The Alpha Donated His Kidney to Make Sins

Back when I bound myself to him, there was this wolf who tried to talk me out of it three times running.

I'd spill my heart about love, and he'd counter with bedroom talk. "Preston's too buttoned-up, trust me-he'll be just as dull between the sheets. And you? You need a wildfire."

I laughed it off. "Who's the wildfire? You?"

He arched a brow, playing coy. "Crystal, I'll bet my tail you two crash and burn inside five years. If I'm right, give me first dibs."

"I'm still single, so yeah, that promise still holds," came the familiar voice on the line, yanking me back to the present.

"A moon from now, I'll be unbound. But I don't need love-I just need a wolf to fool around with, cut loose for a spell."

He barked a laugh. "Hell yeah! Sweetheart, I'm game-let's play."

I hung up and headed home to spruce myself up, prepping a bit for tomorrow-Mom's death day. Elaine's, that is.

Sire always made a big deal of her anniversary every year.

Come morning, Sire and I met up, and when no sign of Preston showed, his face soured. "He bailing again? Can't spare an hour?"

I looped my arm through his, forcing a breezy grin. "Dad, we're breaking the bond-I pulled the plug. Whether he shows or not? Water under the bridge."

Sire eyed me for a long beat, then ruffled my hair. "Smart move cutting your losses, pup. My girl's got her head on straight."

We lit a stick of incense for Mom's portrait, then hit the kitchen to whip up her favorite home-cooked grub-the stuff she craved back when she was with us.

We'd just plated up a full spread when Preston's folks, Robert and Helen, stormed in like a thunderhead, red in the face. Without a how-do-you-do, Helen hauled off and slapped me hard enough to rattle my teeth. "Gregory! Look at the she-wolf you raised-stabbing my son and leaving him high and dry in the hospital. Some mate she is!"

I shook it off and stepped up, planting myself between her and the fury building in Sire. Without missing a beat, I swung back and cracked her one right across the jaw.

Then I snatched her phone and punched in Preston's number.

One ring, and he picked up.

Quick on the draw, wasn't he?

I sneered into the line. "Your folks are over here throwing their weight around-get your tail over here and leash 'em. It's Mom's death day."

Preston's tone was his usual flatline cool. "I'm... still stuck in the hospital. Can't get out yet."

"Preston, which sofa d'you think fits that villa you gifted me? Give it a test-sit and weigh in."

Madeline's wheedling whine floated from the background.

I clamped down on the phone like a vice, words bubbling up-then I caught him murmuring, "You can't have anything cold right now."

Click. Dead air.

I stood there frozen, stare drilling into the floor.

Helen snorted. "You clocked me and expect him to take your side? In your dreams. And let's not kid ourselves-you never had his heart, not in five damn years."

As she crowed, she swaggered over and swept the whole table clean-the food we'd laid out for Mom, still waiting for her "call." Plates shattered, shards flying, and Mom's portrait toppled, cracking on the tile.

I snapped to, grabbing Sire's arm before he launched-he was quaking with rage. I turned on the in-laws I'd tiptoed around for five years. "I put up with your crap because Preston mattered. Now? He's yesterday's news. And you? You're less than dust."

With that, I whistled up my two guards-a wolf and a she-wolf-piled into the ride, and gunned it straight for Robert and Helen's house.

The guards kept the path clear; I did the dirty work myself. Snagged a baseball bat from the trunk and started swinging-from the living room clear to Helen's precious walk-in closet.

Her shrieks peaked over her baubles getting bashed, and that's when Preston barreled in, snagging my wrist. "You done throwing your tantrum?"

I panted, craning up at him with a grin. "Found some time after all, huh? Zipped over in under fifteen."

I shoved him off, ditched the bat, and stalked for the door.

Someone hovered there, peeking like a nervous pup. Spotting me, she babbled, "So sorry-it's my fault Preston's tied up. He didn't mean to ghost you..."

Madeline's innocent act? I blew right past it.

As I brushed by, she backpedaled with a string of apologies, then yelped and dropped like a stone. "Ow... my belly... it hurts so bad..."

"Madeline!" Preston charged out, steadying her-and his elbow clipped me light.

It shouldn't have buckled my knees, but my gut seized up, twisting like a knife. The world blurred black; I hit the floor on all fours.

Sweat beading cold, I dragged my gaze up-and there, not two feet off, Preston was cradling her like she was spun glass, all soft and doting.

Madeline's cheeks bloomed pink; whatever he'd been feeding her, she was glowing-no sign of a damn thing hurting.

He caught the thud of my knees hitting and scowled. "You pulling a fast one on Madeline? Gonna play the victim card?"

Helen cackled.

I wanted to howl with laughter myself.

Me, the Chase pack's golden pup, Daddy's little shadow-how'd I let this bond grind me down to a whipped stray?

I ground my teeth and hauled myself up the doorframe, inch by bloody inch.

Helen smirked. "Madeline's got that sweet disposition-suits Preston to a T."

"Damn straight," I wheezed, nodding. "A pack that bites the paw that pulled 'em from the brink? Deserves a daughter-in-law you can buy for eight hundred a pop down on Skid Row."