Page 11 of I'm Not Your Pet

I did not like the way he leaked because of me.

After I’d asked to speak with The Manager to sing his praises, the small creature had been sent away. Because if there was one thing I was certain of after our encounter, it was the fact that I could not leave him without making sure The Manager knew what a wonderful job he’d done. At the moment, it was all I could do to ensure his safety.

I’d promised.

My reputation proceeded me.

The Manager’s gaze was assessing the moment we were alone, yellow eyes narrowed. Creatures like him were common in my line of work. Give them an inch and they’d take a mile. Unfortunately for me, he had a rather lovely bargaining chip.

“You like him much,” The Manager cooed, money signs practically dancing in his beady gaze. I was used to this reaction to my species. Sarhks were known for their generosity and abundant wealth. We rarely left our planet, which meant when we did, we often encountered greed. “He is for sale if you are interested.”

The idea of purchasing a person was abhorrent, but I said nothing, aware that my words would only end in tragedy for the huu-man. Other slaves walked by the glass window of the office I’d been led to, all scantily clad, flushed and sweaty from a long day’s work dancing.

The door was shut, so the room was quiet.

Still, my ears roared.

The huu-man did not have fangs, the way I did. He did not have claws. He was defenseless. Weak. There was no way for him to fight back against this man or anyone here. Luckily for him, I had all of those things. And while I knew that I couldn’t free all of the aliens here, perhaps I could…free one?

“How much?” I asked, the translator beeping in my ear as The Manager debated with himself. I already knew he was about to state a price far higher than he would give a man of any other species.

“One million,” he replied, then grimaced. “Actually, two million,” he corrected himself, his eyes narrowed. “Thatparticular specimen was considered intelligent on his planet.”

I found his comment interesting. It was common knowledge that A&R were notoriously picky with the creatures they abducted. Anyone who did not meet the cut was dropped off here, or the more rural planet, U’Suhk. He must be quite clever to have been abducted in the first place. I felt immense empathy for him—knowing that he could’ve ended up somewhere far better than here if only he’d passed the test.

Poor little one.

He had probably been so frightened when it happened.

He was probablystillfrightened.

At least if the looks he’d been giving me all night were to be believed. Like he was begging me to save him. Like he trusted me to do so—despite not knowing me at all.

I wasn’t sure what I should do.

Ethically speaking, the idea of buying someone disgusted me. I was attracted to him, yes. He’d make a perfect, although unorthodox, mate. Truly, I’d never been interested in taking one until the moment he’d sunk to his knees and his proposal had made my hearts race.

“Two million,” I repeated as my thoughts swam in circles. “Two million and he can come with me?”

“Correct.”

I’d promised the huu-man I would make things okay.

I just…wasn’t sure the best way to go about that.

In a daze, I went back to the ship for the night to figure out what to do.

I did my best to act casual as I prepared dinner, but Mala saw through me. He’d been the only person who knew I was heading back to the pleasure houses. And before I could even sit down on the bench beside him, his spots were green with curiosity. He paused, a bite of bambuu halfway to his mouth, eyes searching mine. I took my seat, preparing for the worst as my plate clinked against the table.

“Something is wrong,” he accused.

“Nothing is wrong,” I reassured, far too quickly to be telling the truth.

“It is.” His eyes narrowed and his sharp teeth snapped with amusement. He glanced around the room to make sure we were alone, confirmed the coast was clear, then cocked his head at me. “Tell me what happened.”

It was not my way to overshare with my crew, even Mala, who I considered to be my closest friend. However…the huu-man’s dark eyes haunted me even now. I swallowed, embarrassed that my own spots were sure to betray me.

“Roark,” Mala softened his tone, moving closer. “It is unlike you to act so uncertain. Tell me what’s wrong so that we can fix it.”

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