Page 29 of Last But Not Leashed

If her parents couldn’t handle my purple and blue fur, I’d find out. Either they’d accept me or they wouldn’t, but I wouldn’t allow my embarrassment to ruin my chance to secure Ethel as my mate.

Ethel worried over nothing, as I had zero intention of pursuing anyone else. I’d use her parents to ensure no one doubted my intentions or interest in her. I’d play their game. As they seemed to want to pay a bounty for me to make their daughter happy, I’d take their cash at the same time I took their daughter.

If I played the game right, they’d probably pay me extra to not give her back, not that there was any risk of that.

Convincing Ethel she had no competition to worry about would be the real challenge.

While I waited for Ethel to be ready, I prowled the kitchen. My contented growls worried the pack, which made me growl more, which stoked their worries. If I bared even a hint of fang, I’d have to peel wolves from the ceiling.

The thought tempted me.

Allison stomped up to me and prodded me in the chest. “Why are you so growly?”

“I’m happy.”

“Wag your tail if you’re happy! The growling makes it sound like you’re planning on eating some—” Her eyes widened. “Oh. Dale, are you happy because you’re planning to mate with Ethel in the very near future?”

I twisted around so I could get a good view of my blue-tipped tail, giving it an experimental wag. “Would I do something like that?”

“A few days ago, I would’ve said no. Today? I’m thinking the answer is yes. While I understand you not wanting to leave your hybrid form now that you can openly strut around, why won’t you shift back to human?”

I chuckled. “I’m showing off to make Ethel’s sisters jealous. I’m also showing her parents I’m not just any old wolf after their daughter.”

“Don’t be silly. They already know. How could they not? Ethel’s been drenching herself in that goddamned perfume for years because you’re the only wolf in this fucking state who likes the scent.”

“I like it because she wears it.”

“See? You’re hopeless. She could pull out your fur and you’d like it.”

I flicked an ear back. “Maybe.”

“You’re surprisingly honest for a jerk who refused to trust his pack because his fur is a unique color.”

I flattened both my ears. “You would’ve laughed. You did laugh.”

“You’re joking, right? Only an idiot, or pack, would laugh at the huge hybrid with enough strength to throw a car. As we’re pack, we’re allowed. It’s a rule. Unless pack, don’t piss off the hybrids. Now, we are going to keep laughing at your fighting skills, but you only have yourself to blame for that. Improve, then we won’t laugh at you.”

“That’s fair,” I admitted.

“Of course it is.”

I huffed and waited for Ethel to finish coercing Jerome into loaning her his truck, the only vehicle the pack had that I could fit in comfortably while in my hybrid form.

Ethel returned to the kitchen with Jerome an hour after dragging him off to negotiate for his truck. I had no idea where Jerome had gotten the handcuffs, collar, and leash, but I loved him for them. My tail developed a life of its own, wagging at the idea of handcuffing Ethel to me so she couldn’t escape.

“Don’t you dare, Dale,” Ethel snarled.

My tag wagged harder, and I huffed my amusement. Since I couldn’t purr, I growled, “Cuffed and leashed just for me.”

Allison giggled. “Even when you lose you win, Ethel. Let the little wolfie have his fun.”

“You’re seriously going along with this?”

For a moment, I thought she’d been talking to Allison, but Ethel’s attention was fully on me. “Yes, I am. The bounty only said to deliver us both, not how. I become rich, I’m gifted to you, we’re happy.” I leaned forward, showing my teeth in a canine grin. “Unless you don’t want me as a gift anymore?”

She sucked in a breath. “Dale!”

“It’s only thirty minutes.” My grin widened. “At my mercy.”