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“Thank you.” Vabar opens the door to one side of us and tugs my leash again. “Come, Little pet.”

I’m surprised when we enter this new space. It’s like any apartment I’ve seen pictures of from Earth. The main difference is the size of everything. I shouldn’t be surprised. Why would Vabar, or any other Venkorian male, sit on a chair of human size? I doubt they own such a thing.

He continues across what appears to be a large living space with a couch and some armchairs. Also in the room are kitchen appliances, a table, and chairs.

Vabar moves rapidly, forcing me to pick up my pace to keep up with him. He stops when we reach the center of the room and removes my leash.

It’s a giant relief, which is comical, considering how mortified I am. The leash shouldn’t mean that much to me compared to the diaper, the collar, the bit, and the fact my bare breasts are swaying in front of me for everyone to see.

Vabar signals for me to stay, and I freeze. I don’t dare even sit back because he didn’t give me permission to do so.

He heads for the kitchen area, opens the fridge, and takes out a bottle.

I watch, my stomach grumbling as he heats it in some sort of appliance that does so even faster than a microwave.

When he returns to the living area, he sets the bottle on an end table and motions for me to come.

I crawl to him. Humiliation is now my middle name.

“Good girl,” he praises, patting the top of my head. As he strokes my hair, he picks up a section of it. “This hair is stunning, Little pet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any quite this color on Venkoria. It’s one of the main features that drew me to you. I love it.”

My hair is hanging all around me. It’s in need of a brush and something to hold it back. I like that he’s enamored by it, but I’m not sure I can reconcile how someone could buy a human being, especially from only seeing pictures of her hair.

Vabar releases my unruly waves and gives me another silent command to stay. He moves to the other side of the living room before turning and signaling “come.”

I hate this. It’s so degrading. But at the same time, I dislike being separated from Vabar even more. I feel a loss when he moves away and relief as he calls me to him once again, especially when he touches me upon my arrival.

Vabar repeats all his commands several times, sometimes verbally, sometimes with nothing but signals. As he knows, I’m an intelligent being. He’s testing me, not because he honestly believes I might not be able to learn his training signals. No. He’s doing this to assert his dominance over me.

Eventually, he stops and lowers himself into one of the armchairs. “Sit, Little pet.”

I bend my knees and drop onto my heels in front of him.

He leans forward, puts his elbows on his thighs, and strokes my cheek. “You’re so gorgeous, Little pet. I’m stunned every time I look at you.”

I blush. It’s nice to hear those words from him, but the circumstances are not ideal.

“Here’s what’s going to happen, Little pet. I’m going to explain a few things to you, then I’ll remove the rubber bit. If you’re well-behaved and can control your desire to lash out at me, I’ll let you go without the bit. If not, it goes back in. Understood?”

I suck in air through my nose as I nod.

“First, you will be respectful at all times, both to me and to any other man you meet. When I allow you to speak, you will address me as Daddy or Sir. Other men, you will address as just Sir.”

Daddy?

He must read the quizzical look in my eyes because he answers my question. “Daddy is what Little pets call their owners on Venkoria. I’m your caregiver, and I will be for the rest of your life.”

I swallow around the bit.

“You will speak to me politely. You will not argue with me or question my choices. I make all decisions for you, and you will learn to accept them as law.”

I hold his gaze, trying not to panic.

“My rules are not simply for my amusement. They’re for your safety. I’ll be very strict with you because I don’t want you to be injured or in danger. You’re a very valuable commodity on Venkoria. Other men have already faced intruders who intended to steal their human pet. For that reason, you will be secured nearly all the time. Your collar is not removable. It stays around your neck permanently. Under normal circumstances, I’m the only person capable of releasing your leashes. The only other Venkorian who could override my thumbprint is someone from the tech department in the event of an emergency.”

I listen closely. This is all important. I don’t like what I’m hearing, but I understand his fear.

He continues, “No matter how smart you think you are, you’re not as intelligent as Venkorians. Trust me. You do not know what is best for you, and I will not entertain your suggestions. If you persist in debating with me, you will be disciplined every time. And trust me when I say I have a long list of creative ways to punish you.” He lifts a brow.