Page 89 of My Wild Pet

“Focus, ma chère,” I murmur. “We’re almost there.”

The last sequence is a blur of jumps, spins, and perfectly timed steps. My muscles burn, my heart is pounding as Aefre’s commands come faster, pushing us to our limits.

Finally, the markers stop glowing and the platform steadies beneath us. The crowd erupts into cheers.

I glance at Briar. Her exposed breasts moving up and down with her heavy breathing, her green eyes shining with relief. I reach out, brushing her arm lightly. “Bien fait, Briar. You were incredible.”

For a moment, the arena fades away, the roar of the crowd nothing more than a distant sound. And it’s just us in the whole galaxy.

I want to tell her that it’s our destiny to be free but I can’t say that here. So instead I just hold her gaze and we both bask in the praise of Aefre telling us we are ‘good pets.’

CHAPTER 53

Briar

Gabriel and I slip into the pet observation deck, adrenaline is still coursing through my veins after the obstacle course. Other pets mill around, pets who’ve just competed, or who are preparing for their turn. There’s an undercurrent of tension in every corner of the room.

A woman with a shaved head waves us over. At first, I hesitate, but Gabriel nudges my elbow in encouragement, “I’ve spoken with her before. She’s kind.”

We wind our way through the crowd, collapsing onto a pair of soft cushions.

“You two did well,” the shaved-headed woman says in halting Imperial. “Scored high enough to keep your trainers off your backs for a while, huh?”

“Seems like it,” Gabriel replies, forcing a polite smile. I don’t think he’d ever describe Aefre as being ‘on our backs.’ And it makes me wonder what her pet life must be like.

“Where are your masters from?” I ask not recognizing the markings on her collar.

“Callix Prime . My mistress looks like a lizard woman.”

“Oh,” I say. I have no idea which one she’s talking about. Quite a few of the trainers look like lizards. “Have you been with her long?” I ask, and Gabriel gives me a look. Apparently, I’m making some human pet faux pas, but I don’t care. I’m curious.

“It’s okay, Ember. She’s new and I don’t mind telling her what I can. I’ve been with my mistress for six years now. She’s not good or bad. She is what she is.”

“And do you sleep with her?” I ask, holding nothing back.

“Oh no, definitely not. We have cages that are stacked like coffins in the gymnasium.”

Now I know why Gabriel didn’t want me to ask any questions. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Another pet on the other side of the woman nods in agreement, tugging at the edge of his collar. “It’s humiliating,” he murmurs, glancing around. “They make us do demonstrations. Parades in front of high-ranking officials. We’re fitted with gear that… emphasizes our humanness. And they like body modifications.” He trails off, face burning with shame.

I swallow hard, recalling the bizarre augmentations I’ve heard rumors about. Extra limbs, tails, ridges. My own tail flicks behind me, and I feel a jolt of sympathy.At least my tail could be considered cute.Weird as fuck, but cute. If I ever make it back to Earth, I’m sure I could make a lot of friends in Japan with this tail.

Suddenly, a slight woman with long blonde hair comes over to join our group, but her focus is squarely on Gabriel. “Is it true,” she asks quietly, “that your master has set the date for you and me to breed after the Grand Championships?”

My body goes rigid. I glance at Gabriel, and he looks just as stunned as I feel. “I… haven’t heard anything about that,” he mumbles, color rushing to his cheeks. Even so, the woman’s eyes spark with lust.

“Well,” she says, “if you’re interested in getting a head start, maybe you and I could go over in that corner? I don’t mind if the other pets watch. I’m not shy.” We all look to where she’s gesturing. There’s a little bed in the corner. It’s empty, but no doubt it’s free for pets to use,As long as it’s televised throughout the galaxy and monitored by a trainer, I think.

As the words of her suggestion sink in and Gabriel’s lack of response lingers, a surge of jealousy I’m not prepared for rips through my body. “He’s not interested,” I say for Gabriel.

She arches an eyebrow but shrugs, unfazed. “You must benew. Fresh from Earth. Let me give you a tip, there are no relationships here. You don’t get to call dibs on anyone and no one gets to call dibs on you. We are at our master and mistresses’ mercy and if we happen tolikewhat they decide for us then we should make the most of it. Ember is a champion and good looking. He’s also known for being a good lover, why would I not want to have him as many times as I can? God knows there’s precious else good that comes from being an alien’s pet.” Then she looks at Gabriel, “What do you say Ember? I hear your dick is pierced for her pleasure as well. It makes me wet just thinking about it.” She licks her lips.

I dive for the woman.I’m going to strangle her.

Gabriel pulls me back before I can do any real damage. And then says, “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m ready for anything now, but I look forward to a future meeting with you with our trainers.”

My cheeks burn at the thought of it all, Aefre orchestrating Gabriel’s “breeding,” and the casual way these people discuss his body like it’s just another commodity.

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