Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“We’re home, Little pet,” he announces as he steps inside.
I look around. His home is spacious. I have nothing to compare it to, though. I’ve read stories about houses on Earth. I know they came in all different sizes and types. In large cities, people lived in high-rise apartments. I assume that’s what we’re in now. And that is confirmed as my master moves deeper into the living space, allowing me to see out of the enormous windows. We’re very high from the ground.
My owner heads directly toward a sophisticated box on the wall. He pushes a button.
A voice comes through the unit. “Julan. Did you make it home?”
“Yes. Can you come now?”
“Yes. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” My master ends the call. His name must be Julan.
I try it out. “Julan? Is that your name?”
He meets my gaze and smiles, looking slightly surprised. “Yes, Little pet. You will not call me by my name, though.”
“I will call you Master?”
He chuckles. “No. You’re not a slave. You’re my pet. I wasn’t expecting you to have any language skills. Since you do, you will call me Daddy.”
Daddy… I’ve heard the term. It’s what young children on Earth called their fathers. It must have another meaning here. “You’re not my father,” I say.
“No. Definitely not. I’m your caregiver. It’s a term of endearment.” He cocks his head to one side. “The guards were right. You are an intelligent being, aren’t you?”
I frown. “Of course I am.”
He chuckles again, his laughter jostling me. “You are one of the first humans to arrive. We don’t know much about your abilities.”
“Well, I’m not a pet,” I declare emphatically as I reach for the collar. “I don’t need a collar. Those are for pets.”
He nuzzles my neck, seemingly entertained by me. “You are my pet, Little human. There is no other designation for you here. I’ve purchased you to amuse me.”
My breath hitches. “Amuse you how?”
He shrugs. “I guess we’ll find out.”
My head sways forward. I’m straining so hard to hold it up.
Julan grips my neck, frowning. “You seem to lack much strength. Was it difficult for you to hold yourself upright on the space station?”
“No, never. It’s probably from the drugs they gave me before they brought me to your planet.”
“Hmmm. Perhaps. We’ll see what the doctor says.”
“Doctor?”
“That’s who I called. He’ll be here shortly. He’ll examine you.”
“I don’t need a doctor.”
He frowns at me. “You’ll do well to remember your place, Little pet. I’ve purchased you for my amusement. I’m startled by your intelligence. That changes things. But I advise you not to argue with Daddy. Naughty behavior will not be tolerated.”
A knock at the door startles me.
Julan is still carrying me as he returns to the entrance and opens it. “Yamal. Thank you for coming.”
The man named Yamal enters. I assume he’s the doctor. He’s wearing blue like the man who injected me initially on the space station. Maybe that man was also a doctor. He’s carrying a large black bag in one hand and something I don’t recognize in his other.
“Has she spoken yet?” he asks. “I’ve heard rumors that the humans can speak.”
Julan laughs. “Incessantly. It would seem humans are far more intelligent than we presumed.”
Yamal looks surprised as his gaze comes to me.
“I’m not a dog,” I nearly shout.
Julan grips my chin and holds my face, turning me to look at him. “You will not speak disrespectfully to me or anyone else. You will address the doctor as Sir. You will address any man who directly speaks to you as Sir. Do you understand me?”
I swallow, regretting my outburst. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Interesting,” Yamal comments. “Perhaps she will not be difficult to train.”
I pout. It’s hard to hold my tongue. I don’t need training. I’m not a pet. But I don’t reiterate my point.
“What is a dog?” Yamal asks, his focus on Julan.
“I have no idea. It doesn’t translate into Venkorian.”
Neither man bothers to ask me.
Yamal sets his bag down and unfolds the other item. It takes me a minute to realize it’s some sort of table. An exam table. He brought his own exam table to Julan’s house.
I shudder, nerves crawling up my skin.
“Was this garment on her when she arrived?” Yamal asks Julan.
“Yes. Intel suggests that all the human females on the space station are dressed similarly.”
Yamal pats the padded table. “Remove her clothes and lay her on the table. I’ll need to examine her thoroughly and take notes so we’ll know more about the human body.”
I cling to Julan’s neck, my heart rate accelerating. “Daddy, I don’t want to be naked.”
He frowns. “Why do you care, Little pet?”
“It’s not right. People don’t get naked in front of others.”
His gaze narrows. “You’re my pet, Little human. You’ll do as you’re told. I don’t expect you to have an opinion about clothing. Or anything for that matter.” He mutters that last part.