Page 99 of My Wild Pet

Aefre’s eyes widen in shock.

Did I just kill my trainer?

If I did then it’s time to pray because I’m definitely going to be put out of an airlock.

I stare at Aefre’s dead body. Time seems to slow as I panic. Was I supposed to control my anger? Was that supposed to be the challenge and now I’ve failed by killing? Aefre always reminding me that humans have no self-control and largely act on instincts alone.

Then with great relief, I watch as the illusion of Aefre disappears just like the others before him.

I drop to my knees, crying. I can’t do this anymore. The holographic Aefre’s words still ring in my ears, “I never wanted you.” After a minute, the glowing orb catches my attention, as if it’s calling to me.

I crawl over to it on my hands and knees. Then I close my fingers around the warm orb and a brilliant surge of light engulfs me.

When the light fades, I’m back in the arena.

The hush of the crowd is eerie, like everyone witnessed me do something unspeakable. I clutch the orb against my body, tears mixing with sweat and blood. I raise my eyes to the trainer’s level, half-expecting to see the real Aefre scowling, arms crossed. But my chest throbs with confusion when I can’t find him.

An announcer’s voice booms overhead, rattling off my success in crisp Imperial and then the audience roars.

The orb dims in my grip, its purpose fulfilled.

I struggle to my feet, vision hazy, clutching the orb like a lifeline. Tomorrow will bring new horrors, new trials. But I survived another day, if just barely.

CHAPTER 62

Aefre

Kaelin and I stand near the observation window, watching the footage of Ash’s challenge replay on the holographic display. My breath releases slowly, relief washing over me. She passed. She survived.

The Garden of Shadows Challenge is one of the more insidious trials for female pets. It’s designed to prey on their intellect and emotions, to root out vulnerabilities that can’t be addressed with mere physical strength. Many have failed, not because they lacked physical capability, but because they weren’t clever enough to navigate the psychological maze.

Ash, however, proved she could handle it. She stumbled, yes—over the projection of me, a moment that could have undone her, but she recovered.

“I thought she was done for when your holograph appeared,” Kaelin comments.

“She exceeded my expectations,” I reply, my gaze still on the screen as it replays the hologram of me. It’s an uncanny replica. “That last hologram really tested her.”

Kaelin shifts slightly uncomfortably. “Do you think they did it to undermine your connection to her before the main event tomorrow?”

“Yes. But it won’t work. Now that Ash knows that was only a hologram she knows nothing that was said was real. And I’ve already seen her and told her how much I value you her. I even gave her some chocolates. But it’ll be Ember who convinces her that he never thinks of Fifi when they’re having sex.”

“You’re not worried that Ember will play on her fears, twist this further? That human pet child hologram said, ‘Don’t leave me.’ That came from Ash’s mind.”

“It’s expected. How could Ash not be affected by the talk of Gael the Returner. It seems all anyone talks about anymore. So of course it’s in her subconscious. But thinking about something and actually acting on it are two different things entirely. I’m not concerned. Ash scored well. She and Ember are in pole position to win tomorrow. Why would they consider leaving?”

“To me, it seems like an unnecessary risk. If I were you, I’d keep Ash with me tonight alone to show her how much she means to me. Those words spoken by the holographic you, hurt her.”

CHAPTER 63

Gabriel

As soon as Briar and I return to our quarters she asks me, “What if we don’t win tomorrow?”

“We will,” I say firmly.

“And if we don’t? What happens then? What happens to me? Will Aefre sell me? Toss me out an airlock? You know that’s what he said in the Garden of Shadows Challenge.”

I kiss the top of her head. “That wasn’t real, Briar. Those were you’re insecurities.” I tap on her collar. “They know everything about us from this. Aefre for what he is would never toss a human out an airlock. He sells them on to who thinks are reputable people.”

---