:42A husband.
25:43I know my place.
25:45Should I run a bath?
25:47I'd been heading for bed.
25:48Why?
25:49You have Ash's tears and saliva on you.
25:52And his scent.
25:53I went to the bathroom.
25:55Eli followed and washed every inch of skin with focused, careful attention.
26:00He was kneeling on the wet bathroom tile looking up at me.
26:03Hey.
26:04I reached down and touched his ears.
26:06What is it?
26:07Can't get it clean.
26:09What?
26:10Can I take this off?
26:12Licking might work better.
26:13He pointed to his bite guard.
26:15I thought for a moment.
26:17Then unclipped it.
26:18That spot doesn't have his scent on it.
26:21He said.
26:22Didn't stop.
26:23He kissed upward.
26:25Inch by inch.
26:26All the way to my chin.
26:28May I?
26:29He cupped my face in one hand.
26:31Yes.
26:31His kiss was careful.
26:33Unpracticed.
26:33I cracked one eye open to look at him.
26:36Steam and fog all around him.
26:38Eyes shut tight.
26:39Long lashes trembling.
26:41I thought this might have been our first real kiss.
26:45I stopped making Eli wear the bike guard.
26:47Mom and dad kept reminding me to be careful, but they didn't push.
26:51I worked at the family company.
26:52Most days I didn't come home for lunch.
26:55One afternoon I did.
26:56Just wanted to nap.
26:57Voices drifted up from the living room.
26:59Eli and Ash.
27:00I leaned on the second floor railing and watched.
27:03Eli was sitting on the couch, watching TV.
27:05Ash planted himself in front of him, tail bristling.
27:08You think Zoe actually likes you?
27:10She's using you to get at me.
27:12Once she's over it, she'll throw you out like trash.
27:15So what?
27:16Zoe said you're dirty.
27:18At least I'm clean.
27:19Anyone who tries to touch me, I bite their throat out.
27:22Unlike you.
27:23Half pushing someone away and then giving in anyway.
27:26Interesting.
27:27In front of me, Eli was steady and careful
27:29and almost meek.
27:31This was the first time I'd seen his edges.
27:33Clean?
27:34You've killed wolves in a ring!
27:37Do you even know how many?
27:38He stood up slowly.
27:40I know.
27:41Useful information.
27:43Honestly, you bother me.
27:45Me?
27:45Ash nearly went airborne.
27:47You're the outsider here!
27:48Zoe paid millions for me!
27:50I was here first!
27:51Millions?
27:52Eli looked him over.
27:53You don't look worth that.
27:54He stepped forward.
27:55Do you know which part of the throat to bite
27:58so the other person can't make a sound?
28:01Another step.
28:02How to make a wolf disappear quietly.
28:04I'm probably the only kind who knows that.
28:07What are you doing?
28:08What would I do?
28:09Eli shrugged.
28:10I'm just a low-class wolf.
28:11Then he lunged.
28:12Ash panicked and shifted into full wolf form on instinct.
28:15The black wolf tackled Eli, teeth sinking into his forearm.
28:19Eli crashed into the coffee table.
28:21Porcelain cracked.
28:22Shards scattered across the floor.
28:24When mom came running at the noise, she found Eli on the ground, arm bleeding badly, sitting
28:29up pale and pressing the wound.
28:33I'm sorry, ma'am.
28:34I've been too close to Zoe lately.
28:37Ash was unhappy.
28:38I should have been more careful.
28:40I came downstairs.
28:41Eli, what happened?
28:43It's nothing.
28:44He said softly.
28:44Nothing like what I dealt with in the ring.
28:46I was biting down hard on a laugh.
28:48Yesterday, he'd sworn up and down he had no jealousy whatsoever, and he'd already planned
28:52this.
28:53It's not true.
28:54Ash stumbled over his own words.
28:56He went at me first.
28:57He's setting me up.
28:59Setting you up?
29:00If he wanted to hurt you, you'd still be on the floor.
29:03Zoe, I'm serious.
29:05I'm calling the seller.
29:06This wolf is going back.
29:07Mom was already on her phone.
29:09No need.
29:10I'll sell him to a friend who's been looking for a premium wolf.
29:13Mom paused.
29:14That works.
29:15He's yours to decide.
29:17Zoe, you'd sell me for him?
29:18Ash's face went blank.
29:20You said you liked me.
29:20I know you did.
29:21You used to grab my tail in your sleep so you wouldn't have nightmares.
29:24You wrote in your journal that you were lonely here.
29:26That at least you had me, even if I didn't like you.
29:29You'd sneak pets when I was asleep.
29:31You asked me once when you were drunk why I never liked you.
29:34Why even I was always on Emma's side.
29:36Zoe, you can't feel nothing for me.
29:38He was right.
29:39I wasn't as detached as I like to think.
29:41Even at 23, arriving at a stranger's house had still scared me.
29:44Watching my parents tilt toward Emma had still stung.
29:47Thinking about Emma living the life that should have been mine.
29:50That had still burned.
29:51When I found out my birthday gift was going to be a wolf, I had been genuinely excited.
29:55I had put hope in Ash.
29:57He'd ground it down slowly, over months.
30:00I imagined too much.
30:01I said.
30:02To me.
30:03I met his eyes.
30:04You're just a disloyal dog.
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