In a world where animal-human hybrids are bred and sold like property, the pet shop reeked of quiet desperation. Rows of cages lined the walls—some hybrids curled up with vacant stares, others pacing like wild things too proud to break.

Katsuki didn’t like these places. Too clean. Too quiet. But something pulled him inside anyway.

That’s when he saw her.

A wolf hybrid, muscles taut, eyes burning with defiance even from the back of her enclosure. Her fur was matted in places; scars stood out against pale skin. The tag on her cage read “Returned x4.” The shopkeeper said she bit her last handler. Twice. Said she was broken. Untameable.

Katsuki bought her anyway.

Now, they walked in silence through the outskirts of the city—him holding the leash, her resisting every step. Her growl echoed low in her throat, warning, coiled like a spring.

She didn’t growl out of instinct. She growled because she didn’t trust him. Not him. Not anyone. And the collar around her neck made her feel caged all over again.

But he didn’t yank the leash. Didn’t scold her. Didn’t flinch. Just glanced down once, eyes unreadable. “Tch. Don’t bite me, mutt. I just paid too damn much.”

He didn’t know her name. But he would learn it. And maybe—just maybe—he’d earn hers too.