- 23 hours ago
She Bought Him for S..e..x
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The premium service class wolf I bought didn't like me.
00:02He only wagged his tail for my adopted sister.
00:05So I brought home a low-class stress relief wolf instead.
00:08I was drunk sitting outside the bar and smoking to sober up.
00:11A street vendor crept over.
00:13Miss, you look totally stressed out.
00:15Need to let it all out?
00:17I've got a stress relief wolf.
00:18Good for unwinding.
00:20What?
00:21The dealer glanced around nervously.
00:23A wolf shifter stepped into the light.
00:25He stepped forward and his shadow fell across my face.
00:27The vendor yanked the rough collar and dragged him to one knee.
00:30He unclipped a rusted bite guard, then grabbed the wolf's hair and pulled his head back,
00:34exposing his face.
00:35His narrow eyes locked on me like a wild beast.
00:39Look at that face, miss.
00:40Wouldn't it feel good to smack something that pretty?
00:42He was exactly my type.
00:44And my doctor had said my stress hormones were out of control.
00:47I genuinely needed an outlet.
00:49But I already had a wolf at home.
00:50Ash would mind.
00:51Get up.
00:52Show her your build.
00:53The wolf stood slowly.
00:54He peeled off his shirt.
00:57I saw the bruises layered over bruises.
00:59High stamina.
01:00Heals fast.
01:012,000 for two hours of release.
01:04You can do whatever you want.
01:05Just don't slit his throat and drain his blood, and he'll recover.
01:08Slit his throat?
01:10People's tastes had gotten that dark?
01:11Forget it.
01:12My wolf at home wouldn't let me touch him anyway.
01:14This one was cheap.
01:15Obedient sounded fine.
01:16How much to buy him outright?
01:18Not cheap.
01:19He's our best.
01:20Name your price.
01:21I'll give you a discount.
01:23Just 58,800.
01:26My parents spent millions on Ash, my premium service wolf gift.
01:30This one was practically free by comparison.
01:33Too much?
01:34Fine.
01:35Round it down.
01:3650 grand.
01:37I bought him for 5,000 in the end.
01:39I wasn't ready to go home yet, so I took him to a hotel.
01:43The vendor gave me a long list of warnings on the way out.
01:46Don't remove the bite guard until he's fully tamed.
01:50Keep the chains on.
01:51Both of them.
01:52In the hotel suite, Eli stood still in the entryway, eyes down, waiting for whatever came
01:57next.
01:58I came out of the shower wrapped in a robe, still not daring to take off his restraints
02:02yet.
02:02Go shower.
02:03He looked at me for a few seconds, then turned and walked into the bathroom.
02:07After a few minutes, I knocked.
02:10I left my phone in there.
02:11He hadn't locked the door.
02:13Eli froze his back to me.
02:14His pale skin made his scars all the more shocking.
02:17Water streamed down his shoulders along the rusted chains, washing away rust and dried
02:21blood.
02:22His tail hung low, trembling slightly.
02:24The fur was dull, brittle, wild, and fragile at the same time.
02:28My brain went offline.
02:30I crossed the room and hugged him from behind, pressed my lips to the bruising on his spine.
02:34Eli shuddered.
02:35His whole body went rigid.
02:37What are you doing?
02:38First time I'd heard his voice.
02:40Take it easy.
02:41That's not.
02:42Hmm?
02:43What is that?
02:43That's not how stress Rameef works.
02:45I've never done this before.
02:47Bear with me.
02:48I pushed him onto the bed.
02:49I kissed every bruise, one by one.
02:52Ash was my parents' apology.
02:53A premium, competition-grade service wolf.
02:56A compensation for the 18 years they lost me.
02:58I was 5 when I disappeared.
03:0023 when they finally found me.
03:02When I came home, I found out my parents had already adopted a little girl, Emma.
03:07She'd been with them since she was a baby.
03:09She was 17 now.
03:10When I appeared, Emma fell apart.
03:12Get out!
03:13I'm their real daughter!
03:15Why are you here taking my parents?
03:18This is my home!
03:19Get out!
03:20She screamed and sobbed and threw everything she could reach at me.
03:24Don't cry.
03:25You'll always be our daughter.
03:28Zoe coming back doesn't change how much we love you.
03:32Emma's been spoiled.
03:33You're 6 years older.
03:35Just try to be patient with her.
03:37I should have been devastated.
03:38But I was 23.
03:39I survived those lonely years craving my parents.
03:42Now I was in the phase of desperately needing money.
03:45I let my eyes well up.
03:47Looked down.
03:48I understand, Dad.
03:49Playing vulnerable worked.
03:51The monthly allowance they wired me kept going up.
03:55Morning.
03:56I had my cheek pressed against Eli's arm.
03:58My best friend Lily texted me.
04:00Where are you?
04:01Did you do your usual disappearing act and go home alone again?
04:04No.
04:05I bought a new stress relief wolf last night.
04:07Been busy.
04:08Zoe.
04:09What is wrong with you?
04:10I know you're upset that your wolf at home ignores you.
04:12But you can't just go buy a punching bag.
04:15You couldn't bring yourself to hit the expensive one so you went out and bought a cheap one to beat
04:20up?
04:20I would report you if you weren't my best friend.
04:23I am appalled.
04:25I didn't hit him.
04:26Why would I hit a dog?
04:27Then how did you unwind?
04:29The way you're thinking.
04:30On bed.
04:31We both stopped typing.
04:33Then she sent me a long message explaining everything.
04:36Stress relief wolves were illegal.
04:37Traffickers stole young shifters or bought low-class ones cheap.
04:41Then they tortured and filtered them, keeping only those with strong bodies and fast healing.
04:46Some became living punching bags for paying clients.
04:49Others ended up in underground fight rings.
04:51Death matches.
04:52Even after rescue, these wolves were considered feral and untamable.
04:56Official shelters offered them for free adoption.
04:58The ones no one took.
05:00Euthanized.
05:05I know where he lives, if you regret it.
05:07I startled, quickly darkened my screen and turned over.
05:14He runs with a crew.
05:16They probably won't give you the money back.
05:19But if I catch him alone, I might be able to...
05:22I don't regret it, as long as you behave.
05:26Only listen to me.
05:27Nobody else.
05:29Okay.
05:30There were a few faint scars along the fur of his ears.
05:33I couldn't help it.
05:34I reached out to touch them.
05:35His ears snapped back instantly.
05:37He flinched away.
05:38This one wouldn't let me touch his ears either.
05:40Sorry.
05:41Force of habit.
05:45You can touch them now.
05:49If you still want to.
05:50I didn't hesitate.
05:51I swung up and sat across his waist, braced my hands on his chest, and squeezed his ears
05:55between my fingers.
05:56Eli's breathing deepened.
05:58His whole body got warmer.
05:59He tipped his head back, eyes half-lidded, watching me.
06:03Can we do it again?
06:06We didn't go straight home.
06:08I took Eli to a shifter clinic first.
06:10The doctor said his healing ability was excellent.
06:12The bruising wasn't a concern, but severe malnutrition.
06:16He needed long-term supplementation.
06:18The total for all the supplements cost more than I'd paid for him.
06:21I don't need it.
06:22I can eat anything.
06:23Don't spend the money.
06:24I won't die.
06:25This amount was what Ash burned through on snacks every month.
06:28It's fine.
06:29Do you like these?
06:30I held out a new collar and bite guard in front of him.
06:33Slim, black, metal collar.
06:35Custom black bite guard to match.
06:37I hadn't wanted him to keep wearing restraints.
06:39But the doctor was firm.
06:41Don't let a feral wolf's looks fool you.
06:43He could take out your throat in one bite.
06:45So I'd picked the most comfortable version I could find.
06:48When the doctor removed the old bite guard, he held it up to the light.
06:51Fight ring or stress relief.
06:53Before this, I mean.
06:56Both.
06:57Figured.
06:58Look at these bite marks.
07:00He did this to himself when the pain got too bad.
07:03Those are from last night.
07:05I went very still.
07:06In the ring?
07:07No.
07:08He looked at my back.
07:09From when I was being used.
07:11We got home past midnight.
07:12Mom and dad were already asleep.
07:14Ash was probably in Emma's room, as usual.
07:17Come in.
07:20He hadn't moved.
07:21He was staring at something on the floor.
07:23I bent down and picked it up.
07:25This is Ash's.
07:28On my first birthday in this house, mom and dad had given me Ash.
07:31Zoe's too quiet.
07:33We thought having a companion might open her up.
07:35Back then, Ash hadn't shifted yet.
07:37Just a small black wolf pup.
07:39Why does she get one and I don't?
07:41You said you wouldn't pick favorites.
07:44He's mine.
07:46She snatched the puppy and ran out.
07:48Didn't come back.
07:49My birthday dinner was ruined.
07:50My birthday present was gone.
07:52Mom and dad were a mess for days.
07:54I cried too.
07:56I'm so sorry.
07:57I made her leave.
07:58It's my fault.
07:59Twelve days later, one girl and one scruffy wolf pup appeared at the front door.
08:04Mom.
08:05Dad.
08:05I'm so hungry.
08:07I was wrong.
08:08I'm never running again.
08:09Mom and dad rushed out and all three of them sobbed together on the doorstep.
08:13When they finally looked up, mom's face went guilty the instant she saw me standing there.
08:19Mom, you hit me?
08:21Do you know what the last 12 days were like?
08:23I just got back and you're ready.
08:24Do you ever think about what your sister's last 18 years were like?
08:29If you ever make Zoe feel unwelcome in this house again, don't call me mom.
08:34After that, Emma stopped coming after me openly.
08:36She gave Ash back a few weeks later.
08:38Not long after that, he shifted dark curls, soft, downturned eyes.
08:43He tilted his head at me and said his first shifted word.
08:46E.
08:48I'm Emma.
08:50You remember me.
08:51You remember me.
08:53You remember me.
08:55Of course.
08:57I remember everything about Emma.
08:59Mom and dad sighed and put an arm around me.
09:02It took weeks of trying before Ash reluctantly accepted that I was his owner.
09:06But he refused to wag his tail for me.
09:08Refused to let me touch his ears.
09:10Never waited by the door for me.
09:12He only reacted to Emma's footsteps.
09:14He only waited for her.
09:15I watched them every time.
09:17I told myself I didn't really care.
09:19Because Ash's monthly expenses came out of the account in my name.
09:22And mom and dad's quiet guilt kept filling that same account.
09:25But lately, I'd been breaking out.
09:27Stress hormones.
09:28The doctor said.
09:30Ash wouldn't touch me.
09:31Eli had shown up at exactly the right moment.
09:33I had no reason to say no.
09:37Sleep with me tonight.
09:38I'll take you shopping for clothes.
09:40Will he mind?
09:41Who?
09:42Ash.
09:42Wolves are territorial.
09:44He doesn't like sleeping with me.
09:45It's fine.
09:46Do you need it again tonight?
09:48Need what?
09:49Stress relief.
09:50I do.
09:51But my legs are killing me.
09:52I have good stamina.
09:53You can just lie there.
09:54That's very considerate of you.
09:56It's nothing.
09:58In the morning, I stepped out of my room at the exact same time as Ash.
10:02Zoe, why were you talking in your sleep last night?
10:04All those little sounds, it was loud.
10:06Sorry.
10:07I'll keep it down.
10:08Were you having a nightmare?
10:09I thought I heard you crying.
10:11I was having the time of my life.
10:13If you ever have a nightmare, you can-
10:14Ash, I can't find my slippers.
10:16Don't walk around barefoot.
10:17He stepped right past me and went into Emma's room.
10:20How did your slippers end up in the living room if you were in your room?
10:24Because you carried me to bed last night and forgot to bring them.
10:27He sat her on his knee, found the bunny slippers, and put them on her feet.
10:31One by one, patient.
10:32Then he headed upstairs to the bathroom.
10:34Perfect service, Wolf, just not mine.
10:36Zoe, my laundry's in the hamper.
10:38Take it to the dry cleaner.
10:41What's that smell?
10:42What?
10:43He stepped close, pressed his nose to my neck, then inhaled.
10:45The deeper he breathed, the harder his hand gripped my waist.
10:48Zoe, why do you smell like another wolf?
10:51Eli had just opened the door and walked out.
10:53He was half a head taller than Ash.
10:55That's my scent.
10:59Zoe, who is that?
11:01His name is Eli.
11:02He's my new wolf.
11:03What?
11:04You got another wolf?
11:07What about me?
11:08Oh, wow.
11:09Mom, Dad, come look.
11:10Zoe got a new wolf.
11:12This is Eli, our newest family member.
11:14Sir, ma'am.
11:16He's even more handsome than Ash.
11:18Competition grade, I assume?
11:19Zoe gets so much allowance.
11:20Competition grade?
11:21He's wearing a muzzle.
11:22His fur is splitting.
11:23His shirt is falling apart.
11:24He's shedding everywhere.
11:25He's feral bottom class.
11:26The kind shelters can't even give away.
11:28Zoe, you only brought him home to mess with me, didn't you?
11:30If he goes feral and hurts you, don't come crying to me.
11:32Zoe, we're not against you keeping him.
11:34We just want you safe.
11:35We can't lose you again.
11:37I won't hurt her.
11:38If it makes you feel better, I'll keep the restraints on.
11:41I can sleep in a crate at night.
11:42Only fight ring wolves sleep in crates.
11:44That's lower than a stress relief slave.
11:46I've already decided he's staying.
11:47Ash's expenses come from Mom and Dad.
11:50Eli's are on me.
11:51Zoe!
11:52Relax.
11:53Given how Zoe grew up, it makes sense she has a thing for low-class wolves.
11:57It's basically her aesthetic.
11:58Mom, Dad, since Zoe has a new wolf, can I have Ash?
12:02He likes me more anyway.
12:04I'm just taking what's left over.
12:06Leftover drained the color from Ash's face.
12:09No, Ash was a gift from Mom and Dad.
12:11He's mine.
12:12I decide what happens to him.
12:14My certainty knocked something loose in him.
12:16For the first time, Ash wagged his tail for me.
12:18Just barely.
12:19Small, uncontrolled flicks.
12:21Even if you say that, I'm not forgiving you.
12:23I had no intention of giving him away.
12:25Not because I was attached.
12:27First, the budget they gave me for his upkeep was generous.
12:29I pocketed a healthy margin every month.
12:31Second, Ash was worth a lot.
12:33If I ever decided I was done, I could sell him for seven figures.
12:35Why would I hand that to Emma for free?
12:37She's right.
12:38He was given to Zoe.
12:39If you want him, talk to your sister.
12:43A few months earlier, Mom and Dad had planned a family camping trip to get us all bonding.
12:47Seven days.
12:48On the night we set up tents, everyone drank a little too much.
12:51Emma called me sis every five minutes.
12:53I called her sis back.
12:54Mom and Dad were so happy.
12:55When I came back from a cigarette break, I saw Emma in my tent.
12:58The campfire had gone out.
12:59One small lantern flickered inside.
13:01Ash was lying on my sleeping bag.
13:02Emma was slowly crawling on top of him, leaning toward his mouth.
13:05Their shadows overlapped against the canvas.
13:08I watched Ash reach up and tuck her hair behind her ear and kissed her back.
13:11Ash, promise me you won't touch her.
13:14But-
13:14Wait until I'm 18.
13:15It's only a few months.
13:17In this world, a wolf who slept with a human under 18 faced immediate disposal.
13:21You know I have standards.
13:22I don't like her touching me.
13:24Can't we just keep this clean between us?
13:26Ash said yes.
13:29The video ended.
13:30Emma, is this how I raised you?
13:32Using yourself to manipulate a wolf just to spite your sister?
13:35Zoe, I was drunk that night.
13:38I thought it was you coming-
13:39Nobody asked you.
13:40I paid for you.
13:40You're here to serve my daughter, not audition replacements.
13:43I'm calling your cellar today.
13:44Mom, why aren't you yelling at her?
13:45Can't you see how calculating she is?
13:47She recorded it.
13:48I made one stupid mistake and she plays it like this.
13:50Ever since she came back, you love me less.
13:52Are you really gonna let her run my life?
13:54Emma, you did this.
13:55If you hadn't, there'd be nothing to record.
13:57Both of you, this month's allowances go to Zoe, and you're both grounded for three days.
14:01A large sum landed in my account that afternoon.
14:03Mom and dad's invisible scale tipped a little more in my direction.
14:07I'd been fighting for things my whole life.
14:08This was no different.
14:11Three days without Emma or Ash hovering around.
14:14I took Eli shopping.
14:16Everywhere.
14:17He was a specimen.
14:18Built like every suit had been cut for him specifically.
14:22Everything looked good on him.
14:23So I wanted to buy him everything.
14:26But the best part was watching him in a dress suit.
14:30I went slightly feral and bought 12 custom tailored ones.
14:33Then I was too tired to walk.
14:35Eli carried everything with one arm and me with the other.
14:38I had my arm hooked around his neck, tracing the line of his nose with one finger.
14:43Eli, you look like this.
14:45Didn't they try to make you sell yourself?
14:47They tried.
14:49He set me on the bed and dropped to one knee.
14:51Took off my heels.
14:52Swapped them out for slippers.
14:54He'd watched Ash do it for Emma a hundred times.
14:58He hadn't fully adjusted to human scale gentleness yet.
15:01He kept catching himself.
15:03Recalibrating his grip.
15:05But he'd memorized every step.
15:07And?
15:08He went a little pink.
15:10I didn't.
15:10I hurt the client and ran.
15:12They caught me.
15:13I stopped eating to fight back.
15:15They got scared I'd die and cost them money so they threw me in the ring.
15:19I hadn't eaten in three days.
15:21I don't know how I did it.
15:23I bit through the other wolf's throat.
15:25After that, I stayed in the ring.
15:28They kept my food limited so I'd be too weak to resist.
15:32The last fight, I got badly injured.
15:34They figured I was done so they put me on stress relief work.
15:38I survived that too.
15:39This week they were debating sending me back to the ring.
15:43Then you bought me.
15:45Eli was still kneeling.
15:47Wearing the new suit I'd just bought him.
15:49Both hands wrapped lightly around mine.
15:52He had no idea he looked like he was proposing.
15:55I'm not hiding anything from you.
15:58I am a low class, violent wolf.
16:01I've hurt humans.
16:02I've hurt my own kind.
16:04I grew up without learning to be around people.
16:06I don't know how to take care of someone.
16:08I barely know how to use a fork.
16:11I don't know how hard to hold you without hurting you.
16:13Last night when you cried, I panicked.
16:19I remembered.
16:20The second time was so much better than the first.
16:23I'd lost control and made a sound I hadn't expected.
16:26I'm sorry, did I hurt you?
16:27I misjudged.
16:28It's my fault.
16:29You can punish me.
16:31Hit me.
16:31Starve me.
16:32Whatever you want.
16:34Just don't cry.
16:35Please.
16:36I remembered the apology going on for a while, but I'd passed out mid-sentence.
16:40No wonder the atmosphere that morning had been so heavy.
16:43He'd been stewing in it all night.
16:45You didn't hurt me.
16:46I cried because it was good.
16:48He pressed his nose against my neck.
16:50His silver-white ears brushed my face.
16:53I grabbed them.
16:54Eli's breathing hitched.
16:57He reached up, fingers calloused, deliberate, and slowly traced the side of my neck, the same spot Ash had pressed
17:05his nose against that morning, methodical, inch by inch.
17:09Are you trying to cover his scent?
17:11It's fine.
17:12I don't mind.
17:13I just don't understand.
17:15You went three days without food to avoid being sold.
17:18But you never fought back against me.
17:20Not once.
17:21You gave up?
17:22He looked up.
17:24His eyes didn't quite meet mine.
17:26They landed on my mouth.
17:27Maybe because you were young and beautiful.
17:29That's an airtight reason.
17:31Maybe because you said you had no experience.
17:34Also because that was the first time I'd ever been kissed.
17:38I just want you to know I am violent and feral.
17:41But I will never hurt you.
17:43Never.
17:45Not ever.
17:46I believe you.
17:48As a reward.
17:53Let me kiss you again.
17:56Eli and I fell into a rhythm.
17:58I finally understood why people spent fortunes on wolves.
18:02With Ash, everything had been a production.
18:05Premium wolves had standards.
18:07I'd had to train with him daily, manage his nutrition, force feed him supplements,
18:12and run a full grooming routine just to keep him in condition.
18:16So he could use that condition to take care of Emma.
18:19Eli was different.
18:20I followed the doctor's supplement plan and he just glowed.
18:24I felt a little guilty about the contrast.
18:27So I sat him down and did a proper grooming session on him.
18:31Ash walked in while I had both hands buried in Eli's foam-covered ears.
18:36Zoe!
18:37That's my special foam soap.
18:39I bought this one for Eli.
18:41Out of your room already?
18:42You must be so pleased with yourself.
18:44Not really.
18:45You got off easy.
18:46But I'll try harder next time.
18:50Zoe!
18:50Send him out.
18:51I can explain the video, but I am not sharing this house with a bottom-class wolf.
18:55You're not sharing anything.
18:57You sleep in Emma's room.
18:59You always have.
19:01Wolves had sharp senses.
19:03Ash had been the only one in the house who knew about my smoking habit.
19:06He'd always complained my room smelled and used it as an excuse to sleep in Emma's room instead.
19:11It's fine, Ash.
19:12You always said she smelled anyway.
19:14Come stay with me.
19:16Zoe.
19:17You're going to regret this.
19:19Take good care of him, won't you, Emma?
19:23The house settled into a strange cold war.
19:26Ash and Emma spent a while putting on a show in front of me.
19:29They were all warmth and sweetness, trying to get a reaction out of me.
19:32I had none.
19:33As long as they weren't doing it in my face, I could handle it.
19:37Eli spent a lot of time watching them.
19:39Emma kept flushing every time she caught him looking, then pretending she hadn't noticed.
19:44He was studying.
19:46He watched every move Ash made with Emma, the grip, the order of things, and translated
19:51it all into how he took care of me.
19:53Ash, meanwhile, looked like a ghost.
19:56He kept catching himself staring at me with something half-formed in his expression.
20:01I knew why.
20:02A few days earlier, I'd heard an argument spilling from Emma's room.
20:06Emma, you haven't groomed me in forever.
20:08You have hands. Do it yourself.
20:10Am I your pet or am you mine?
20:12My products are running out, too.
20:15Then ask Zoe. It's her account, not mine.
20:19Emma, why are you like this?
20:21You used to actually like spending time with me.
20:24If you hadn't kissed me that night, Zoe wouldn't have...
20:27Zoe always groomed you every day.
20:29She never complained about how much work it was.
20:32Blame me?
20:33You didn't exactly stop me.
20:35And now you think she's better?
20:37Then go to her! Go on!
20:39See if she even wants you.
20:42Did Emma love Ash?
20:44I doubted it.
20:46Emma just loved being the center.
20:47The one everyone orbited.
20:50Ash fawning over her fit that.
20:52Me existing complicated it.
20:54After that fight, Ash deteriorated fast.
20:57He kept starting sentences near me and never finishing them.
21:00Too proud to ask.
21:02I ignored it.
21:03Until one night.
21:04I was out on the second floor balcony in my slip dress.
21:07Smoking a post-session cigarette.
21:10Ash came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me without a word.
21:15Warm tears dropped onto my neck.
21:17One at a time.
21:21You're not complaining about the smell?
21:23I'm sorry.
21:24Can you forgive me?
21:26I was drunk that night.
21:28I swear I thought it was you.
21:30I wanted it to be you.
21:31I believe you.
21:32If you'd known it was Emma, you wouldn't have stopped her either.
21:36That's not true.
21:38Before I shifted, Emma and I were on the streets together.
21:42A group of guys tried to grab me.
21:45We could have struck and twip had me.
21:47She ran at them, screaming and crying, until they gave up and fled.
21:51You're my owner.
21:53But she saved my life.
21:54I couldn't refuse her.
21:55In the tent that night, I was half as asleep.
21:59I thought it was you.
22:01When I opened my eyes and saw her, I felt sick.
22:05I realized I'd wanted it to be you.
22:08I'd wanted you all along.
22:10But she saved my life.
22:12How could I turn her down?
22:15Then keep being grateful to her.
22:17I was never in the way.
22:18Zoe, please don't.
22:24Ash, do you know why I smoke?
22:27Because I grew up with a crew of street girls who were never going to win any etiquette awards.
22:32When I got caught stealing and got beaten up, they took the hits with me.
22:37When a man tried to assault me, they scratched his face apart.
22:41When I had a fever and passed out, they pulled whatever they had and dragged me to a back alley
22:47clinic.
22:49So, I had more people doing things for me than you ever did.
22:52And I never crawled into anyone's bed over it.
22:55Never said yes just because someone asked.
22:57Ash, you're wired to follow whoever pays you the most attention.
23:00Someone gives you a little warmth and off you go.
23:03Ash, they say premium wolves have the highest human-like cognitiveness.
23:06I believe it.
23:07You've even evolved past a dog's most basic trait.
23:10Loyalty.
23:10I don't know.
23:11I'm sorry, Zoe.
23:12You never talked about before.
23:14I didn't know what you went through.
23:16I only ever heard Emma's side.
23:17She made it sound like you were the one taking things from her.
23:20Like Ash and everything that came with him should have been hers.
23:22If I'd known, I wouldn't have complained about the smoking.
23:25I wouldn't have helped her make things harder for you.
23:27His tear-wet face pressed into my collar and passed his shoulder.
23:30Two figures in the dark.
23:32The closer one, tall and still, was Eli.
23:34The farther one was Mom.
23:35I met her eyes.
23:36My cigarette hand barely paused.
23:38I didn't hide it.
23:40Fine.
23:40She saw.
23:41When I came home, I'd glossed over the first years.
23:45They'd worked so hard on Emma.
23:46Piano.
23:48Ballet.
23:50Flower arranging.
23:51Everything polished.
23:52Me?
23:53Good at stealing?
23:55Lockpicking with a hairpin.
23:56Chain-smoking before I was old enough to buy them.
23:59I hadn't thought parents who'd replaced me in a year would love me very much.
24:03Tell them the real version and they'd probably fear me as much as pity me.
24:07And Emma would run a reason to attack me.
24:09So I'd shown them the clean resume.
24:11Good grades.
24:12Sweet face.
24:13Polite answers.
24:14Like interviewing for the role of daughter.
24:17Mom said.
24:18Go to sleep.
24:19Then she went back to her room.
24:20The hall was dark again, except for Eli's outline.
24:23He stood watching Ash press his face into my shoulder and make small, unhappy sounds.
24:28Eli said quietly.
24:29It's cold out here.
24:30Ash noticed him for the first time.
24:32He stepped in front of me.
24:33Sent the low, warning growl at Eli again.
24:36Eli didn't react.
24:37He stepped closer.
24:38Ash shifted back without meaning to.
24:40Eli draped a jacket over my shoulders.
24:42Looked at Ash.
24:44You can keep going.
24:45I'm just here for the coat.
24:46Ash didn't take him up on it.
24:48He said instead.
24:49To me.
24:49Stay with me tonight.
24:51I know what to do.
24:52I was trained.
24:53I'd be better than him.
24:55Is that right?
24:57I mean it.
24:58Please, let me fix this.
25:00His tail went into overdrive.
25:02Eli's expression didn't change.
25:03But his hand at his side closed into a fist.
25:06I don't think so.
25:07You kissed Emma.
25:08The thought of it ruins it for me.
25:11Good night, Ash.
25:14Eli followed me back to the bedroom.
25:16I shrugged off the jacket and looked at him.
25:18Jealous?
25:18He took the jacket and said.
25:20No.
25:21You're exceptional.
25:22You'll have a boyfriend someday.
25:24A husband.
25:25I know my place.
25:27Should I run a bath?
25:29I'd been heading for bed.
25:30Why?
25:31You have Ash's tears and saliva on you.
25:33And his scent.
25:35I went to the bathroom.
25:37Eli followed and washed every inch of skin with focused, careful attention.
25:41He was kneeling on the wet bathroom tile looking up at me.
25:45Hey.
25:45I reached down and touched his ears.
25:48What is it?
25:49I can't get it clean.
25:51What?
25:52Can I take this off?
25:53Licking might work better.
25:55He pointed to his bike guard.
25:57I thought for a moment.
25:58Then unclipped it.
26:00That spot doesn't have his scent on it.
26:03He said.
26:04Didn't stop.
26:05He kissed upward.
26:06Inch by inch.
26:08All the way to my chin.
26:10May I?
26:11He cupped my face in one hand.
26:13Yes.
26:13His kiss was careful.
26:14Unpracticed.
26:15I cracked one eye open to look at him.
26:18Steam and fog all around him.
26:20Eyes shut tight.
26:21Long lashes trembling.
26:22I thought this might have been our first real kiss.
26:27I stopped making Eli wear the bike guard.
26:29Mom and dad kept reminding me to be careful.
26:31But they didn't push.
26:33I worked at the family company.
26:34Most days I didn't come home for lunch.
26:36One afternoon I did.
26:37Just wanted to nap.
26:39Voices drifted up from the living room.
26:41Eli and Ash.
26:42I leaned on the second floor railing and watched.
26:44Eli was sitting on the couch.
26:46Watching TV.
26:47Ash planted himself in front of him.
26:49Tail bristling.
26:50You think Zoe actually likes you?
26:52She's using you to get at me.
26:54Once she's over it.
26:55She'll throw you out like trash.
26:57So what?
26:58Zoe said you're dirty.
27:00At least I'm clean.
27:01Anyone who tries to touch me I bite their throat out.
27:04Unlike you.
27:05Half pushing someone away and then giving in anyway.
27:08Interesting.
27:09In front of me.
27:10Eli was steady and careful and almost meek.
27:12This was the first time I'd seen his edges.
27:15Clean?
27:16You've killed wolves in a ring.
27:19Do you even know how many?
27:20He stood up slowly.
27:22I know.
27:23Useful information.
27:25Honestly?
27:26You bother me.
27:27Me?
27:27Ash nearly went airborne.
27:28You're the outsider here.
27:30Zoe paid millions for me.
27:32I was here first.
27:33Millions?
27:34Eli looked him over.
27:35You don't look worth that.
27:36He stepped forward.
27:37Do you know which part of the throat to bite so the other person can't make a sound?
27:43Another step.
27:44How to make a wolf disappear quietly.
27:46I'm probably the only kind who knows that.
27:49What are you doing?
27:50What would I do?
27:51Eli shrugged.
27:52I'm just a low-class wolf.
27:53Then he lunged.
27:54Ash panicked and shifted into full wolf form on instinct.
27:57The black wolf tackled Eli, teeth sinking into his forearm.
28:01Eli crashed into the coffee table.
28:02Horseland cracked.
28:04Shards scattered across the floor.
28:06When mom came running at the noise, she found Eli on the ground.
28:09Arm bleeding badly.
28:10Sitting up pale and pressing the wound.
28:15I'm sorry, ma'am.
28:16I've been too close to Zoe lately.
28:18Ash was unhappy.
28:20I should have been more careful.
28:22I came downstairs.
28:23Eli, what happened?
28:25It's nothing.
28:25He said softly.
28:26Nothing like what I dealt with in the ring.
28:28I was biting down hard on a laugh.
28:30Yesterday, he'd sworn up and down he had no jealousy whatsoever.
28:33And he'd already planned this.
28:35It's not true.
28:36Ash stumbled over his own words.
28:37He went at me first.
28:39He's setting me up.
28:41Setting you up?
28:42If he wanted to hurt you, you'd still be on the floor.
28:45Zoe, I'm serious.
28:47I'm calling the seller.
28:48This wolf is going back.
28:49Mom was already on her phone.
28:51No need.
28:51I'll sell him to a friend who's been looking for a premium wolf.
28:54Mom paused.
28:56That works.
28:57He's yours to decide.
28:59Zoe, you'd sell me for him?
29:00Ash's face went blank.
29:01You said you liked me.
29:02I know you did.
29:03You used to grab my tail in your sleep so you wouldn't have nightmares.
29:06You wrote in your journal that you were lonely here.
29:08That at least you had me, even if I didn't like you.
29:11You'd sneak pets when I was asleep.
29:13You asked me once when you were drunk why I never liked you.
29:16Why even I was always on Emma's side.
29:18Zoe, you can't feel nothing for me.
29:20He was right.
29:20I wasn't as detached as I like to think.
29:22Even at 23, arriving at a stranger's house had still scared me.
29:26Watching my parents tilt toward Emma had still stung.
29:29Thinking about Emma living the life that should have been mine.
29:32That had still burned.
29:33When I found out my birthday gift was going to be a wolf, I had been genuinely excited.
29:37I had put hope in Ash.
29:39He'd ground it down slowly, over months.
29:41I imagined too much, I said.
29:44To me, I met his eyes.
29:46You're just a disloyal dog.
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