“Of course. I told you I intend to take care of you. It was obvious that would include taming not just your mind but your hair.” He taps my nose before releasing my neck and then my wrists.
He lifts me onto the floor, lowering me to my hands and knees. He’s right about the leash. It’s heavy. If he makes me drag it, I will be straining to keep my head up.
“How is your head, Little pet? Is it getting easier to hold it up?”
“I think so, but not with this giant chain,” I retort, unable to keep the sass out of my tone.
“The leash is good for you, naughty girl. It will help strengthen your neck muscles. Heel. I expect you to stay by my side at all times.” Yet again, he points to the floor next to him. I think he’s training me to obey hand signals. I know humans taught signals to dogs on Earth. This feels similar. “Good girl. Come.”
I have to crawl fast to keep up with him. His legs are long. I would have to jog to stay by him even if I were on two legs. On my hands and knees, it’s impossible.
When we reach the kitchen, I wait by his side while he prepares a bottle, and then I follow him to the huge chair he held me in earlier. I’m relieved, thinking he will lift me onto his lap, but he doesn’t.
Daddy sets the bottle on the table again and leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “You need to learn some basic commands, Little pet. I have a coworker coming over this afternoon for a meeting. I want you to impress him. You’re one of the first humans to have been brought to Venkoria. Others will be jealous. You’ll be on your best behavior, understood?”
I narrow my eyes at him.
He lifts his brow. “If that look crosses your face while my coworker is here, you’ll be punished and put in your kennel for the rest of the day with no blanket. The mattress on the bottom is a luxury, too, naughty girl. I can take it away and make you sit in there on the hard base.”
I swallow. “I’ll be good, Daddy.”
“I thought so. Do you think you can learn some simple commands quickly?” His voice is off. He’s teasing me. But he’s also serious.
“Let’s see. We’ve already coveredheelandcome. Anytime I get up, I’ll command you to heel, and I expect you to rise onto all fours at my side. I’ll use the hand motion of pointing at the floor next to my side.”
I try to control my expression.
He continues. “When I say come, I’ll bring my palm up to my chest. You’ll trot alongside me. In the future, when you’re well trained and able to be left in other rooms, you’ll come when I call you without hesitation.”
I’m breathing heavily as I stare up at him. My heart is racing. I want to argue, but I don’t.
“Are those commands clear, Little pet?”
“Yes, Daddy,” I whisper.
“Good. Let’s go over a few more. When I saysit, I want you to rise onto your knees and lean back, lowering your bottom onto your heels or between them. Try it.” He reaches for my leash and lifts, as if I need the motion to follow his simple demand.
I come up off my hands onto my knees and sit back.
“Good girl. Pull your shoulders back and rest your hands on your thighs.”
I shiver as I follow his instructions. My breasts are bare. If he expects me to sit like this in front of people, I will feel exposed and embarrassed. I’m chilly, so my nipples will be hard. That’s probably his goal.
“The hand motion for that will be my hand palm up in front of you. I’ll lift it slightly.” He demonstrates.
“Yes, Daddy,” I mutter.
Daddy reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bag. I don’t know what’s in it. Small brown pieces. I can’t identify them. I cock my head as he opens the bag. He puts one tiny piece on his palm and holds it out toward my face.
I lift my gaze, uncertain what he expects me to do.
“It’s a treat, Little pet. When we train pets on Venkoria and they learn a new command, we give them a treat.” He shakes his hand, as if to remind me of the treat.
I lean back, pursing my lips.
He picks it up and taps my lips with it. “I promise you’ll like it.”
I catch the scent of it and even a bit of the taste. It seems sugary. I can’t place it, probably because I’ve never had whatever it is before.
