Page 100 of My Wild Pet

“I’m so confused, Gabriel. Why are you defending him?”

“I’m not. I’m just letting you know the truth. Aefre is not going to kill you or sell you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, the way he gives you special privileges no one else has ever had, not even me or Mags. I know, he’s never going to let you go. You’ve exceeded his expectations. And that’s why wehaveto win tomorrow. You and I together, it’s the irony that he’s trained us so well, that we’re the best. This is our chance, Briar. Notre seule chance to get out of this life.”

Confusion clouds her eyes. “But we are lucky to be on theLuminous Arc. You must know that. I’ve heard enough horror stories from the other pets to last a lifetime. We could end up somewhere much worse.”

“This is true. I’ve been with Aefre almost longer than I lived on Earth and I’ve experienced it all. All the best alien pet life has to offer. And let me assure you, a human pet’s life is a life only half lived, even if it’s with someone like Aefre. Briar, listen to me, you’ve awakened my soul. Reminded me that I still have one. And I demand more than this life Aefre has to offer,” I say, my voice steady. “I want to take this collar off and breathe without permission.”

“And what if Gael is lying? What if this human colony everyone is talking about doesn’t exist? What if he’s just another Imperial looking to sell us to the highest bidder?”

“J’y ai pensé, Briar,” I say, my tone rising with my frustration. “I’ve thought about this a thousand times and I said the exact same things to Fifi last year. But what’s the alternative? Staying here? Staying in this gilded cage? With tails and collars and possibly having a child born into the same slavery? That child we saw in the mirrors was the most frightening thing I’ve ever seen in a challenge. Our child with Aefre’s collar around its neck.” My voice breaks. “Or even worse, you bearing Aefre’s child? I can’t, Briar. I won’t live like this any longer. We must go. Say you’ll go with me…”

She hesitates, her green eyes searching mine. “I’m scared of ending up in a worse place. Aefre treats us?—”

“Comme des animaux,” I interrupt, my voice sharper than I intended. “He treats us like non sentient animals, Briar. Do you want to live the rest of your life with a collar around your neck? Making no decisions for yourself. Putting your trust in another for your complete well-being? Bearing children you have no say over?”

Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think she’ll argue her point further. But instead, she looks away. “I don’t know. I’m scared, Gabriel.”

“Then trust me. The colony is real,” I say, my voice gentler now. “I believe it is. And I believe Gael will take us there. I can’t do this without you, Briar.”

She nods slowly, her green eyes meeting mine. “Okay,” she says quietly.

“Merci,” I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Tu es tout pour moi, Briar. You mean everything to me. And trust me, we must leave.”

CHAPTER 64

Briar

I’ve never been so nervous. I’m standing next to Gabriel in the waiting area. We’re up next to compete in the last challenge, The Eternal Convergence. There are four other pet pairs left and we are in the lead from the qualifying rounds. But there’s still a chance we could lose. The points awarded in the final round are much higher, because the stakes and the risk to our lives are also higher.

Then there is the Bond Breaker Challenge for extra UCs. Gabriel promises me that if we have to do the Bond Breaker, he won’t make the same mistake as last year, citing our strong connection as the difference.

But it's not like we have a choice. If we win the Grand Championships, it will be up to Aefre to decide whether we compete in the Bond Breaker. It wasn’t just Gabriel who was broken by Fifi dying last year. I don’t think even Aefre knows what his decision will be until we reach that point.

A wave of nausea rolls over me. I grip Gabriel’s arm for support and then run out of the waiting area to the bathroom. All the toilets are busy so I stand over a sink and barely manage to steady myself before I vomit.

My throat burns as I try to catch my breath. The sink automatically removes the waste. Then I rinse my mouth and splash water on my face. I look closely at my reflection in the mirror. I look pale. But I’m not surprised given the circumstances.

As I step out of the bathroom, a small group of human female pets are gathered near the entrance. One of them, a tall woman with auburn hair braided neatly down her back, tilts her head at me. “You’re doing really well for someone in your condition.”

I blink, confused. “What?”

Another pet, a shorter woman with dark eyes and a knowing smirk, raises her hand and makes a rounded motion over her stomach—a gesture that needs no words.

My heart stops.

“No,” I say automatically, shaking my head. “I’m not?—.”

The auburn-haired woman shrugs. “If you say so.”

The image of the holographic child from the Garden of Shadows flashes in my mind. A child with golden curls with ombre pink tips, and piercing green eyes …Could it be real?It’s ridiculous to think our child would look like that, a perfect blend of us, including my artificially pink hair. But what if there’s a child growing inside me now? Would I want them to live the life of a pet?

No.

But risking that child’s future trying to escape?

Then another thought grips me, colder and darker. What if it’s not Gabriel’s? What if it’s Aefre’s? The very idea makes me feel sick all over again. What if the child would have Imperial features? Could a child like that be raised in a human colony?

If we made it. If the colony isevenreal.

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