Page 35 of Vabar

“Yes, Sir.” I force myself to slow down. “Daddy, I have a question.”

“What is it, Little pet?”

“How come Venkorians aren’t here to adopt the pets?” I would expect them to come in and out all day, looking for a new marn or shorg or one of the other various animals occupying the kennels. I’m not complaining because I don’t like the idea of being stared at, especially naked.

The only people who’ve seen me since I arrived at the shelter are the men who work here and the doctor. Daddy graciously hid me from wandering eyes when the other men came for a meeting. I hope he’ll always do that. As much as I don’t like the kennel, I enjoy being exposed to strangers even less.

“People do come, Little pet. They just don’t come back here to the training room. We take prospective pets out to the visitation rooms.”

“Oh.” That’s a relief.

He kisses the top of my head and leaves me again. I watch as he and the employees take care of all the animals. Finally, Daddy is finished for the day. There’s a shift change. Two new men come in. They will be here during the night.

Daddy brings them over to meet me. As they approach, I lift the tiny marn into my arms and spin around, sitting on my knees with the marn against my chest.

Daddy introduces the men. “Rava, this is Jobex and Rindo. They work the night shift here.”

The two men—who are just as large as every other Venkorian I’ve met—smile at me and nod.

“Nice to meet you,” I murmur, petting the marn.

The two men turn and head toward the kennels.

Daddy smirks as he takes the marn from me. “Don’t think I didn’t notice what you did there, naughty girl.”

I whimper when the warm furball is gone. “Where are you taking her?”

“To her own kennel, Little pet. It’s time for you and me to go home.”

“Can’t she go with us? I could take care of her.”

“No, Rava. She needs to be fed too often in the night for you to manage. You’ll be asleep.”

“I could get up with her and feed her,” I suggest. It’s ludicrous. He’d never let me do such a thing. I’m not even permitted to move one inch from my bed. How could I fix her a bottle?

“No, Little pet,” Daddy states firmly. “You need lots of sleep, and now you need a spanking.” He takes my leash and lifts it. “Come.”

I sigh and crawl alongside him. I shouldn’t have argued with him, but I really hoped he would let me keep the marn.

He turns toward the shorgs. “Come, Trobu. Come, Chinz.”

The shorgs jump up and follow us excitedly, tails wagging, tongues hanging out, ears high. They didn’t come home with us last night. I’m glad they’re doing so tonight.

When we enter the apartment, Daddy leads me directly to the bedroom. And into the bathroom. My heart rate picks up when he turns on the water for the tub. He’s all business as he removes my harness and lifts me into the warm water.

I know I’m in trouble. There’s no doubt he’s going to punish me. It’s just a matter of when and how and where.

He washes me thoroughly, being careful when he touches the area where the tracker was inserted in my arm. It doesn’t hurt, though. I only notice it when he presses on it. Being bathed feels good, but for the first time, he says very little, and I feel remorseful because I know I caused this silent treatment.

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” I say as he lets the water out, wraps a towel around me, and carries me out of the room.

He lowers me onto the bed. “Lie on your tummy, Little pet.”

I roll over, my lips trembling. He’s for sure going to spank me.

“Lift your hips.”

I obey him, my breath hitching as he slides a pillow under me.