Ethel chose suppertime to be delivered to her father, the one we determined most likely to be the culprit responsible for the bounty. The other members of her family, while potentially involved, didn’t live in Phoenix, a thirty-minute drive outside of Baltimore. The rest of her family lived in Towson, forming the majority of the Towson pack.

Ethel’s mother was the kind to handle any kidnappings personally, and had she been the mastermind, she would’ve secured me, wrapped me up for Ethel’s pleasure, and delivered me herself.

I wasn’t sure what I thought about that. On one hand, I didn’t want to be kidnapped, but on the other hand, I was an avid supporter of Ethel doing whatever she wanted with me. My damned virus really would get me killed at the rate it was going.

Then there was the issue of Ethel’s sisters. It never occurred to me the reason I hadn’t been assigned to the Towson area until after she had confessed that her family mostly lived there. Until she secured me as her mate, she used her role as my supervisor to keep some of the competition away.

Lycanthrope males weren’t much different.

To keep Ethel on her toes and maintain the element of surprise, I remained in my hybrid form, but I packed my best suit in a duffel bag, and Ethel took it upon herself to use a few basic practitioner tricks to keep my clothes from wrinkling. My suit wouldn’t impress anyone, although it was the better of the two I had, the one I used whenever I had a somewhat formal meeting, which wasn’t often.

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.”

“You’re something else. You’re not supposed to be this enthusiastic, sir.”

I huffed my amusement. “Why not?”

“You’re quiet and shy.”

“I think I’ve lost the opportunity to return to my shy and quiet life,” I admitted. “As such, while Allison seems to believe there’s nothing wrong with being last but not leashed, I’m operating under the expectation of retaliation at a later date. As I’m going to be leashed anyway, I feel it’s important I’ve properly earned it.”

Allison cackled, her mirth so intense she plopped off her counter and hit the floor, kicking her feet. “Y-y-you…”

I waited as did the rest of the pack.

Allison choked, shuddered, and gasped out, “You’ve lost, Ethel. Let poor Dale have his fun. Be glad he’s willing to meet your parents.”

I nudged Allison with my foot. “I’m expecting them to pay me for the privilege.”

I loved the sound of silence.

Jerome shot me a disgusted look. “You’re taking advantage of this mess.”

“Yes, I am.”

Throwing his arms in the air, Jerome turned and stomped out of his kitchen. “Fine. Do what you want. Get out of my house and don’t you dare come back until the wee hours of the morning. And I will kill you if you wake us up.”

I picked up my bag, slung it over my shoulder, grabbed the collar, leash, and handcuffs and held them in one hand. With my free arm, I plucked Ethel off the counter, tossed her over my shoulder, and headed for Jerome’s truck before my future mate got tired of my alphas’ shit and killed them both.