Page 87 of My Wild Pet

I exhale, rubbing a hand over my jaw. Ira has a knack for making me grit my teeth. Still, he’s right about one thing, Ash is shaping up to be quite the show pet. But, she is a testament to my training—not his.

I tell myself it doesn’t matter; I can let him gloat. When the final scores are tallied,Iwill be the one standing in the winner’s circle with Ash at my side.

My IC chimes. It’s Ira,

Send me the video of her.

I search my database for the best video of Ash masturbating. I realize I don’t have that many as she’s so new I rarely let her touch herself. But finally I find one and briefly watch it before sending it over.

In the video I hear myself saying, “Touch yourself, Ash.”

“You mean,” she says in accented Imperial. “I can rub myself here and you won’t punish me, Master?”

“Yes. I want to watch you.”

This human woman has such a hold on me.

I am never letting you go, Ash. You’ll be mine forever.

CHAPTER 51

Briar

The purple uniform Aefre has chosen for me today clings to my skin, it’s different from yesterday’s as it’s light and streamlined for maximum mobility. I run my hands over it, trying to steady my trembling fingers.

I turn slightly, inspecting my tail, expertly braided so it won’t hinder me. My fucking tail. A cruel reminder of how far I’ve been molded into this version of myself that isn’t truly me.

My gaze travels over the thick bush of blonde and pink pubic hair spreading wildly down my thighs and creeping up my backside. I swear Kaelin must have slipped something into my water to make it grow even bushier. But what would be the point of mentioning it? My opinions about my own appearance don’t matter. Even the simplest bodily autonomy, like using the bathroom alone, is a luxury I’m not allowed. With the touch of my trainers’ rings they can make me pee and poop at the same time. Not even that bodily function is my own.

I run my hands over my braided hair that match my tail and take a deep breath trying to calm myself. Today is about survival. Precision. Performance. I’ve run the simulations with Gabriel so many times I could do them in my sleep, but thisis no simulation. This is the real thing. Judges, audiences, competitors…

If we fail today… Or if I fail… what will happen?

What if I die on the obstacle course?

Pets have already died today. Fallen off the course and that was it. There’s no safety net at the Grand Championships.

I glance in the mirror again. I look tired. I have shadows under my eyes. Gabriel and I can’t resist talking when we’re alone together. Just the two of us, and in those moments, I can pretend this alien pet life,isn’tour life at all. Instead, I picture us on Earth, in a home that’s ours. Then the chastity belts chime and bring us back to reality. But still Gabriel holds me through the nights and I feel safe with him.

However, I’m not in the sanctuary of his arms now. This is the arena at the Grand Championships in the Celestial Spire, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

I force myself to breathe. In. Out.

My hands are trembling again, and I make them into fists, willing the shakes will stop. I stare into my own eyes, hardening my expression, locking away the fear.

Today, I’m a competitor. I don’t want to think it, but my mind has already thought the word. Pet. Not set. Not bet. Pet. The memory of Rebecca mouthing that word to me over and over again through the orange forcefield runs through my mind.

What would you tell me now Rebecca?I smile with dark humor, “Save your soul. Walk out the airlock.” And part of me wants to do just that. I haven’t thought about God much in my adult life, but one thing I know for certain, I don’t think He’s here with me among these aliens, letting humans be treated like this. Or if he is, I’ve failed miserably because there’s a part of me that enjoys the sexiness of this life.

I hear my name, “Ash from Earth, Master Aefre’s Pet,” and I leave the female warm-up room. It’s time.

CHAPTER 52

Gabriel

Briar stands tense, her green eyes fixed on the shifting platforms and mirrored corridors stretched out before us.

“Step to the line,” Aefre commands, releasing the leashes that bind us.

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