Pets Will Play: A New Start

by PhatFizzyFrog (ao3)

Chapter 1: The Deal

Tuesdays were the best days of the week. The weekend was always busy with customers coming in and out of the shop, taking pets to and from. Meanwhile, Mondays were for bathes and refresher training. It was nice to have a slow day for the pets to relax and nap after an eventful weekend auction.

The walls of the pet shop were lined with metal cages on either side, all of them of medium size. Each one contained an array of blankets, pillows, and a food and water bowl. Some of the more well behaved pets were even allowed toys. Of course, the most important part of each cage was its resident. The pet shop cared for and sold a diverse cast of species- dog, cats, bunnies…even the occasional fox or raccoon. Most of them were relaxing on the slow day, paying no mind to the occasional customer coming in to gawk at the pretty pets for sale. Others, mostly the younger ones, were eagerly pressing themselves against the bars of their cages, hopeful for a kind and attractive master.

In the center of the wall sat a nearly bare cage, equipped with only a singular blanket. It’s resident was at the very back, as far into the shadows as it could get. Its white tail flicked as it dozed, the only sign of movement within the darkness. Its owner was a small, lithe cat boy, with long white hair tied into a braid and white cat ears on the top of its head that twitched in its sleep.

This was Noah, the most infamous pet in the entire city. If there was an official record for amount of hands traded within a year, he’d have it three years running. Noah was the only pet in the entire store with a metal collar around his throat, keeping him attached to the floor of his cage through a short chain. He laid on his back, his white tail curled at his side. Like the other pets, he wasn’t allowed clothes while on display, except for the shiny blue ring at the base of his cock.

He paid no mind to the occasional customer coming to look at the pets. He knew he wouldn’t be chosen. There wasn’t a pet owner in the city who was stupid enough to try him.

Suddenly, his ear flicked as the shopkeeper’s voice trailed into his cage.

“I’ve got just the pet…”

Noah relaxed again, shifting to get more comfortable. This didn’t concern him. His heart did go out to whatever poor pet was being bought up as a permanent fuck toy.

“Noah. Twenty one year old cat boy. He’s cute.”

The lighting on the other side of his eyelids had changed. Noah blinked his eyes open, only to jump in surprise when he saw a face staring down at him. His tail bushed out in fright. He was on his hands and knees in an instant, glaring up at the man.

The man just watched him, seeming unimpressed. He wasn’t hard to look at- young, perhaps a few years older than Noah, but much bigger. His muscles bulged beneath his tight shirt. His black hair was slicked back and out of his face, aquamarine eyes glinting but unreadable.

The shopkeeper- an older, stout man- looked even less impressed. “He’s cute but watch those teeth. Greater trainers have tried him, Leyton, and they haven’t walked away with all their limbs in tact.”

The man smiled. “He’s perfect.”

Noah narrowed his eyes. What about that could possible be perfect? Did this man want to lose a finger? Or two? Or his cock?

The shopkeeper seemed unsure. “You’re funeral, man. At least he’s out of my shop for a day or two. I’ll get the papers sorted.” He glanced down at Noah and the cat boy glared at him. They both knew how this ended.

Once the shopkeeper had left, the man leaned down to get on Noah’s level. “Hello, Noah. I’ve heard a lot about you. All bad things, don’t worry. But I plan to fix that.”

Noah’s tail lashed, annoyed. Of course he’d be meeting some pompous over confident asshole on his best day off. “Greater trainers have tried me, Leyton, and they haven’t walked away with all their limbs in tact,” he quoted.

The man tutted. “That’s not your name to use, cat. You will call me Master.”

Noah’s tail lashed. “Would you accept jackass?”

“No, I would not.” The man glanced back down the line of cages.

Several pets were pressing themselves to the edge of their dens, trying to get a good look at the show Noah was about to put on. Most pets learned within their first week that any pet owner looking into Noah’s cage was about to be the laughing stock of the day. First came their initial failure when Noah inevitably managed to embarrass them in some way, and second came when they had to take him back the next morning.

“I hope you’ll behave for the ride home,” the man cooed lightly. “See, I drove my lamborghini here, and I don’t want it scratched up. Understand?”

Noah’s tail curled. Was this guy a complete moron? If there was something to ruin, he would find a way.

This guy was a total joke.

Noah decided it was best to just ignore the nuisance. He laid back down in his spot at the back of the cage, curling up to continue his nap.

Footsteps made his ear flick. He didn’t think anything of it until he heard the front of the cage rattling open. His eyes opened to see his newest owner standing over him, one hand on his hip and the other dangling a gag in front of Noah’s face. It was a standard red rubber ball gag, which made Noah scoff a laugh.

He rolled over to get comfortable.

The man gazed down at him. “I’ll give you two options. The easy way, or-”

Noah jumped when he heard something crackling within the cage. He got to his hands and knees, his tail bristling. Only then did he spot the cattle prod in the man’s hand.

“The hard way,” the man finished, his thumb pressing down the button that made electricity pass between the two prongs.

Now that Noah was paying attention, he also spotted a leash and armbinder dangling from the man’s fist, the straps of each wrapped around the handle of the cattle prod.

It was the standard procedure, but the cattle prod had him on edge. The end of his tail bristled, communicating his displeasure with the situation.

Noah braced himself against the ground, his chin low. It almost looked like a bow. But, after a quick calculation, he lurched forward, arms extended to grab for the prod.

He’d done this before with gear that was presented to him. He knew the chain kept him low to the ground, and so his pounce had to be mostly horizontal. This man was tall- 6 ft, by Noah’s calculations, and muscular, but the cat boy had taken down bigger. He was standing at the very end of Noah’s reach, most likely a miscalculation on his own part, believing he was just safe.

With ease, Noah grabbed onto the cattle prod at the base of the head. He expected the chain to snap him back, giving him enough momentum to tear it from his newest owner’s hands.

Instead, much to his surprise, he found himself dangling from the prod half choked as the collar dug into his throat.

The man hadn’t budged.

Noah dropped to the ground and took a deep breath. Thinking quickly, he darted back to where the chain met the ground, dodging out of the way of any strikes.

But the man hadn’t moved. He stared down at Noah, unimpressed. Then, he knelt down, placing the items on the floor in front of him. “On your knees, cat. Face the wall and put your hands behind your back,” he commanded.

“Go fuck yourself,” Noah growled angrily. He wouldn’t let this man humiliate him. He’d dealt with worse. As soon as the items were on the floor, Noah reached out to grab the arm binder and drag it closer. He lifted it up, inspecting it curiously for a moment, then put the buckle of the strap between his teeth.

He crunched down, hard, denting it. This was a trick he’d used before. The binders in the pet shop were meant to be cheap, only given to new purchases for transportation. They were easy to break out of and even easier to destroy.

With a sly smirk, he dropped the useless arm binder back onto the floor.

His newest owner’s expression remained blank. “The hard way, then.” He stepped
forward boldly. Then, raised one boot.

Noah immediately crawled backward, predicting a kick. But instead, the man stomped his foot down on the chain, throwing Noah to the floor in front of him.

The cat boy glared up at him through his pale hair. He reached one hand up to rake his nails across the man's leg, feeling fabric tear and the warmth of blood.

The man grunted, a small dribble of blood flowing from the wound. But he kept his foot firmly on the chain. “If you’re done with this little tantrum, we can go home.”

“Sure,” Noah growled. “If you’ve got the money to replace that fancy interior of your stupid car,” he threatened. He braced his hands against the floor, but wouldn’t give his man the satisfaction of watching him struggle. Instead, he laid still, pretending to give in and hoping the man would let his guard down.

The man kept his foot firmly against the chain. He swung his other leg over Noah, then knelt down, putting his knee directly into his spine. “I was going to let you enjoy a relaxing ride in the back seat, but if you’re going to be naughty you’ll have to go in the trunk.”

Noah snickered. “Even better. Easy to escape from and I don’t have to look at your stupid face the whole time.” He could see the shopkeeper beyond the bars of the cage, watching curiously. “You really should start briefing your clients. This is how accidents happen.”
He smirked when the shopkeeper glared at him, then stiffened when he felt said client’s knee digging harder into his back.

“If it’s so easy to escape then I’ll offer you a little challenge,” the man said. “I’ll tie you up for the ride. If you manage to escape, you can go free. I won’t chase you down and I’ll make sure no one sends hunters after you.”

Noah paused, thinking it over. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch. No gimmicks. But if you don’t escape, you belong to me. Got it?”

Noah was silent for a long moment, his tail flicking as he mulled it over in his head.

There was so much to take into consideration. How long was the drive? How good of a rigger was this guy?

He was being underestimated. Owners always did this- they didn’t realize what a pain Noah could be, or how far he’d go. This could be easy. Or at least fun.

How could he pass up an opportunity for freedom?

The consequences didn’t sound bad anyway. This man wouldn’t keep him long. He was always back in the shop within a few days.

“Deal.”

“Good boy,” the man said sweetly. “Now keep still.”

He bent to ruffle Noah’s hair, making him growl. Then, the pressure was gone from his back. The man walked out of the cage and the shopkeeper quickly closed it behind him, sending Noah a stern glare.

Noah just shrugged at him. What was he supposed to do while chained to the ground? The shopkeeper had been smart enough to use a steel chain this time so Noah couldn’t snap it.

His new owner disappeared from view, heading toward the front desk. Noah’s ear flicked, curious. Usually, the owners would head for the bondage displays to find some tough rope or handcuffs. What was this guy’s plan?

Noah understood immediately when he returned with a large roll of duct tape in his hand. The Cat boy’s tail bristled with apprehension. This man was smarter than the average pompous prick who walked into the pet shop. But duct tape was nothing more but sticky rope. It was easy to chew through and tear up. The only downside was how badly it hurt to remove sometimes.

When his new owner walked into the cage, Noah remained on the ground, his tail whisking back and forth. He wouldn’t lose his dignity by trying to fight. Besides, he’d made a deal that he didn’t think his new owner understood. There wasn’t a buyer
Noah had met he couldn’t drive crazy.

The man stopped in front of him. When he tore off the first piece of tape, the loud ripping sound made the other pets’ heads turn. Noah could imagine some of them being quite happy to be in his exact predicament.

Noah was happy for a different reason.

The man knelt down in front of him. “Last chance to back out.”

Noah met his gaze, letting his hatred show in his eyes, but he didn’t say a word. He knew this man wanted him to fight back, to have a snide remark, to give him a reason to get violent. Noah wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

Instead, he sat up a bit taller, his tail whisking in invitation. He wanted this man do his worse, because he knew could do better.

As a show of good sportsmanship, he lowered himself to his stomach, then held his arms behind his back.

The man smiled at him gently, making Noah want to bite him. Then, he straddled over him, his knees digging into his back to keep him still. First, Noah felt his wrists being grabbed and taped up, each rip of the tape audible on purpose. The man worked his way up Noah’s arms, binding them tightly against each other. He was extra vigilant around his hands, making sure they were wrapping in several layers of tape.

Noah noticed with annoyance that he was still minding basic safety protocol. The tightest wraps were far from any pressure points and he left Noah’s shoulders only slightly bent, which the Cat boy didn’t appreciate. Worse case scenario, he could dislocate his shoulder to slip out. That was going to be harder if he didn’t already have them at an odd angle.

When the man was done, Noah could do little more than move his arms a few inches out. But this wasn’t so bad. He didn’t need full mobility to bust out.

His heart skipped a beat when he heard the tape ripping again, then his legs being pushed together. The man started at his ankles and worked his way up, all the way to his thighs.

Still nothing he couldn’t handle.

The man stood up. “How’s that feel?” he asked.

Noah’s bright pink gaze was calm as he looked over his shoulder. “Tight. No lumps. An adequate job.”

The man smiled at him. “Even all bound up you can be snide. I like that.” He disappeared from view again when he knelt down. This time, he was a lot rougher. He lifted Noah slightly off the ground to begin wrapping tape around his torso to bind his arms to his back.

Panic made Noah’s chest pound. He struggled meekly, feeling his limbs being trapped to his body. In under five minutes, he was completely bound, his entire body completely covered in tape all except his head, shoulders, and pelvis.

This would pose a problem.

To his further surprise, the man wasn’t done yet. He yelped as fingers grabbed his hair, tugging him into a kneeling position. Before he could think to lash out, duct tape was being pressed to his mouth. He tried to open it to bite down, but a hand pressed against his chin, forcing him to close it as layers upon layers of duct tape wrapped around his head until his jaw was completely stuck. Then, his world went dark, the tape moving up to his eyes until his entire head was encased, leaving only his nose and ears free.

His ear flicked when he heard something soft hitting the ground, and realized the man had dropped the now empty roll of duct tape.

He was completely immobile. The tape was so thick even bending his knees was proving difficult.

He felt the weight leave his back as the man stood up once more. He could hear cages rattling as the other pets tried to get a good view of what was happening. He then felt the collar around his neck suddenly loosen, and the chain jingle as it dropped to the ground. Then, he was being lifted into the air and pressed against something firm.

“Get comfortable,” the man said in his ear. One arm was braced against Noah’s back while the other supported his legs. “We’ve got a forty minute drive ahead of us.”

Noah’s ears pricked, picking up the sounds of the city. He heard cars racing by, birds chirping in the trees, people murmuring as they passed on the streets. He could hear his new owner’s designer shoes clacking on the concrete parking lot. He felt the man shift him into one arm, and growling as he was slung over a shoulder.

A moment later, he heard the beeping of a car and the unhooking of a hatch. Then, he was being sat down somewhere with tough fabric and little light.

“Remember the deal, Noah,” the man sneered. “You’ve got forty minutes. If you manage to escape, you’re free. If not, you belong to me.” Confidently, he added, “I’ll see you in forty minutes.”

Noah jolted in fear when a loud bang sounded over his head.

He had forty minutes.

Chapter 2: Whatever It Takes

The black lamborghini breezed down the road. The driver’s side window was all the way down so Eli Leyton could feel the wind in his hair. But more important, so he could better hear the struggles of his new pet. Noah was perfect for his most recent project. Definitely rough around the edges, with an attitude that needed to be culled and a fire that could be focused. So long as he didn’t break out of the trunk, Eli had a feeling this would be fun.

And he was very confident Noah wasn’t getting out of that trunk.

For the entire drive through the city Eli could hear his poor kitty thrashing about. He would be worried, but he knew he’d bundled him up enough. He knew the tricks- Noah had planned to scratch or chew his hands free, then use his claws to fiddle open the latch and leap out. Eli had been careful to make sure there was no way Noah could get his hands free in time, nor could he kick out the break light and find a way to drop himself onto the street.

Eli reached over his head to press a button on the sun visor and slowed down the car. He’d pulled into the first half of a gated off driveway. The massive, luxurious gate in front of him began to open. On either side were large pillars that reached higher than the rest of the gate. Near the top of each was a ring of light that glowed green when the gate began to open. When Eli drove his car through and the gate closed behind him, they turned red.

Eli pressed another button to open the garage door, pulling up next to the rest of his fancy cars. He took it slow, enjoying the sounds of Noah thrashing in the trunk. He climbed out of the car, but left Noah where he was for now.

Through the side door, he headed into the mansion to get into a change of clothes and dress his wounds. Noah had clawed his leg pretty good, and he needed to get it covered.

He’d given Noah an extra twenty minutes as he got himself changed into a tight, long sleeve black shirt and black pants. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again, and made sure he had plenty of padding.

Finally, he went back to the car and opened the trunk. “Still here?” he asked rhetorically. “Sorry, cat. Looks like you’re mine now.”

He frowned when all he got out of his new pet was a rumbled growl from behind the tape. Although Noahs body was mostly covered, Eli could see bruises on his neck and shoulders, and inferred he probably had more. He’d have to be more careful in the future. He didn’t want his new pet hurting himself.

Noah groaned, miserable, when Eli slightly tilted him to check the tape. The bundle around his hands seemed dented from the inside, and in a few spots on his legs it was scrunching, but otherwise he hadn’t made much progress.

“It was a good try,” Eli said, lifting Noah from the trunk of the car. He threw him over his shoulder, then closed the trunk and walked into the mansion.

The shopkeeper had already explained to him how troublesome Noah could be. He’d only just got back into the petshop after being dropped off by a past owner for the millionth time a week beforehand. Then, he’d thrown a tantrum and bit the shopkeeper during the weekend auction, earning him a new cage with a chain attached. Eli was going to have to be tough on him.

He took Noah to one of the dungeon rooms in the basement of the mansion. The one he’d set up was lined with cages and bondage benches on one side, while the other held a display for equipment. In the middle, Eli had already set up some rope hanging a hook in the ceiling.

“Welcome home, cat,” Eli said.

Eli would have thought Noah’s stillness was obedience, but he knew better. He predicted the cat boy was in such a state of shock about losing the bet, he couldn’t even move.

He gently placed him on the ground, then began gently peeling away at the tape on his face. He carefully uncovered Noah’s mouth, keeping his fingers away from his teeth while his other hand held him by the hair to keep him still. He allowed Noah a few seconds to breath while he moved to one of the shelves on the wall to grab a water bottle.

He’d set this room up the previous night, knowing he was going to buy a pet. Here, he’d begin Noah’s training. It would have to be slow at first. Today wasn’t meant to be anything hard. Just explaining the rules and making sure Noah knew his place.

“You must be thirsty after all that fighting,” Eli said, returning to Noah and kneeling in front of him. “Have a drink.” He put the end of the bottle up to the cat boy’s lips.

As soon as the bottle made contact, Noah lurched forward, snapping his teeth down on the end of it. Eli drew back, dropping the bottle and letting Noah crush it before throwing it away. It rolled on the ground, leaving a trail of water as it leaked out.

Eli frowned.

“You fucking dick!” Noah snapped. He fell to his side on the ground. “There’s too much tape! How was I supposed to break it? You set me up!”

“You weren’t supposed to break it,” Eli replied easily. “That was the point.”

Noah flopped to the floor, huffing. “You don’t know how to play games right.”

Eli reached forward to grab Noah’s hair. He needed to get him on the rig before he found a way to chew through the tape. But as soon as his hand grazed the top of Noah’s hair, his ear twitched and he reached up, catching the tips of Eli’s fingers between sharp teeth.

Eli lurched away with a gasp. “You little shit…” he murmured. Noah had got him good, tearing the tips of his index and pointer fingers. He felt anger bubbling in his chest and quickly took a few breaths to compose himself. He knew Noah was trying to get a rise on him. If a pet was going through a new owner every week, it was because it had figured out how to get on their nerves. Eli was not going to add his name to that list.

He stood over Noah for a long moment, then stepped over him to grab the rope hanging from the ceiling. He pulled it down, then grabbed Noah’s braided hair and began
weaving it back and forth into the rope. He could see the cat boy’s ears flicking as he listened to what was happening.

When Eli yanked the rope and Noah only let out a small grunt.

He stood up and walked over to a panel on the wall. He pressed a button and watched as the hook began to ascend back into the ceiling, taking the rope with it. Noah jolted, then began to writhe as it pulled him up by the hair. He was able to get his knees beneath him, but had to wait for it to pull him to his feet.

By the time the hook was as far as it would go, Noah’s legs were shaking, forced to stand on the tips of his toes.

Eli gave him a moment to balance himself, watching as his tail lashed back and forth to find a good position. Then, he walked back over to admire his work. Even bound like this, he could see the merit in Noah’s form. The cat boy was lithe but still had the shapely curves that most of his species had. His legs looked strong and well shaped.

“If you want down, you’ve got to do something for me,” Eli said.

“Fuck off,” Noah growled. He lurched away when Eli laid a hand on his hip, only to groan as it pulled his hair. “I’m not making another deal with you.”

Eli walked around him, letting his hand trail, trying to imagine what Noah would look like in the different outfits he had upstairs. Most of the pets he bought were short term. He brought them in, trained them up, and then shipped them off to new owners. But Noah was different.

It was about time Eli got his own personal pet.

“Not a deal. You get to negotiate when you behave. As you’ve been bad, you don’t get those privileges,” Eli stated plainly. “I’m starting to wonder how a brat like you even became a pleasure pet.”

“None of your business!” Noah snapped defensively. “Shouldn’t you know? It’s in my papers. Or did that dumbass at the petshop lose them?”

Eli hummed thoughtfully. “I didn’t read them. I wanted to go in blind. Make it more of a challenge. See, I made a bet with a buddy of mine involving the contest at the end of the month. I’m sure you’ve heard of the annual Big Apple Pet Show.”

“Oh, great,” Noah groaned, irritated.

“Wonderful. So this friend of mine- he’s got a pet himself. A dog boy. The mutt has won the last three years in a row. No pet has ever had a four year streak. So I bet him I could train up the most unruliest pet in the city and win the show with it. And that pet just happened to be you.”

“Well, I hope you didn’t bet the whole house,” Noah sneered. “Because there’s no way I’m doing stupid contest just so you can show everyone what a good trainer you are.”

“I didn’t,” Eli confirmed. “But I would like to show everyone there what a good trainer I am. And what a pretty kitty you are.”

Noah growled in warning.

“Now, I’m going to remove the tape from your eyes,” Eli explained. “If you try to bite me again, I’m leaving it on and you won’t see a thing until morning, understand?”

He walked behind Noah, then put a hand on his shoulder as a test. He felt the cat boy jerk instinctively, but he made no attempts.

“Good boy,” Eli said with a smile. He reached up to pluck at the tape, then began to yank off each piece of tape.

“Easy!” Noah snapped.

Eli ignored him. He’d made sure the dungeon was dim so Noah wouldn’t strain his eyes too badly. Still, he saw the cat boy wince when he blinked open his eyes.

When Noah’s vision returned, he growled. “A sex dungeon. How original,” he sneered, looking unimpressed. “Can I get down now?”

“No,” Eli said. “Now wait here.”

The man exited the room. Noah watched him with narrowed eyes, taking note of the key pad that his new owner tapped before exiting. There was a light over the door that flashed green when he input the correct password, then he pushed it open. Noah also noted that the door had no handle- it unlocked and was able to be pushed.

Left to his own devices, Noah took a quick look around. If he could get his hands free, he’d be able to untie the rope holding him by the hair. Getting himself into a good stance, he began to scratch at the inside of the tape.

He’d been doing it for the entire car ride. It hadn’t taken him long to realize his new owner was a bit more skilled with bondage than he would like. If brute strength wouldn’t work, he needed to concentrate on one tiny part at a time.

Noah promptly stopped when the light over the door turned green and it swung open. His owner had returned with two items- the first a thick black collar and the second a chastity cage only about an inch long, with small spikes on the inside.

“Don’t you dare,” Noah growled. “Keep that away from me.”

Eli ignored him, standing in front of the cat boy. “This collar has a special chip in it. If you go anywhere near any door or window inside the mansion, you’ll receive a nice little shock for your trouble.”

He unclipped the collar, then reached forward to put it around Noah’s neck.

Panicked, Noah struggled back, pulling on his own hair. He snapped his teeth at Eli’s hands, making him pull back a second. But he didn’t want the man figuring out his tricks.
He braced himself, then lurched forward, aiming his teeth for Eli’s face.

Eli had nearly a foot of height on him, and dodged easily. He couldn’t help but laugh. “I admire your persistence, cat, but you’ll have to be smarter.”

He walked behind Noah to slide the collar around his neck.

“I’m smarter than you could ever imagine.” Noah lurched backwards, getting dangerously close to grabbing Eli’s arm between sharp teeth.

Eli took several steps back. He was starting to get fed up with this. He didn’t think he’d been anything less than civil, yet this brat continued to fight every chance he was given.

Noah grinned to himself. He could hear his new owner struggling to keep himself from getting angry- it was all in the way he was breathing. He kept stepping back to calm himself.

Noah was getting to him.

They both knew it. Eli needed a different tactic. He walked over to the drawers near the wall, placing the collar and cage down. Instead, he began rummaging for something more…impactful. Noah needed some discipline.

“I can understand your anger,” Eli drawled. “I don’t like being woken from naps either. But I can promise you plenty of comfortable sleep if you’d just behave.”

Noah looked over his shoulder just in time to see Eli draw a flogger from one of the drawers. He forced the fur along his tail to lay flat.

“Let’s see your swing,” he invited, then relished in the fire that lit itself in his owner’s eyes.

He turned his head forward again to give Eli a moment to ready himself. The first hit directly hit his left ass cheek.

Noah tensed directly after the hit. He knew the ins and out of corporeal punishment. Bracing himself would lead to more pain, as the constricted muscles offered more to hurt. The hit got only a light jolt from him, followed by a dark laugh.

“Harder, daddy.”

The tension Eli was able to release after the fit was immediately thrown away by Noah’s comment. “Do I have a little masochist on my hands?” He hit the same spot.

Noah wasn’t giving him anything more than a muffled grunt of pain. The spot was already turning a deep red- he could tell this man was skilled. He hit the same spot over and over until the skin was raw, then moved on to somewhere else. He never broke skin, and didn’t hit hard enough it would leave a permanent mark, but he had a good arm.

Eli might be an expert with impact play, but Noah was an expert at taking it.

“I take it you’re a sadist? You would be,” he teased. “You probably like taking all that pent up anger our on poor defenseless pets. Bet you had the same dynamic with an ex before they got sick of it.” He looked over his shoulder, pink eyes cold. “When’s the last time you slept with someone who wasn’t contractually obligated to put up with you?”

“Actually-” Eli grunted with the effort of each hit. “-I’m not that sadistic. It’s just part of the job. I keep my personal and work life separate.”

Noah winced, but couldn’t help grinning. That last hit had been rougher.

“I don’t sleep with pets,” Eli continued with another hit. “Can’t have them getting attached.”

This wasn’t working. Noah’s ass was entirely red, but he hadn’t made a sound except the taunts.

“You don’t have a social life,” Noah chuckled. “You buy, train, and sell pets for a living. That’s gotta bleed your-”

The flogger flashed in his vision and he tried to kick a leg up, knowing what was about to happen a second before it did. But his guard wasn’t fast enough and he had to swallow back a scream as the blow landed just above his cock.

“Fuck!” he breathed out. “Watch the merchandise.”

The flogger went down again, this time hitting Noah’s inner thigh. “I’ll do what I want,” his owner growled. His patience was on the verge of snapping. Normally, a pet was begging him for mercy at this point. Had he stumbled onto a cat made of steel?

“Well, so will I,” Noah declared, lashing his tail. He winced when another hit struck, this time on his ass. “Will you cut that out? All you’re doing is pissing me off.” He huffed. “Look, I don’t do the cutesy kitty act. If you want to win this bet with your friend, you’re gonna have to take me back to the store and get someone else.”

“Not an option anymore, cat,” Eli explained. “That shopkeeper is at the end of his rope with you. If I send you back again, he might stop feeding you.”

Noah frowned. A threat like that sounded fake, but his new owner sounded so sure it was hard to pick up if it was a genuine warning or very well toned taunt.

“Sorry, cat, but you’re stuck with me.”

Noah’s ear flicked, hearing the flogger clatter on the floor when Eli dropped it. He walked back in front of Noah.

“This is your home now. If you want this room in particular to be your home, I can leave you strung here as long as I want. Perhaps a few days in isolation will get the picture through that cute head of yours.”

“Better than seeing your ugly ass,” Noah snapped. “I’d rather be living in the woods than stay here with you. Because there’s no way I’m doing that stupid show.”

Eli just sighed and walked back over to the drawer where he’d left the collar and cage. Grabbing them, he held them up for Noah to see. But he gave no warning this time, shoving the collar around the cat boy’s neck.

He cried in pain when sharp teeth sank into his arm. Noah’s tail was bushed up and a low growl rumbled in his throat.

Eli fought through it, clicking the collar shut at the back of Noah’s neck and pulled the strap tight. Satisfied, he pulled away, but Noah didn’t look go.

Eli gritted his teeth, feeling white hot pain lacing his arm. “Let…go!” He raised his other hand, smacking Noah on the side of the head.

Noah yelped, letting go. Blood dripped from his teeth, then splattered to the ground as Eli tore his arm away. The man stood back, panting. Blood dripped down his arm.

Noah was breathing heavily as well. But a wicked grin had spread across his face, glaring up at Eli through white bangs.

Eli stared back at him. With his good arm, he reached down to grab the chastity cage and approached again.

Noah’s smile quickly faded. “Just give up already, asshole! I'll fucking kill you if I have to!”

His words were ignored. Before Noah could make a move, Eli leaned down and grabbed his balls, pulling them harshly. Noah yelped in pain as the ring of the cage was forcefully pushed into place. He took the cage itself and pushed it onto the end of Noah’s cock, hardly caring how hard the spikes would dig in.

“F-fine!” Noah whined. “Do it. I don’t care.”

He gritted his teeth, trying to stop from whimpering as the cage clicked into place.

He couldn’t stand these things, but owners were obsessed with them. It was all about making the pet feel smaller, less human, like their needs didn’t matter.

Eli had stepped back and taken his phone from his pocket. “Let’s make sure the collar is on,” he said aloud. He opened the app that controlled his collars, then pressed a few buttons to register Noah’s.

“Oh, fuck, is this a-” Noah was cut off by a yelp as electricity shot through his body. He made himself go rigid, taking the shock until it faded away.

Eli didn’t let his disappointment show on his face. His new pet could take a beating, it seemed. “Now, I have some work to do,” he announced. “I was going to remove the tape and let you get some rest, but as you insist on being unruly, I don’t think it’s wise for me to free you. So you’ll be spending the night as you are.”

He pressed a few more buttons on his phone.

“The collar is set up to track your movement. If it feels you jostling too much, it’ll give you a shock. So be good and stay right here until morning, and I’ll make you something nice for breakfast.”

With that, Eli was done. He couldn’t look at Noah as he left, feeling anger bubbling beneath his careful composure.

“You do that,” Noah scoffed. “And while you’re at it read my papers you fucking dumb-” He was cut off by a cry of pain as the device gave him another shot.

It was going to be a long night.
But Eli had made a mistake leaving him alone. As soon as the door was closed and Noah heard footsteps disappearing down the hallway, he starting his struggling again.

It was clear to him what kind of pets Eli was used to. He knew brats who threw tantrums and only got up to perform after receiving a beating. He knew scared, untrained pets who cried until they got their way. Noah wasn’t the same. Noah didn’t make things difficult because he didn’t want to do the routines and services, or because he was mad at his owner- he did it because he wanted freedom. And he wouldn’t stop until he was free.

He wasn’t putting on a show. He didn’t need to throw himself around to get results. It just took a little patience.

All throughout the day he’d been scratching at the inside of the tape. Now that his eyes were uncovered and his new owner was out of the room, he could look over his shoulder and see what he was working with.

It seemed he’d been lucky Eli hadn’t noticed the tiny dents in the tape. But Noah knew after constant friction the stickiness would ware off.

He had until morning.

His progress was only ever paused by a sudden jolt when the collar thought he was squirming too much.

Noah sighed happily when one finger broke free from the tape. After that, tearing apart the rest of it was easy, until is hands had full mobility again. But his arms were taped even tighter.

He stood still for a long moment, thinking. Then, his tail flicked.

Noah braced himself, teeth gritted, then began to struggle- hard. He twisted and turned, as through trying to break the tape with brute force.

But he was smarter than that. Immediately, the collar burst to life, electricity shooting through him. His muscles contorted, but the shock gave him enough energy to crane his neck and sink his teeth into his own shoulder- hard.

So hard the tape tore right off as he ripped his head back. He stood panting for a long second, blood dripping from his teeth. But a large chunk of the tape lay in front of him on the floor.

He licked his lips, then slowly turned to start ripping up the rest of the tape with his teeth until he could wriggle out.

There was no time to lose. With his uninjured arm, he reached up to untie the rope woven into his hair.

Chapter 3: Cat Trap

Eli stared slack-jawed at the camera feed playing on his computer. He’d been doing this for nearly ten years, and he’d never seen a pet be so willing to injure themselves just to escape.

He had been watching Noah the entire time through the security camera in the corner of the room. He’d seen, with rising irritation, how easily the cat dodged shocks or simply took them.

He was confident Noah wouldn’t escape this room. There was only one door, which was locked from the outside, and that was hooked to a security system. Otherwise, there were no windows or vents- no direct outlet to Noah’s freedom.

Furthermore, there was a bit of information Eli hadn’t given Noah pertaining to his collar. It had a both a sensor and tracking device imbedded in it. If Noah went anywhere near the door of the dungeon, it would give him a powerful shock and wouldn’t stop until he backed away.

Eli leaned his elbows on the desk, watching Noah closely.

The cat boy was already panting, trying to shove the rest of the tape off his legs. Now, he was sitting on the floor, looking exhausted. Eli’s attention went to his shoulder- deep bruises were forming around the gash. That could definitely be an issue. He didn’t want a beaten up pet- let alone pay the medical bills. He just hoped Noah’s mouth was clean enough he hadn’t given himself an infection.

It seemed the rest was already over, as Noah was already standing up and heading for the door. Eli watched with amusement when the cat boy suddenly yelped and leaped back. At least he knew the security system was working.

But Noah didn’t seem intent on leaving it there. Eli watched as he walked over to the flogger he’d left on the floor, grabbing it, then going toward the rope dangling from the ceiling. After yanking it off the hook, he began looking around the room.

Eli narrowed his eyes. What was he doing? He sat back in his chair, watching as Noah walked the entire length of the room, digging into any drawer that wasn’t locked.

When he’d retrieved all it seemed he needed, he returned to the center of the room and got to work. First, the cat boy tied the flogger to the end of a paddle using the rope. Then, he took the flogger between both hands and snapped it over his knee.

Eli winced.

Seemingly satisfied, Noah returned to the door and laid down on the floor. He began slowly crawling forward, then froze when the collar went off, backing up. Once he was in place, he grabbed the contraption he’d created by the handle of the paddle, then moved it forward until the end of the flogger slid beneath the door.

Eli grabbed the mouse beside his keyboard and clicked another tab, pulling up the security feed just outside Noah’s room. He could see the end of the flogger twisting up to reach for the handle of the door.

He stood up, pushing the chair behind him away. Just who did this cat thing he was? Breaking out of bondage, breaking Eli’s gear…now he was trying to escape by breaking the damn door?

Eli was done. This stupid cat was going to knock it off right now.

Shoving his chair back into place, he hurried out of his office and down the corridor. The dungeons weren’t too far from his first floor office, and he was in Noah’s hallway. Just like on the security feed, a bent flogger was poking out from under the door and reaching upward.

Eli didn’t have time to be impressed by the inventiveness. He reached down and grabbed the flogger, yanking it away from the door and pulling the rest of the contraption with it. He felt weight disappear from the end of the paddle, followed by a yowl of pain as Noah was pulled too close to the door. Then, scuffling as he moved away.

Eli dropped the broken equipment beside him, then pulled out his phone. Almost every piece of technology in this house was linked to the wi-fi, meaning he could do anything from his phone- from setting up the security cameras to adjusting the temperature. And one of those features- specifically attached to this room, was the vents.

He’d never had to use it before, but all of the dungeon rooms were air tight with vents inside containing knock out gas. Usually, simple bondage and the bolted door was enough to keep any pet inside. But Noah seemed to be different. The cat boy was hellbent on getting out no matter the cost.

Eli didn’t know if Noah was going to get him or himself killed first.

Eli’s thumb hovered over the button. Just one press and Noah would be out after a few minutes. But before he could overthink it, movement caught his attention.

From beneath the door came a snapped riding crop.

Eli stared in shock as it turned, working its way up the door toward the handle.

Fueled with rage, Eli smashed the button with his thumb. A moment later, he heard hissing from inside the room as the vents opened up and began to fill it with knock out gas.

He bent down and snatched up the riding crop. This one took more effort to yank out of Noah’s hands from inside the room. Eli threw it to the ground. “If I see another broken tool come out of this room I’ll have you working the glory hole all weekend!” he warned.

Not waiting for a retort, he turned and stomped back down the hallway to wait.

Chapter 4: New Room

Noah woke feeling groggy, but strangely refreshed. He found himself laying on something soft but thin. Before he even opened his eyes, a sly grin slid over his face. He was back in the pet shop, just as expected.

Then, he opened his eyes and groaned. This wasn’t the pet shop.

The room he was in was about bed room sized- an adequate size for a pet den. But he was trapped in a small dog cage directly in the middle with only a white blanket. The room’s walls looked like they might be white…maybe a light pink. It was hard to tell with the lights off. But Noah could make out two woven baskets sitting beside each other. The first contained what seemed to be an array of cat toys that made Noah’s tail flick with irritation. The second was filled with adult toys. Noah only knew that by the anal beads spilling over the side and the head of a dildo peaking out behind them. On the other side of the room were stashed bdsm machines. An unarmed fucking machine sat beside a bondage bench with leather straps hanging off each limb.

Behind Noah was the strangest set piece, in his opinion. A large four poster bed, neatly made with a quilt at the end and several layers of pillows against the headrest.

Noah tried to turn to get a better look at it, then hissed when searing pain shot through his shoulder. He reached up to dab at the injury, then discovered two things.

The first was that his shoulder was now wrapped in a layer of white bandages. When he moved it, he could feel something soft underneath and realized gauze had been stuffed into the wound.

The second was that his hands were bound with white bondage mittens.

He sat back on his legs and brought one hand up to look at the mittens. They were tight enough to keep his hands balled into fists and covered, making his fingers useless. They were locked in place around this wrists with buckles.

Glad his mouth was still free, he got to work shredding up the gloves. Gnawing through the leather buckles would take took much time, so he instead nipped the mittens themselves, trying to make a hole to start tearing up.

He’d made little progress when the door suddenly creaked open and the lights flickered on. He winced, turning a quick turn in the cage to act like he hadn’t done anything wrong.

When his eyes adjusted, he saw his new owner standing in the doorway, wearing a white t shirt and blue jeans. “Good morning, cat,” he greeted, seeming a lot more cheery than he had the day before. “It’s beautiful out today. Are you liking your new room?”

Noah ignored him, his eyes going to the man’s hand. He was holding up a dog bowl. Noah could smell something hot and delicious instead. But his gaze was torn away from it by the muzzle gag also dangling from his owner’s hand.

“No, now let me out of here.” Noah looked up at the man with wide eyes. “I’ll be good. I won’t even bite you.”

“Only good pets get let out of their rooms during down time,” his owner reply. He knelt down to place the dog bowl on the floor just outside the cage. Then, sending Noah a warning glance, he let the door swing open. “I brought you some breakfast. Eat up. You’ll need your strength.”

Noah sat back. The smell coming from the bowl made his mouth water and his stomach growl. But he wasn’t accepting food from this man. “No, thanks.”

His owner shrugged and help up the muzzle. “If you don’t eat, this’ll have to go on. Sorry, but I don’t trust you not to bite me yet.”

Noah opened his mouth to retort but his owner got to it first.

“I don’t want any snide remarks. I’m not in the mood for a naughty pet. Now come sit down before I shock you again.”

Noah crawled backward in the cage, pressing himself to the bars. “Put that anywhere near me and you lose a finger.” His tail lashed, annoyed. He’d let his guard down enough for this man to take his claws, he wasn’t losing his teeth too.

He caught the twitching eyebrow his master let slip. He knew this man was almost at his breaking point and he was adamant about pushing him there. Broken owners sent bad cats back to the pet shop and pick out a new one.

“Fine. Have it your way.” His owner slipped his free hand into his pocket. A moment later, Noah yelped as a powerful electric wave shot through his body.

It lasted much longer than the ones in the dungeon. When it finally ended, Noah collapsed, panting.

“You will do what I tell you,” his owner growled. “Now come out here and sit down. I won’t tell you again.” His hand remained in his pocket, most likely pressing whatever device activated the collar.

Noah glared up at him through the bars in the cage. Then, he sat himself back up, kneeling but not moving forward. Stubbornness shone in his eyes, meeting the angry spark that lit in his owner’s.

“Fine.” The man slammed the cage door shut once more, making Noah’s ear flick. “Stay in there and starve. You’ll have to come out eventually.” He began pacing around the cage, staring down at Noah with clear distaste. “Either that, or die in that cage. I’ve got half a mind to lock that door again and let you rot in here, you little shit.”

He kicked at the side of the cage. Hard. Making Noah fall to the side as the entire cage rattled. He sat himself back up, hiding his grin. When owners got angry, they made mistakes. Stupid mistakes. And his new owner had just broken the latch on the cage door.

“I will, thank you,” Noah replied.

“Wrong answer.” The man paced around to the back of the cage, grabbing the bars and tipping it upward. Noah yelped as he suddenly slid forward. He tried to scramble at the cage, but couldn’t get a good hold and tumbled onto the ground. He landed in a heap before jumping to his feet and turning on the man with bared teeth.

The man loomed over him, muzzle in hand. “This is going on whether you like it or not.” He marched toward Noah, stomping with each step.

The white fur along Noah’s tail bushed up, making the extra appendage look twice its size. He raised his lip in a snarl. As soon as the man was close enough, he lashed out, aiming sharp teeth at the man’s wrist.

Eli was ready for it. He balled his hand into a fist and slammed it into Noah’s cheek before he could get his teeth into flesh. He winced as Noah was flung to the ground with a cry of pain. He didn’t like striking pets, but Noah left him no choice.

The cat boy laid dazed for a second. But then he stood himself back up and turned on Eli with a snarl. A light bruise was already appearing at the edge of his mouth, but his eyes still shown with defiance.

Eli ignored it, staring at the mark in despair. He’d never hit a pet so harshly before. But those weren’t his pets- he’d only trained them. Noah was his to do with as he pleased. Any bruises or marks could be healed. And if his price was damaged, who cared? He wasn’t planning on reselling.

He marched back to Noah, whose brave face was starting to crack. He backed away, then darted behind the cage to put something between himself and Eli. But Eli was done with this behavior. He grabbed the cage and slid it across the floor, smashing it into the wall.

Noah used his arms to cover his face, protecting himself from the flying shrapnel as the cage shattered. “Stop!” he yelped, panicked. He turned to make a run for the door.

Before he got far, a fist was wrapping around his tail, tugging it. He cried out in pain, turning to lash at his owner- even without claws, he knew how to punch. But he was dazed by a fist in his own face, shoving the leather muzzle over his mouth. Noah snapped his teeth at it, but Eli’s other hand had come to the back of his head, quickly tightening the strap and buckling it closed. He reached up with covered hands to prod at it, trying to pull it back off, but the straps were tight, wrapping around his head and neck to keep itself secured it place.

Before Noah could turn on him again, Eli grabbed the back of his collar and hauled him out of the room. Noah batted at him the entire way, but his struggles were meant with nothing but pained grunts. He walked with a frantic pace, trying to reach the room he was looking for before Noah figured out a way to do more serious damage.

At the end of the corridor was a door that Eli threw open, banging it into the adjacent wall. Inside, the room was lined with coils of rope, leather cuffs, and anything else a rigger might need. The ceiling was covered in hooks and hangers, all attached to a pulley system on one wall. Already hanging from one was a custom made sex swing.

Noah was shoved into the corner of the room. He didn’t care for whatever Eli was doing with the swing- adjusting the straps, more likely. But he needed to get out of here. With his own distracted, he crept toward the door.

“Don’t even think about it!”

Noah whined when a hand grabbed his tail again, forcing him to walk back into the room and toward the sex swing. He turned to bat at Eli, who caught one wrist and held it back against Noah’s chest, trying to keep him at bay long enough to throw him into the swing. He’d lowered it all the way to the ground.

Shoving Noah over it, the cat boy growled and yowled as Eli forcefully moved each of his limbs into place. Using extra leather straps to trap his legs in a frog tie, Eli forced Noah’s legs into the back strap of the swing. Then moved to his arms. The straps of the swing easily slid into the mittens, holding him up by his hands. Then another strap went around his shoulders to keep him upright. Finally, the harness was wrapped around his torso.

Noah writhed, trying to bat each piece away, but Eli still had ahold on his tail. When his owner walked away, he moved his hands toward the muzzle over his face, trying to paw it off. But his hand was forced away when the pulley system suddenly activated, lifting him into the air. He flailed with a high pitched whine, feeling both secure and terrified at the same time.

He heard footsteps behind him, as though his owner was starting to pace to admire his work. “Cages don’t work. The tape didn’t work. So let’s see how you fair like this.”

Eli walked around to stand in front of Noah. He was hoisted up to about Eli’s chest so his owner could still tower over him with a menacing glare. But Noah could see his clenched fists and tight jaw. He was still angry.

Noah wouldn’t give him a reaction. He knew that’s what his owner wanted- begging to be let down. But Noah could last here for days if that’s what it took. He ignored his aching, dry throat and rumbling stomach.

His owner watched him for a moment longer, his gaze blazing. Then, with a scoff, he stomped away, leaving the room and slamming the door behind him.

Chapter 5: Breaking Point

Hey, cat.” Eli pushed the door open. “Just wanted to check up on you.” A few hours had passed and Eli had allowed himself time to calm down. He peered into the room. In one hand, he held a water bottle with a straw. Noah had been here nearly two hour days and hadn’t drank a thing. “I brought you water.”

His pet jolted in the swing, as though just waking up. After blinking away his weariness, he began to growl.

“It’s just water,” Eli said. “Now, I’m going to take the muzzle off. If you try to bite me it’s going back on and I’ll leave you here until morning.”

Noah glared at him, his tail flicking where it drooped behind him. But he let out a huff of defeat.

“Good boy.” Eli reached behind Noah’s head to undo the buckle holding up the muzzle. He only took off the top straps, letting the gag fall around his neck before holding the straw to his lips.

Noah was still suspicious, but his throat was starting to hurt. He opened his mouth to accept the straw, taking long, desperate gulps before it could be taken away. Eli let him go until the bottle was empty. When he pulled away, the cat boy was left gasping for breath.

“Thanks.” The words were almost inaudible, but Eli smiled. That was the manners he was looking for.

He put a hand up, planning to pet Noah’s head, but the cat boy recoiled with a deep growl. Eli put his hand down.

“We’ll work on it,” he decided. “Well done. I’ve got more work to finish before the end of the day, so I’ll see you later.”

Noah tensed. “You’re not letting me down?”

“I can if you do something for me first,” Eli decided. “Say, ‘please, master.’”

Noah blinked at him. For a brief moment, Eli actually felt hope. Then Noah glowered at him.

“Fuck you.”

Eli sighed. “Your choice. I’ll be back tonight.” He turned to leave the room, going slow. By now, any pet would be begging for him to come back, to let them down. But Noah was completely quiet, letting him walk away.

He couldn’t help feeling disappointed when he closed the door. Noah wasn’t giving him the normal reactions. Any other pet would have him worried, but Noah had pissed him off enough he didn’t care.

He had things to do before tonight. Cleaning up that cage he’d broken, for one. He couldn’t believe Noah had driven him that far. But he also couldn’t believe the cat boy had been so disgusted by his new room. He’d been planning out that room for weeks, knowing he was going to get a personal pet for himself. But maybe he needed to switch gears. He’d hoped to start training this morning, but if Noah was going to be difficult, he needed a different approach.

He’d find this stupid cat’s breaking point. He had to.

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli didn’t come back for him until the next morning. Noah couldn’t see outside or know what time it was, but after failing to bite through the mittens or struggle out of the swing, he had nothing better to do than count the seconds.

Plus, he could hear things from here. This room was further into the rest of the house than the dungeon, and the walls weren’t padded. He could hear his owner moving around in the hallways above. But there were lighter footsteps, too.

Other pets were here.

He startled when the door to his room opened. “Good morning, cat,” Eli greeted, sounding a lot calmer than he had the previous day.

Noah had been awake for hours at this point- he wasn’t even sure he’d slept. If he’d been dozing, he was suddenly brought to full consciousness by the smell of food.

He glared at Eli. “Get me down!”

Eli placed a bowl of food on the floor, just below Noah. The smell was tantalizing. “You just have to say the magic words,” his owner teased.

Noah’s mouth began to water. Stubbornly, he turned his head away.

His owner was still for a long moment. “Alright. Well, there’s a camera in this room. So if you change your mind just shout and I’ll come back for you.” He turned and walked back to the door.

Noah’s gaze snapped back to him, shocked he was leaving so soon. He looked down at the food- it was delivered in a dog bowl like last time, but now he could clearly see it. An omelet, filled with small bits of sausage and green spices. Noah swallowed heavily, but he couldn’t accept it. Food from owners almost always came with nasty things inside. He wouldn’t be tricked.

He’d die of boredom before starvation. Or maybe the aching in his shoulder. The bandages hadn’t been changed in a day now and the wound was getting stiff.

He was just about to close his eyes and get some sleep when the door jerked open once more. He groaned, rolling his eyes. “Just leave me alone. Unless you’re coming to let me down, I don’t want anything to do with you.”

His tail bristled. Eli had returned with gear- lots of gear. Noah recognized nipple clamps with weights on the end, as well as rope and a metal ring with weights attached to it by thick wires.

He tried not to show his nervousness, but the sight of torture devices had him panicked. Any training in pain tolerance he’d given to himself. He wasn’t meant to be a pain pet.

“If you want me to leave, I will,” Eli replied. He set his gear down on the floor, but still held the ring. “But first you’ll need some accessories.”

“Get the fuck away from me!” Noah growled, trying to writhe in midair. He achieved nothing except swinging himself back and forth. Eli grabbed the swing above him to keep him steady.

“Only if you say please,” Eli replied coldly.

Realizing there was no way out of this, Noah forced himself to remain calm. He had to remind himself his owner just wanted reactions. And he’d die before giving them to him. Instead, when he felt fingers around his balls and realized what was coming, he took a sharp inhale of breath. The ring slid around them and tightened. When Eli pulled away, Noah winced, feeling his balls being pulled down by gravity.

He gritted his teeth, determined not to show weakness. They’d go numb soon anyway and he wouldn’t feel a thing. He just had to keep himself still and-

He couldn’t suppress a yowl of alarm when searing hot pain laced though his entire body.

He swallowed heavily, prepared for the next wave of electricity. But he couldn’t stop his body from shaking.

The shock collar was on again.

Eli walked out in front of him again, bending down to grab the weighted nipple clamps. Noah immediately understood his game. The weights would be constantly swinging as the electricity raked his body. A pet untrained in pain play couldn’t possibly bear that kind of strain.

Noah gritted his teeth, intent on taking it for however long Eli planned to keep him here. He felt the clamps slide into place and winced. Despite being small-looking spheres, these weights were heavy.

“Fuck,” Noah gritted out. “You’re gonna kill me.”

“If I wanted you dead,” Eli began, standing up in front of him, “you’d already be six feet under. No, cat, I want you to suffer. So you know your place.” He glanced down at the bowl of food, then up at Noah. Then, he walked away and left the room. “See you in a week.”

“A week?” Noah cried out as another shock came from the collar. “You can’t leave me here for a week!”

“Just ask for it to stop and it will,” Eli called, then turned off the light and closed the door.

Noah bit his tongue. He wouldn’t give this man what he wanted. He refused! But his breath hitched with panic. He’d die here if he was left like this for a week.

Eli stayed outside for a long moment, listening closely. He’d never leave a pet in a predicament for so long. But the fear might be enough to motivate Noah into doing the right thing. But when all he heard from inside the room was the occasional whimper, he gave up and returned to his office. He’d just watch on the security cameras.

Eli was slow as he approached his office. He had paperwork to fill out, but he didn’t want to. Today was supposed to be dedicated to getting his new pet on a training regime for the contest. He was starting to wonder if Noah had been the right purchase.

He stood up a little taller as he approached his office. He was the best trainer in the city. He’d show that by taming the most untamable of pets.

Once sat at his desk, he pulled out his phone to watch the camera feed on the small screen, leaving his computer open for his work. He decided to set a stop watch. He predicted Noah would break within the next few minutes and wanted to test just how long it was.

Two hours passed before Noah raised his voice in a yowl for mercy.

Eli had been zoned out, almost forgetting about him as he was absorbed into his work- sending and answering emails, transferring pet data to their new owners, designing outfits and gear. But those two words were unmistakable.

“Master, please!” Noah called, his voice picked up by the camera. “Make it stop!”

Eli took his phone into both hands, sitting back in his chair. When he looked at the stop watch on his phone, he was shocked to see it read 2:14:58

Nearly two hours and fifteen minutes.

“Fucking christ…” he murmured to himself, genuinely shocked. He’d only ever used this method twice before, and both times the pet had been begging for mercy before he could even leave the room. What kind of pain training did Noah have that allowed him to last so long?

He really needed to read those papers.

Jolted from his trance by another cry of pain from his pet, he stood up and swiftly made his way back down to the swing room. He paused just outside, turning off the shock collar from his phone and then composing himself. He wanted nothing more than to get Noah down and give him some rest, but he couldn’t be lenient. He had to make sure the cat boy knew his place.

Slowly, he opened the door. “Did I hear you say something, cat?” He strolled inside, looking nonchalant.

Noah whimpered. “Get me down! It hurts! Please!” His voice cracked. “P-please, master…”

Eli’s heart splintered seeing tears in the cat boy’s eyes. He never wanted to cause a pet more pain than they could handle. But Noah had done this to himself.

“Of course, cat.” Eli reached up to the top of the swing and lowered it until Noah was on the ground. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Noah let out a whimper as he hit the ground, but he seemed to be calming down. He didn’t respond to Eli’s statement, taking deep breaths as he waited for freedom.

Eli bent down to let Noah out of the swing, even removing the muzzle from around his neck. But he left the mittens on, as well as the weights. Noah would have to earn it to have those taken off. He sat down on the floor and grabbed the now cold omelet, placing it in front of Noah’s face.

“You must be hungry,” Eli said softly. “It’s been days. But you have to ask if you want to eat.”

Noah sat up enough that the weights still laid on the floor, dragging on his body minimally. He looked down at the omelet with a distrusting glare.

Eli glanced toward it. Then, he picked it out of the bowl and took a bite from the corner. He chewed, then visibly swallowed. “See? It’s okay.”

Noah blinked at him, then looked down at the omelet. He opened his mouth, as though to speak, then thought better of it. Eli watched him curiously. It was like some sort of mental barrier preventing him from saying it.

“P-please, can I eat, master?” he mumbled. He wouldn’t look up as he said it.

Eli bit the inside of his cheek to stop from smiling. It was a start, and it was more progress than he’d made all day. “Yes, pet. Come here and I’ll take the mittens off. But if you try to attack me, you’re going straight back into swing. Understand?”

Noah nodded in agreement. He dragged himself across the floor to sit in front of Eli. “Can I have the weights off, too?” he asked, then quickly added, “please, master?”

“I’ve let you down and given you food. If you want those off you’ll have to earn it,” Eli told him.

Noah frowned, his eyes wide. “Please? Please, master?”

Eli narrowed his eyes, sensing mockery behind the pet’s tone. It seemed he’d made a mistake giving Noah the omelet for such little in return. Now he thought he could get anything just by acting cute and obedient.

“Ask again and you’ll get extra weights,” Eli said sternly.

Noah huffed, then held up both hands for Eli to take the mittens off. He was looking away again, clearly angry he hadn’t gotten his way.

Eli began unbuckling the straps, thinking about his options from here. Noah was progressing, but a lot slower pace than Eli would like. Getting him to ask for things properly shouldn’t have taken three days to accomplish.

Once the mittens were off, Eli pushed the food bowl toward Noah. “I know you’re hungry, but don’t eat too fast or you’ll get sick. After this we’ll get some water.” After the angry episode yesterday, he didn’t have the energy to be mad or cruel.

Noah snatched up the omelet as soon as it was close enough, ignoring Eli’s advice and scarfing it down as quickly as he could, as though it might be taken away again. He sighed with relief after swallowing the last bite. His stomach was still rumbling and his entire body ached. Now that he was moving again, his shoulder felt like it was on fire.

He looked expectantly toward Eli.

“Good boy,” Eli praised. “Now follow me and let’s get you hydrated. We’ll take a tour of the mansion.” He was willing to leave the mittens off and let Noah have full mobility. If he could show a little trust, maybe his pet would do the same.

But Noah remained firmly where he was. “Take the weights off first.”

Eli sighed. “Noah, follow me right now or I’m getting more weights.”

“That’s illogical,” Noah pointed out. “I already don’t want to move because it hurts. What’s adding more pain going to do?”

“Don’t be a smartass. You’ll have to leave this room eventually,” Eli replied. “You can leave now with just those or you can leave in a couple days with a lot more. No matter what you say, they’re not coming off. So deal with it.”

Eli could feel his temper rising again and tried to stomp it back down. Noah seemed to know exactly how to get under his skin.

Noah shook his head. “Then I won’t move from this spot. You deal with it.”

Eli closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I thought we made a breakthrough. But I guess not. Back in the swing and we’ll try again tomorrow.” He felt more disappointed than angry as he stomped toward Noah. They’d finally made progress and now it was gone.

Noah’s tail bushed up and he tried to crawl away. “No! That’s not fair!” he wailed. “Please! I don’t want to go back up!” Realizing he couldn’t get far with the weights, he pressed himself to the floor.

“Either get your ass out the door or go back up,” Eli growled. “This is your last warning. I’m not playing these games anymore.”

He didn’t want to do this, but Noah was pushing him again and he had to remain firm.

“I can’t! It hurts!” Noah whined.

Eli didn’t understand why Noah couldn’t just obey. Surely he knew Eli could easily overpower him? Surely he knew his owner could cause him more pain? So why was he adamant about getting himself in trouble?

Eli leaned down and grabbed the back of Noah’s collar. He felt nothing but sadness as he dragged him back into the swing and reattached the straps in the same way as before. He wanted a pet he could shower in affection and praise, not one constantly getting into trouble.

But if Noah was stubborn, so was Eli. He wouldn’t send him back to the pet shop. He had a bet to win.

“No! Stop!” Noah’s cry made his heart crack. “Please, master! I’m sorry! I’ll go!”

“You had your chance.” Eli tightened the straps. He wasn’t getting anywhere near Noah’s claws to put the mittens back on. “It’s too late.”

“No!” Noah wailed. “I’ll do better, I promise! I…I can’t do this anymore!” As Eli moved from his legs to his hands, he tried to grapple for the bigger man, clinging to his arm.

But Eli couldn’t give in. He’d made a decision and he had to stick to it. He couldn’t let Noah think he could get away with disobedience just by throwing a tantrum.

Still, he hesitated when it came time to hoist him into the air again. Noah was initiating touch with him- not trying to hurt him or shove him away. Instead, he’d grabbed his arm and tried to bring him closer. He’d been looking for protection, for comfort. It was something Eli often welcomed with pets. It strengthened their bond and their trust in owners. And it made Eli feel good knowing they saw him as a comforting presence to cling to.

As much as Noah infuriated him, he didn’t want to see a pet cry.

Noah’s wails grew louder, as though he sensed the moment of vulnerability in Eli. “Master, please! I’m sorry!”

Eli refused to look at him. He hoisted the swing into the air and backed away. If he stayed any longer, he’d give in. Quietly, he walked to the door.

“I…” He sighed heavily. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“No, wait!” Noah couldn’t move once left in the swing, afraid to make the weights move. Once the door was closed, he was left in darkness.

Eli stood outside the room, listening in. He could hear Noah crying for mercy, then a moment of quiet. At first, he became worried, then Noah started up again.

“Let me down! Fucking asshole! Get back here!”

Eli quickly walked away, his mind racing. He made to return to his office. He had to keep an eye on Noah to make sure he didn’t injure himself, but he’d keep the audio muted. Why couldn’t Noah understand what he was doing to himself? He could have a life of luxury here. He was a personal pet- Eli’s personal pet. He could be pampered better than most pets in the city.

Something felt wrong about this. A pet shouldn’t be acting so…aggressive. Even pets who’d lived on the streets or came from abusive homes didn’t act this way. Eli would know- he had one of each upstairs.

He needed to do some digging.

Chapter 6: No Known Origin

When Eli returned to his office, he immediately opened his email inbox and searched for Noah’s papers that had been forwarded to him the day he’d made the purchase. He opened them up to find a pdf of physical paper that had been scanned.

Eli did a quick once-over. “Twenty one years old…albino male cat…” he murmured out loud to himself. He scrolled down, trying to find Noah’s background. On the third page was a list of his trainings.

Eli sat back, confused. There was no mention of pain play training. There was anal training, incomplete oral training, incomplete obedience training…Even stranger, all of these seemed to have taken place at the pet shop instead of with a trainer or breeder.

Scrolling down, Eli found the page detailing Noah’s background. His eyes widened. He’d never seen a pet’s background left so… vague. It seemed he’d been dropped off at the pet shop three years ago by an owner whose name hadn’t been recorded.

“Experienced anxiety and behavioral issues…that checks,” Eli murmured.

Then the paragraph stopped.

Noah had no known origin.

Eli leaned back in his chair, pondering. Nothing about this added up. He’d bought from that pet store before. All the pets that had come from there had more detailed documents, telling where they came from and their past owners. But Noah’s seemed deliberately blank. His previous owners weren't even listed.

“There has to be something…” Eli murmured to himself. He clicked off the security feed on his phone and instead went to his contacts. The pet store where he’d bought Noah was one of Eli’s go-tos. The owner was constantly taking in lost pets off the streets or from homes that no longer wanted them. Eli went there so often he had the man’s name and number in his phone.

Scrolling down to “Matteo Garcia”, he clicked the call button and held his phone to his ear.

After three rings, it picked up. “West Side Animal Shelter. How can I help you?”

“Hey, Garcia,” Eli greeted. “It’s Leyton.”

“Oh, god,” Matteo groaned. “Look, I’m gonna be totally honest- you might as well just throw the brat onto the street. I’m not taking him back again. I can’t-”

“No! No. That’s not it,” Eli interrupted.

He could hear the relief in his friend’s voice. “Really? So you’re actually going to train him?” Then, he sounded suspicious. “What did you do?”

“Nothing, Matteo. We’ve made…minimal progress. But I’m not giving up. I just have a few questions about his past. See, his papers are vague and mostly blank.”

“Ah,” Matteo cooed in understanding. “Yeah…about that…Those papers were written by me.”

Eli’s brow furrowed, confused. “What?”

“Three years ago he just kinda showed up outside my store. He was in a taped box with holes in the side, unconscious and unbound. No papers, no sign of who dropped him off…He was just there.” Matteo scoffed. “If you ask me, I think he came from the depths of hell just to punish me specifically. For what, I don’t know, but I started going to church again because of that little bastard.”

Eli’s frown deepened. “And you never tried to track down where he came from?”

“I did the usual posting for a lost pet. I asked around if anyone had a friend who recently got rid of their cat. But nothing turned up.” There was amusement in his voice. “I mean, fuck, dude, it was an eighteen year old albino cat boy. And a pretty cute one at that. Brat’s cosmetically valuable but the attitude? Christ! Whoever dumped him did it for a reason and they made damn sure there was no way for him to be returned. I don’t blame them, honestly. If I could go into witness protection over that damn cat I would.”

"Is that why none of his previous owners are listed?" Eli asked.

Matteo barked a laugh. "I know it's technically the law but like...none of his owners wanted to be contacted by whatever torture victim of the week he was with. I ended up just omitting the page. Besides, it was a waste of paper with how many owners that brat goes through."

Eli sighed. “So that’s really all you can tell me?”

“If you’re so curious, you can ask him yourself,” Matteo replied.

“Why didn’t you do that?”

“I did and he lied to me."

“...What do you mean?”

Matteo sounded annoyed. “None of the stories he told me made any sense. Said he came from a breeder but couldn't name the facility. Said he lived with his mother. Said something about a shitty owner. He's a good storyteller, I'll say that, but none of it adds up. So I quite bothering." The pet store owner barked a laugh. “Honestly, I don’t even think he remembers where he’s from. Like I said, depths of hell personal demon type shit.”

Eli was quiet for a long moment, unable to decide which new question to ask first. None of this made sense. Noah had to have come from somewhere.

“Did you check-”

“I checked with every breeder in the city,” Matteo answered, sensing his question. “The majority of them have never sold an albino cat. And those that had did so long before Noah was old enough to be on the market.”

“Okay.” Eli had run dry on hope. “Thanks, Matteo.”

“No problem, man. I’ll call you in a week and make sure you’re throat’s still intact.”

Chapter 7: Twenty Questions

“Alright, cat, we need to talk.” Eli opened the door to the swing room and walked inside, his arms crossed.

“About what?” Noah scoffed, not in the mood. “About my attitude? About how I just need to shut up and do what I’m told? Heard it before!”

Eli scoffed. “What are you planning to achieve by acting like this? You can yell and bite all you want- it doesn’t get you anywhere. So what is your problem?”

Noah paused, looking shocked by the line of questioning. He glanced around, untrusting. “Put me down first. And take these damn weights off.”

“I’ll make you a deal,” Eli negotiated. “I’ll ask four questions. For every genuine answer, you get one weight off, then the swing. Deal?”

Noah groaned, rolling his eyes. But Eli could tell despite his annoyance, he was thinking it over. “Fine.” He didn’t look happy about it. “Just make it quick.”

“Good. Now we’re getting somewhere.” Eli sat down on the floor, hoping the elevated level would make Noah feel more comfortable. “I’ve been told several times you’d had quite a few owners in the past. I’m sure most of them were nice people with nice houses. Why would you want to sleep chained up in a cage when you could have your own bed?”

On his walk here, he decided he wouldn't directly question Noah's past. If Matteo was to be believed, the cat boy might not even remember it. Or he'd spin some untrue story that would be of no help to anyone.

Noah rolled his eyes. “Owners are only ever ‘nice’ when they want something.”

“That may be true for some,” Eli replied gently, then reached forward to unclip one of the nipple clamps.

Noah’s reply had been vague, but it told him a lot. Noah had no trust for pet owners. He must have been hurt by one in the past- which, sadly, Eli had already figured. After three hundred owners he must have run into quite a few bad apples.

“Haven’t you considered some owners just want a companion?” Eli asked. “That’s what pets are for. You’re more than just eye candy. At the end of the day, your owner would come home to you eagerly awaiting them. You’ve cared for, sometimes loved. They keep you safe and happy, and in return you do the same.”

He was aware of how some pet owners could be nasty or cruel, and he had no doubts Noah had encountered some. But surely those few hadn’t forever sullied his view of owners?

“Love? It’s never about love,” Noah growled. “It’s about power. You just like having some pretty little pet at your beck and call.”

Eli leaned in and pulled the second weight free. “And I probably seem the same to you, don’t I? Look, I’m sorry for what I’ve put you through.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “You’re not sorry for shit. And I’m not either. Rich assholes like you don’t feel sorry for lessers like me.”

Eli narrowed his eyes. “You clearly have a very sour view of owners. So I want to know…what can I do to make you trust me?”

Noah’s eyes widened. He seemed stumped for a moment, looking at the ground and thinking.

“I…I don’t know.”

“Anything you need,” Eli offered. He gave Noah a soft look, trying to look genuine. “I’m a pet trainer. I train up pets, then ship them off after a few months. Owning them is another story. You’re here to stay. And I can risk forming an actual bond with you without it hurting down the line. So if you want to help me, I can make this a lot more pleasant for both of us.”

Noah didn’t look convinced, much to Eli’s dismay. But he couldn’t force the cat boy to trust him. Defeated, he reached beneath Noah to slide the last weight off.

The cat boy winced, numb and pained. Eli wouldn’t have left the weights on this long if he didn’t think Noah required it. “How about I suggest something?” he offered. “This is your new home, whether you like it or not. You’re not going back to the pet store and I’m not throwing you out. Since this is your home, I’ll allow you certain privileges- but only if you show me I can trust you with them. Right now, you are to be at my side at all times unless I have you chained or caged. But the more you show me you can be trusted, the more lenient that rule will be.”

“Fine,” Noah grumbled.

“Good. First things first, let’s lay some ground rules. You will call me Master. I won’t get on your case about it right away, but I expect it at the end of each sentence you use to address me. Secondly, no more profanities and snide remarks. You officially represent me and my business. And my pets don’t curse or talk back.”

Noah rolled. “If you wanted a pet to represent your business, you chose the wrong one.”

“Yeah, so I’ve heard,” Eli murmured. “Now, one more rule…No more biting. No teeth gnashing, no threatening. If I so much as hear a growl you’re in trouble. It’s a safety matter for both of us. If I think you’re in danger of breaking this rule, the muzzle is going on and won’t come off until I’m sure I can trust you without it. Understand?”

Noah’s tail was lashing behind him. “Fine.”

Eli sat back, crossing his arms sternly.

His pet stared at him for a moment, then scoffed. “Yes, master.”

“Good boy,” Eli praised. “Alright, cat, one more question then I’ll let you down. Your papers say you have training in being a pleasure slave, and I expect that sort of performance from you. So I’d like to know what parts of it you enjoy.”

This was a question Eli had never asked a pet before. It never mattered before what they liked or disliked when it came to pleasure- it was their owner’s call. But Eli was Noah’s owner, and he wanted this to be gratifying for both of them.

“Any kink, any action, whatever you want to do,” Eli continued. “Just tell me.”

Noah looked flustered. And confused. “I-I don’t…I haven’t really…uh…”

It was clear he’d never been asked that sort of question before, and was struggling to come up with an answer.

“I don’t know,” he finally settled on. “I don’t…remember.”

“Well, that’s okay,” Eli decided. Everyone was in to something. But if Noah had been forced to perform actions for the past three years, he might have grown a distaste for them. “We’ll do some experimenting. Would that be okay?”

After a moment, Noah nodded, looking dumbfounded.

“Good. This is a good start.”

Eli felt strangely relieved. He still wasn’t quite sure what Noah’s deal was, and didn’t want to push him too much in a single day, but he was starting to put pieces together. Noah had gone through something bad in the past. Something he seemingly couldn’t remember. Eli just had to undo all the damage it had caused.

“I’ll make something nice for dinner tonight,” Eli decided. “As a reward for doing as I asked. Now, ask me in the proper way to let you down.”

Noah turned his eyes away. “Please, can you let me down, Master?”

“Absolutely.” Eli stood up and reached over Noah to lower the swing to the ground. He was willing to keep the muzzle off, but the gloves had to go back on. The less dexterity Noah had right now, the better off both of them would be. “Do you have any allergies? Any food dislikes?” He began removing each strap.

“No allergies that I know of,” Noah replied, waiting patiently to be set free. “Not a fan of tomatoes though.”

He regretted it as soon as he said it. He was letting Eli get too close. He was being too open. Now he was giving the man things to use against him.

Once free from the swing, he sat up, but Eli had walked a few steps away to grab the mittens off the ground.

Noah growled low in his throat.

“It’s a precaution,” Eli explained. “I’m already giving you quite a lot by not using an arm binder or leg cuffs. Show me I can trust you and I’ll take them off. Maybe if you behave the rest of the day, I’ll let you have a shower.”

Noah sighed. “Fine,” he growled, then quickly corrected with a, “yes, master.” He stood up and stretched, trying to think of a game plan. Eli talked like this was his permanent home, but surely he knew Noah would drive him crazy eventually. But perhaps he didn’t have to. If he wanted out, he’d have to gain Eli’s trust. His new owner was a lot more patient than he’d like, and when that patience broke he was scary.

He held up both hands so Eli could shove the mittens back on. It felt strange, willingly allowing himself to be restrained, even if it was only his hands.

He’d play it safe for now. If Eli kept his word and was actually stupid enough to be more lenient with Noah, he could use that.

He looked up to find his owner smiling at him. With an approving nod, he walked over to the door and held it open for Noah to step through. “How does pasta bake sound? I’ll leave the tomatoes out for you.”

“Depends,” Noah replied. “If you’re going to make me eat out of a dog bowl- and knowing you that is very likely- I don’t want anything messy. But…that does sound good.” Anything was better than the nutritional pellets at the pet store.

“You’re right about the dog bowl,” Eli teased. “But it’s better than how I normally feed new pets.”

Noah paused to glare at him. The only method he knew that was worse than dog bowls were feeding tubes. He’d only encountered them a handful of times, but if Eli thought he could get Noah on anything close to that, he was sadly mistaken.

He followed Eli through the short hallway that seemed mostly comprised of empty, sparsely decorated rooms. Most looked similar to the one Noah had been stuck in. Punishment rooms, perhaps? They didn’t look like typical dungeons. Too…clean.

They came to a set of stairs that Eli began climbing. Noah followed close behind, trying to make a map in his head. Eli, strangely, was helping.

“Down this hall, first door on the left is the living room. The door at the very end is the kitchen,” he explained.

Noah mumbled acknowledgement, stopping every time they came across a door to peer inside. Only to quickly scamper to catch up with Eli.

“It’s nice here, right?” Eli asked. “I inherited from my parents when they passed.”

Noah glanced at him. “So you’ve been living alone in this big place? No wonder you’re insane.”

“You have to be a bit crazy to do my line of work,” his owner replied. Reaching the end of the hallway, he swung the door open.

Noah stepped inside. The kitchen was huge, with two ovens stacked on top of one another, plenty of counter space, and an island with stools and a sink in the center of the room. The entire place was white and clean. The only signs of anyone using it recently was a few appliances left on the counter and some bowls in the sink.

Eli went straight to the stove, switching on a few of the burners before grabbing pots from the cabinets that overhung the counters.

While Eli busied himself cooking, Noah began to wander away, exploring while he was allowed to. He walked along the counters, attempting to open the drawers with his gloved hands. But the mittens didn’t give him enough any grip.

Eli had noticed, and was amused. “See why those mittens are so important?”

Noah rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I see it.”

“If you want something to drink, I’ll get you water,” his owner offered. “I did have a room set up for you that came with a food and water dispenser, but I’m throwing out that idea. You’ll have to stick close to me for some time.”

Noah glanced at him, but didn’t protest. His own room would have been a luxury, and easier to escape. “I’ll take some water.”

Eli looked over his shoulder at him.

“Please, master?”

“Good boy.” He abandoned the stove to rummage through the cabinets again, pulling out a light pink dog bowl. On the front of the fridge was an indentation holding an ice and water dispenser. Pushing the bowl beneath the spout, he filled it with cold water, then set it down on the floor. With a nod to Noah, he returned to his stove.

Noah stared down at the bowl in disgust. He should be used to such treatment by now, but it was still degrading. Still, in an act of defiance, he bent down to carefully pick the bowl up between his gloves and bring it to his lips to sip.

Eli didn’t notice. If he did, he didn’t say anything. “So…I had a look through your papers today. A lot of your training came back incomplete. Can you tell me what you are trained in?”

Noah gulped down what was in his mouth, sighing with satisfaction. “Little bit of everything, I guess.” He kept the answer vague on purpose. He didn’t want to give Eli anything to use against him, or admit to a weakness his new owner might want to train him out of.

“I’m surprised. I would think you’d refuse to be trained.” With dinner almost ready, Eli moved to the cabinets once more, bringing out a plate for himself and another bowl for Noah.

Noah shrugged in response. “I didn’t always hate this so much. I was born to a breeder and raised with all the obedience stuff. Everything else started when I was old enough,” he explained.

He stopped when he noticed Eli shoot him a sharp glance. “What happened after. Were you sold?” he demanded.

Noah narrowed his eyes, suspicious. “Yes. But I didn’t stay with that owner long.”

“Why?” Eli had turned away again, hiding his face as he began spooning a generous helping of pasta into the dog bowl. With the meals rationed, he picked both helpings up and gestured with his head for Noah to follow.

Noah set the water bowl on the counter and fell in just behind him. “He was a huge prick. We had a falling out and he dropped me off at the pet store. Been bouncing around sense.”

He left it purposefully vague, not wanting to talk about it. Owners didn’t believe him when he went into detail. Or worse, they’d say it was his fault he was so unwanted. He was just starting to get along from Eli and didn’t want to hear it.

Eli didn’t push any further. He exited the kitchen and turned right in the direction of the living room. Inside, a huge flat screen was mounted on the wall in front of a corner sofa. On one side of the sofa was a table with a lamp, and a coffee table sat in front. Eli sat on the sofa and placed the dog bowl down on the floor next to him.

“This is where I like to spend my off time,” Eli explained. “Want to watch anything while we eat?”

Too hungry to care about dignity, Noah got down on his knees in front of the dog bowl. “Anything’s fine,” he replied. Getting low to the ground, he scooped up a bite from the bowl with his mouth. As soon as it touched his tongue, he paused. Then, his tail curled over his back and he tucked into the food with a thrill of delight. It was good.

Eli had grabbed the remote and flicked on the tv. He searched through channels for a short while, then settled on a generic action film.

He’d hardly started his meal by the time Noah was sitting up, finished. With his hunger satiated, everything else was catching up to him. He felt exhausted and sore. Parts of his body still had shooting pain. He settled down on the floor, laying on his side to watch the television. It couldn’t keep his attention for long, and he instead closed his eyes to get some rest. One ear was still pricked, listening to his surroundings.

He heard his owner shuffling around, and the clink of porcelain as he placed his plate on the table. Then, he jolted when a hand rested on the top of his head.

“See? This isn’t so bad, is it?” Eli asked.

Noah tensed and quickly pulled away. With a distrusting glare, he crawled backward to hide behind the side of the couch. Leaning against it and letting his legs splay, he closed his eyes with a sigh.

The sofa shifted as Eli stood up. “I’m going out for the some fresh air. Feel free to wander if you like. I can track you on my phone so don’t bother trying to escape.” He walked straight past Noah and out of the room.

Noah sat up and stared after him, shocked. Was it really that easy? He was being left alone and given access to the whole house after an hour of obedience?

He stood up and briskly left the living room, leaving only the tv still murmuring behind him.

Chapter 8: The Shower

The sun was setting over the lake in the distance. Eli took a deep breath. The afternoon air had grown chilly but refreshing. He had his phone out, watching the gps tracker. Noah’s blip was moving steadily toward the balcony, as though following him. Eli didn’t feel unsafe having Noah roam free without supervision. All the silverware and knife drawers had locks on them and Eli had made sure there was nothing he could use as a weapon. If he went anywhere near the windows or doors, he’d immediately be administered a shock from his collar. And if he somehow got past that, there was an electric fence surrounding the entire property that would do the same.

With how tight Eli kept his security, he’d honestly be impressed if Noah escaped. Perhaps he earned freedom at that point.

He watched as the blip got closer and closer to the balcony. Eli had left the glass door open behind him, both to let fresh air into the house and as an invitation for Noah to join him. He wanted the cat boy to know right away that he couldn’t go near the exits without suffering for it. In his experience, a warning wasn’t often enough for rebellious pets. They needed to feel the consequences themselves.

He watched as the blip stopped just down the hallway. He didn’t look behind him, but he knew Noah was hiding just behind one of the open doors that led into a spare room. He was probably thinking of what to do from here. He’d found an exit, but what would he do with that information?

Getting a little cold, Eli stretched before turning to re-enter the mansion. He’d given Noah plenty of alone time, but they had things to do before bed.

He watched the blip retreat further into the room, trying to hide. Eli chuckled, amused. “Come on out, Noah. I know you followed me. I can track you, remember?”

After a long moment, Noah’s head appeared around one of the doorways. “You can’t be mad!” he squeaked. “You said I could explore. You said I was allowed to while you were gone. I was just-”

“It’s alright, cat,” Eli assured him. “I know what I said. You’re not in trouble.” He wasn’t sure what Noah had been up to, but he was showing trust by not questioning him. “We’re close to the showers if you want to wash up.”

Noah’s tail raised. “Yes, please! Uh…master.”

“Good boy. This way.” He led Noah through the corridor, heading for another set of stairs that would lead to the bedrooms and shower. “Here’s the deal: I’ll take the mittens off, then you get an hour to wash and relax. But then the mittens go on. Plus a few other precautions. Got it?”

Noah frowned, following Eli up the stairs. “Yes, master,” he replied, although he didn’t sound happy. “What extra precautions?”

“That’s for me to decide,” Eli said. He stopped at a white painted door. Opening it revealed a huge, tiled washroom. A few drains were drilled into the floor. At the back was a huge shower, the ceiling covered in shower heads. A towel rack hung just outside where the shower started. On top was a small shelf holding several different bottles of soaps, shampoos, and face wash.

Walking into the room, Eli turned on Noah. “What do you say?”

Noah stared at him for a long moment, confused. Then, it clicked. “Oh! Can you take the mittens off, please, master?”

Eli grinned. “Good boy.” After Noah raised his hands, Eli unbuckled the mittens and slid them off.

Noah’s tail flicked in amusement when his owner immediately tensed, taking a step back. It was good to know he was still viewed as a threat.

“The collar and cage stay on,” Eli informed him.

“Part of the uniform,” Noah grumbled, half amused. It was the usual with owners.

Eli nodded in agreement. “You’ve got one hour. I’m locking the door behind me so don’t try anything. Enjoy this. You won’t be getting special treatment like this in the future.”

With the mittens in hand, he stepped out of the room and closed the door. Noah’s ear flicked as the lock clicked on the other said.

He let out a sigh of relief. It felt good to get some privacy while not tied up. Walking into the shower, he quickly found the knob and turned it to hot. It also felt nice to control his own shower routine. Usually, it was being sprayed off with a hose that shot nothing but cold water while tied to a post.

Noah grumbled with resentment. The “good” pets got to take warm baths and got to clean themselves and got head pats for it. But the “good” pets also went on to be mindless little cocksleeves.

He sighed heavily, trying to push those thoughts away. That wasn’t him. He wasn’t a good pet. He was taking advantage of a very foolish man who thought he could earn Noah’s trust just by being a little nicer than the common owner.

As soon as the water hit his back, his entire body went lax. He stood completely still for a long moment, ears back and tail slowly drooping as it was weighed down by the water.

On the wall of the shower was a small ledge holding a bar of soap and some bottles. Reaching out to grab a clean wash cloth, he lathered it up and began washing.

His regime was professional, repeating the same way he’d been taught long ago. It was quick regime and was done in just a few short minutes. With plenty of time left, he sat down on the shower floor to wait out the hour, enjoying the peace and the sound of the running water.

He must have started to zone out. It felt like just a few minutes passed before a knock came on the door.
“Cat? You all done? The hour’s up.”

Noah stood up, disappointed. It was over already? That meant getting into whatever precautions his owner deemed suitable. “Few more minutes!” he called. “Almost done!”

He looked around, wondering if there was anything he could do before his owner got impatient. He turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel to dry off.

He had the towel over his head, drying his hair, when he heard the door click open. Caught off guard, he quickly ripped the towel off and turned to glare at Eli.

“You’ve had enough time,” his owner said. “Did you enjoy it?”

“Sure,” Noah answered. “It’s nice. Better than the pet store.”

Eli was moving closer to him, and Noah could see the new equipment he’d brought in. The muzzle remained, but the mittens had been replaced by a latex arm binder.

Noah’s tail bristled, his mind racing. “H-hey! Why don’t you take a shower, too. You must be stressed.”

Eli paused, as though thinking it over for a moment. Noah tried to keep his expression blank.

Finally, Eli smiled. “Alright. But you’ll be washing me.”

He and Noah stared at each other for a long moment. Noah realized his trick had been caught- Eli was trying to scare him away from the showers.

“I can do that,” he replied. He threw the towel back onto the rack and stepped into the shower. Turning on the water, he beckoned Eli forward.

He saw this as a win-win situation- as in he won both times and Eli thought it was an equal exchange. Noah was getting more time out of bondage and was earning more of Eli’s trust.

“Answer the proper way,” Eli chided.

As Noah turned to adjust the water, Eli began to undress, pulling his shirt over his head and dropping his jeans and boxers.

“Uh. Yes, master, I can do…that…” Noah had answered promptly, but trailed off when he turned and caught sight of Eli’s revealed body. He blinked in surprise. His owner was covered in well toned muscles that made it easier to understand how Noah had been overpowered so easily. An eight inch cock hung between his legs, making Noah feel nervous. But his gaze was dragged to Eli’s rippling pecs. His owner was definitely attractive. At least much more attractive then the older men and sneezly assholes Noah had grown accustomed to.

His owner was almost completely unmarked. However, there were two faded blemishes that caught Noah’s attention- a light colored scar that spanned the entirety of his right shoulder, and two more scars on either underside of his pecs.

He blinked and looked away, realizing he was staring.

Eli stepped into the shower after him. Once under the water, he remained still, looking down at Noah expectantly.

Noah tried to look unenthused, but the tip of his tail was flicking with interest. He stepped around Eli to gab the soap and washcloth, then got to work. He’d never been taught how to do this, and was a little nervous, but followed the same cleaning regime he used for himself. He started from the bottom and worked his way up, going slow. Partially to make this last and partially to feel his new owner.

When he approached Eli’s groan, he went slow and remained gentle. Above him, his owner sighed, relaxed. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to, cat. But I’ll always appreciate a little favor.”

Noah shied away, a bit putoff. But he glanced up at Eli, surprised by his lenience. Maybe if he pleased his owner he could avoid bondage a little longer.

While using the washcloth to clean up Eli’s body, he put one hand around his cock, rubbing in the soap gently. Above him, Eli shuddered, his member beginning to harden. He didn’t move, keeping his hands away to let Noah do as he pleased.

Noah closed his grip a bit more tighter, gaining confidence. He began to pump up and down softly. He didn’t hate this, he was realizing. Handjobs weren’t usually something he was trusted with. Not just because he was aggressive, but also, he remembered with a sly grin, because he was a brat.

After picking up speed for only a moment, he suddenly broke away and began working up Eli’s body again. He felt a twinge of satisfaction at the idea of teasing his owner.

Eli’s breath had hitched, but he didn’t say anything or move to stop Noah. He really was just going to let him be.

Noah let his hands run over Eli’s muscles, feeling the firmness. He had to admit, it was impressive. He wondered if Eli looked like this all the time or if he’d spent some time working out just to show off to his new pet. Strangely, Noah found himself interested in letting time reveal that.

When he got to Eli’s neck, he stopped. He’d done a completely thorough job, but he felt like it was over too quickly. Nervously, he began working his way back down. Not just to avoid leaving the shower but also to feel his new owner again.

Eli let out a chuckle and took a step back. “That’s good, cat. You did great.”

Noah stood up. “Already? But you just got in here.”

After rinsing, Eli stepped out of the shower. “I’d love to stay in here, but the pets upstairs haven’t had dinner yet.” He grabbed a towel to wrap around himself, then headed for the gear he’d left on the side of the sink.

Noah had stepped out after him and grabbed a towel. His heart began to pound. “I-I can do a lot with a hands. More than you just saw.”

“Thanks for the offer, but we’ll try it another day,” Eli replied.

Noah winced when the buckles on the arm binder clacked against one another. “I’m allergic to latex, actually,” he lied. “I can’t use those.”

“Nice try, cat.” Eli took a moment to adjust the straps open. “But I’ve read your papers. An allergy like that would certainly be listed.” He turned to Noah, his gaze stern. “I know you don’t like it, but I can’t trust you with full mobility.”

Noah didn’t want to budge. “You had that perfectly good room with the shock system and gas. Or that cage- no, we broke that. You could…you could just trust me.” His eyes widened and grew glassy, begging.

Eli wasn’t having it. “I’m being nothing but reasonable, cat. You’re notorious for escape attempts and aggressiveness. It’s a safety precaution for both of us.” He began to walk toward Noah.

The cat boy matched his pace, retreating into the corner of the room. His lip pulled up in a snarl, wanting to attack but restraining himself. He didn’t want to prove Eli’s point. But he was out of excuses.

His tail lashed back and forth and a growl rumbled in his throat.

Eli let out an exasperated sigh. “Noah, enough. Would you rather come over here and let me put this on, or get shocked into unconsciousness and wake up with it on?”

Noah’s bristling tail slowly smoothed out as he thought over his options. Realizing he had no choice, he voted to take the easier route. With a sigh of defeat, he took a few steps forward.

Eli smiled. “Good boy. Hands behind your back.”

Noah remained still as Eli stepped behind him. He could feel the binder making its way up his arms, trapping them together. He heard the zipper go up, then felt the tightness grow as Eli began buckling up the straps. In front of him, the muzzle still sat on the sink and Noah growled at it, as though he could intimidate it into not existing anymore.

He yelped when a firm slap landed on his ass.

“Stop it,” Eli ordered. He moved away from Noah to grab the muzzle. “It’s for your own good.”

“Says who?” Noah snapped. He was fine with arm restraints. He’d even accept leg cuffs. But his teeth were his scariest weapon and he didn’t like giving that up. His tail began bristling again when Eli turned back to him with the muzzle in hand.

“Me.” Before Noah could think to pull away, Eli shot forward, grabbing a fistful of his hair to keep him in place.

“No!” Noah’s protest was half muffled as the muzzle was shoved over his mouth. Eli quickly buckled both straps behind his head. Noah fought against him, trying to pull himself away. But once it was in place, he was reserved to his fate.

He glared up at Eli menacingly.

“Don’t give me that look,” Eli growled. “It’s for safety. I don’t want you biting through anything- myself included.”

With Noah subdued, he began getting dressed. Meanwhile, his pet writhed, trying to open his mouth wide enough to get around the muzzle and bite it.

Once Eli was dressed once more, he headed for the door. “Come on, pet. We’ve got some things to discuss.”

Noah growled, but followed. He leaned forward slightly as he walked, glaring at Eli. But at least he wasn’t on a leash.

Eli was leading him toward the living room. Once there, he sat down on the sofa, gesturing for Noah to sit on the floor in front of him. Then, he sat back and crossed his legs, pulling out his phone.

Once Noah was knelt in front of him, he began.

“As you know, I’ll be entering you in the upcoming pet contest. There will be a lot expected of you.”

Suddenly, Noah was very grateful for the muzzle keeping any and all profanities from escaping his lips, because the onslaught of violent thoughts he had in that moment would put him back on punishment. He glared up at Eli. The tip of his tail flicked with irritation.

“There’ll be five events,” Eli continued. “Agility, performance, looks, beauty, and sex.” He began swiping on his phone. “This is your rival- Prince.”

He turned his phone toward Noah, showing a picture that made the cat boy growl in disgust.

It depicted a dog boy dressed completely in a black latex suit and an arm binder. His long apricot colored hair fell gracefully over his shoulders, and behind him puffed out a massive, fluffy tan tail. Between his legs was a chastity cage so small his cock was almost flat. His head was turned up, balancing a dildo by the base on his nose.

Everything about him made Noah want to bite him. If Noah hated overbearing owners, he despised overly obedient pets. Dog boys like this made his blood boil.

“Yeah, I know.” Eli seemed to catch on to his disgust. “He’s been doing the contest for the past four years, and won the last three. We cannot let him win again. That’s why we need to start training immediately. You’re gonna kick that little slut’s ass.”

Noah groaned in annoyance the moment he heard the word “training.”

“Don’t worry, I’m the best trainer in the city,” Eli said, trying to reassure him. “It’ll be difficult, but worth it.”

He stuck out a hand, putting it palm down in front of Noah’s face. He didn’t move any further, waiting for Noah to act first. The cat boy eyed his warily for a moment, then let out a sigh and moved his head beneath Eli’s hand.

Eli smiled gently, petting his hair. “You’re a good boy. We’ll make this work.”

He relaxed back onto the sofa and patted the seat beside him.

Noah lashed his tail, unsure whether to take the offer this time or not. He didn’t want Eli thinking he was growing attached. But maybe this could lend more to him playing obedient.

With some difficultly, he climbed to his feet, then turned to sit down on the couch. As soon as he was down, he relaxed into the comfortable sofa. But he kept away from Eli, moving to the edge of the couch and bringing his knees to his chest to curl up. He closed his eyes, but his waving tail and pricked ears showed he was alert.

Eli left him alone, which Noah appreciated, but also didn’t trust. Why was Eli acting so nice? Was it a pre-apology for whatever stupid training he’d have to endure? Or was Eli playing the same game and trying to get him to lower his guard? Noah wouldn’t fall for it.

Still, the more time passed, the more he relaxed onto the couch. It was the most comfortable thing he’d laid on it years. His tail began to lay still, slipping into a light sleep.

At some point, he felt the couch dip as though Eli was moving. His ear flicked, listening as he was slightly roused from his sleep. He could hear his owner’s breath started to even out.

Noah opened his eyes. He didn’t move, but glanced toward Eli. His owner’s head was lulled, reclined on the couch with his hands folded over his stomach.

He’d fallen asleep.

Noah’s heart began to pound. His ears curved back, listening closely to make sure Eli really was asleep, then waiting a few more minutes.

Once he was positive his owner was out, he moved his legs off the couch. Trying not to let the couch dip, he stood up. Checking on Eli again, he tiptoed out ov the living room.

Out of earshot, he picked up his pace, trying to remember the layout of the house. He hadn’t needed to climb stairs to reach the balcony before, which meant it was on this level.

If he could find stairs going down, he could find a door. Escaping through the balcony would be hard without his arms. He needed a door he could force open and walk straight out of.

But the first new thing he came across was a staircase that went up. They wouldn’t lead to an exit.

However, Noah remembered something Eli had told him. Something very important.

There were more pets upstairs.

With a quick glance over his shoulder, he began to climb the stairs. Luck allowing, he'd escape tonight, which as many other pets as he could.

Chapter 9: Bunny Rabbit

Noah carefully ascended the stairs, aware of every creak and groan. It was hard to walk softly when he couldn’t properly balance. When he reached the top of the stairs, he took a small break, listening to his surroundings. With nothing out of the ordinary, he continued onward.

The hallway was lined with rooms, all of them with doors closed. The first one he came across, he made an attempt to turn the doorknob by rubbing his hip against it. But he couldn’t make it turn all the way around. Pressing his ear to it, he couldn’t hear anything from within.

He pressed on, stopping at each door and attempting to open it. But none of them would budge.

A little ways down the corridor, he paused, spotting a door that looked like it wasn’t all the way closed. The doorknob was caught right outside the little latch that kept it closed. Excited, Noah hurried to it and carefully pushed the door open.

Inside, he found a large, tall cage that took up about half of the room. It housed a number of blankets and toys. In the center was a dog bed with a cover over the top, creating a comfortable looking den. Under the shadows, Noah could make out the shape of a pet curled up inside.

Noah approached cautiously, trying to get a better look. But the room was too dark to make out anything noteworthy. He glanced back toward the door and listened, but there was no sign of approaching enemies. Getting to the cage, he turned sideways and hit his shoulder against it, rattling the bars.

Inside the den, two yellow rabbit ears shot up. Then came the rest of the pet. Noah realized it was a blonde haired bunny boy with brilliant blue eyes and a collar wrapped around his neck. The collar had a chain attached to it, which seemed to be anchored inside the den. Otherwise, the bunny boy wore nothing except a cock cage.

The bunny boy looked around blearily. The chain clinked as he crawled out of the den and stood up to stretch. Then, he caught sight of Noah and paused. His eyes began to sparkle and a grin spread across his face.

“Hi!” he greeted cheerfully, hurrying to the front of the cage. The chain was long enough he could just reach the bars. “Oh my gosh! Master said he had a new pet…but he never said you’d be so cute!”

Noah had taken a step back, surprised by such a warm welcome. He peered at the chain that attached this bunny boy to his cage. Despite the cage, the pet seemed happy and was looking healthy.

Swiveling one ear to listen toward the door, he nodded curtly in greeting.

The bunny boy was grinning with excitement, moving his weight from one leg to the other restlessly. “I’m Dawn! It’s so nice to meet you. Wait! But you shouldn’t be here. How did you get out of your cage?”

Noah shrugged in answer, wishing he didn’t have this stupid muzzle so he could speak. He had as many questions for Dawn as Dawn had for him. He sat down, crossing his legs, just outside the pen.

Dawn got on his knees in front of him to keep level. “I like your gag! I bet you’ve got a nice dildo to suck on right now. I’m jealous!”

Noah shook his head, grateful for that at least. Dawn’s excitement was both disturbing and amusing. At least he seemed happy to be here. Instead of being tied down and drugged or licking his wounds after a day of beatings. But a pet like this was susceptible to that treatment if assigned to the wrong owner.

“I’m really glad to meet you,” Dawn continued. “I hope you like it here so far.”

Noah shrugged in answer again.

“You’ll like it. I promise!” Dawn chirped. “I’ve been here about five months now. Master says I’ll be finished with my training soon and I’ll get to meet my permanent owner.”

Noah shook his head vigorously, suddenly terrified for the bunny boy. A pet like Dawn in a market of cruel buyers? He’d end up dead!

Unable to communicate his worry, Dawn ignored him and instead crawled over to the corner of his cage. A thick, long dildo stood there. It was clear, hollow, and made of rubber. Dawn closed his eyes and expertly slid his mouth over it, her throat bulging as she took it half way. As she began to suck on it, water flowed through the hollow inside and into her mouth.

He pulled off with a satisfied gasp and Noah recoiled. His own throat suddenly felt sore and he had to look away to avoid gagging. Eli really was giving him special treatment, not making him drink like that.

Dawn wiped his lips and crawled back. “Sorry I can’t give you some,” he said with a soft smile. “Do you like your own cage? Mine is so comfy! I wanted more than just the water dildo to keep in here, but Master says he doesn’t want me to practice without him in case I hurt myself. I guess he’s right, but I still get bored in here sometimes.”

Noah was nodding along in feigned agreement. He found himself relaxing. It was nice to be talking to another pet, even if he wasn’t doing any talking. His cage at the pet store had blinders on either side so he couldn’t interact with those around him. And he’d never been on good enough behavior to be allowed yard time. So this change of pace was nice.

Suddenly, his ear flicked.

Footsteps!

He stumbled to his feet, having to lean on the cage to push himself up. He turned on the door, his tail bushed.

Dawn had the opposite reaction, his ears perking. “Master is coming! It must be dinner time. Master is an amazing cook.”

Noah glanced back to see him retreating to his den. He sat down in the dog bed, waiting patiently.

Their owner entered the room holding a single dog bowl. He didn’t even look at Noah. “Hello, Dawn. Oh, hello, Noah. Seems you you two have met.”

Noah growled as he moved closer, scrambling out of his way and retreating to the corner of the room.

Eli stepped up to the cage’s door and produced a key from a ring on his belt. Unlocking it, he stepped inside and placed Dawn’s food bowl on the floor.

Dawn crawled over to sit in front of him. “Please, Master, may I eat?” he asked, his yellow tail twitching.

“You may,” Eli replied.

Noah watched from outside the cage, disgusted by Dawn’s blind obedience. Eli was training this poor thing for a life of abuse.

For a brief moment, the thought crossed his mind that Dawn acted like this because it brought him pleasure. That being Eli’s pet was enjoyable. That Dawn was going to find a good owner and live a happy, pampered life.

He banished the thought from his mind. The worse option was more plausible.

Still, he felt a strange pang in his heart when Eli bent down to pet Dawn’s hair while he ate. None of Noah’s owners ever showed him that sort of affection.

His job finished, Eli left the cage and locked it once more. “I’ll be back soon for your bedtime check. Tomorrow for training, we’ll be working on balance and concentration.”

“Yes, Master,” Dawn answered. Even with his hands free, he ate like a dog, his face buried in the bowl.

“As for you…” Eli turned on Noah with a stern glare. “Back downstairs.”

Noah lashed his tail. With a final glance toward Dawn, he hurried out of the room and waited outside for Eli to join him.

Dawn was happy. Eli treated him well. This was a good place for him to be. Still, the nagging worry in Noah’s mind wouldn’t leave. Who did these pets go to?

Soon, Eli exited the room, closing the door behind him. He gestured for Noah to follow him down the corridor.

“I don’t appreciate you wandering off without permission,” he began. “But, I’m glad you were only exploring and didn’t try to escape. I won’t punish you for this, but from now on you aren’t to go anywhere without asking.”

Noah grumbled in acknowledgement.

Eli led the way back to the living room and sat down on the couch. The television was still on. Everything looked as Noah had left it. He wondered why Eli had chosen to feed the other pets first before coming to look for him.

He moved to sit beside Eli again, but his owner put his hand up. “No. You were bad. No couch.”

Noah huffed, but didn’t argue. He knelt in front of of the sofa instead, glaring up at Eli.
His owner just chuckled. “The rules are the rules, cat. Be good and you’ll get couch time tomorrow.” He hesitated a moment, then went on. “Come here, cat, and I’ll take that muzzle off. I saw you enter Dawn’s room on the security feed, but I didn’t quite catch what you two discussed.”

Noah sat up a little taller when Eli reached down to unbuckle the muzzle. It fell around his throat once more.

He let out a soft breath, enjoying the taste of fresh air again. “He’s…something,” he remarked. “Cute.”

“He is,” Eli agreed. “She’s one of the cutest pets I’ve ever had. And the most talented. He’s taking thirteen inches down his throat and fourteen in his ass. And he absolutely loves it.”

Noah winced. He hoped Eli didn't expect that from him.

But instead of arguing, Noah thought for a moment. “Master… where do pets go after you sell them? Who do you sell them to?”

“You’re not going anywhere, so don’t worry,” Eli replied. “You won’t be for sale, even after training.”

Noah shook his head. “I mean…where do the pets like Dawn go?”

“Oh.” Eli seemed surprised by the question. “Well, to the highest bidder, I guess.”

“Do you ever know them? Do you know their background? Do you meet them?” The words tumbled from Noah’s mouth, not satisfied with Eli’s first answer.

“Not really,” Eli answered. “They usually get into contact with me through friends or at contests and other events. I meet most clients but I don’t get to know them. I’m able to check up on pets once they’re sold, though. Some even end up back here for extra training.”

Noah still wasn’t comforted.

Eli leaned forward, balancing his elbows on his knees. “Noah, I know you’ve seen some nasty owners over the years, but that’s just part of this business. I can’t possibly do investigations on every single client. I can only hope my pets go to good homes.”

“So you just don’t know?” Noah snapped. “You have no idea what happens to pets after they leave this house?”

“I can’t know everything,” Eli explained. “It’s impossible to know what happens behind closed doors. I’ve turned clients away because I get bad vibes from them before. There’s an area blacklist for the city that names owners who have been caught abusing pets. That’s as good as I can give you.”

Dissatisfied, Noah looked away. The tip of his tail flicked with discontent. “It’s not right. It’s not enough.”

“I know,” Eli admitted softly. “It wasn’t enough for you, was it?”

Noah closed his eyes for a second, swallowing heavily. His heart was pounding. This was a horrible idea.

“I…I’m going to tell you something.” He turned back to Eli. “But you have to promise you’ll believe me.”

Eli’s eyebrows raised. Curiously, he nodded. “I’ll believe every word.”

Chapter 10: Cat Got Your Tongue

Three years ago, Noah was sold to the prettiest man he’d ever seen.

Mr. Beau Mallory was the guy Noah had always dreamed off. Young, with long, curly blonde hair and kind green eyes to get lost in. Tall, slim, and the owner of such a soft, loving smile.

Plus rich.

Noah was eighteen and he had everything he’d ever dreamed of. He was the pet of a successful business man. He was living in a huge mansion with plenty of kind servants to watch over him. If he wanted to go outside, he could. If he wanted to eat, he could. And he was having the best sex he could ever dream of.

But there was a single rule.

Within the mansion, there was a special room Noah was not allowed to enter.

“It’s a wonderful place,” Beau explained to him in that deep, comforting voice. “You’ll get to go in there one day. But you have to earn it first.”

The door was always locked. Beau never opened it unless Noah was already asleep in their bed. The servants wouldn’t talk about it.

So of course Noah had to pick the lock.

While Beau was in his office working, Noah was entertaining himself with a walk through the mansion. He could remember exactly what he was wearing that day. A gorgeously tight pink crop top and a mini skirt that did little to cover him. Around his neck sat a thin pink collar and his hair was down, falling around his shoulders like snow.

In the waistband of his skirt was a bobby pin he’d snatched from the master bedroom’s bathroom sink.

“Good morning, Noah,” a servant greeted- a guard who Noah knew as Jack. He was passing him in the hallway. “Any plans today?”

“Master says we’re going for a walk once he’s done with work,” Noah replied cheerfully.

“Oh, fun,” Jack replied. “I’ll see you later.”

Noah waved farewell, then continued down the hallway.

He didn’t stop until he was in front of the special room. His tail flicked, excited and apprehensive. He glanced up and down the hallway, but no one was there. One ear pricked to listen for footsteps, he took the hidden bobby pin from his skirt and shoved it into the lock.

Leaning down to listen, he moved it back and forth, fiddling to get the latches to go down. Finally, his ear twitched when he heard a click from inside. Grinning, he pushed the door open.

He stepped inside first, then closed the door behind him. At first, he was ecstatic he’d managed to break in. Then, he paused, confused by what he was looking at.

The room was long and narrow. On either side sat long shelves covered in…sex dolls.

Noah cocked his head. Sex dolls? That was the big special secret?

Each one was modeled after different pets. Birds, cats, dogs, bunnies, foxes…even a dragon or two. Beau seemed to have every species of pet in here.

Noah began walking further into the room, taking a good look at them. Each one seemed to be a different color or breed. He quickly realized these were all rare pets. Cats with white hair and brown tipped ears, dog’s whose ears were floppy and their short tails lilac, foxes with completely black colorings…the one dragon closest to the door had a huge, thick tail covered in golden scales.

Each one was modeled the same way. Their limbs stopped at their elbows and knees. Their mouths were wide open with ring gags, empty of teeth, and their eyes were closed. They had no cocks, but their holes were easily assessable because of their position. Each one was anchored in place by metal rings that wrapped around their limbs and neck, keeping them against the wall.

Noah wandered past them, honestly impressed by the extensive collection. He understood why Beau didn’t want him in here- these must be custom made to get such precise colors and such realistic textures. Beau probably just didn’t want him accidentally messing one up.

He put his hands behind his back, trying to keep himself from touching them. But when he found another cat one, he couldn’t help leaning forward to get a closer look.

This one looked smaller than the others and had floppy black ears on top of its head. He let out a soft giggle. It was awfully cute.

As soon as the sound escaped his mouth, the doll suddenly rolled its head with a groan of acknowledgement.

Noah reared back, caught off guard. He watched as the doll seemed to come to life, its limbs fighting uselessly against the metal rings and its head slowly moving back and forth.

The dolls around it were pricking their ears, picking up the disturbance. One by one, they began to move in their restraints, letting out pathetic whines and groans.

Noah’s heart dropped to the bottom of his stomach, his eyes wide as understanding dawned on them.

These were not sex dolls.

These were pets.

Living, mutilated pets.

Noah put a hand over his mouth, tears stinging his eyes. How could this be? This had to be a dream, right? A nightmare. He was about to wake up beside Beau, and his owner would comfort him that it was all a bad dream. He’d show him the special room tomorrow to calm his worries and it would just be something totally normal like a bdsm dungeon or a glory hole or a play room.

It couldn’t be this.

He couldn’t end up like this.

“Noah?”

The sound of Beau’s voice as the door creaked open made Noah want to throw up. He turned to the blonde man with wide eyes, speechless.

Beau didn’t look upset. He didn’t seem angry or even surprised. “You’re not supposed to be in here, my pretty kitty. Come outside. Now.”

Noah’s legs suddenly felt heavy as stone. But not wanting to disobey, he trudged toward Beau, who held the door open for him. Once outside, Beau shut the door.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Beau said gently. “You weren’t supposed to go in there yet.”

Noah was still waiting to wake up. “What was that?”

“That’s my trophy room,” Beau explained. “I’m a collector of unique and rare pets. You’re going to fit right in with that snow white hair of yours.” He let out a soft, earning sigh. “An albino cat. I’ve been searching for one for years.”

Despite his soft tone, he loomed over Noah until the cat boy was backing against the opposite wall.

Noah was shaking. “I-I…”

“Don’t be scared,” Beau reassured him. “You’ll be sore for a few days, but it’ll be worth it. You’re going to be the prettiest pet in my collection.”

The man reached out a hand, aiming for Noah’s hair. He was going to pet him. It was a gesture Noah was used to.

But in front of Noah’s eyes, Beau was suddenly the ugliest, cruelest man he knew.

His lips grew back in a snarl. When Beau brushed his fingers against Noah’s hair, he lurched forward, teeth bared, and sank them into the closest thing he could reach.

Beau shrieked in pain as Noah’s sharp teeth dug into the flesh of his hand. He writhed and wriggled, trying to free himself, but Noah was relentless. He bit down as hard as he could, hearing bones crunch in his mouth.

He couldn’t stop. This man was going to mutilate him. He was going to lose his arms and legs, his eyes and teeth.

The taste of blood filled his mouth, making him want to gag. When he felt a hand grasping his hair, he lashed out with his nails, trying to dig them into flesh as well.

He couldn’t let Beau do this to him. Even as hands pulled his hair and grabbed his wrists, he didn’t stop biting.

Suddenly, he let go with a gasp, sparks dancing in his vision as something heavy slammed into the side of his face. He was thrown to the ground in a heap. His jaw was alight with agony. Beau’s blood dripped down his chin.

Through his blurring vision, he could see servants tending to Beau, who was knelt on the ground and clutching his hand to his chest. But Jack was the one standing over Noah, his eyes narrowed with anger.

He raised one foot.

“Stupid fucking cat.”

Then, everything went dark.

Chapter 11: Pet Den

“And when I woke up again, I was in the pet shop.”

As soon as he finished with the story, Noah closed his eyes and winced. He was ready for his new owner’s ridicule. The taunting and angry remarks of past owners played through his mind.

No one would do that.

Don’t lie!

I’ve never even heard that name.

It’s your own fault for breaking the rules.

Stop telling the other pets that ridiculous story. You’ll turn them just as bad as you.

“That’s why your papers were blank…” Eli’s voice came out in a horrified whisper that made Noah raised his head. His owner was staring at him with wide eyes, his jaw dropped. “That’s why they couldn’t figure out where you came from.” His owner sounded like he was putting pieces together. “That’s why he dropped you off without a word. He had to make sure no one could find him through you.”

It all made sense. Noah’s attitude, his behaviors, his history of owners. He wouldn’t obey Eli because it would be letting his guard down. He wouldn’t eat what Eli gave him because it might be drugged. He wouldn’t allow himself to get attached because Eli could secretly be a horrible person. He worried for the other pets because Eli might be abusing them. He wasn’t just scared of owners, he was scared they’d betray him.

And that fear had been reinstated over and over again for three years.

Every time Noah was returned to the pet shop, he was being abandoned again. Every time an owner showed him kindness, he was seeing a monster who wanted to lure him into a false sense of security. Every time he was given a rule, something was being hidden from him. Every time he told that story and no one believed him, they were defending the actions of a monster.

Every time he told that story he was being called delusional or a liar- because how could anyone prove it? Eli had never heard of a Beau Mallory. He didn’t know anyone around here who had.

Without thinking, Eli reached forward, falling to his knees in front of the couch and wrapping his arms around Noah. He felt the cat boy struggle against him, before relaxing as he recognized the gesture of a hug.

Eli’s heart shattered for him, that even the most basic method of affection was perceived as a threat. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured. “I had no idea.” He felt Noah rest his chin against his shoulder. Eli took it as a sign to continue with the embrace. He should have asked from the beginning. He should have asked even after Matteo called Noah a liar.

Eli finally pulled back. “You’ve told that story to others and they didn’t believe you, did they?”

Noah nodded slowly, looking miserable. “They said I was lying for attention. They said they’d never heard of Beau Mallory before. They said I made him up. I tried-” His voice cracked. “I tried to tell the other pets, too. I had to warn them. But then the pet shop owner blocked me off from them.”

“I’ll tell him immediately,” Eli said. “I’ll explain everything. And I’ll even find this guy. He needs to be-”

“No!” Noah protested immediately. “Please, don’t. I-I don’t want him to know where I am. I don’t want him to know you.”

Eli paused. He wanted nothing more than to find this bastard and put him through hell. But Noah might be right. It could be a messy ordeal that would put both of them in danger.

Eli leaned forward again, embracing Noah to undo the buckles on the arm binder. Gently, he slid it off and let it drop to the ground. “Okay,” he agreed. After a moment, he went on. “Thank you for telling me that. I…it’s going to be a lot easier to figure out what you need now.”

Noah looked up at him, seeming confused. “You really believe me?”

Eli nodded. “I don’t know if you know this, but you have a very particular way of speaking. Your voice…it’s softer when you’re being yourself. You try to sound rough and more intimidating. You don’t show fear. But I could hear it while you told me all that. Even the thought of this man has you terrified. Either you’re a damn good actor who just likes being a brat, or you’ve seen some bad things and you don’t know how to cope with it.”

Noah took in a deep breath, seemingly caught off guard. But also…relieved. Not like he’d gotten away with something, but like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He’d been holding on to this experience for a while with no one to vent to.

Gently, Eli took Noah’s hand- not tightly, allowing him to pull away if he wanted. But when Noah didn’t, Eli stood up, pulling him along. “It’s late,” he said. “We should get to bed.”

Noah suddenly looked nervous.

“It’s okay,” Eli said. “You’ll have a comfortable bed tonight. I promise. Just follow me.”

After a moment, Noah nodded. Still holding his hand, Eli led the way through the house and to the stairs again. After climbing them, he turned down a different hallway in the opposite direction of the pet cages. It was more in the direction of the shower room. But Eli went right past it, toward a set of double doors. Finally pulling away from Noah, he pushed them open to reveal the master bedroom.

It was huge, with a large bed that spanned the entire back wall. A tv sat on a stand on one side, and on the other was a dresser with several sex toys sprawled across the top. When Eli turned to Noah, he saw a look of awe on the cat boy’s voice, like he hadn’t been expecting an actual bedroom.

“Is…is this your room?” he asked.

Eli nodded. “Yes. And it’s yours now, too. I was going to give you your own in the basement. But I think you’d benefit more from staying close to me.” He led Noah further into the room, then closed the door. “You’ll get to sleep in the bed with me…on occasion,” Eli explained. “Until I can fully trust you won’t get up to mischief if left to your own devices. For now, you’ll sleep in here.” He moved to the foot of the bed.

It was covered by a sheet and looked like just part of the bed, but when Eli lifted the cover, he revealed a cage. It seemed to be attached to the bed itself. It was the normal square shape, but Noah could see darkness beyond it, like it went under the bed as well.

“This bed is custom made,” Eli explained. “If you go into the back of the cage, you’ll find a tunnel that opens up to a den beneath the bed. It’s already furnished with blankets and pillows.” Eli had gotten it as soon as he’d realized he’d be getting a personal pet. He’d planned to use it as an occasional luxury, but Noah might respond better to a smaller, cozy space rather than the large open one Eli had first given him. “This way, you’ll still have your own space where I can keep you out of trouble, but you’ll stay close to me.”

Noah’s eyes were shining brighter than he had the entire time Eli had known him. Once Eli had the front of the cage open, Noah ducked down to crawl in on all fours. His tail was curling happily over his back and he turned to look up at Eli through the bars.

“Thank you, Master.”

“Of course,” Eli replied. “Get some sleep. I need to check the other pets before bed.” He knelt down, getting level with Noah as he locked the cage door. “You’re safe here. I promise.”

When Noah nodded, unable to find words, Eli dropped the sheet over the cage again and stood up.

“I’ll be back soon, Noah,” he said, walking to the door and switching the lights off. “Go explore your new den.”

Once the door was shut, Noah’s tail drooped slightly, wishing Eli could stay longer. But he had his own den to explore. He turned to look in the back of the cage. Sure enough, he found the bars led beneath the bed in a narrow tunnel. Squeezing through it, he found a part directly under the bed where the cage opened out again into a huge area that spanned the entirely of the bedframe. The floor had been scooped out to make more headspace but Noah still had to stay on all fours. It was already covered in comfortable blankets and fluffy pillows.

Noah grinned. He remembered, a long time ago, having a den similar to this. He laid himself down against one of the pillows, purring.

For the first time in three years, he felt safe and at peace.

Chapter 12: Good Morning

Noah woke when light began filtering through the tunnel. He could tell the sun must be up, just barely illuminating the entrance to the den from behind the sheet. Noah was curled up in a nest of blankets. He’d had the most comfortable sleep of his life.

He crawled through the tunnel of the cage to check the entrance. It was still locked, but he could hear breathing somewhere else in the room.

“Master?” he called softly.

He heard the bed squeak as something moved on it. “Five more minutes…” Eli murmured sleepily.

Noah was comforted once he heard his owner nearby. A thrill of excitement made him shudder. He ducked back into the tunnel to get some more sleep.

Just as he was drifting into sleep again, he heard the beeping of an alarm. Then, overhead, the bed shifted as his owner woke up to turn it off.

A bit excited, Noah crawled out from the tunnel again to meet Eli. He arrived at the cage entrance just as his owner pulled back the sheet. He looked groggy, but smiled down at his pet. “Good morning,” he greeted. “How did you sleep?”

“Good,” Noah replied. “Great. It’s nice in here.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Eli stood back up and stretched. “We’ll have a better day today, I’m sure. But I do have a favor to ask of you.”

Noah frowned, his tail flicking. “What is it?”

Eli grinned, giving Noah a wink. “Well, it seems I’ve got some morning wood that needs taken care of. Want to help me out?”

Noah winced, wondering if he should protest. It wasn’t the request he’d been expecting, but he supposed it could be a way to show his gratitude for the new den.

He nodded, then corrected with a brisk, “Okay, master.”

Eli smiled. “Good boy.”

He hooked a thumb into the waistband of his boxers, then slid them down his thighs. Immediately, his cock popped out, already erect. He poked it through the bars of the cage, giving Noah the option to decide how to proceed.

The cat boy hesitated a moment, unsure what he wanted to do. Glancing up at Eli, he leaned forward and closed his eyes before wrapping his lips around the head of his owner’s cock. His tongue swirled on the tip. He used his hands to give attention to the shaft, pumping it softly.

Above him, Eli let out a soft groan. He pressed his crotch into the side of the cage and grabbed the top bars to hold on to. Noah was pretty good at this when Eli gave him the space to do it himself.

Usually, no owner would trust their cock near Noah’s mouth without a ring gag. It meant a lot to Noah that Eli would trust him to behave. Wanting to be brave, he tried to take Eli deeper down his throat, but never quite to the back. When he did make the attempt, he winced and had to pull off for a gasp of air. He let his hand do most of the work, focusing his mouth on the head.

“That’s it,” Eli encouraged.

Noah glanced up at him, proud of himself. He closed his eyes again and forced himself to relax. His body drooped and a purr began to rumble in the base of his throat. The sound drew a gasp from Eli, who would feel it reverberation up his shaft.

“Damn,” Eli cursed. “Fuck. Just like that.”

Noah grinned around the cock in his mouth, pleased with himself. Feeling playful, he focused on the sounds his owner made, waiting for him to reach an apex. Then, just as Eli’s groans grew higher pitched, Noah pulled away, only using his hand and looked up at Eli with an innocent smile.

His owner stuttered, looking down at Noah with a mean stare. “Cat.”

“Yes, master?” he asked innocently. “Is something wrong?”

“Yeah. You’re not purring for me,” Eli said through gritted teeth.

Noah sighed, amused, and took the head back into his mouth to continue where he’d left off.

Eli took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “You are so lucky you’re in that cage or I’d be balls deep by now.”

Noah swallowed, grateful as well. He wasn’t great when it came to deepthroating.

Sensing his owner was getting impatient, he slid his cock further into his mouth and started up the purring again. Relaxing against the side of the cage, he sucked lazily, his curled tail betraying his contentment.

Eli’s grip on the top of the cage tightened, shuddering what pleasure. His breathing quickened and he couldn’t rutting his hips against the side of the cage.

Noah suddenly gagged when something hot hit the back of his throat. He pulled off, only to whine when the rest landed on his face.

“You could have warned me.” He reached one hand up to wipe the cum off his face.

“You should have told me how nice your mouth is,” Eli panted. He stood up, and wiped himself off, then pulled up his boxers once more. “I can’t believe I’ve been listening to you complain this whole time instead of using your mouth for something actually productive."

Noah flicked his tail curiously. “Am I your first cat boy?”

“Not the first one I’ve trained,” Eli panted. “But the first one I’ve allowed to pleasure me. I don’t usually touch my own merchandise.”

Noah sat up straighter, proud of himself. “You should be. Cat boys are great at blowjobs.”

Eli scoffed, amused. “Eh…I’ll give you a six out of ten. Good technique and the purr was a nice touch, but I’ve gotta dock points for the lack of deepthroating.”

Noah frowned. “That’s not my fault! I’ve got a sensitive gag reflex.”

“Really?” Eli asked curiously and Noah instantly regretted revealing that. “Well lucky for you, I’m an expect at deepthroat training. You’ll be taking horse dildos in no time.”

Noah began shaking his head before Eli was even done speaking. “No. Nope. Absolutely not. I don’t do deepthroating and I never will.”

Eli shrugged as he turned to walk away. “We’ll see about that.”

Noah peered at him through the bars of the cage. “Where are you going?”

“Just getting dressed, kitten,” Eli replied, moving out of view. Noah heard a drawer roll open. “I’ll let you out in a moment. I’ll think I’ll leave you out of bondage today. We’ll find you a nice outfit in the wardrobe.”

“Really?” Noah leaned on the side of the cage.

“Sure. We’ll consider it a test day. But I get to pick the outfit.”

“Deal,” Noah agreed.

Eli came back into view, wearing a tight black t-shirt and loose shorts. “Good boy.” He knelt down to unlock the door of the cage, then opened it for Noah to crawl out.

Once free, Noah stood up and stretched, straining with satisfaction. Once ready, he joined Eli’s side. “So…am I going to regret letting you pick an outfit for me?”

“Depends,” Eli answered. “Have you ever worn heels?” He walked slow, stopping just a few doors down.

“Uh…” Noah looked up toward the ceiling, thinking. “Holy shit, no. I haven’t.” If he had, it was a long time ago and he didn’t remember.

Eli chuckled. “Don’t worry. You’ve got plenty of time to learn.”

Throwing open the door revealed a long closet. On either side stood racks that held every outfit a pet would need. Cute, revealing crop tops, skirts of varying sizes, comfortable sweaters, fishnets, latex suits…Noah had seen and worn all of these. But Eli had quite the impressive collection. Beneath the racks were pairs of shoes, ranging from sparkling flats to ten inch tall stilettos.

Noah was eyeing a pair of them. They were red and glittering. “Can we keep the heels small?”

“For now,” Eli agreed. “Just so you don’t hurt yourself. But I’ll have you walking in ballet shoes here soon. You should see Dawn in them.” He knelt down to begin looking through the pairs of shoes. “She struts around like he was born in them.”

Abandoning shoes for the moment, Eli stood back up to start ruffling through the clothes. The first thing he pulled out was a poofy maid’s dress.

“How’s this?” Eli asked. “Cute, isn’t it?”

Noah pulled his lip back in a snarl and Eli chuckled.

“You’re right. It’s not your style.” He hung it back on the rack. “Normally, I’d just stick you into one of the cat suits with a built in arm binder, but I think you’ve earned some extra freedom today. How about…this one?”

The next outfit he pulled out was two pieces- the first being a black crop top with a window in the chest and the second being tiny pink shorts with fishnet leggings attached.

Noah cocked his head, thinking it over. That…actually looked nice. Yeah, okay. I can do that.”

Eli smiled, looking pleased. “Great. And I know the perfect shoes to match.”

While Noah got to getting dressed, Eli bent to begin looking for the perfect shoes. Finally, he stood up with a pair of black ankle boots with four inch heels.

Noah’s ears drooped. “That’s tall,” he observed. Although his head wanted to protest, his heart new those would look badass with the rest of the outfit. He sighed sharply. “If I break an ankle I’m allowed to call you any rude names I want.”

Eli passed Noah the shoes. “One rude name and one swear word.”

“Two rude names and three swear words.” Noah sat down to slid the shoes on. The outfit itself was tighter than he expected, but not uncomfortable. And it didn’t restrict his movement in any way that put him on edge.

“One rude name and four swear words,” Eli negotiated. Once Noah had laced up the shoes, he held a hand out to help the cat boy to his feet. He stood on shaking legs for a moment, getting his balance. The shorts were small enough they left little up for interpretation, and the fishnets hugged Noah’s thick thighs.

“Deal,” Noah replied. He raised his hand, as though for a hand shake, then quickly flapped his arms when he lost balance again. He spread his legs out a bit more, shaking.

Eli smiled, amused. He stepped up closer, and took Noah’s wrist, guiding his hand up to his shoulder. “Hold on to me,” he instructed.

Noah just blinked up at him, frozen for a moment. But he finally relented and brought his other hand to Eli’s shoulder, using him to balance. His owner dropped his gaze, using both hands to adjust how the shorts sat on Noah’s hips. But Noah was watching his owner’s face.

There was something about him. Something Noah hadn’t seen in a long time. There was a level of gentleness to Eli’s face that Noah didn’t often find in owners. For a brief moment, the thought crossed his mind that this was who Eli was- just a kind man who wanted to take care of his pets.

But the thought was fleeting. Eli had only made the purchase so he could have a doll win a bet. He just had to make sure that doll was in perfect shape for the contest.

Once finished, Eli’s hands wandered back up Noah’s body, running along his hips and making the cat boy shudder. He laid them on his shoulders, then jerked Noah around to face away from him. Noah instinctively started forward.

“Relax,” Eli chided. “I’m just tying back your hair.”

Noah felt his hair lift off his shoulder, then his body shuddered as fingers brushed his scalp. He could feel Eli tugging his long hair into three sections to make a braid.

“You’ve got such long hair,” Eli mused. “And it’s soft. You must take good care of it.”

Noah grumbled. “I’d chop it all off if I could,” he admitted. “It’s a nuisance. But I’m not allowed because of the color.”

“Rare color clause, I’m aware,” Eli said. “Homeless pets with rare colorations are prevented from making any modifications to their bodies until they’re given an owner.”

“And then their bodies become their property,” Noah murmured resentfully. “So they can do whatever they want with it.”

Eli’s hands slowed in his hair for a second. “I’ll tell you what: After the contest, you can do whatever you want with it,” he offered. “But it really is gorgeous. It’ll win you plenty of points.”

Noah grunted in reply, not happy with the arrangement but willing to take what he could get. He always imagined the first thing he’d do once free was find something sharp and get rid of all this hair. It was a hindrance that took a lot of care that he was legally required to perform.

“If you ask me, though, I don’t think you should chop all of it off,” Eli continued. “I love pets with long hair. There’s so many styles you can do with it.”

“Yeah, you won’t say that when you’re buying six bottles of shampoo every month,” Noah scoffed.

“Darling, I have all the money in the world,” Eli cooed. “Nothing’s too good for my pet.” He gave Noah’s hair one last tug, then seemed satisfied with his work. “There. Much better. Now that cute ass is perfectly on display.” His hand wandered down Noah’s back, laying on one ass cheek.

Noah rolled his eyes, more amused than annoyed. “Don’t we have things to do?”

“Always.” Eli’s hand was gently groped at Noah’s ass.

The cat boy let out a heated breath. “You just got me dressed.”

Eli chuckled. “These shorts are so small I could easily just slide them aside.” Proving his point, he grabbed the back of the shorts and shoved them roughly to one side, revealing the fishnets beneath.

Noah reached back to grab for Eli’s arm. “Really? Right here? You’ve got a perfectly good bed down the hall.”

“Good point.” With that, Eli completely pulled away, leaving Noah to stumble in his heels for a moment. “We’ve got work to do. Hungry pets to feed. Come along, kitten.”

He watched with great amusement as Noah’s face flush, receiving a taste of his own medicine for once. With a sly grin, he turned and headed down the hallway toward the pet dens.

Only when he heard Noah’s voice did he realize his pet wasn’t following.

“Would it kill you to take this cage off?” Noah called. “We could both have a lot more fun that way.”

“Nope,” Eli answered. “My cock is the only one allowed free in this house.” But, it did make him stop. He looked over his shoulder at Noah, who stood glaring at him with his arms crossed. “I did give you the spiked one, didn’t I?”

“Yes!” Noah complained. “I’d even switch it out if that’s not too much to ask.” He stumbled to catch up with Eli, then began actually thinking. “Okay, let’s strike a deal. If you give me a different cage, I’ll do deepthroat training today without complaining.” His gaze was hard. “But no tricks. This size, no spikes.”

“A size smaller, no spikes, and you get ten seconds to complain,” Eli negotiated. He enjoyed making these little deals. Normally, his word was law, but Noah didn’t seem to play by those rules. Compromising was getting him a lot farther than an iron fist.

Noah blinked at him, thinking. “Okay, deal,” he agreed.

“Wonderful,” Eli said with a grin. “Follow me.” He walked past Noah, away from the pet dens and instead past his bedroom. Noah followed slowly, still getting used to the extra height.

Eli stopped to wait for him outside what seemed to be a closet door past his bedroom. This was his upstairs gear room, where he kept an array of extra dog cages, yokes, chains, cock cages, and a number of bondage frames.

He opened the door once Noah had caught up. The cat boy seemed to pause for a second. “Wow, you need a different hobby,” he said immediately.

The room looked like a repurposed dungeon. A few hooks were attached to the ceiling and chains hung from the walls. Frames were stacked in one corner. Several toy chests were littered around the room and an entire wall was dedicated to gear- yokes, whips, paddles, cuffs, and other things Noah didn’t even know the names for.

Eli just laughed. “It’s an impressive collection isn’t it? Lots of owners want their pets trained for different things, so I always make sure I’m prepared.”

He walked over to one of the toy chests and opened the top. Three different tiers folded out like a tackle box, each holding an array of cock cages of varying sizes.

“This one will do nicely.” Eli grabbed one of the smaller ones. It was only an inch long, made of metal but with no spikes, and a tube going down the middle.

Noah winced. “We never agreed on a…what is that, a sound? A catheter? Whatever it is, it’s not part of the deal.”

“It’ll be more comfortable,” Eli explained. “It discourages you from getting hard. But if you’re sure you don’t want it, I’m sure I’ve got something better.”

“Don’t you dare,” Noah growled. He knew the game. Eli was about to pull out something even worse. “Fine. I’ll take the stupid sound. But I want ten seconds of complaining plus two swear words.”

“Fifteen seconds and one swear,” Eli said. He grabbed the cage again. “But I have to warn you, my process for changing out cages is a little…unconventional.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?” Process? Cock cages were usually an on and off situation. Take one cage off, maybe do some teasing, shove the other one on. It shouldn’t need a process.

“You’ll learn soon enough,” Eli said with a smirk. “Now see those chains on the wall? Go stand over there.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “Ooh, stand beside the chains on the wall,” he echoed in a mockingly deep voice. “I can’t imagine what’s going to happen next.” Despite his teasing, he moved over to the chains. Now that he was close, he could also see there were more at the bottom of the wall.

Eli followed him, grabbing one of the chains above Noah’s head and pulling it down. “That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one of these days.”

“Hasn’t it already?” He held up one hand to offer to Eli, who clicked the cuff into place before moving to his other arm.

“Good point.” With his pet’s hands trapped above his head, Eli moved away and turned his back to rummage through another toy box. When he turned back around, he was holding a black, silky blindfold.

Noah gaze went to it immediately and he began to look nervous. He glanced back up at Eli. “Mind telling me this whole process now?”

Eli stepped up in front of Noah, placing the blindfold around his forehead but not bringing it all the way down yet. “It’s a part of the mental training I do. Pets have to learn their own pleasure isn’t important anymore. It’s all about their owner. So when it’s time to change a cage, they must be tied up and blindfolded. They’re never allowed to see their own cocks outside their cages again.”

His voice drifted, losing confidence as Noah’s eyes widened with fright. He shook his head, trying to dislodge the blindfold.

Eli blinked in surprise. Most pets were upset by this rule, but they understood in time. They never looked so scared of it.

“Hey, calm down,” Eli said softly. He bent a little, getting level with Noah and grabbing his shoulders to keep him still. “It’s okay. It’s not a permanent cage. You’ll have it off on occasion.”

Noah put up another weak struggle. “You’re not taking it all together, right?” he asked, his eyes wide. “I’ll still have it?”

Eli’s heart cracked, knowing this fear must come from past threats. “Of course not.” He moved one hand up to cup Noah’s face. “I’d never do that…Unless you wanted me to.”

“I don’t!”

“Okay, okay,” Eli agreed. “You have my word, Noah. Cage only. No modifications.”

Noah was starting to calm down. He didn’t seem entirely comforted, but it was enough for Eli to slid the blindfold over his eyes. Once Noah was subdued, Eli pulled the keys from his belt. He had a master key for every single cock cage in the house. Then, he unzipped the front of Noah’s shorts, freeing his caged cock. With the key at the ready, he knelt down but completely skipped over the cage. Gently, he ran one finger of Noah’s balls, then all the way to the tip of his cock.

Noah took a deep, but choked, breath. His neglected cock immediately hardened against the painfully unyielding spikes. He brought his legs together, forcing Eli away.

“Don’t even think about,” he growled. “I’ll kick you.”

Eli smiled, amused. “I can fix that.”

He leaned to one side, grabbing a leg cuff off the floor and snapping it around one of Noah’s ankles before he could figure out what was happening. Then he did the same with the other, forcing Noah’s legs apart.

Noah grumbled. “Smart.” Then, he grinned, bringing his tail in between his legs and curling it in front of his groin.

“Smart,” Eli echoed. Unamused, he gently grabbing the end of Noah’s tail, brushing it against his caged cock.

Noah suddenly gasped, his entire body jolting. “Okay, okay, okay! You win!” he squeaked. “Stop! Fuck…!” His tail bristled in Eli’s hand while his cock pressed against the bars of its cage. “Master, please! Take it off! It hurts!”

“That’s one swear,” Eli said, ignoring his requests. His heart pounded with excitement. This was the most aroused he’d seen Noah. He gripped his tail a bit tighter, and ran it over the tip of the cage, then down the shaft. The soft white fur would teasingly run along what little skin was exposed.

Noah’s mouth fell open in a wail of pleasure. His head dropped back against the wall. Eli knew he must be sensitive. Matteo milked his pets once every wednesday. Eli had bought him tuesday and it was already saturday morning. Maybe if he’d behaved the first few days, he’d have gotten the attention he needed sooner.

“Master, please!” Noah whined. “Can I have the cage off now? Please!”

Eli felt his shorts growing tighter. “Am I being too mean, little kitten? You must be so sensitive,” he teased. With one hang gripping Noah’s tail, the other moved to fondle the cat boy’s balls.

“Yes!” Noah bucked into the touch. The chains rattled as he pulled on them hardly. His voice was high pitched and desperate. It wasn’t the same pain he’d displayed while trapped in the swing. That had been from desperation to get out of a bad situation. But this was a more primal, more lustful begging. “Please! Master, please take the cage off!”

He was losing control of himself. Eli could tell. His hips kept moving forward against his own will. For a second, Eli wondered if he should leave the cage on and give Noah a little pain as punishment for previous transgressions. Or perhaps he’d already been too mean.

“I’ll take it off,” he agreed. “In exactly sixty seconds. Try not to cum until then.”

“Fuck!” Noah growled. “Please! Oh, god…” He took a few deep breaths, and when he spoke, his tone had completely shifted. “Master, may I please cum? Please! I’ve been good all morning and good boys deserve to cum. Please, master! I’ll be good!”

The words were spilling out before he could gain control of himself. Eli paused for a second, looking up to see the blindfold becoming damp with tears. He didn’t think it was from the spikes. He had a feeling it had been quite a while since Noah had last begged like this, and it was weighing on him heavily.

Part of him felt bad. Part of him wanted to give in and just removed the cage. But he hadn’t become the best trainer in the city by going back on his word.

“Thirty seconds,” he reminded.

Noah shook his head. “Master, please! It hurts so bad. I’ve been really good, haven’t I? I didn’t cause trouble last night and I gave you a blowjob this morning. A-and I’m sorry for teasing you! I was just messing around. Please let me cum?”

Eli took the key from his belt again, but one hand still gripped Noah’s tail, keeping it against his tip. He put the key into the lock, but didn’t turn it yet.

“Twenty seconds, but now I’m wondering if I should unchain you after this,” Eli teased. “I think I’d like to keep you here for the rest of the day. I’ll take the cage off and just tease you. That’ll teach you to misbehave, huh?”

“No!” Noah protested. “No, you can’t! I’ve been good. Please don’t leave me here. I-I’m supposed to help you with training. And I promised to do deepthroat training. Please, master I’m a good pet! And I’ll be so good for the rest of the day! The best!”

He was rambling. Eli could tell- he was trying to distract himself.

“I’m a good boy,” Noah continued, his voice cracking. “I’m your good pet.”

Eli grinned, turning the key and hearing the cage click open. It dropped to the floor and Noah practically melted with relief, his cock springing to full hardness. He had nothing on Eli’s size, and he was a little red from irritation, but leaked with precum.

Noah’s legs shook. At this point, he was only being held up by the chains around his wrists. “May I please cum, master?” he begged. “May I cum, master? Please!”

“Yes, darling. Cum for me.”

Noah was way ahead of him, only asking as a formality. His orgasm arrived before Eli could even finish his sentence. It spurted onto his own tail and Eli’s hand.

He was gasping for breath, his body rigid. Then, when his balls were completely empty, he went limp.

Eli had caught most of it in his hand. With his clean one, he reached up to grip Noah’s chin, forcing him to look up. Then, he brought his cum covered hand to Noah’s lips and dabbed them until Noah got the message and let his tongue dart out to lick it.

“That’s a good boy,” Eli cooed. He’d leaned a lot in the last few minutes. This was the most in control he’d been of Noah since they met four days ago. “You did so good.”

Noah groaned in response, distracted by his task of cleaning Eli’s hand. Eli wasn’t even sure he was fully conscious. But this was a huge step forward.

Chapter 13: Wise Little Owl

Noah didn’t remember falling asleep. He felt light as air. Colors danced in his vision and he could swear he wasn’t touching the ground. There was a slightly salty taste in his mouth, but he found himself enjoying it, swallowing heavily.

Then, he realized where he was.

This was his subspace.

He flicked up up ear, trying to move his head and break out. His heart began to pound, terrified. Why was it dark? Why couldn’t he move?

He struggled against the chains keeping him close to the wall. Then, from somewhere nearby, he heard footsteps and stopped. He winced, feeling fingers go around his cock. Then his mouth fell open in a gasp of pain as something was worked inside.

“Easy.” Eli’s voice came from in front of him. “I’m just putting the new cage on.”

Noah melted against the wall, weak with relief. He was with Eli. He was safe. His tail flicked forward, searching for Eli’s presence. He brushed against Eli’s leg and wrapped around it.

“Close your eyes. I’m about to take the blindfold off,” Eli warned.

Noah obeyed. He felt Eli’s hands going behind his head to untie the blindfold. Then light hit the other side of his lids. He blinked his eyes open, wincing.

Suddenly, everything came rushing back. His new owner had gotten him into subspace? That hadn’t happened since…

“Can I get down now?” he rasped. “Please, master?”

Eli reached up to unlock the wrist chains first. Noah watched as he grabbed his wrist, gently lowering it and rubbing where the skin might be irritated. Then, he bent to undo the ankle ones, repeating the same motion.

Noah checked his wrist. He hadn’t struggled as much as he usually did. He eyed Eli warily.

His owner was ignoring him. “We need to get going. The pets must be starving.”

Noah nodded, catching up with Eli while adjusting his shorts. Once outside the room, Eli closed the door, but didn’t lock it. Noah took note of that. Dawn’s room hadn’t been locked either.

If Eli thought there was nothing in these rooms Noah could use as a weapon, he was severely underestimating him.

Noah’s tail bristled, then relaxed. Why did he want to hurt his owner? Did he want to? He looked ahead. Eli was leading him toward the stairs, most likely down to the kitchen. He had his back turned to Noah, not paying attention to him. He could strike right now.

But he didn’t want to.

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli quite liked this arrangement. Noah had been docile the entire time he’d been cooking breakfast. The cat boy paced up and down the kitchen, practicing walking in his heels. Eli kept glancing over his shoulder, watching his white tail frisk back and forth, like a ribbon following his every move.

Now Noah was following him back upstairs, holding two dog bowls and focusing on not tripping.

“I want absolute best behavior, got it?” Eli prompted. “No talking back, saying ‘yes, master’ when asked a question or given a command, and good posture. I don’t want my trainees thinking they can get away with bad attitudes just because you do.” He looked over his shoulder, his gaze stern. “It’s important they know their and your place. So behave, or I will punish you in front of them. Understood?”

“Yes, master,” Noah mumbled, his flicking tail betraying his discontent.

“Good boy,” Eli agreed, not caring how angry he made Noah. The cat boy could be upset all he wanted, so long as he didn’t show it in front of the other pets. “Dawn is just ahead. And Melody is down the hall. She’s only been here a few weeks, so you definitely need to behave in front of her.”

He took note then at the mention of Dawn, Noah’s ears perked up a little. He wondered if letting his pets form a bond would benefit Noah at all. If he could see how much other pets enjoyed being here, it might make him feel safer. But there was also the inevitable pain when Dawn was sold to a permanent owner.
He slowed to a halt outside Dawn’s door.

“Best behavior,” he reminded Noah.

“Best behavior,” Noah echoed.

With that, Eli swung open the door.

Dawn was already sitting at the edge of his bed, ears perked up. Eli entered, standing in front of the door of the cage.

“Good morning, Dawn.”

“Good morning, Master!” Dawn squeaked. She didn’t even look at Noah until Eli gestured to him.

“This is Noah,” he introduced. “I believe you two have met already. Noah, go ahead and give Dawn her breakfast.”

Pulling the key from his belt, Eli unlocked the door and let it fall open.

On shaky legs, Noah stepped into the cage. He took a moment to examine the bowls, making sure he put down the right one. Kneeling, he set the bowl in front of Dawn.

“Uh…hi,” he greeted shyly. “It’s nice to properly meet you.”

Dawn opened her mouth to reply, but Eli caught her eye, silently reminding him to remain calm and introduce himself properly.

Dawn swallowed, then bowed his head low to the ground. Her tail twitched behind her. “H-hello! It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Noah stood back up and stepped out of the cage, looking at Dawn curiously. It was a much different greeting than he’d received before.

“I’ll be back for your exercises,” Eli announced. “Eat and get yourself warmed up.”

“Yes, Master! I can’t wait!” Dawn ducked down to begin eating.

Eli nodded, then turned toward the door. With his back turned, Noah gave Dawn a friendly smile and the bunny boy waved in greeting. Then, Noah rejoined Eli at the door and left Dawn in peace.

Once out of the room, Noah had a grin on his face. “He’s nice. Very excitable.”

“She’s adorable, isn’t he?” Eli agreed. “But she’s got a little too much energy. She’s supposed to be ready for the market at the end of the month, but she’s still got a few nervous twitches that need trained out.”

Noah shrugged. “You can try your best but if a pet is hyperactive there’s not much you can do.” He sent a dark glance toward Eli. “Unless you used more…unethical practices.”

“Don’t look at me like that,” Eli chided. “I’d never. I’m not trying to completely stomp out her spirit. I just need to focus it.”

Eli stopped outside another door. He had a total of ten pet dens in the mansion, and they’d only all been filled once. Eli had promised himself he’d never have ten pets in the house at the same time again.

He gave Noah a stern look. “Best behavior.”

“Best behavior.” Noah stood up a little straighter. He seemed genuinely excited to meet a new pet. Eli was confident he’d make a good first impression.

He opened the door and walked inside, standing in front of the cage. “Good morning, Melody.”

This cage was set up in the same way as Dawn’s, but the water dildo was much smaller and the den was a bit bigger. Inside the shadows, Noah could see shining yellow eyes.

The pet that emerged fixed him with an unblinking, wide eyed stare. On her back, two small, brown speckled wings flapped once. She seemed larger than Dawn, and Noah quickly put all her features together to realize she was some sort of bird. The huge eyes gave away her species as an owl.

“Melody,” Eli said sternly, grabbing both of their attention. “This is Noah, my new pet.” He stepped forward and opened the door to the cage.

Noah stepped inside, his confidence draining under the owl’s gaze. He set the bowl down, then quickly moved out of the cage. Something about the girl’s unblinking eyes made him feel uneasy.

“Eat up, Melody,” Eli directed. “I’ll be back soon for training.” He nodded to Noah, then led the way out of the room.

Noah was quick to follow. He could feel Melody’s gaze boring into him as he left.

As soon as he was out of the room, he stopped, shuddering. There was something about the look in her eyes he didn’t like. And he wasn’t sure why. He’d met owl boys before. He knew what they looked like and it had never bothered him before. But Melody had a certain…familiar look that set him off.

“Come on, Noah,” Eli directed. “We need to eat before we start with training.”

“Yes, Master,” Noah murmured, jogging a few steps to catch up with his owner.

A few moments passed in silence. But when they reached the stairs, Eli pulled to a stop. “You froze up. Why?”

Noah flicked an ear, confused.

Eli’s eyes were narrowed. “You got a bad vibe off Melody.”
After a moment of hesitation, Noah nodded reluctantly. “I don’t know what it was. She made me…uncomfortable.”

“Don’t do that in front of her again,” Eli said. “She’s only been training for a few weeks and she’s not confident. I don’t want you ruining any progress.”

Noah winced. It wasn’t all his fault. He didn’t know what it was about Melody but it made him feel hostile.

Eli remained silent all the way to the kitchen. He seemed lost in thought. He returned to the plate he’d left behind, sitting at the bar to eat after placing Noah’s bowl on the ground beside him.

When Noah got down on the floor to eat, he heard Eli sigh above him.

“I just don’t understand,” he said, sounding concerned. “You hit it off with Dawn right away. Why is Melody different? I was actually hoping you two would get along so you could show her to be a little more outgoing.”

Noah sat up, feeling guilty. “I don’t know!” he growled, lashing his tail. “She..I…She looked at me like she was sizing me up.”

Eli looked thoughtful. “I don’t know that she was. That’s just how owl pets look.”

“Maybe,” Noah murmured, wanting to drop it.

Eli didn’t seem so keen on letting it go. “You’re being completely honest with me, right?”

“Yes!”

“You looked at me before like that. Like you were afraid I’d really hurt you but you were trying to hide it.”

Noah sat up, not knowing what Eli was talking about. He was usually pretty good at hiding his true feelings. “I’m not scared of her,” he hissed. “She’s another pet. I’m not afraid.”

Eli was frowning. “I’d like to take you to someone I know.”

“Hell, no,” Noah growled immediately, already knowing where this was going. “I’m not going to see some damn shrink. I’ve got issues- whatever. I’ll deal with it. You’ve clearly got issues, too.”

“No, I don’t,” Eli said, sounding scandalized.

“Yeah, huh,” Noah shot back. “You’ve got this huge mansion all to yourself with three other people in it- two of which haven’t been here very long. You’ve apparently been completely on your own for ten years training pets. You’ve only got one friend you’ve spoken of who sounds like a massive douche. You’ve got a hundred hallways and no family photos or photos in general. Your room has no decorations except sex toys. And, on top of all of that, you haven’t even told me your name.”

“I’m a trainer,” Eli said. “My pets aren’t meant to know my name. It helps them to not get attached.”

“Well, I’m your own pet, right? I’m here to stay,” Noah pointed out. “Why don’t I get to know it?”

“Because I don’t want you to.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re annoying and a troublemaker and you’ll use it against me.”

Noah scoffed. “Oh, no, god forbid the cat know your name,” he teased. “He might hack your bank account.”

Eli glared at him. “You are very good at getting under my skin, you know that?”

“Uh, yeah, dumbass,” Noah growled. “You walked into a pet shop and asked for the most badly behaved pet there. You should have expected it.”

His owner chuckled. “Yes, I suppose I should have.” He paused a moment. “I should have told you my name by now, shouldn’t I? I’m so used to not needing to.”

“Something Leyton, right?” Noah asked eagerly. He usually didn’t care when owners told him their names. It was a formality between pets and owners- mostly for safety. If a pet got lost or was stolen, they could tell those around them the name of their owner and be returned. Noah had never cared to remember the names given to him, knowing he’d never return.

He glanced away for a moment, wondering why he cared to learn his new owner’s name.

Eli sighed. “Alright,” he decided. “But you have to promise you will only refer to me as Master. Especially in front of the other pets.”

Noah wanted to give him a retort, but decided against it. “Yes, master.”

“My company is Leyton Pet Training,” he began. “And I’m Eli Leyton, eldest child of Jonathan and Mackenzie Leyton. Twenty five years old and…yeah, maybe I do have issue like you said. But it can’t be worse than you.” He said the last part with a sly smirk.

“Oh, shut up,” Noah said with a lash of his tail. “But…if we’re being honest, I’d like to apologize for pushing you so hard the last few days. But you were pushing me first.”

Eli winced. “I’m sorry, too. I have a reputation to uphold, you know. I’ve been known to take previously aggressive and hostile pets and turn them docile.” He took another bite, finishing his food. “Let’s just both agree to forget about that, alright?”

Noah lashed his tail, feeling his lip twitch in the beginning of a snarl. He’d heard those words before. Owners always thought they could just sweep things under the rug.

“I’m still going to be difficult,” he replied. “Even if I don’t mean to. I’m just not used to having a Master who might actually be permanent.”

Eli smiled. “I wouldn’t expect any less. But do me a favor- I’m going to get annoyed with you. If you see me getting pissed, don’t poke the bear. I don’t want to go down that path every again.”

“Noted,” Noah said, suppressing a shudder.

He hoped he never saw Eli that angry again. It had been a while since an owner had made him feel genuine fear.

He sighed. “Look, I know I’ll probably mess up a lot. And I apologize in advance for when I do. So whenever you have to punish me…just don’t leave me all alone like that again. I can’t stand that.”

Eli looked down at him, then nodded in agreement. “I’ll remember that.” he stood up and stretched, then brushed down his shirt. “Let’s go sort Dawn out.”

Chapter 14: Twitchy Tail

Noah paced in front of the wardrobe door, bored. Eli had abandoned him out here about ten minutes ago to get Dawn dressed for their training. The bunny had seemed excited to get things moving, but Noah was nervous. On the way back to Dawn’s room, Eli had informed him he’d most likely be taking part in the training as well, which he definitely didn’t want to do. He hardly wanted to watch it.

Finally, he froze when Eli swung the door open, holding it for Dawn to walk through.

The bunny boy had been dressed in a tight black catsuit, showing off every curve of his body. Her arms were locked in an armbinder behind her back, her elbows touching. But the eye catching item of the outfit were the thigh high ballet heels that Dawn confidently walked in. A small chain connected a pair of cuffs around his ankles. They took a few steps in front of Eli, wobbling slightly. For the first time since Noah had met him, Dawn’s tail was completely still. The bunny boy had a hard look of concentration on his face.

“Whoa,” Noah gawked. “Some heels.”

“She’s fabulous, isn’t she?” Eli said. He pulled a leash from his belt and attached the clip to Dawn’s chastity cage. “Dawn has completed the majority of her training.”

Dawn looked up at him with a wide, admiring smile. His tail twitched enthusiastically.

“But,” Eli continued, “they struggle with controlling their body. Her tail is restless and her legs shake. She must learn to control herself and concentrate.”

“Give her an outlet then,” Noah suggested. “If she’s got too much energy she needs an outlet.”

“Correct,” Eli said with a stern glare. Noah dropped his gaze immediately, realizing he’d spoken out of turn. “But she won’t always have an outlet at her permanent home. So she’ll need to stay calm until she gets it. Follow us, Noah.”

He gave the leash a tug and Dawn carefully began walking after him.

Noah instinctively ducked behind him, ready to catch the bunny boy if he fell. He had been stumbling all day- he couldn’t imagine wearing heels like this.

Dawn walked carefully, taking steps only as big as the chain would allow. Eli was directing them around the corner to a room at the end of the corridor.

“This is where I teach my pets proper walking methods,” he said as they entered. It was fairly long, stretching along the entire back side of the house. A raised metal platform ran straight down the middle. “Noah, there is a large glass on that shelf. Fill it with water from the sink while I get Dawn set up.”

“Yes, Master,” Noah said just in time. He walked over to grab the glass. As soon as he had it in his hand he realized what Eli was planning. He didn’t hate it- it was actually quick clever. As he walked to the sink, he tried to remain confident in his own heels. He could admire the tactic, but he wouldn’t want to be subjected to it.

When he climbed onto the stage with the glass of water, he found Eli setting up Dawn with a serving tray that hung around his neck. He was wrapping a strap around her waist, keeping the tray upright and stable.

“Thank you,” he said when Noah handed over the glass. He placed it on the serving tray, but did let go. “You know the game, Dawn. Make it to the end without spilling a drop and you’ll be rewarded. For every centimeter of water that leaves the glass, that’s one lash with the whip. Ready?”

Dawn took a deep breath. “Yes, Master! I can do it this time!”

Noah glanced between them. This time? Dawn did this every day and failed? How often was he being whipped? He stepped back to the edge of the platform, but had a clear look of worry on his face.

When Dawn glanced toward him, he quickly covered it up, giving her an encouraging smile.

Eli stepped back as well, crossing his arms and joining Noah’s side. “Begin.”

Dawn’s eyes were facing straight forward. He shuffled along the platform, not looking away from his end goal. His tail remained still and her legs moved with rhythm.

Eli put a hand on Noah’s shoulder, leaning close to keep his voice low. “She’s come a long way. On her first try, she took maybe five steps before the whole glass fell. Now she’s down to only losing three centimeters.”

Noah’s tail lashed. “You’re whipping him every day?”

“Don’t get your tail in a twist,” Eli said, amused. “They’re a total masochist. They don’t mind it.”

Noah didn’t reply, only a little comforted. He still felt bad that Dawn struggled so much with this. Then, a thought struck him.

He leaned close to Eli. “How do you know she doesn’t drop it on purpose then? If she likes pain so much.”

Eli grinned. “His reward will be an orgasm if he makes it to the end. Which is better than the whip could ever be. She’s only had one since she got here.”

In front of them, Dawn had stopped. She was a third of the way there, but needed a breather. She closed her eyes, her tail twitching, but the water didn’t spill. After a deep breath, he continued.

Noah watched, impressed, then suddenly jolted. “But she’s been here for months!” he gasped a bit too loudly.

He slapped his hands over his mouth, then glanced toward Dawn. She had stopped for another breath, but was already continuing.

Noah tried again, much quieter.

“She’s been here for months,” he repeated. “Isn’t that a health concern?”

At the shop, pets were milked once a week to keep them both healthy and docile. He couldn’t imagine being so happy or excitable if he was that neglected.

“Don’t worry,” Eli said. “I give my pets a prostate milking once every other week. But since there’s no direct stimulation to their cocks, it doesn’t feel nearly as good.”

Noah supposed that was good enough. He would have preferred more, but there was no way he of all people could convince Eli otherwise. He’d just sound like a whiny pet trying to worm his way to more pleasure. Especially if he was doing it in front of another pet.

Dawn had made it past the half way mark but was starting to struggle. His tail twitched, but he kept the tray straight. She walked on, taking one slow step after the other, focused on the glass.

Noah watched with baited breath. He wondered if Eli had brought him in here for a reason. Just as Noah didn’t want to be punished in front of the other pets, Dawn didn’t want to mess up while he was watching.

Eli had leaned down again to whisper to him. “She had one orgasm when she managed to deepthroat a fifteen inch horse dildo. And she kept it there for a while minute. He’s taking dildos deep in both holes and gets a good stretching going. She earned that orgasm.”

Noah’s ear flicked. “Yeah, she did.”

He felt a pang of jealousy, wishing he was that good with his mouth. Deepthroating had been something he’d never managed to master. He watched Dawn intently, also wishing he could be so eager to please. He had, once before, and had always thought it had lead to his downfall.

He glanced at Eli. Part of him wanted to please him. The other part wanted to tear his throat out. He didn’t know how to compromise.

Dawn was nearly at the end and still hadn’t spilled a drop. Eli moved away from Noah, brushing his arm as he went, to follow the bunny down the platform. Noah stared after him, then turned his attention back to Dawn.

Dawn had glanced up and seemed to notice how close they were to the end. He grinned, her tail twitching. Then, she suddenly gasped, standing bolt upright and steadying himself. Luckily, the water only swayed but didn’t spill.

Noah’s tail curled with excitement for her, trying to ignore the terrible dread that he might mess up at the very end.

Dawn’s legs were starting to wobble with excitement. His tail remained still and she took a deep breath. After a few more steps, he’d reached the end of the line and took one final hop over it. He stopped and looked down at the glass and found no water split.

Her gaze snapped to Eli, her jaw dropped. “I…I did it?”

His excitement was rapidly building and he couldn't stop his tail from twitching. The water began to spill and splash over the tray.

Eli darted forward, catching Dawn before she could lose balance. “Deep breaths, bun,” he said softly.

“I-I’m so sorry, Master!” Dawn squeaked, her eyes glistening and his ears drooping. “I spilled it!”

Eli took Dawn against his chest, slowly lowering both of them to their knees. He grabbed the glass off the tray. Most of the water was on the tray now.

“What do you think, Noah?” Eli asked as the cat boy approached. “Dawn got overexcited there at the end. But she did make it to the line.”

When Noah stopped in front of them, Dawn looked up at him with round eyes and unshed tears.

The cat boy winced. “Well…he did make it to the line without spilling anything. That was the rule. You never said they couldn’t spill after the line,” he pointed out. “So that means she passed.”

He looked directly at Eli, his eyes narrowed with warning.

But Eli wasn’t trying to push him. “I agree,” he said. “She passed with flying colors. You did very well, Dawn.” He reached up one hand to met Dawn’s light colored hair. Immediately, the bunny’s ears shot up.

“That means he gets a reward, too,” Noah pointed out.

Eli smiled down at the bunny. “Later. She’s got a few more things to do first. Like practicing technique.”

He met Noah’s gaze, his expression stern. He didn’t want Noah to fight him about this.

Noah knew better by now. Out of view from Dawn, he shrugged in reply.

Eli was helping Dawn climb back to his feet. Then, he reached around the bunny to undo the armbinder. It dropped onto the stage with a clack.

“Alright, Dawn,” Eli began, “You’ve got thirty minutes of anal and thirty minutes of oral, then back to your den. Head to the service room. You know the drill.”

“Yes, Master!” Dawn replied eagerly.

Once Eli had bent to remove the chain from around Dawn’s ankles, the bunny boy hopped off the stage. She didn’t even flinch as she hit the ground on the ballet heels and hurried off to complete the instructions she’d been given.

Noah walked back over to Eli, preparing to leave the platform. “She’s eager to please,” he remarked. He couldn’t shake the anxiety he felt for Dawn. What kind of owner would he be sold to?

“She’s been a delight to train,” Eli remarked. “She’s always quick to obey and always gives her all.”

Noah didn’t feel comforted. He wanted to believe Eli sold to good owners, that Dawn would find a wonderful permanent home and never have a worry. But he’d been through a lot of owners in this city and he didn’t like any of them.

“What’s Melody doing today?” he asked, trying to change the subject.

Eli hopped off the stage, leading the way to the door. “She’s only been training a few weeks, so I’ve been trying to boost her confidence. She’s still hesitant and embarrassed whenever she’s asked to perform sexually. I’m trying to bring her out of her shell.” He glanced toward Noah as the cat boy joined him. “And you’re going to help. I’m going to dress her up provocative and put on a dance for us. And I want you to be her partner.”

Noah stopped, his tail shooting up in surprise. “Oh…uh…I-I’m not really a performer. Especially in heels.”

Eli paused, looking toward the ceiling as he thought. “Hm. Perhaps you’d rather take a more passive approach. Care for a lapdance?”

“What?” Noah squeaked.

Eli was nodding to himself. “Yeah. Yeah…that’ll work. I’ll sit you down in a chair and let her give her a lapdance. She’d die of embarrassment if she did it for me, but maybe she’ll be more comfortable with another pet.”

Without waiting for Noah’s opinion, he turned and walked out of the room, down the corridor toward the pet dens.

Noah took a few long steps to catch up, feeling off put. He’d finished training years ago and hadn’t interacted with other pets much since then.

Eli continued to speak as they headed to the pet dens. “I’d like for you to be engaged with her still. Touch her thighs, her waist. She needs to learn it’s okay to show off while staying focused. I’d also be good to see how she reacts to touch. She always feels awkward when I try to touch her, so maybe she’ll feel different with you.”

Noah trailed after him, not liking the sound of this. “I guess so…”

As Eli stopped in front of Melody’s door, proud of himself for the idea, Noah couldn’t help but feel this would lead to disaster. He didn’t play nice with others.

Eli swung the door open and entered the room. “Hello, Melody. Training time,” he greeted.

Melody was already sitting up in her bed. Her small wings were preened and smooth. “Yes, Master. I’ll do my best.” She crawled to the front of the cage, waiting for it to open.

Noah’s ear flicked, immediately picking up the problem. This pet was being irritatingly professional. He could see it in the way she kept her wings clamped tightly shut against her shoulders. She was trying too hard to remain composed and tensing herself up.

Once the cage was open, Melody stood up and exited.

“We’ve got a special exercise today,” Eli announced. “Let’s find you a nice outfit.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody agreed. She fell in beside him, but walked just behind. Noah recognized it as a proper place for a pet to be- close but not beside. A signal of inferior status. She walked with her back straight and her eyes on Eli’s hand to wait for signals. But she wore a look of clear nervousness.

Noah suppressed a sigh. This poor girl was going to give herself a stroke tensing up so much.

Chapter 15: Courtship Dancing

Melody recognized the path to the wardrobe. She’d been under Eli’s care for a little less than a month and she didn’t think she was doing too well. Since she’d gotten here, Eli had been assigning her confidence training, trying to get her more comfortable with being a pleasure pet. But she felt like she had no idea what she was doing.

Especially now that a new pet was here. Why was she being trained alongside some cat? Especially one that seemed so troublesome.

Eli hadn’t spoken a word to her about what Noah’s training consisted of. It was none of her business, after all. But whatever it was, her owner was getting stressed. Four days ago, Eli had informed her there would be a new pet in the house. Three days ago, he’d stumbled into her room to say goodnight, looking exhausted with bandages wrapped around one arm.

When they reached the wardrobe, Eli entered first, then gestured for both of the pets to follow. They exchanged a curious glance before walking inside.

Melody, accustomed to being in here, stood in the center to wait patiently for Eli to pick something out. But Noah didn’t sit still for a second. He walked the length of the wardrobe, peering curiously at each garment.
Melody glanced nervously toward Eli, wondering if he’d be angry. But if he noticed, he didn’t move to correct Noah’s behavior.

“This will do nicely.” Eli stood up tall. He was facing away, blocking whatever outfit he’d picked up from view. “Noah, come here. What do you think?”

Melody was even more confused as the cat boy back tracked to join his owner. The two leaned close together, murmuring. Why was Eli asking a pet for their thoughts? It wasn’t Noah’s decision what Melody wore.

Discreetly, she leaned forward, trying to listen to their words.

Noah’s voice was thoughtful. “Try something skimpy but not revealing. It might make her more comfortable to have a good silhouette without showing skin.”

Eli nodded. “Good idea.”

Melody blinked at them. So they were picking out an outfit for her.

Eli put whatever outfit he had back. Then, he grabbed something different. This time, Melody could see it. The outfit was in one piece. It considered of a light pink tank top with a ruffled collar and sleeves, along with a small window in the chest. It looked tight, and at the torso fluffed out into a very tiny skirt that wouldn’t cover anything. Luckily, the entire bottom was leggings that would huge her body, leaving little up for interpretation without showing skin.

“That’ll do,” Noah commented, and Melody found herself agreeing.

Eli threw the outfit over his arm, then bent to grab a pair of shows- strappy two inch heels.

“Good,” Eli said, then handed Noah the outfit and shoes. “Help her get dressed.”

Melody’s wings shot open at the same time Noah’s tail puffed out. The two pets exchanged an awkward glance.

Noah initiated first contact. He approach Melody full on and held the outfit open for Melody to slip in to. The owl girl awkwardly took hold of Noah’s shoulders and stepped into the leggings. She would have easily begin able to slid the rest of it up, but Noah helped anyway just to appease their owner.

Noah knelt to help with the shoes, too, and Melody slid into them easily. He stood up and took a few steps back.

Melody looked down at herself, fluffing up the skirt before laying her hands neatly in front of herself.

Noah glanced toward her face. “I think she looks great,” he commented.

“It’s stunning,” Eli added. “Melody is a very pretty pet, with those big eyes. Do you like it?”

Melody blushed beneath their paise. “Um…Yes, Master. It’s nice. I like the color. And it’s comfortable.”

“Good,” Eli said. “It gives you an amazing figure. Now, we’re heading to the walkway for todays lesson.”

When Eli took the lead again, Noah noticeably fell in beside Melody instead in trailing behind. She noticed him keep glancing over, as though checking on her. She didn’t mind, her legs wobbly in the heels. The one time she did stumble, his arm flashed in front of her, helping her stay standing.

She nodded her thanks, starting to warm up to the cat boy. But she still wasn’t sure about him. What was his purpose here? He was helping to dress pets and giving their owner tips. He also seemed to be a fighter, if those bandages on Eli’s lower arm were anything to go by. Melody also noticed bandages wrapped around Noah’s shoulder, just visible under his shirt.

Noah seemed nice enough, but he was definitely a threat.

“Master,” Melody called, “what are we doing today?”

Eli answered promptly. “Today, you’ll be putting on a performance for sorts. I want to see you relax and focus on your body- where it is and how it moves. You’re a gorgeous girl, Melody, and I want you to own that.”

Melody blushed. “A performance…?” she echoed. “I can try, Master.”

She caught a sympathetic glance from Noah and stood up a little taller. She wanted to do well. She’d enjoyed how Eli had complimented her and wanted more of it. Perhaps if she impressed him, she could impress herself as well.

“Wait here,” Eli instructed when they reached the walk way.

With the pets by the door, he walked around the room, shutting the curtains the block out the light. Then, he grabbed a chair and dragged it to the middle of the stage.

“Noah, come sit down,” he called. Once Noah was heading for the stage, Eli jumped down and approached Melody. “I’m going to push you out of your comfort zone today. You have a gorgeous body and a breathtaking face. You just need to be confident in yourself. So today, you’re going Noah a lap dance.”

Melody’s heart plummeted.

Eli’s expression was soft. “Make eye contact, shake your hips, and get up close. I know you can do it.”

Melody looked toward Noah, seeing her own discomfort reflected in his eyes. Neither of them seemed to care for the situation.

Noah beckoned Melody forward with a flick of his tail. But as she got closer, he saw how much he was fidgeting. His tail lashed back and forth behind the chair while he couldn’t seem to find a place to put his hands.

After climbing onto the stage, Melody stood back to take a few deep breaths and sike herself up. Finally, she strode over to stand in front of Noah awkwardly. But when their eyes locked, she froze, unsure how to continue.

Noah return her stare. Then, he leaned back, letting his legs spread and moving one arm to lay on the back of the chair. With his body language more open, he was inviting Melody forward.

Melody did as he beckoned, straddling his legs and hovering just over his lip. Noah placed his hands on her hips, then leaned forward to whisker in her ear.

“It’s all in the legs. Hands on my shoulders. Move with your hips and knees.”

Both of them blushed deeply when he pulled back and made eye contact with her. Melody took a deep breath, then began, starting to swing her ass back and forth.

As the show began, Eli moved further into the darkness of the room. Overhead, the lights dimmed until only one was left- the spotlight directly over the stage. With the only light source on them, the rest of the room was shrouded in darkness.

Melody tried to keep contact with Noah, but it became progressively difficult when he kept glancing around. His attention went to the bright light above them, then he looked over Melody’s shoulder nervously.

Melody tried to ignore him. She was finding this…interesting. She’d always enjoyed dancing. This was just a different form.

“You’re doing great,” Noah whispered, sounding distracted. “Keep it up.”

Encouraged, Melody’s movements became bolder. She focused on nothing but Noah’s face and her own moving body.

She noticed Noah’s ear flick, like he’d picked up a noise. A moment later, sensual slow music began playing through the speakers at the back of the stage.

It made Noah jump, but Melody immediately fell into the rhythm. Her grip tightened on Noah’s shoulders and she began grinding lightly against him.

“This is fun,” she commented, feeling better already. This wasn’t so scary. She actually felt…pretty. For the first time since coming here, she felt comfortable in her own body.

So why did Noah keep fidgeting?

He was looking back to her every so often, meeting her gaze. But his ears were perked to listen and his gaze darted around restlessly, as though searching for something.

Melody felt a pang of irritation. This was her training session. His attention should be on her. She had this gorgeous body in a wonderful outfit and no one to show off to.

Boldly, she took one hand off Noah’s shoulder, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at her. Not stopping the dance for a second, she smashed their lips together, then relished in the fingers that tightened around her waist.

Melody felt him relax into the kiss. Knowing she had his undivided attention, she pulled away slowly.

Then, she realized what she’d done and jumped back, her face red.

“I’m so sorry!” she squeaked. “I didn’t mean to be so forward.” She’d gotten so lost in the music and the rhythm. It had felt so good to have someone beneath herself to grind on and entertain. A kiss just felt like the perfect climax to the dance.

Noah blinked up at her, still stunned. “Uh…Yeah. I’m good. Th-that was good. You did good.”

Over their heads, the lights flickered back on. Eli was wandering back to the stage.

“Outstanding!” he praised. “Melody…wow! You’re a natural. Well done.”

Noah stood up immediately. Melody didn’t catch the look of relief in his eyes when their master reappeared. She was too focused on the glow of warm that filled her when Eli praised her.

“Thank you, Master,” she said. She led the way off the stage, Noah trailing behind.

“That’ll do for today, Melody,” Eli said. “Noah and I have business to attend to. We’ll escort you back to your den.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody replied.

Chapter 16: Puzzle Pieces

“So…what do you think?” Eli leaned against the outside of Melody’s door. He’d just gotten her situated back her in den again. The owl girl had done far better than he could have dreamed.

“She’s uh…” Noah hesitated. “She’s definitely got spirit.” Her glanced at the ground, looking embarrassed. “She really caught me off guard.”

“I saw,” Eli said. “To be fair, you did look distracted.”

“No, I wasn’t,” Noah replied defensively. “I was just trying to figure out which corner you’d retreated to for a jerk off session.”

Eli chuckled. “I don’t play on the job. Actually, I was taking notes. And I couldn’t help noticing the way you lost focus the moment the lights went out.”

He stood up straight and started down the hallway, heading for the living room.

“I focus just fine,” Noah growled.

“Not on what’s important,” Eli shot back. “You had a gorgeous little lady throwing herself at you. But you had your eyes elsewhere…”

“I, uh…” Noah blushed. He paused, trying to think of an excuse, then sighed in defeat. “I really was looking for you. I thought you might have left the room.”

“Why would I?” Eli asked. “That was quite a show. I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world.”

Noah crossed his arms. “I…I was…” He grumbled, trying to think of how to word it. “I didn’t want to be left alone. I feel safer when I know you’re close by.”

Eli glanced at him, surprise by his honestly. “That’s…a good answer.” His heart swelled with both happiness and pride. He was earning Noah’s trust. “I totally understand. I’m just that attractive,” he teased.

Noah barked a laugh. “Attractive? Nah. You’re just big. I need you around in case something dangerous gets in here so I have someone to sacrifice while I escape.”

“You can just say you like when I protect you,” Eli shot back. “Anyways, now that the other pets are sorted out, we have something important to attend to, don’t we?” He glanced down at Noah, wondering if his cat would remember the agreement.

Noah frowned. “Fine. But don’t forget, you promised me ten seconds of complaining.”

“I remember, cat,” Eli said. Once in the living room, he walked over to the cabinet on one side. Opening it, he pulled a thin, six inch dildo for inside.

Noah scoffed. “You just had that laying around?”

“Oh, there’s a stash in every room,” Eli admitted. “You never know when you might need a dildo or two.”

“Dude," Noah sighed, "you need a hobby."

"I have hobbies," Eli protested. "I collect pet stuff. Like toys and clothes."

"A hobby unrelated to your work."

Eli narrowed his eyes. "I have hobbies. Now do you want to us those ten seconds to complain now or save them for later?"

Noah was eyed the dildo warily. “I’ll wait,” he replied. His demeanor had changed. The looseness he’d shown was gone. Now, his tail was lashing and his ears were pinned back.

“Lay down on the table,” Eli instructed. “On your back.”

After four days, Eli was starting to pick up on Noah’s body language. He took a step back, bracing himself. Behind him, his tail lashed back and forth. He was perceiving a threat, his eyes glued to the dildo in Eli’s hand.

“Noah.” Eli kept the dildo in his path of sight, but he raised his other hand, drawing Noah’s attention. “Look at me. We’re just doing training, okay? You’re not being punished. I’m not torturing you. It’s training.”

Noah hesitated a moment longer, then came forward with a soft whine. He sat down on the edge of the table, then leaned back, draping himself over it and laying his hands on his stomach.

“I’m going to bite it,” he said. Not to voice his discomfort, but simply in warning.

“That’s fine,” Eli replied, kneeling down between the couch and table. He set the dildo on the couch, then grabbed Noah’s shoulder, pulling him to the edge of the table until his head could dangle over the side. “Lean your head back. This will be uncomfortable, but it’s the best way.”

Noah wriggled on the table, getting more comfortable. Once he dropped his head, Eli picked the dildo back up.

“Just remember to breathe,” Eli said. “Do it with me. In…”

He took a deep breath through his nose, waiting for Noah to do the same.

“Out.”

Together, they both released an exhale. Eli had Noah repeat the motion a few times, until his tail had smoothed out and his body relaxed.

The cat boy’s hand fidgeted over his stomach. “You’re not tying me down for this?”

“Trust me, it’s safer if I don’t,” Eli replied. He used this tactic on every pet that came from his house. Even Melody and Dawn had received this treatment. “Close your eyes,” Eli instructed. “Relax. Deep breaths. This will feel strange but you’ll get used to it. And if you gag, just let yourself.”

He put one hand on Noah’s chest, then ran his finger all the way up his neck and to his chin.

Noah took a few deep breaths, then closed his eyes. He was using the breathing exercises Eli had just caught him.

Eli moved his finger up and down Noah’s neck, trying to get him to relax first. If Noah truly had come from a breeder, he should have gone through a trainer as well, so it was strange his gag reflex was still so prominent.

He glanced toward the end of the table, where the end of Noah’s tail was still flicking restlessly. He’d fully believed the cat’s story about this Mallory character. Noah had seemed to frightened retelling it for it to be untrue. But there were still bits and pieces missing.

Garcia had mentioned that none of the breeders in the area had sold any albino cats that could be Noah. Eli didn’t know a single person with the last name Mallory. And what kind of trainer would sell a pleasure pet that still had its gag reflex?

Eli had promised himself he wouldn’t press Noah for answers. He didn’t want to set the cat boy off, or force him to recall memories he wasn’t ready to. But he needed to know Noah’s past so he could give him proper care.

“Open your mouth,” he instructed. “Breathe and stay relaxed. Nothing bad is going to happen.”

Once Noah had obeyed, Eli lined up the dildo with his mouth, moving his finger back to his chin. He pressed the dildo through Noah’s lips, pushing it against his tongue to warn it was coming. Beneath him, Noah tensed, his hands clenching into fists. He tried to close his mouth around the intrusion, then stopped himself.

“Relax,” Eli said softly. He left the dildo where it was, giving Noah a few seconds to prepare. Then, he began running one finger down his neck as his other hand pushed the dildo deeper down his throat.

As soon as the dildo passed the base of his tongue, Noah’s breath hitched. His chest heaved and his hands flew to his sides, gripping the table. Eli stopped when his teeth closed around the dildo.

“Concentrate,” Eli said. “You’re doing fine. Just breathe.” He pulled the dildo back, giving Noah a moment of rest, then began again. He got about the same depth when Noah gagged again. He was starting to see the issue. Noah had a very sensitive gag reflex. The slightest poke was causing him discomfort. Still, Eli thought it was strange for a trainer to give up.

Eli himself had trained out sensitive gag reflexes before. Even if it took longer and put him behind schedule, it was still important to do.

Noah’s breath was heavy and fast. This time, Eli left the dildo where it was, making Noah had to grow accustomed to it. The cat boy was gripping the sides of the table tightly, trying to keep his teeth back. Eli felt a hand grab for his sleeve.

“That’s it,” Eli said. He didn’t correct the behavior, hoping his presence of giving Noah some reassurance. This was the reason he hadn’t tied him down. Noah would be panicked by now, and could get himself hurt if he struggled and got the dildo stuck down his throat. Even if he lashed out, Eli wanted him to have the freedom to move. “Good boy.”

Eli began to move the dildo in and out at a more rhythmic base, simulating a blowjob. Then, when he felt Noah was relaxed enough, he pushed deeper than he had before.

This was why he did this training in a position like this. The angle made Noah’s passage from his mouth to throat a straight line, making it more comfortable for the dildo to glide through.

He gagged when the dildo past his tongue once mouth. His hand moved to Eli’s bare arm, squeezing tightly.

Eli moved his hand down to Noah’s chest, pressing gently to remind him to keep still. He was trying to pay attention to Noah’s mouth, making sure he wasn’t biting down. They were getting to a dangerous part of this. If Noah began to struggle, he could lodge the dildo down his throat and choke. If he began chewing on it, bits of rubber could come off and warrant the same fate.

Noah’s nails began to dig into Eli’s arm. The base of the dildo was pressed against his lips.

“Focus,” Eli said. “You’re doing great. Just breathe. You can handle this.

“Mmmf…” Noah gagged once more, then seemed to decide enough was enough. He gave Eli a slap on the arm, trying to get him to move.

Sensing his pet was done, Eli gently pulled the dildo back.

As soon as he was free, Noah shot up, couching. “Ow! God, this shit sucks so much. Feels like I’m being suffocated. Fuck!” His voice was raspy as he complained, rubbing his throat. Eli sat back, letting him regain himself.

“You did well,” Eli praised. “It’ll be hard, but I’m sure we can have you taking bigger dildos in no time.”

“Fat chance,” Noah growled. “I told you, it just won’t go.”

“With any other pet, I’d be having you do this an hour a day. The more you put pressure on the reflex, the quicker it leaves. But I’ll let you only do ten minutes a day.” Eli glanced away a moment, then looked back to Noah with a concern look. “May I ask…why wasn’t it trained out in the first place? You went through a trainer, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.” Noah slid off the table to sit in front of Eli with his legs crossed, one elbow propped up on it. “My breeder did my training.”

Eli blinked. He hated that he didn’t believe Noah. It was rather rare for a breeder to train their pets themselves. Usually it was too much work, and cheaper to put them through a trainer. Besides, breeders raised their pets from birth. They were like their own children. Most breeders Eli knew didn’t like touching their pets themselves.

“Did he train you in deepthroating?”

“A little bit,” Noah admitted. “With dildos and stuff. But when he realized how long it was taking he just gave up.”

“Right,” Eli said. He wanted to believe whatever Noah said, but Garcia’s words echoed in the back of his mind. Especially when the pieces Noah was giving him didn’t fit into the typical picture.

Noah was looking him up and down, sensing his hesitance. “You don’t believe me.”

“Sorry,” Eli said, not trying to deny it. “But pleasure pets have requirements before they get put on the market. And one of those is an absent gag reflex.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “That’s because I wasn’t trained as a pleasure pet, dumbass.”

“You weren’t?”

“No! Didn’t you read my papers?”

“They said you were trained for pleasure,” Eli pointed out. “And the pet shop owner said the same. You’re supposed to be a pleasure pet. Isn’t that why you were sold to Mallory?”

Noah’s tail spiked. “I was trained as an emotional support pet,” he growled. “The sex was just a bonus. And I had basic training in pleasure.”

Something in Eli’s head clicked. “Ohhhh…that makes so much sense.” He leaned back. Now pieces were falling into place a little more easily. No wonder Noah was so good at getting under people’s skin. Emotional support pets were trained to read their owners and administer emotional care accordingly.

Eli had noticed how Noah interacted with his other pets, but he hadn’t given it much thought. With both of them, he was encouraging yet protective, seeming to know exactly what they needed to not only warm up to him but also do well with their training. Meanwhile, towards Eli, he always seemed to know exactly how to press his buttons. He’d weaponized his training on not just Eli, but every single owner he’d ever had, reading their emotions and using it to get what he wanted out of them.

Noah was watching him closely, probably figuring out what was on his mind. “I tried to tell the pet store owner, but he didn’t believe me,” he said bitterly. “Said a pretty cat like me would be a waste as a shrink. Said no breeder worth their business would keep something like me as a simple support pet.”

Eli stared at him, dismayed. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this sooner?”

He knew the answer as soon as he asked the question. Noah just shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d believe me.” He sat forward, his gaze downcast. “Those first few owners, after Beau, I told them, too. But they said it was nonsense. After a while, I stopped trying.”

Eli’s heart broke for his pet. “Did you ever try to find your breeder?” It was rare, but in unique situations, breeders would buy their pets back. If something had gone wrong or if they thought they could sell them for more.

“I wanted to,” Noah said sadly. “But…I don’t…I didn’t know his name. He never said it. He was always just Sir. Even to my mother. I didn’t know the facility name either.”

Eli was nodding along in understanding. Breeders and trainers didn’t tell their pets their names to discourage attachment. But owners did not just to form a bond, but also as a precaution in case a pet was lost or stolen and needed to tell those around them who they belonged to. Now that he had all the pieces, Noah’s story made a lot of sense.

It was a rather unique situation.

He could imagine Noah, three years younger, desperately trying to explain to Matteo what had transpired. He could picture Matteo, confused and concerned, trying to find the name Beau Mallory and failing. Trying to find a breeder who’d sold an albino cat and coming up empty.

That still had Eli confused. He could believe this Beau Mallory person was using an alias. Someone with so many mutilated pets wouldn’t be in the public eye without disguising their identity. But what about the breeder?

When Eli decided he wanted a personal pet, he never realized he was signing up for all of this.

“Noah,” he began. “Um…the pleasure pet duties. You don’t have to do those if you don’t want to.”

He needed to show Noah not all pet owners were so cruel and dismissive. He wanted to be a good owner. He wanted Noah to have a good life. He must have been a good pet at some point. He deserved a good life.

Noah had glanced up at him, but didn’t hold his gaze for long. “I…don’t mind it. I think. I don’t know.” He sighed heavily, sitting back. “I had the basic training. I know I used to like it.”

Eli nodded, believing him. “Okay. Well, we can experiment as much as you’d like. You know, I had an idea I wanted to try. I thought of it earlier.”

Noah cocked his head curiously.

“We’ve got a very good bunny upstairs expecting an orgasm today. I have to tie him down, of course. But it would help you practice blowjobs to give her one. You can take your time, see if giving pleasure is something you enjoy. It might be easier if you’re doing it on another pet instead of me.”

As he spoke, he noticed Noah’s face flush. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I tend to bite.”

“Which means you’ll be extra careful not to hurt Dawn, won’t you?” Eli pointed out. “Besides, you’ll be in charge. I’ll be completely hands off. That might help.”

“If you’re sure,” Noah said, ““I’ll give it a try.”

Chapter 17: Practicing On The Real Thing

This was a strange experience for Noah. It had been quite awhile since he’d done something like this without being tied or held down.

They had just collected Dawn for her exercising. Noah had been rather bashful walking in on her being spit roasted between two huge dildos mounted to either side of a small pen. But he hadn’t seemed upset to be walked in on. In fact, the bunny had been quite happy to see he had company.

“Dawn, Noah, head to the walkway and wait for me there,” Eli instructed. “I need to grab a few things.”

Their owner headed in the opposite direction and rounded the corner.

Dawn and Noah were alone.

Dawn looked to Noah with a wide smile, then headed down the hallway. She still wore their ballet heels and walked like they weren’t even there.

Noah glanced back to where Eli had disappeared before following. He still couldn’t believe how much trust the man was already putting in him. Two days ago, he immediately would have grabbed Dawn’s hand and leapt out the first window he found. And he still kind of wanted to. But he didn’t know the mansion well enough for an escape.

“Do you like it here?” he asked. This was the first time they’d been left alone while able to communicate.

“I love it here!” Dawn answered immediately. “I’ve never felt so cared for. Master is amazing. He’s strong and handsome and kind. I’m the luckiest pet in the world.”

Noah smiled. “I’m glad to hear it. I…was nervous when I first got here.” He knew it was an understatement, but he didn’t think the bunny could handle hearing about another pet being so bad.

Dawn giggled. “I know the feeling. This place is massive. And Master can be pretty intimidating. But he’s really a big softly.”

Noah laughed awkwardly. That hadn’t been what he’d meant. “I’m not scared of him,” he said slyly. “He’s only intimidating when you let him be.”

Dawn blinked. “W-well….I’m not scared either! At least not anymore. Master can be tough, but he’s fair. He’s fantastic.”

They’d reached the walkway. Dawn stepped back to allow Noah to enter first.

“He’s fine,” the cat boy replied. “But…it’s just, when I got here, we weren’t exactly getting along,” he admitted. “Actually, when you and I first met, I had snuck away from him.”

Dawn gasped. “Oh my gosh! I guess I shouldn’t be surprise. You did seem nervous.”

Noah blinked. Usually, he was good at hiding how he felt. Especially if he was getting himself in trouble. “I did?”

“Yeah,” Dawn replied. “With how you kept glancing toward the door. And I could tell you were listening outside because your ear was like this.” She pointed to her left ear, then swiveled it backwards. “You seem different from other pets. What’s Master doing with you?”

Noah sighed, exasperated. He walked to the edge of the stage to sit down. “That dumb jerk made a dumb deal with his dumb friend about taking the most unruly pet in the city and winning a dumb pet show with it. And that pet ended up being me.”

Dawn sat down next to him. “You don’t seem unruly.”

Noah sighed. “Well, we came to an understanding.”

Dawn nodded. “So what about after the contest?”

Noah shrugged. “I guess I’m supposed to be his personal pet. I don’t really know.”

The bunny’s eyes widened. “That means you’ll get to stay here! Oh, you’re so lucky. I wish I could stay here. But Master says I’m super valuable. He said I’d make him a ton of money.”

Noah chuckled. “Yeah, bunnies are pretty rare. Especially light colored ones like you. With how good you are, you’ll definitely go for a high price.”

He forced his tail to lay flat. He wanted to encourage Dawn that she’d have a good life, but he knew from experience that the richer the man, the crueler he could be.

Dawn opened his mouth to respond, his tail twitching happily, then his ears shot up and he turned toward the door.

Noah had picked up as well. Footsteps were nearing. He stood up off the stage, then turned to help Dawn in her ballet heels.

Eli entered with an armful of gear. He held several cuffs and coils of rope, along with a thick padded rubber mask. Noah’s tail bristled, recognizing it as a sensory deprivation hood.

Dawn had the complete opposite reaction, his tail starting to twitch uncontrollably with delight.

“Ready, Dawn?” Eli set the rope and cuffs down on the stage, then turned to the bunny with the hood in hand. When Dawn hopped over to him, excited, he slid it over her head. From behind, Noah realized there was a lengthy dildo gag inside the hood, which Dawn happily took into her mouth. Once the hood was over his head, Eli maneuvered his ears into the pockets on the back.

Noah leaned against the stage, watching and wondering what it was like to be in a a hood like that. Well, he knew what it was like, but not what it was like to willingly wear one. Dawn seemed quite happy as his world plunged into darkness and silence.

Eli tightened the strap around Dawn’s neck, then stepped back. “Alright, he won’t be able to hear anything now. Noah, help me get him anchored. We’re tying her down at the edge of the stage with his legs spread.”

Noah stood up, watching Eli guide Dawn onto her back at the edge of the stage. He pressed her legs to the side, folding them in a frog tie and grabbing the ropes. Noah didn’t feel right helping to make another pet so helpless.

But Dawn’s tail was twitching with excitement and she held her hands above her head, waiting for someone to tie her down. He wanted this.

“Here.” Eli threw a coil of rope over Dawn’s head, along with a pair of cuffs. “Get those cuffs around her wrists and I’ll handle the rope.”

“Yes, Master.” Noah hopped onto the stage. When he had the cuffs in his hands, he hesitated. But Dawn’s hands were still above his head, waiting.

Once Noah had the cuffs in place, Eli climbed onto the stage to loop the ropes into them and tie them off at the back of the stage. He’d folded Dawn’s legs and tied them off with rope, then threaded through rope through more anchor points at the front of the stage.

Noah was starting to wonder if there was a single room in this house that didn’t secretly hold some sort of bdsm equipment.

He watched Eli work. His owner tested each rope, making sure it was secure but not too tight. He was definitely a skilled rigger. Or perhaps Noah had just grown used to flustered and exasperated owners trying to quickly tie down an unruly slave.

His eyes wandered to the hood Dawn wore. He had too many bad memories with them, but he knew a lot of pets who adored them. The lack of sight and sound heightened touch, making every little caress feel heavenly. But Noah had only ever experienced them as a punishment, or a last ditch effort for mind breaking. Neither of which tended to yield many results other than over confident owners losing a few appendages.

“She’s ready,” Eli sat. He scooped down to the front of the stage, laying one hand on the bond bunny’s chest. “So, Noah, ready to see what you’re working with? Or do you prefer to tease your partners?”

“I’m not cruel,” Noah growled. “If he waits any longer he might explode.” This was the most still he’d seen Dawn in the day he’d known him.

Eli slid his hand down Dawn’s stomach, eliciting a moan from inside the hood. He hopped off the stage and pulled the master key from his belt, slipping it into the lock of Dawn’s chastity cage. It clicked open and with his free hand, Eli grabbed it, then looked up at Noah with a smirk. He began to slowly pull the cage away.

Noah watched, his expression slowly changing from vague disinterest to confusion to shock, then ending in horror.

“Holy shit,” Noah breathed out. Dawn’s cock was an impressive seven inches fully hard, almost as big as Eli’s. “That is not a pet’s dick.”

Eli chuckled. “Good breeders don’t usually get results like this,” he said. “But Dawn came from a mill, where they focused less on quality and more on quantity. But sometimes, miraculously, they got really good quality.”

“No kidding,” Noah agreed. “If I fail that pet show I’m sure you can make back whatever you lose by selling him.” He was half joking, half testing the waters.

“I’m not worried about it,” Eli said, dodging Noah’s challenge. “You’ll win that show.” His eyes were still on Dawn’s straining cock. “You’d better get started.”

Noah looked away from his owner, focusing on the task at hand. Maybe he could convince Eli there was no need for deepthroat training. He had excellent technique with just his mouth.

He dropped to his knees to get eye level with Dawn’s groin. Gingerly, he touched her inner thigh, warning her he was about to begin, and felt her shudder beneath his hand. Ready to begin, he ducked low, pressing his tongue to the underside of Dawn’s cock, just above her balls, and in one fluid motion, running it all the way up the shaft.

Instantly, Dawn’s body jerked and he cried out into the hood. Her cock was throbbing and Noah licked up the bead of precum forming on the tip.

He was a little worried about hurting the bunny. If Dawn really had been locked up so long, she must already be painfully overstimulated.

He repeated the same motion a few more times, giving attention with only his tongue. He wanted to bring Dawn to the height of their climax without hurting them. He was putting in way more effort than he had with Eli.

He took the head of Dawn’s cock into his mouth again, sucking on the precum she was releasing. Bravely, he took him deeper. Now, he was starting to concentrate, evident by his tail going rigid. He constricted his throat and focused on breathing. In…out…just as Eli had taught him. But he still wasn’t going all the way, not even testing his gag reflex. Still, not wanting to disappoint, he used one hand to cover the rest of Dawn’s shaft, rubbing up and down very gently. Teasingly gently.

Dawn’s hips bucked up as high as he could get them, a shrill cry coming from inside the hood. Startled, Noah completely pulled off, his tail bristling.

“Is he okay?” he asked.

Dawn’s body flopped back down, whining. Eli crawled onto the stage, leaning close to listen to the muffles cries beneath the mask.

He chuckled, sitting up. “I think you just edged her.”
Noah’s ears dropped with guilt. He’d panicked, thinking Dawn was in pain. He hadn’t thought about how much worse the alternative was. He leaned forward again to continue. He got straight into it this time, pumping Dawn’s shaft with one hand and rolling her balls in the other. He wrapped his lips around the head, lapping at it in apology.

Dawn relaxed, rocking his body forward.

Noah, carefully, let his teeth graze. Not hard. Just a small touch to add that extra edge.

Dawn moaned, pushing her hips into the air. His voice was raising once again, getting closer to a climax.

Noah flicked his tail, knowing it was time for the final act. He relaxed his throat, purring in the same way he’d done for Eli.

Dawn completely lost it. She shrieked into the mask, throwing her head back. A moment later, Noah felt hot cum hit the back of his throat. Learning from that morning, he stayed where he was, swallowing it all down with a wince. Dawn’s cum was strangely…sweet. Hardly tasting like cum at all.

Once Dawn had went limp, he pulled off and licked his lips.

When he turned to face Eli, his owner was grinning. “Well done! What a fun show.

Noah’s tail curled, impressed with himself and eager to be praised. “I told you I’m good at it. Even with a gag reflex.”

“I never doubted you,” Eli said defensively. “And you just made my job much easier.” He sat down on the edge of the stage, gently stroking one hand down Dawn’s chest while waiting for the bunny to come back around.

Noah sat down as well. Watching Eli care for the half conscious pet, his cage suddenly felt a little too tight. He crossed his legs and looked away.

“You just blew his mind, I’m sure,” Eli went on. “If you hadn’t been here, I’d have just given her a normal orgasm. Which she would have enjoyed, but it wouldn’t be nearly as powerful as what you can do. Now she’ll be chasing that high for the rest of her life, and she’ll do anything to give it. She’ll be an excellent pet for her new owner.”

Noah glanced toward him, crestfallen. He knew he was good but he didn’t think he was that good. He looked down at Dawn, feeling guilty. What kind of abuse would she endure if it meant getting to experience something like that again? Had he just given her the perfect orgasm only for it to be stripped away forever?

He tried to play it off. “Well then that means you’ll just have to keep her.”

Eli’s hand came to lay on Dawn’s chest. “Oh, I don’t know about that…” He trailed off. Bunnies were rare pets, and the attributes Dawn displayed made him even rarer. He could get quite a good price on her.

But she had already had an impact on Noah. The cat boy was growing attached to him. Maybe it was in Eli’s best interest to keep the bunny around.

“I’ll make you a deal, cat,” Eli decided. “Win the pet show with perfect marks and she stays.”

Noah startled, going silent as he thought it over. Winning meant training, and training meant staying, and staying meant obedience, which he very much did not want to do. But perhaps it would be worth it if it meant Dawn got to stay here. He had been so worried about what kind of master he’d be sold to. If he was just never sold, Noah wouldn’t need to worry anymore.

“Deal.”

Chapter 18: A Little Something Extra

The two waited in silence for a good few minutes, giving Dawn time to come back around. Her breathing was even and her cock had shrunk once more.

Noah’s tail flicked mischievously. “You should listen to me more often. I told you I don’t need deepthroating to give good blowjobs.”

Eli glanced up at him, amused. “You still have a lot to learn.”

“No, I don’t. I know everything there is to know. I just don’t use it,” Noah shot back. He enjoyed how Eli always had something else to say. Usually, owners jumped to a punishment the moment Noah raised his voice. But Eli was willing to play along.

“I’ll admit, I don’t know everything, but I do know how to use what I have,” Eli replied. “Which is far more important than getting a big head about it.”

“I do know how to use it. That’s why I don’t use most of it. Like deepthroating. Clearly, I do just fine without having to choke myself.”

“But then you’re always limiting yourself to just short of perfect. There’s always room to improve.” Eli glanced down. Dawn’s head was starting to roll, coming back around.

“I don’t need to better myself,” Noah retorted. “I’m fine the way I am. I’ve got a good balance going. Good enough to get the job done, average enough to not end up with extra work. That’s why I’m so carefree. Unlike you.”

“Well, that attitude won’t win any pet contests. I can’t have an average pet making a fool out of me. I need determination and willingness to go the distance. I can’t always be carefree when I have to give my pets a hundred and ten percents.”

Noah scoffed, rolling his eyes. “No wonder you’re so tense all the time. You need to chill. Take a moment for yourself.” He thought a moment. “Here. I might be able to help.”

He stood up on the stage, then carefully stepped over Dawn to instead sit beside Eli.

“Just stay still a moment,” he instructed.

He leaned down, leaning his head against Eli’s leg, one hand on his thigh. He brought his legs onto the stage to lay down.

“Now pet me,” he ordered.

Eli was taken aback by Noah’s forwardness. After a moment of hesitation, he brought up one hand, running it along Noah’s hair. The cat boy began to purr softly.

“It’s scientifically proven that petting cats can relieve stress,” Noah muttered. “And the purring helps speed up healing while calming nerves.”

Eli smiled. He knew that already. He’d done a lot of research before deciding to get a personal pet. His friends had recommended a dog- loyal, easily trainable, never too expensive. But Eli wasn’t really a dog person. Cats were less excitable, more laid back. That’s what he wanted.

He sighed heavily, leaning back. This actually was helping. Noah’s hair was so soft, and the way his ears flicked each time Eli’s fingers grazed them was adorable. He could feel the cat boy relaxing against his lap, his purr growing louder.

He looked around the platform for Dawn’s chastity cage. He found it close by and leaned over to press it back over Dawn’s cock, pushing down until it clicked into place.

“She’s coming back around,” he said. “Let’s get her untied.”

Noah sat up, seeming disappointed the moment had only lasted a short moment. Eli wished they could lay like that all day, but there was too much to do. Noah needed to get started on his own training.

Plus, there was one little thing Eli hadn’t told him, waiting to see if it would even happen.

While Eli hopped off the stage to untie Dawn’s legs, Noah crawled over to get his wrists. He carefully undid the cuffs, and Eli noticed him massaging the skin.

“Don’t worry, those cuffs are soft,” Eli said. “It shouldn’t leave a mark. And if it does, Dawn will be proud to wear them.”

Noah didn’t look convinced. “She struggled a lot. It could be hurting.”

“She won’t mind.”

With a sigh, Noah moved away. Dawn was still completely still. Noah stared down at him, worried.

Eli smiled. He admired how caring Noah had already become of the bunny. “She thrives on being sore,” he explained. “It’s a badge of honor to her. Lots of bunnies are like that. He likes to give everything he can. And by the looks of that orgasm, he literally gave everything he could.”

Dawn’s breathing was slowing, getting deeper. He usually took longer to recover than most pets, so Eli wasn’t worried.

“No kidding,” Noah said. “It’s a good thing we did deepthroat training earlier. I nearly drowned in all that cum. I can still taste it.”

“Dawn is a special breed of bunny,” Eli explained. “Her cum is actually an expensive product. Even the smallest vials go for millions.”

“Why would anyone buy semen?” Noah asked, puzzled. He’d never heard of something like that before.

“Well, it’s actually a powerful aphrodisiac,” Eli said. He glanced over at Noah. He hadn’t expected the cat boy to swallow Dawn’s cum, thinking he’d moved out of the way instead. But this was a good experiment. He’d been wondering for a while if Dawn was the right sort of bunny to produce semen with that power.

Noah blinked at him. “That explains the hot feeling.”

“Hot feeling?”

Noah touched his stomach with one hand, right above his groin. “Like..like arousal. But really mellow.”

Eli’s eyes widened. “You didn’t say anything until now? I just thought it wasn’t working.”

Noah shrugged. “I get slipped aphrodisiacs all the time. I’m really good at ignoring them. This one actually feels pretty nice."

Eli tilted his head, curious. “What do you mean?”

“Lots of other stuff hurts. Like a sharp pain,” Noah explained. “But this is pleasant. It’s not forceful. I don’t know…it’s just…nice.”

“Well, that’s good to know,” Eli said. He had been worried an aphrodisiac would make Noah uncontrollable. But it almost seemed to be helping, making him more relaxed and friendly. “You probably just drank a couple hundred bucks of it. Lots of owners bottle it up to sell, but I’d rather just stick to training pets instead of milking them.”

Dawn was starting to stir. Her head dropped to the side and his fingers were curling.

“You know, normally, I’d be really pissed you let me drink drugged cum without telling me,” Noah said. “But I’ll let it slid this time. Don’t do it again.”

Eli chuckled. “To be fair, I didn’t think you’d actually drink it. You did well.”

Dawn’s movement had caught Noah’s attention. He carefully walked around her to join Eli’s side. Whatever that bunny cum had in it, it made him feel strange. Fuzzy. Needy, even. But in a good way.
On the floor, Dawn’s tail was twitching. She rolled onto her side, but didn’t move to pick himself up. Eli laid a hand on her hip, stroking down her body.

“I’ll give her a minute before taking the hood off,” Eli said. “She’s earned a nap.”

“Right,” Noah said. He stuck close to Eli’s side, but he was starting to get fidgeting, moving his weight from one leg to the other.

Eli gave Dawn a few more minutes. Then, he leaned forward and slowly began pulling off the hood. She laid still, only her tail moving. Once free from the darkness, he raised his head with a huge smile.

“Hello, Master. Sorry…I feel a bit fuzzy.”

Noah had dropped down to his knees, eager to see if Dawn was okay. He let her take his hand, pulling her up into a kneeling position. “Expected.”

Dawn leaned against him. “I’m sorry…did…did you do that?”

“Master was letting me practice my deepthroating. I’m not very good at it.”

“Not very…? You did great! I came so hard.” Dawn blushed.

“Yeah, we know,” Noah said with a grin. “You deserved it.”

Eli watched, not interrupting as they began to chat. Even without an aphrodisiac, he’d noticed how well Noah did with the other pets. It was a good trait to have. He could definitely use Noah in his business. If new pets, such as Melody, had another pet around to make them feel more comfortable, he could really speed up his training process. Lots of pets became nervous around owners and trainers, which was a hurdle Eli had to jump every time he took on another pet. But now, with Noah here, that job had disappeared.

He watched Noah closely, watching how he grinned, how he held onto Dawn’s hip to keep him stable. He was a social creature when given the chance to be.

“Noah, help Dawn to his feet,” Eli directed. “We’ll get her back to her den for a nap.”

“Right.” Noah stood carefully, bringing Dawn with him. He took both her hands so she had something to hang onto. Dawn’s legs wobbled as he lead her toward the stairs of the stage.

~~~~~~~~~~

Noah stood outside Dawn’s room while Eli put her to sleep. His body was starting to heat up. Still, it wasn’t painful like most drugs were. Instead, it was a light, fuzzy feeling.

“Alright, cat, we have a couple hours of free time before dinner,” Eli said as he walked out of Dawn’s room, closing the door behind him. “Let’s get you situated.”

“Situated?” Noah scoffed. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not.” Eli crossed his arms. “Bunny cum effects don’t go down until they’re dealt with.”

“What makes you the expert?”

Eli raised an eyebrow, unamused. “Come with me.”

The order sent shock waves through Noah’s body. He gulped heavily, stumbling after Eli and down the hall. He realized they were heading for the bedroom.

His breath began to pick up. Sex with a gorgeous man in an actual bed. He hadn’t since…

He stopped abruptly. Since the night before Beau abandoned him. He stared at the back of Eli’s head. Was this his last night here? What if something terrible happened.

“Noah. Come on.”

Eli’s voice snapped him from his worry. He followed him with a heavy, dreamy sigh. Who cared? Eli was so handsome and kind. There were plenty of other pets who didn’t have a problem with him. And had all their limbs attached.

His body felt like it was on fire. He needed to please his master so it would go away. He followed Eli into the master bedroom.

“Undress, cat,” Eli ordered.

Noah obeyed immediately, fumbling a bit as he undressed. He let his clothes drop to the floor.

Eli was doing the same. His cock was already semi hard.

“Need your mouth,” Eli said gruffly.

Noah dropped to his knees immediately. Normally, he’d be running into a corner to hide. But now he could hardly contain himself. The tone of Eli’s voice was commanding. Too commanding to be ignored.

He was good at fighting off drugs. He'd built an immunity to them, with how many owners seemed to think they were a fix-all for unruly pets. But this one felt so nice, he didn't want to chase it off.

Either that, or this owner was so nice he didn't care.

He let his mouth grow moist, wrapping his lips around the head of Eli’s cock and starting to move up and down. He braced his hands on Eli’s thighs, closing his eyes and focusing on breathing.

Eli put his hands in Noah’s hair, not trying to direct or push him, but just reminding him of his place. Meanwhile, Noah felt a jolt of lightning go through his body. He’d never had an aphrodisiac have this effect on him. He didn’t feel out of control or dizzy. Instead, it was a pleasant, light feeling.

They had to keep Dawn now. He wanted more of this.

He felt Eli’s cock grow to full hardness in his mouth. Another pulse of pleasure shot through him. His hands balled into fists and he couldn’t stop a small moan from escaping.

He reached a hand down to his own groin, then whined with frustration when he found metal.

Eli’s hand shot forward to grab his arm, bringing it to his hips. “No, no,” he said, his voice sickly sweet. “Focus on me, kitten.”

Noah only put up a small struggle, but Eli’s grip was too tight. His cock was pressed painfully against its cage. He muffled his frustration by taking Eli deeper, almost to the back of his throat. He still hesitated going further, falling into a good rhythm. He moved himself back and forth, riding his master’s cock with his mouth.

Perhaps he could convince Eli to take the cage off again.

He slowed down to a stop, then braced himself. With expert concentration, he let Eli’s cock slide past the back of his throat. He gagged, his throat tightening, but he kept going.

“That’s enough, kitten,” Eli said, not wanting Noah to hurt himself. “Now stand up for me.”

Noah pulled off with a sigh of relief. He had to lean back to recover, panting. Then, he pulled himself up to a standing position.

He looked up at Eli, who had pulled him into a loose embrace. He swayed slightly.

“Look at you. So small and delicate. You’re a beautiful cat, Noah.”

Noah purred with the praise, his tail curling.

Suddenly, Eli bent down, picking Noah up by the waist and carrying him toward the bed. He dropped them both down onto the mattress, the cat boy pinned beneath him. Eli didn’t waste time, lifting up both of Noah’s thighs and holding them up, bending Noah in half.

The cat boy let out a yearning moan when he felt the tip of Eli’s cock against his hole.

“Please…” he pleaded.

Eli grinned. He leaned forward, the head of his cock sliding into Noah’s ass. The cat boy’s mouth fell open. Eli leaned down far enough he could wrap his arms around his owner. Eli winced, feeling sharp claws dig into his back, but he didn’t mind this time. Noah had behaved well all day. And it was kind of Eli’s fault he felt so horny now.

He kept with only using a few inches at first. Noah was tight for someone who’d been working as a pleasure pet for three years.

Noah pressed his face to the crook of Eli’s neck. “Come on…” he encouraged. His muscles contracted around the intrusion.

Eli remained still. He didn’t know exactly how in his right mind Noah was and didn’t want to hurt him. But also to tease him a bit. This was an experiment. How potent was Dawn’s cum? How much did it take a hardened pet like Noah to crack?

He pumped his hips a little faster, but not deeper, feeling Noah’s grip on him tighten. Normally, he loved tying down a lover while fucking their brains out. But he didn’t want Noah to start panicking.

Noah was getting even more frustrated. He pressed his lips to the skin of Eli’s neck, his teeth grazing as a warning. “Come…on!” He was still trying to contain himself, despite how much he wanted to get for it. His tail flicked up, dragging against Eli’s arm.

That had been a mistake.

One of Eli’s hands flashed off Noah’s thigh and gripped his tail, tugging lightly.

That broke him.

“Fuck!” Intense pleasure laced up Noah’s entire spine. “Please! Master, please! I need you so bad!”

Eli paused for a moment. “You like that? You like when I mess with your tail?” He gave it another tug, careful not to hurt him.

“Yes!” Noah groaned into his shoulder. “God, yes! Just fuck me already! Please!”

Eli granted his wish…slowly. He still kept up a steady rhythm, not nearly all the way inside. This was the first time Noah had fully begged him for sex and he wanted to milk it.

Agonizingly slowly, he pressed the rest of the length into Noah’s ass. Then, he pulled out slowly. “There you go. One deep fuck.”

“Master, I’m so close to biting you right now,” Noah growled into Eli’s ear.

Eli chuckled, slowly sliding back in. “I wonder…are you always this needy when you’re aroused or is it just the bunny cum?”

Noah’s nails dug into his back. “Why don’t you fuck it out of my system and find out?”

Eli slowed entered again, held it for a few seconds, then slid back out.

“Master, please!” Noah whined. “This isn’t fair! You gave me that bunny cum on purpose!”

“I did not,” Eli said matter of factly. “You weren’t supposed to actually swallow it.”

“Yeah, right!”

Eli paused, pulling away just enough to look down at Noah. His cat boy’s pink eyes were dark with lust. “That’s not how you talk to your, master, is it?”

Noah’s eyes grew wide. “I-I’m sorry! I’ll be good! I promise, Master.”

“Good boy.” Eli leaned back down, grabbing both of Noah’s wrists to pin over his head. Then, he thrusted inside, his pelvis clapping against Noah’s ass. The cat boy let out a squeak of pleasure.

“Fuck, you’re tight,” Eli groaned.

Noah was gasping with each thrust, moaning into Eli’s ear. “Oh, fuck! Master! Master, please!”

His pleads encouraged Eli on, fucking into him roughly. “That’s it. Moan for me, kitten. You fucking love this.”

Noah did as he was told, his mouth falling open. Unable to grip Eli, he resorted to using his teeth, digging them into Eli’s flesh, but not hard enough to draw blood. His owner groaned in pleasure, his hips speeding up again.

Noah was losing himself. He let his muscles contract and relax than contract again. He hadn’t initially been trained as a pleasure pet, but he’d picked up a thing or two.

“There you go,” Eli moaned. “So much better when you just shut up, isn’t it?”

As much as Eli found Noah’s constant back talking rather amusing, all he needed right now was for his pet to shut his mouth and just take him.

Noah’s teeth were still poking into the skin of Eli’s shoulder, his moans muffled. But being able to grip something, whether with his teeth or claws, brought him comfort. He wrapped his legs around Eli’s waist, encouraging him to go deeper. And Eli heard the message loud and clear.

Suddenly, he wailed in pleasure, feeling Eli hit a particularly sensitive spot. “Oh, fuck! Master, please.”

Eli closed his eyes, feeling himself draw close. His grip tightened on Noah’s tail, pulling it down and listening as his cat moaned.

“That’s it, good boy,” Eli groaned. “Take it. Let yourself feel good.”

He felt the straight on Noah’s wrists start to lessen as the cat boy relaxed, giving Eli full control. Noah’s moans grew louder, giving up on pretending he wasn’t loving this. It felt amazing to enjoy this again. It felt amazing to do it with someone he didn’t despise.

Eli’s thrusts grew more erratic, more intimate. He was letting himself go, too, enjoying his gorgeous, precious pet. He slammed in one last time, his cock throbbing as it pumped cum deep into Noah’s ass.

Noah gasped, driving his sharp teeth into Eli’s shoulder. His chest was heaving with want and exhaustion. Between them, his cock was flaccid, unable to grow hard with the limiting cage. But he didn’t care. This close touch was enough of a pleasure for him.

“Thank you, master…”

“Noah.” Eli sighed out of the name. This cat boy had scratched the hell out of him, bit him, and probably made him grow gray hairs with all the sly remarks he had. He was a messy little bastard, but he was Eli’s.

He didn’t pull out right away, giving them both a moment.

Noah’s breathing was starting to even out below him. He let go of the cat boy’s wrists, and Noah instead wrapped his arms around Eli’s shoulders again, keeping him close. His fingers gently grazed the marks on his back.

“S..sorry, master,” Noah murmured. “I got…carried away.”

Eli rolled off him to lay on the bed. He wrapped an arm around Noah’s waist, pulling him close. “It’s alright, kitten. I should have expected it.” He reached up one hand to rub at the bite in the crook of his neck. “Next time, do it a little farther down. I don’t want the other pets knowing I let you beat me up.”

Noah giggled breathlessly, burying his face in Eli’s chest. “Yes, Master.”

Eli moved his hand to Noah’s head, petting down his hair. “Good boy.”

Chapter 19: No One's Pet

Noah woke to an empty bed. His entire lower half felt sore, but the burn of the bunny cum was gone. He sat up with a yawn.

He was in Eli’s room. No, not just his room- in his bed. He was wrapped up in the blankets of a huge, comfortable bed.

But something was missing.

Where was his master?

He stood himself up on shaking legs. “Master?” he called. He found his clothes and got himself dressed again, then went to the door. Finding it unlocked, he wandered out into the hallway. He had to stop, trying to remember the way to the living room.

He was able to locate the stairs easy enough, silently cursing whoever had built this house to be so huge. He was trying to figure out where Eli had gone off to. Judging by the light coming through the window, it was morning, but not quite noon. He wondered why Eli had let him sleep so long. He didn’t usually allow himself to become so vulnerable after sex.

At the bottom of the stairs, he turned in a random direction. But instead of finding the familiar kitchen and living room, he stumbled across a huge tiled room.

The carpet gave way to marble tiles. Another hallway was adjacent to the one Noah stood in. On one wall hung a huge portrait that Noah wandered in front of. It depicted an older couple. The first was a muscular man, his stern gaze clashing with the laugh lines on his face. The woman beside him was smaller. Her hair was dark and her eyes pale.

Just like Eli.

Noah stared at it for a moment, realizing this must be Eli’s family. His owner looked a lot like his mother, it seemed. She was pretty.

But the real eye catching part of the room was the front door directly across from the portrait. It had a window panel that Noah could look out as he drew closer. He could see into the front yard. He could even see the driveway spiraling down to a gate.

Eli’s front yard was massive and open. The fence that surrounded the property was covered in bushes and plants. Birds flitted back and forth along the grass.

Noah’s tail flicked with excitement.

He stepped toward the door. But before he could grab the doorknob, shooting pain laced through his body. He yelped and took a step back.

“Stupid collar,” he growled. He grabbed the device around his neck, then paused. There was a very simple solution to this.

With a purr, he turned and walked down the hallway he hadn’t been down yet. His tail curled when he heard footsteps ahead.

“Master!” he called cheerfully, turning the corner. “Can I…”

He trailed off, his tail drooping. Eli was stomping toward him, a hurt look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Noah asked.

Eli didn’t look up at him. His eyes were on his phone. He pressed a few buttons.

Noah heard a beep just below his face. A little light flashed on the side of the collar as it disconnected. Unlocked, it slid off his neck and clattered onto the floor.

“Just go,” Eli rasped. “Fuck off. Save us both the hassle. If you hate it here so much, then leave.” He raised his gaze, meeting Noah’s baffled expression with sadness and disappointment.

“I don’t…” the cat boy stuttered out. “I don’t understand.”

He didn’t understand why Eli was letting him go, or why it hurt so badly. Did Eli not want him anymore?

“I do,” Eli growled. “You only care about yourself. I wanted to show you a better life, a happy life. But you just threw it back in my face. Just…go away.” He didn’t seem angry. Just…sad.

Noah stared at him. “Myself…? You think I only care about myself?” His voice rose angrily. He didn’t know how else to react. He’d only felt this kind heartbreaking betrayal once before, and the solution then had been aggression. “Well maybe I do! Because no one else will! Fuck you, Eli Leyton!”

Eli just turned and walked back down the hallway.

Noah did the same, heading straight for the front door.

He was sick of this. Every time he thought he was safe, thought he could relax, it bit him in the ass.

He grabbed the front door, waiting one second, then swung it open. But as soon as fresh air hit his face, he stopped.

What now?

He’d been dreaming of this moment for years. But he’d never fully thought out what he’d do once free. Just live in the woods? He didn’t know how to do that. And if he went back into the city, he’d just get caught and put back in a pet shop.

He’d just have to be sly. That’s what he was. He was a sly, untamable, unbearable pet. That’s what he’d always been.

Anything was better than letting himself get hurt again.

He stepped onto the lawn. For a moment, he just stared at the bright green grass. It looked so healthy and soft.

He was distracted when the front gates of the mansion began to slowly open. Noah glanced back toward the house. Eli wasn’t even trying to stop him.

His heart felt like it had been shattered.

He didn’t want to move. He’d only made it this far a handful of times, and that had ended with being tackled by guards and immediately dragged back inside. The one time he’d managed to fully escape an owner’s property, he’d been captured by local authorities and sent right back to the pet shop.

A feeling of horrible hopelessness washed over him. He was going back to the pet shop, wasn’t he? It was all going to start again. He’d get another master, a horrible one, he’d fight for a few days, he’d be abandoned. It never stopped. The fight would never end.

He just had to make it out of town.

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli couldn’t believe he’d just let a pet go.

But he couldn’t keep Noah here if he didn’t want to be here. He couldn’t explain the terrible pain in his chest when his phone had notified him that Noah had tried to escape through the front door.

He’d completely screwed himself.

He was going to have to find a new pet for the contest. He’d have to start all over again.

Eli dropped onto the sofa, lowering his head into his hands and wondering if this was even worth it anymore. He might just hand his friend the money and be done with it. He couldn’t handle a personal pet. Training them was a lot simpler.

He had to focus. He had two lovely pets upstairs to train. That was where his attention needed to be. Not on some broken toy.

Then, his phone began to buzz.

He groaned when he saw the caller name. What did he want?

Pressing answer and holding the phone to his ear, Eli put all his energy into his voice. “JJ! What’s up?”

“Eli!” His friend answered. “Hey, I’m on your side of town right now. Prince just had his monthly groom. Say hi, Princey.”

“Hi, Mr. Leyton!” a cheery voice called from a little farther away from the phone.

“Hi, Prince,” Eli greeted unenthusiastically.

“So,” JJ continued, “We’re, like, a block from your house. And Matteo told me you finally picked up your pet for the contest. Prince and I would love to come meet him.”

“Uhh…” Eli hesitated. If he said no, JJ would realize something was up. But Noah was out in the lawn.

“Oh, I’m almost at your place,” JJ said when Eli didn’t answer. “Just open the gates and I’ll drive up to you.”

“Uh, y-yeah. Sure, JJ.”

He was so screwed.

He hung up and fumbled with his phone, opening the front gates. Then, he jumped up and raced to the front door.

He was just in time to see Noah freeze as the head lights of a car beamed at him. The cat boy had made it to the gates. But now, he was taking a few steps back, his bushed up tail lashing.

“Oh, no,” Eli groaned.

The car slowed to a stop directly in front of Noah. The driver’s side door opened, a man stepping out. He was taller than Eli, but not quite as lean.

“A pet,” JJ Gage observed. “You must be one of Eli’s.”

Eli heard Noah growl low in his throat. “I am no one’s pet!” he snapped.

“Whoa.” JJ staggered back, surprised by such animosity from a pet. But then, a grin crept across his face. “Oh. So you’re the contest pet.”

Seeing Noah brace, about to lunge, Eli leapt off the front steps. “Noah! There you are!” he called, then winced as Noah’s tail spiked.

The cat boy turned on him with a growl.

Eli jogged over to join him, wearing a nervous smile. “JJ! So good to see you. Sorry, I’ve been having some technical issues with my security system. Faulty collars.”

“Faulty collars?” Noah echoed in disbelief. “You-”

Expecting to be clawed for it, Eli flashed out a hand and grabbed the back of Noah’s shirt, pulling him away from JJ. “-Have been working very hard to fix it,” he finished with a nervous laugh. He placed his hand on the top of Noah’s head, slightly gripping his hair in warning.

The cat boy crossed his arms with a growl.

“Good boy,” Eli whispered to him. “Now stay here. Please.”

He had to take the huff Noah gave him as an obeidiant reply. He stepped toward JJ, taking his hand with a grin.

“Good to see you, man. So Prince was just at the groomer’s?”

“Oh, yes,” JJ replied. “His hair is just so soft. I like to keep it that way. But I hope you don’t think I just came here to show off my gorgeous Prince.”

He laughed heartily. Eli joined in awkwardly, knowing JJ absolutely would do that. “Oh, of course not.”

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” JJ went on.

“Oh. Sure,” Eli said. “Come on inside.”

“Great.” With a grin, JJ retreated to his car. He opened the back passenger seat.

The pet that jumped out was bigger than Noah, mostly because of his huge, orange-yellow tail. His hair, of the same color, was long, and pulled back in twin braids. He wore a white body suit covered in golden straps, and a sparkly golden collar around his throat. Attached to it was a matching leash, which JJ grabbed.

Noah immediately started growling at the dog boy. They were the only pets he couldn’t stand. Always so loud and arrogant and annoying. Plus there were too damn many of them in his opinion. But this one in particular, with his perfect posture and professional smile, made his blood boil.

“What a bitch,” he murmured. Eli glared at him over his shoulder.

“Noah, back inside now. Wait for me in the living room.”

Noah rolled his eyes. As JJ led Prince past them, Noah leaned close to Eli.

“You owe me a lot for doing this for you,” he growled, then stomped off toward the front door. He was easily able to catch up with JJ, snarling at him as he passed.

Behind him, he heard JJ’s amused tone as he told Eli, “You’ve got your hands full, huh?”

Noah ignored them. However, when he got into the foyer, he stopped, growling in frustration. “I don’t even know how to get to the living room!” he shouted angrily.

Instead, he back tracked to the stairs. He wasn’t doing anything Eli said. How could he do this? The second Noah got a taste of freedom he was being pulled back into this bullshit. And Eli just expected him to play nice?

He climbed the stairs and went straight for the pet dens. Not wanting to disturb Dawn, who was probably still recovering from the previous day- and who Noah didn’t want to burden with his mess- he located Melody’s room. Finding it unlocked, he shoved his way inside.

Melody peered out from her den, looking startled. She had a bowl of food in front of her, seemingly in the middle of it. “Noah, what-”

“He threw me out!” Noah cried. “He wants to get rid of me! He only wanted me for that stupid fucking contest!”

Everything spilled out before Noah could get a hold of himself. He told Melody everything that had happened that morning- from waking up to what had just transpired in the driveway. Melody watched him pace back and forth as he spoke, his tail lashing with anger and his ears dropped with sadness.

Finally, nearing the end of his story, he sat down just outside Melody’s pen, bringing his knees to his chest.
“And now I don’t know what to do,” he rasped. “He took my collar off. He let me go! But..But I don’t want to leave. This is the first home I’ve actually liked.”

Melody didn’t say anything. She crawled over to lean against the cage bars. It wasn’t a lot of contact, but it was enough touch for Noah to start calming down.

~~~~~~~~~~

“I’ve been telling him for years he needs his own pet, but you know Keanu,” JJ chatted. “He spends hours just fixing himself in the mirror. He says he don’t have time for a pet that’ll need groomed.”

Eli took a sip of his tea. “You’d think he’d like having a plaything to dress up and stylize.”

“That’s what I told him!” JJ exclaimed. “Didn’t I, Princey?”

“You did, daddy.” Prince leaned against his owner’s leg from where he knelt on the floor, his blue eyes wide with admiration.

Eli sat across from them in his office chair, trying to stomach the conversation. JJ could be a talker, but Eli’s mind was on Noah. He couldn’t help wondering if the cat boy would run right back out the door. And Eli wouldn’t blame him.

“Now what about you?” JJ asked, interrupting his thoughts.

“What about me?”

JJ crossed his legs, grinning. “You! Getting a personal pet after all these years.”

“Oh.” Eli tried to return his smile. “Right.”

“I can’t believe it took you this long.” JJ laid a hand on Prince’s head, petting the dog boy’s light hair. “I’ve always thought having my own pet helps my business. My trainees have someone to look up to. And I better understand the minds of pets. Isn’t that right, Princey?”

“That’s right, daddy.”

“Tell me, Eli,” JJ began, “how’s it going? You enjoying your new pet? He seems like quite the handful.” There was mischief in JJ’s eyes. Eli hated that he could understand that expression- it was the same one Noah gave him before he said something rude. “I know I’d never let one of my pets out in the yard off a collar and unsupervised. Hell, none of my pets would wander outside to begin with. I once forgot to put Prince on his tie out while in the yard and when I came back he was right here I left him. What was it you said, Prince?”

Prince giggled. “I said, ‘daddy! You didn’t tether my leash.’”

“That’s right!” JJ agreed. “You’re such a good boy, aren’t, you Princey? Isn’t he a good boy, Eli?”

“He’s a good boy.”

JJ grinned. “Now, where’s your good boy at? Oh, actually, has he earned that title yet?”

Eli tried not to glower at his friend. “He’s waiting obediently in the living room for me to get him. He’d get bored of this meeting within a few minutes.”

JJ didn’t catch the jab. “Why don’t you go get him? I’d love to see his progress.”

Eli kept his expression blank, but his suspicious was rising. He couldn’t imagine what JJ wanted with Noah. Part of him knew it was a bad idea putting them in the same room. Another part of him hoped JJ’s heart would give out when a pet snapped at him for the first time.

“Sure thing, JJ,” Eli replied through clenched teeth. “Wait right here.”

Chapter 20: Friendly Competition

“Noah…? You in here?”

Noah’s ear flicked, irritated. He and Melody had been dozing, sitting against either side of the cage. While Melody had fallen asleep, Noah was still alert. He repressed a growl as he stood up and opened the door. Not wanting to fight in front of Melody, he closed it after exiting the room.

“What do you want?”

Eli looked relieved to see him. “I’ve got JJ and Prince in my office. He wants to check in on your progress, so-”

“Hell fucking no,” Noah interrupted. “I don’t have progress anymore. You took off my collar. You opened the door. You don’t want me anymore. I’m free.” His voice was filled with bitterness.

“I never said I didn’t want you anymore,” Eli rasped with so much emotion it caught Noah off guard. “You wanted to leave, so I let you. Just…what did I do wrong?”

Noah blinked at him. “What did you do wrong? I thought I did something wrong!”

A sudden thought struck him. Everything in this house was wired to Eli’s phone. He would have been notified when Noah’s collar went off.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Eli!” Noah exclaimed. “I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to go outside.”

“Bullshit,” Eli growled, but his angry expression had faltered. “...Really?”

“Yes! I never get to go outside. I was coming to ask you if I could. I just forgot about the collar.”

Eli didn’t look fully convinced. “The moment I gave you the smallest sliver of freedom, you went right to a door. What am I supposed to make of that?”

“You’re supposed to believe that I’m telling the truth!” Noah growled, hurt that Eli would think he was lying. He crossed his arms, looking away. “I shouldn’t have come back in here. I should have left faster.”

“Then leave!” Eli snapped. “I have listened to your bitching and moaning for days now. I have tried my best to make you comfortable here. But nothing’s good enough.”

Noah scoffed. “God, you’re pathetic. Lonely and insecure, just like every other rich asshole I’ve had the misfortune of sleeping with. The literal second I step near a door you throw a tantrum?” His voice grew louder, angry and hurt. “I’m sorry I can’t just lay down and play good boy like Dawn. I’m sorry I can’t be put together like Melody. And I’m sorry you had such a terrible time with me.”

Eli couldn’t look at his face. “What do you even plan to do if you get out of here?” he asked softly. “What happens after? You get picked up and returned to the shelter? You starve? You’re killed? I can’t protect you out there. I…I want you here, Noah. But only if that’s what you want.”

“It is what I want!” Noah snapped. “I’ve never had a owner that makes me feel as safe and happy as you do. But you have to trust me.” He gestured to the ceiling towering over them. “I can’t live locked up in here, okay? I can’t hang off your arm all hours of the day. I want to be outside and I thought that was something you’d let me do.”

Eli’s expression had softened. “You can’t try something first then ask if it’s okay later. You need to come to me. And you need to tell me things immediately. I can’t read your mind. I’ve listened to everything you’ve said, so you have to listen to me.”

“I’m trying!” Noah insisted, distressed. “I’m trying really hard! I want to be here with you. I want you to protect me and tell me what to do. But I’m so tired of fighting.” His shoulders slumped with exhaustion. “I can’t keep ruining every good thing that happens. But I don’t know how to stop. I don’t know how to be a good pet anymore.”

Eli put a hand on his shoulder, bending to get closer to eye level. “I need you to focus. Fight when you need to, but let me take care of you. There’s nothing more to it.”

Noah raised his gaze, unconvinced. “You really want me to stay here?”

“I do,” Eli replied.

Noah’s anger rose again. He shoved Eli away. “Then don’t throw me out!”

“I won’t!” Eli replied. “I-I mean, not again. I’m sorry, okay? I overreacted.”

“No kidding.”

Eli tensed, trying to stuff down his anger. He knew by now that Noah’s attitude was his version of lashing out. And, even though Eli didn’t like putting up with it, the cat boy had a good reason right now.

“Noah, just listen, please,” Eli begged. “I need your help. I need you. I’ve got an annoying asshole and his pampered bitch in my office waiting for me to show them the best pet they’ve ever seen.”

Noah rolled his eyes.

Eli frowned. “Or you can walk back out that door right now. But you’re dooming yourself if you do.”

The cat boy raised his head, glaring at Eli. He wanted to play stubborn, claim that he’d rather die than spend another moment here. But that wasn’t true. He’d give anything to stay here, to pretend this morning hadn’t happened.

“Okay,” he agreed. “I’ll stay. But not for you. I’ve gotta win that contest to make sure Dawn gets to stay here.”

Eli sighed in relief. “That’s fine by me. Now come on. We need to get you changed. We’ll get a body suit, plug, a new collar…Do I need to gag you or can I trust you to behave?”

Noah stumbled after him. “Leave it out. That pampered little bitch needs a good talking to.”

“Gag it is.” Eli was leading the way to the wardrobe. Noah recognized the route by now.

“Ugh, fine,” Noah groaned as Eli pushed the wardrobe doors open. “Can I get in a few quick whines real quick?”

Eli immediately went to the racks of clothes, trying to find the outfit he had in mind. “Go ahead while I grab everything.”

Noah stomped one foot. “This is the worst! If I have to see that bitch ever again after this, it’ll be too soon!”

He carried on while Eli gathered everything he needed. The body suit he picked out was similar to Prince’s, but was completely black with small specks of purple and pink glitter within the latex. It came with a black corset around the waist. He also grabbed a small dildo gag, a thick posture collar, bondage mittens, and a decently sized butt plug.

Noah took a step back when he saw the dildo gag. “Bad idea. I chew on those.”

“Good point,” Eli agreed. It wouldn’t look good if Eli had to stop mid conversation to dig pieces of rubber out of his cat’s throat. So instead, he grabbed a ring with an attached dildo.

Noah growled.

“It’s not big,” Eli said. “Sucking on it might be soothing.”

“I’m kicking your ass when this is all done.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Eli threw him the body suit. “Just get dressed.”

After shedding the outfit from yesterday, Noah slid into the body suit. It was tight, and hugged him in a way that showed off each curve. But he didn’t find it uncomfortable.

“Hands,” Eli directed, holding up the mittens.

Noah didn’t fight him. He knew the more restraints, the better. These mittens and that gag were the only thing keeping Prince alive. And himself from having his teeth removed after attacking another pet.

However, he did step back before Eli could tighten the straps. “They come back off after those two leave, right? You’re not leaving me in this?”

Eli had been in the middle of shoving the mittens over Noah’s hands. He nodded vigorously. “We can do whatever you want after they leave, kitten. I promise.” He tightened the straps, but that didn’t feel like enough. After a moment of thinking, he walked off to grab a thin chain.

Noah growled. “We didn’t agree on that.”

“Safety purposes. Plus, it’ll help your posture.”

Before Noah could make a dash for it, Eli grabbed his wrists and pulled them behind his back. Hooking the chain to either strap of the mittens, he left Noah chained but not uncomfortable. The chain was long but subtle.

Eli looked down at the posture collar he’d grabbed for a moment. He’d wanted to make sure Noah stayed in good position, but perhaps a posture collar was too much. Instead, he grabbed a smaller black collar with pink lace on the top and bottom, and a bell hanging from the front.

Noah’s heart fell. “Not a bell!”

“It’s just one,” Eli said. Noah didn’t pull away while he placed the collar around his neck. “Get used to it. You’re wearing loads more for the contest.”

“Oh, come on!” Noah whined. “You can’t design an outfit without consulting me! Especially if you’re covering it in bells.”

“Alright, fine, we can take a look at it later,” Eli agreed, trying to move Noah past an argument. They were wasting time. The longer they took to show, the more suspicious JJ would grow. “Now open wide.”

Noah huffed. “Leave it off. That stupid mutt has a lot he needs to hear. That friend of yours, too!”

“Hah!” Eli barked a laugh. “Absolutely not. That mouth of yours would get me in too much trouble.” He held up the gag, letting Noah see it. “Noah, I know you want to show your spirit, but you’d be doing a lot of damage to that mutt by being a good pet. Any last words?”

Noah sighed. “One day, I’m gonna bite your dick. Hard.”

“And one day you might see your dick again,” Eli replied playfully.

The corner of Noah’s mouth perked up in a smile. He was putting a lot of trust in Eli by letting his mouth fall open down.

Eli returned the smile, trying to reassure him. Tonight, his cat was going to get whatever he wanted. Eli owed him that and more after treating him so harshly this morning, then making him go up against Prince now.

He pushed the ring gag between Noah’s teeth, then slipped the dildo gag into place. It was only big enough to press against his tongue, but wouldn’t fill his mouth or touch the back of his throat. He’d be comfortable but muffled.

Last but not least came the butt plug. It wasn’t too large that it would be a distraction, but Eli was willing to bet JJ had stuffed his dog boy with a huge one before leaving the house.

“Bend against that cabinet over there,” Eli directed, pointing to a small table where he felt several pieces of jewelry within the drawers.

Noah did as he was told with a flick of his tail. He laid his top half over the table and spread his legs just a bit. Eli located the zipper slit on the back that would give him assess to Noah’s hole.

“Deep breath,” he warned. It shouldn’t cause discomfort, but he liked giving the warning.

After he heard Noah inhale, he pressed it in until it sat against Noah’s ass. Then, he zipped the suit back up, trapping it inside. Then, he made sure Noah’s tail was comfortably free using the small hole in the back. He gave it a few light strokes, watching the fur begin to lay flat once more.

“Good boy,” Eli cooed. “I promise, you’ll get plenty of treats later tonight.”

He pulled Noah up to stand, then patted his head with one hand while another went to his belt to take out a leash. Securing it to the collar, he knew Noah was ready.

“Let’s do this,” Eli said, and his cat nodded in agreement. When Eli tugged at the leash, Noah walked after him, hating how much the bell jingled when he moved.

He cursed behind the gag. Although the words were muffled, his lashing tail betrayed anger.

“I know,” Eli murmured. “It’s just for a few hours, I promise. The second JJ leaves I’ll take it off.”

Noah flicked his tail forward, lashing it against Eli’s hip. His owner just shrugged.

Eli pulled him along the corridor, then down the stairs and to the office. He tried to set a brisk pace.

“Alright, that pampered pooch is your age, but he’s been with JJ since he was eighteen. There isn’t a thing he won’t do for him. JJ is also a trainer, so he’ll be very critical of your technique and etiquette. Just do your best. You’ve hardly been here a week and I won’t be disappointed if you’re not completely perfect.”

Noah growled and whined behind the gag, not liking this. But there was hard determination in his eyes. His back already hurt with his arms stuck behind him and the butt plug was rubbing against his insides, but nothing meant more to him than showing up that dumb dog.

Just as they were nearing the office, Noah jogged a few steps to catch up with Eli.

Eli glanced at him. “Good boy. Let’s do this.”

He swung the door open. JJ was right where he’d left him. Prince was still kneeling beside him, his chin placed on JJ’s thigh as he looked up at his owner, his tail wagging.

“JJ,” Eli greeted, “I’d like you to properly meet Noah.”

Noah had to repress a growl as Eli tugged on his leash, pulling him into the office. But he had to play nice.

For the first time, he was placed in front of JJ and didn’t feel in control at all. He could only stand there, unsure what to do. But unable to ask questions, he’d have to rely on his original training.

He took a step back and bowed at the waist, getting his head as low as possible. Then raised his tail behind him, waving it back and forth in greeting.

“Hello, Noah,” JJ replied, surprise in his voice, like he hadn’t expected the cat boy to act so obedient.

Prince’s eyes opened wide, most likely thinking the same thing. He blinked out of the unsightly expression, then turned away, his nose in the air.

Eli grinned, knowing he’d thrown them off. “Impressive, isn’t he?”

Noah stood back up. With a glare at Prince, he raised his head high, his back straight.

JJ patted Prince’s head, then stood up off the chair. He began to circle Noah, observing every inch of him. Noah turned his head, never letting him out of his sight.

“He’s a fine specimen,” the trainer commented, “but are you sure a cat boy can win you the competition? Cats don’t make the best pets,” he jeered. “They’re stubborn. Arrogant. Nothing like dogs. Isn’t that right, Prince?”

“That’s right, daddy.” Prince matched his owner’s tone.

JJ stood up tall, standing in front of Noah and looking down into his eyes. “You really think this little thing can win?”

A low growl rumbled in the bottom of Noah’s throat. He definitely understood the wisdom in the gag. JJ would have lost his nose by now if Noah’s teeth weren’t occupied.

“No doubt in my mind, JJ.” Eli stepped up to Noah’s side. “I’ll be the one taking that trophy home this year.”

JJ stared down at Noah. “Prince. Here,” he called.

Prince stood up. With his tail up and swaying, he joined his owner’s side.

“Noah, meet Prince,” JJ introduced. “The pup who is going to embarrass you at the show.”

Noah didn’t bother suppressing a cackle. He glared at Prince, his tail swishing. Eli tensed, his grip on the leash tightening in case Noah started forward.

A look of shocked passed over everyone in the room when instead of choosing violence, Noah leaned over and nuzzled against his owner’s arm with a loving purr.

After getting over his shock, Eli raised one arm to wrap around Noah, holding him closer. He grinned at JJ. “I think you’ll be the one embarrassed this year when Noah proves once and for all who the better trainer is.”

Noah rubbed his head against Eli’s side. He looked towards Prince, his gaze mocking. Teasingly, he flicked his tail forward to boop the tip of Prince’s nose.

Prince snapped his teeth forward, but Noah whisked his tail away just in time. Noah was grinning beneath the gag.

JJ glared at Prince, but didn’t correct the behavior. “Alright, wise guy, how about we get to what I really came here for?” he said, visibly annoyed. “Cats are known for their agility. I think it’s only fair we test our boys on the course. See if they’re even on the same level.” He grinned. “So you’ll know if this kitty of yours is out of his league.”

Eli hummed, thinking. “I’ve got an agility course set up out back. Noah hasn’t been on it yet though…”

He trailed off when Noah suddenly stood up straight again. His eyes were lit up and his tail curled happily. He turned to Eli and nodded vigorously, purring.

“Uh.” Eli was a little caught off guard. He had meant to try to worm out of it, unsure if Noah would care for an agility course. But there was excitement in Noah’s eyes. “Let’s do it. Noah, with me.”

He took a step back, holding the door to allow JJ and Prince out first. The other trainer grabbed his pet’s leash and led him from the room. Prince walked at JJ’s side, his head up and puffy tail swishing from side to side.

Noah didn’t bother with a growl. He drew himself up, getting into the same pose as Prince, then nodded at Eli. His owner led him from the office and down the hall. JJ and Prince led the way, and Noah watched them closely. He watched how Prince let his tail swish back and forth and mimicked it.

Eli leaned close to whisper in his ear. “Are you sure about this?”

Noah nodded happily. He’d never been more sure about something in his life.

Chapter 21: Outside

JJ seemed to already know the way. This was a part of the house Noah hadn’t been to yet. JJ was leading the way to a smaller door in the same style as the front ones, but not as extravagant.

When he pushed it open, leading Prince out first, Noah came face to face with a huge garden area. The grass was a bright, healthy green. Bushes were perfectly clipped all around the house and along the far off fence. Towards the back was a grassy paddock housing several pieces of show equipment. Noah recognized all of them- the course led over a balancing beam, over a seesaw, through a set of weaving posts, then ended after jumping hurdles. In a corner sat a few balancing balls of different sizes.

Eli didn’t share his excitement. He had meant to show Noah this place, but not until he could trust him to be outside and off a leash. He supposed today would have to be that day.

Besides, surely Noah knew he couldn’t escape from here. There were three pairs of eyes on him, one was a trained athlete and the other two were double his size. He couldn’t possibly expect to make a clean get away.

But escape was the furthest thing from Noah’s mind. He couldn’t keep his excitement to himself anymore. As soon as he was in the doorway, he raced ahead, leaping onto the grass. But Eli had expected just as much, and with the leash wrapped around his arm, Noah was yanked back, tumbling to the ground. He leaped back up, hardly able to contain himself. With a deep whine, he looked back at Eli with clear pleading in his eyes. He wove around his owner, trying to work off his energy, but also wrapping him up in the leash. Even tied up like this, he could move fast. Every movement was without sound except the jingling bell at his neck.

“Alright, alright!” Eli cried, trying to turn with him before the leash could tangle in his legs. When Noah had successfully- accidentally- immobilized himself, Eli unraveled the leash from around his torso and instead wrapped it around his wrist until Noah was forced to stay directly at his side. “Calm down,” he whispered. “Be proper.”

Noah ignored him. He was still trying to pull ahead and race for the course. Eli didn’t think he’d been so enthusiastic about something in the five days they’d known each other.

He met JJ at the gate leading into the paddock. Opening it, he led Noah through, then waited for his friend to join them.

JJ’s gaze swept over the course, then he nodded in approval. “I propose a race. If you’re so confident, let’s see which of our boys can clear the last jump first. I’ll bet fifty bucks my perfect Prince can beat your mangy cat.”

Before Eli could respond, Noah nodded, excited.

Eli leaned over and unhooked the leash from his collar, but laid a hand on Noah’s shoulder to keep him still. “Just fifty? I’ll bet a hundred on my kitten.”

Noah was practically bouncing beside him. He kept glancing up at Eli, waiting for the signal.

When JJ nodded in agreement, Eli walked his cat to the line just in front of the tunnel. JJ did the same with Prince, taking him off his leash.

“Oh,” JJ said. “One more thing. Let’s make this a little more fair.” From his back pocket, he produced a pair of soft, fur-covered handcuffs.

Prince stood up tall, moving his hands behind his back so JJ could lock them in place. “Good thinking, daddy,” he praised. “I wouldn’t want to win unfairly.”

Eli rolled his eyes. “Everyone ready? 3…2…1…Go!”

Noah shot forward, his tail streaming out behind him. For a moment, Prince stared after him, shocked by his speed. Then, getting ahold of himself, he gave chase. Noah reached the balancing beam first, leaping onto it and practically running across. His tail flicked back and forth, helping him balance. By the time he was over it, Prince was just starting, his balance no where near as perfect.

Eli relished in the look of panic that crossed JJ’s face.

Noah had reached the seesaw, climbing half way up. When the other side began to fall, he leaped off it. The posts were easy to get through, too, using his tail to balance and leaving Prince in the dust.

The jumps forward him to slow down a bit, unable to properly land with his arms stuck behind his back. Clearing the hurdles, he shot across the final line and skidded to a halt, nearly tripping over himself.

He’d hardly broken a sweat, his eyes alight with energy.

Prince arrived a few seconds later, panting.

Eli shot JJ a grin. “A hundred bucks,” he reminded.

JJ sighed, reaching into his pocket for his wallet.

Noah was still full of energy. He did a few quick spins in the grass, chasing his own tail. He remembered doing this action as a child- a way to let out energy without causing any damage. He felt like a little kid again, playing in the yard with his siblings.

He turned toward Prince, bending his knees and flicking his tail, beckoning the dog over to play.

Prince blinked at him, confused. He glanced toward his owner. With his tail drooping, he joined JJ’s side, glaring toward Noah.

Noah returned her stare.

JJ placed a hand on Prince’s back, then ran it down his spine to unlatch the handcuffs. He and Eli were in the middle of a more civil conversation, but there was still animosity between them. JJ didn’t seem like a man who lost very often. And he didn’t like to.

He glanced toward Noah, his gaze cold. “You know, Eli, I haven’t been able to come out here too often. Mind showing me that knew boat on the lake?”

“Uh…sure,” Eli replied. “Noah, come-”

“Leave the pets here,” JJ interrupted. “They’ll be fine for a moment. Let them get to know each other.” He moved away from Prince, putting a hand on Eli’s shoulder.

“If you’re sure,” Eli replied, seeming confused. Noah was secretly amused. Eli’s word was law when it came to pets, but it seemed anyone of his own status could pull him around without effort.

He did glance back at Noah, looking worried. But surely the pets couldn’t do any damage to one another. Noah’s claws were contained and he was gagged. And if Prince tried to hurt him, Eli was confident his cat could still defend himself.

Noah’s tail drooped as JJ led his master away. They shut the gate behind them, trapping the pets inside.

“Have fun, daddy!” Prince called cheerfully. He watched until the two trainers were on the horizon, heading for a large disk of reflective water in the distance.

Then, Prince turned toward Noah, a hand on his hip and blue eyes narrowed.

“You got lucky today, cat,” he jeered, “but you lack elegance. Big Apple Pet Show is about grace and beauty, not throwing yourself around an agility course.” He took a step toward Noah, beginning to circle him.

Noah rolled his eyes, knowing he was in for a lecture.

Prince’s gaze was critical. “Crooked tail, ears pinned back, slouching posture…you’re a mess.” He came to stand in front of Noah again, a few inches taller than him. “It’s cute you think you’re worth any of this.”

Noah glared up at him, wishing he could get rid of this stupid gag.

Prince scoffed. “Listen, cat, I’m a pure bred, classically trained pompom dog boy.” He jabbed a finger into Noah’s chest. “You’re just some dumpster trash with pretty eyes. So I don’t know- what…why are you laughing?”

In the middle of Prince’s monologue, Noah had begun to giggle behind his gag. His tail curled behind him, amused by something Prince didn’t understand.

A blush spread over the dog boy’s face. “Stop that! Nothing is funny about this! I’m going to wipe the floor with you at the contest! You’ll be the laughing stock of the country.”

Noah rolled his eyes playfully, making the dog boy huff with irritation.

His ear flicked forward, hearing approaching footsteps. He nodded forward, gesturing for Prince to hush. Their owners were returning.

Prince glanced behind himself. Quickly, he padded over to stand beside Noah, his head held high and his back straight. “Hello, daddy!” he called with that fake, cheery tone that made Noah want to punch him.

Eli and JJ were still locked in conversation as they approached the gate.

“It was great seeing you, JJ,” Eli said. “You’ll have to come by sometimes for a lake party. And I’d love your input on the new studio.”

“Absolutely,” JJ agreed. Neither of their tones were friendly.

As soon as Eli entered the gate, Noah approached, his head lowered. He leaned against Eli’s chest, his eyes bright as he looked up at his master. He could feel Prince’s despising gaze boring into the back of his skull.

“Hello, kitten.” Eli smiled down at him, petting his hair. “Our guests are heading off. Let’s see them to their car.”

He didn’t bother with the leash, instead trusting that Noah would follow him as he left the paddock behind. Prince had joined his own owner, his tail swishing elegantly.

Noah glanced back him, longing to give him some reprimands. He had a feeling they’d be seeing each other quite often, with how close their owners were.

He had a lot to tell him.

Instead of going back inside, Eli led the way around the side of the house. At the front, he stopped to face his friend. “A pleasure as always, JJ. Take care. I’ll see you at the competition.”

He shook JJ’s hand.

“Likewise,” JJ scoffed. Glancing at Noah with a look of disgust, he headed toward his car. Prince trailed after him, looking just as rigid.

Eli sighed in relief. He opened the front door and led Noah into the foyer.

He closed the door, watching out the window as JJ pulled his car from his driveway with a screech. He couldn’t stand that man. They were only so close because their parents had been. Plus, JJ Gage was a very powerful, very rich man. It was in Eli’s best interest to stay on his good side. But he didn’t like that JJ knew Noah now. He knew his friend was a sore loser and wondered if he’d be content with risking a win at the show this year.

He was distracted when something slammed into his back. With a grunt, he turned to see Noah staring up at him with wide, pleading eyes.

Eli smiled, laying a hand on the top of Noah’s head. “Hey. Wow. That was quite a show.”

Noah purred, leaning against Eli’s chest. He shrugged up one shoulder, rubbing his face against it in an attempt to loosen the gag.

Eli chuckled. “You’re adorable, you know that?” He reached behind Noah’s head to loosen the strap of the gag. It fell around his pet’s throat.

Noah took a deep breath. “You didn’t tell me- ow!” He yelped, his jaw stiff after being held open so long. He ducked his head, flexing it for a moment. “You didn’t tell me you had an agility course! You should have said something sooner! Can I do that again?”

“Absolutely,” Eli agreed. “You really looked like you were having fun out there.”

Noah nodded. “You have no idea! My breeder used to let me do stuff like that all the time.” He leaned against Eli again, his chin against his owner’s chest. “I…uh…I used to have the same sort of problem as Dawn. With the whole high energy thing. So my breeder would let me into the backyard to just run. It was so fun!”

Eli wrapped his arms around Noah, slowly falling to the floor. His hands went behind Noah’s back, undoing the chain. “I’d always planned to take you out there eventually. I just wanted to make sure I could trust you. But now that I know you need it, we can play outside any time you like.” His hand ran up Noah’s hip, over his shoulder, and came to cup his cheek. “But you either need to be totally covered or wearing sunscreen. Can’t have you entering the competition with a sunburn.”

Noah rolled his eyes playfully. “Yes, master.” He leaned into Eli’s hand. “Thanks. It means a lot. But…since we’re not outside now, can I get out of this?”

Eli thought a moment. “Let me take the mittens off. But we’ll keeping the body suit on. It’s adorable on you.”

Noah didn’t argue. He brought his hands up so Eli could take the mittens off.

Eli worked diligently. He had promised he’d give Noah his movement back once JJ and Prince were gone. “You really pissed those two off, you know,” he commented. “I don’t know what JJ was expecting, but it wasn’t you.”

Noah snickered. “Oh, I’m aware. I think Prince was ready to attack me while you two were gone. Dumb dog thinks he’s a purebred.”

Eli blinked. “He is purebred. He’s a pomeranian dog boy.”

Noah shook his head. “Poms don’t come in that color.” He leaned against Eli again, sliding into his lap. “And he’s way too big. He’s gotta be mixed with something. I’m betting poodle.”

“Huh.” Eli had never thought about that. He’d trained plenty of dog boys before, but breeds were only important when he needed to know their care routine. A sly grin spread over his face. “Don’t let JJ know. He’ll throw a fit.”

“That’s why you should tell him,” Noah replied. “It’ll be funny.”

Eli rubbed Noah’s ears, mulling it over. “I think he’s suffered enough humiliation for today. We’ll save your little theory for another time.”

“It’s not a theory. I know it’s true,” Noah countered. “That is not a purebred pomeranian.”

Eli fully believed him. Noah had been in a pet store on and off for three years. With how observant and intelligent he was, he must have picked up quite a few things.

In his arms, Noah was starting to relax, all that running catching up to him. He laid his head against Eli’s chest, purring lightly.

His tail flicked as he thought. “Is JJ good to his pets?” he asked.

Eli pulled away, confused by the question. “Well…yes. I suppose. He’s one of my top competitors in terms of training. His success rate is the same as mine- perfect.” He looked down at Noah, concerned. “Is there a reason you ask?”

Noah laid his chin against Eli’s chest again. “That dog…is very uptight. He was saying a lot of nasty stuff while you were away.”

Eli sighed sympathetically. “He didn’t get to you, did he? JJ can be quite rude sometimes. I wouldn’t doubt Prince has picked up a few bad habits.”

“No, it was fine,” Noah replied. “I don’t bruise easily.”

“You do. You have very delicate skin. Probably because of your albinism. I made a note I’d have to take more care of-”

“Figuratively,” Noah interrupted. “Dumbass.”

Eli blinked at him, then a slight blush spread over his fight. “Right. Carry on.”

Noah laughed breathlessly. “My point is- Prince is very full of himself. He’s got a massive ego. A superiority complex, even. I’m worried Mr. Gage isn’t making it better.” He sat up, his gaze a little more serious. “I want nothing more than to show up that pampered little bitch. But I’ve seen pets like him before. Where obedience and perfection is their entire identity.”

“JJ’s an asshole,” Eli admitted. “And he demands a lot from his pets. But he’s not cruel.”

“I didn’t say that,” Noah replied. “I mean, JJ is setting Prince up for failure. When that poor dog finally loses something, it’ll destroy him.”

Eli ran his hand down Noah’s back. “You are one hell of a shrink.”

Noah flicked his tail, amused. “Thanks.”

“I’m glad you decided to stay,” Eli added, petting down Noah’s back.

“Who wouldn’t want to stay here?” Noah mumbled. He was starting to doze, tired after such an eventful morning. “You get me in a way no one else does. Even though I haven’t exactly made it easy for you. I like it here. I’m glad I agreed to come home with you and I’m glad you made it impossible for me to escape.”

“You agreed to come home with me?” Eli asked, watching Noah’s tail begin to lay still. “I distinctly remember you scratching up my leg. Then when we got home you bit the hell out of my arm.” He still had the bruises to show for it. “You’re lucky I’m more persistent than your other owners.”

He let his hand come back up, rubbing at Noah’s ears. The cat boy giggled. “I did agree to come home with you. We made a deal, remember? You tied me up, and if I could break out I was free. I let you take me. If we hadn’t made that deal, I probably would have bitten you again! Well, I did, didn’t I? Sorry about that.”

“I’ll know better in the future,” Eli promised. “Even taped up like that, you still fucked up the trunk of my car. And you can stop apologizing for it. I get why you were acting up.”

Noah hummed in reply, then Eli continued with a grin.

“It’s because you’d never seen such a handsome, strong master. And you just didn’t know what to do with yourself.”

Noah barked a laugh. “Alright, I’ll admit, you’re definitely one of the better looking owners.” he sighed heavily. “Fuck, you were stubborn. What’s it been- four days? Five?”

“Five of the most stressful days of my entire life,” Eli confirmed.

Noah’s tail flicked. “That’s a new record. No one’s ever kept me longer than three.”

“Well,” Eli said, trying to hide how flattered he was, “once you drop the whole little asshole act, you’re not half bad.”

“Yeah,” Noah agreed with a soft smile. “I think I’ll get rid of that act from now on. Doesn’t seem I need it anymore.” His tail laid flat again and he raised his head. “I wasn’t lying earlier about the door. I really did just want to go outside. I can’t stand being cooped up in cages all the time.” He sighed. “You were right, though. I should have just asked instead of trying to do it myself.”

“It’s okay,” Eli said. “I’m sorry for overreacting.” He scooted back, bringing Noah with him, to lean against the door. “After you told me about Beau. About…all that…I tried to make you as comfortable as possible here. I guess when I saw that collar go off, I just assumed I’d done something wrong. And I was scared if I kept you here any longer, you’d start to hate me again.” He began petting down Noah’s hair again. “You’ve suffered so much because of this lifestyle. I wanted to free you from it. Even if it hurt.”

Noah purred. “It would hurt much more to leave.”

“Good to know.” Eli paused when Noah yawned, nuzzling into his lap. “...I’m putting the collar back on. Just for safety purposes. If I ever need to find you while we’re separated, or if something happens.”

Noah raised his head. “Like what?”

“Just something,” Eli replied. He usually didn’t feel so protective of his pets. He was a rich man and he knew of more than one other rich man who’d want to hurt him. That had never been a worry of his until now.

He could hardly stand the idea of Noah leaving of his own accord. He couldn’t risk his cat boy being taken.

“We’ll make arrangements for some time outside whenever the weather’s nice,” Eli added. “And if there’s anything else you want, you can always ask.”

“I’ll remember that,” Noah mumbled.

Eli smiled. “Let’s get you to bed for a nap, kitten.” He stood up, bringing Noah with him. Before Noah could even take a step, Eli scooped him up bridal style.

Noah squirmed in his grasp for a moment, suddenly wide awake. But once he realized he wasn’t in danger, he relaxed, placing one hand on Eli’s chest.

“I’ve gotta check on the pets upstairs,” Eli informed him as he headed for the steps, “but you can rest in my room.”

Noah leaned his head against Eli’s shoulder. “Hurry back, master. I except compensation for today.”

Eli chuckled. “Don’t worry, kitten. You’ll get it.”

Chapter 22: Memory Lane

“Oh, uh…” Noah suddenly spoke up when Eli dropped him to his feet just outside their bedroom door. His head was drooped and his tail wrapped around one ankle. “I uh…I might have ranted to Melody about everything that happened today,” he admitted.

“You might have…” Eli groaned, exasperated. “We are going to have a lesson about etiquette around the other pets.”

“Yes, Master,” Noah agreed, taking a step back to grab the door handle and throw it open. “Tell Dawn I said hi!” With that, he disappeared into their bedroom to crawl into his den.

Eli sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He was going to have gray hairs at twenty five with this damn cat in the house.

“Work,” he murmured to himself. “Gotta take care of the pets.” He took a deep breath, then headed down the hallway. He’d check on Dawn first. She’d woken up for breakfast that morning, but he doubted she’d want lunch. He was still recovering from the previous day.

After peeking into Dawn’s room and finding them fast asleep, he gently closed the door and instead went to Melody’s room.

He found her awake, but resting in her den.

“Hello, Master,” she greeted. “You’ve had an eventful day.”

Eli chuckled. She’d known him a day and Melody was already making snide remarks just like Noah. “Yes. Noah can be a handful. I hope he didn’t frighten you.” He knelt down to meet Melody outside the cage.

Melody crawled toward him, her chain clinking. But she shook her head. “No. I’m glad he felt safe enough to come to me. He…just needed away from you for a moment. Don’t be angry.”

“Don’t worry, he’s not in trouble,” Eli assured her. “We sorted it out.” He dropped his professional act, letting his voice soften. “Melody, I’ve been thinking. Yesterday, you showed me a level of confidence and control I wasn’t expecting from you. When I stepped back and let you do your thing, you took charge and put our naughty kitty in his place. And you enjoyed it.”

“I…I did,” Melody admitted bashfully. “I liked having eyes on me.”

“You wanted all the attention, didn’t you?” Eli asked. “And you couldn’t stand it when Noah got distracted. So you made him take notice.”

Melody gulped. “Yes. I had no clue what he could be looking at.” She seemed a bit frazzled. “But I didn’t mean to force him like that! I acted without thinking. It just…felt right.”

“I thought so,” Eli said. Getting more comfortable- and wanting Melody to be more comfortable- he sat down on the floor just outside her cage. “Melody, most pets would instinctively follow commands and nothing more. Any other pet up there would have ignored Noah and just kept dancing. But your instinct was taking control and getting what you wanted. Tell me, Melody, do you like the thought of getting what you want?”

“Yes,” Melody answered immediately. Her little wings fluttered. “I loved dancing for you and Noah. I felt so in control of my own body. And I wanted to be in control of Noah, too. It felt good leading.”

“That’s what I figured. I think I know exactly what you need, Melody,” Eli announced. “Starting tomorrow, I’m changing your training regime. It’ll be a lot of work, but I think you can handle it.”

Melody seemed surprised, but she nodded in agreement. “Yes, Master. I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will.” Eli stood up. “I’ll be back with lunch soon.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli gave Noah plenty of time to sleep. He deserved it after such an amazing performance. He’d just spent the last two hours tidying the house, cleaning up his training rooms, then making lunch. He’d given all the pets a larger portion than usual, in a good mood. Now that the other two pets were taken care of, Noah was the only one left.

When he opened the door to his room, he heard light purring from inside the den. A moment later, most likely woken from the sound of the door, Noah appeared at the mouth of the tunnel, his pink eyes shining through the darkness.

“Hey,” he greeted.

Eli smiled down at him. “Lunch time.” He placed the bowl of food just outside the entrance to the cage. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m good.” Noah crawled out from the cage but stayed on his hands and knees to eat. His tail waved behind him. “How are the others?”

“All good,” Eli reported. “Melody’s settled and Dawn’s still resting.” He sat on the edge of the bed, watching the cat boy’s tail flick back and forth.

“That’s good,” Noah mumbled.

While Noah was distracted eating, Eli produced his collar from his back pocket. Carefully, he leaned over Noah, then dropped the collar around his neck and latched it shut in the back.

Noah sat up with a sudden start. He felt the weight of the collar settle around his neck. Glancing back at Eli, he continued eating.

He usually hated collars. He knew they were a way to keep him trapped with an owner. But Eli had made it clear this collar was no longer meant to keep Noah inside. It was for safety.

Noah just had to trust that.

Once he was done eating, he leaned against Eli’s leg, purring.

Eli leaned down to stroke a hand down Noah’s back. “We’ve got a couple hours of free time,” he said. “Care for that compensation now?”

His hand trailed down Noah’s back. He used one finger to rub down Noah’s tail, then gripped it tightly.

If Noah meant to say something, he was interrupted by a gasping moan. He sat back, blushing. “Do not! It’s sensitive.”

“I’m aware,” Eli said teasingly. More gently, he rubbed two fingers up and down Noah’s tail. “Your tail is so long and sleek. I’ve had so many pets, and I’m always fascinated by their tails.”

“Well mine’s sensitive.” Noah whisked his tail away.

“Wait, bring it back,” Eli ordered. “I think I felt something.”

“Likely story.”

“I’m serious,” Eli said with a frown.

Noah grumbled, but brought his tail back to lay across Eli’s lap. He bit his lip as Eli began feeling up and down it again. He squeezed a part near the end, making Noah squeak in alarm.

“Ow!” he complained. He looked over his shoulder. “That hurt!”

“You’ve got a crook in it,” Eli mused. He ran his finger over the small bump again. “Like a bone broke but wasn’t set. What happened?”

Noah whisked his tail away. He turned to face Eli, hiding his tail behind his back. “I got it stuck in a door one time. It’s fine.”

Eli chuckled. “Lemme guess…escaping from an old owner’s house?”

“Not even close.” Noah rested his chin on Eli’s knee. “It’s probably been ten years ago now. My breeder was letting me out into the yard and I didn’t move away from the gate in time. Got it stuck in the latch.”

“Ouch,” Eli winced. “Why didn’t he get it set?”

“He tried.” Noah giggled. “I don’t really do doctors. I don't know if you've noticed, but I don't really like being touched by strangers."

“Yeah, no kidding,” Eli joked. “Well, so long as it’s not causing you problems, it should be fine.” He was a little worried about Noah having an untreated wound. But he didn’t want to cause the cat boy anymore discomfort. Eli would just keep an eye on it.

“Well, kitten, how would you like your…compensation?” Eli prompted. “We could cuddle, or go for a walk, or perhaps you’d like an-”

“Walk!” Noah interrupted. “Yes, please! Let’s go for a walk! Please, Master?”

Eli blinked down at him, surprised. “You’d rather go for a walk than have an orgasm?”

“Yes!” Noah had leaped to his feet, grabbing Eli’s arm and trying to pull him off the bed. “Walk! Walk! Walk! Walk!”

Eli pulled his arm away, laughing. “Ask properly.”

Noah froze, then gracefully fell to his knees again. “Can we go for a walk, please, Master?”

“Yes, kitten.” Eli stood up and stretched. “It’ll be good to get some fresh air.”

“Can I have a different outfit?” Noah asked, but Eli was already shaking his head.

“Not while the sun’s still up. I don’t think you’ll sit still long enough for sunscreen.”

Noah pouted, but scampered after Eli as he left the bedroom behind. He was content to let Eli lead the way, still not knowing the lower level of the house too well. Eli led him down the stairs and to the back door.

As soon as they reached the door, Eli spun around to face Noah. “Right. This is a walk, not a run. So stay at my side the whole time, got it? There’s a leash in my back pocket. Don’t want me have to use it.”

“Yes, master,” Noah agreed.

Eli nodded curtly. He took out his phone to turn off Noah's collar. Then, he turned and opened the door.

As soon as Noah caught sight of the grass he was out the door, sprinting onto the lawn, his tail bushed with excitement.

“Noah!” Eli’s call made him skid to a halt.

His tail dropped with shame. He padded back to Eli. “Sorry, Master.”

“What was that? Two seconds?” Eli mused. He stood on the back steps, his arms crossed. “Two seconds after I gave you an order you disobeyed.”

“Sorry, Master.” Noah dropped his head.

Eli gave him a pat between the ears. “One more chance. Stay at my side.”

“Yes, Master.”

Noah rejoined Eli side. Counting the seconds in his head, Eli noted that it took Noah all of six seconds to disobey once again. The cat boy immediately veered away from Eli’s side, looking around with wide eyes. His curled tail betrayed his happiness.

Eli cleared his throat, gaining Noah’s attention. He waited for the cat boy to scamper back over to him. “So,” he began,” we have the mansion back there. The lake is just down this path.” He pointed ahead, where the afternoon sunlight was reflecting off a large stretch of water. There’s an unfinished building on the shore. And closer is the old horse stables. Pretty much anything inside the fence is mine.”

Noah’s gaze followed wherever Eli pointed, dazzled by just how big this yard was. He hoped Eli would let explore some time.

“Do you have neighbors?” he asked.

Eli nodded. “There’s an older guy who lives across the lake. I don’t talk to him often, but he takes motor boats onto the water all the time. Then there’s a couple over there.” He pointed to the west. “There’s a big red fence between our two properties. And there’s a path that goes around the lake.”

“Can we take it?” Noah asked. “Please?” He stared up at Eli with big, shining eyes.

Eli had to look away. “It’s be past dinner time when we get back. It’s a good few hours of a walk.”

Noah didn’t blink, staring up at him.

“You’ll be sore tomorrow during training.”

Noah leaned his head against Eli’s arm, his eyes glistening.

After a moment, Eli sighed. “Fine. Run ahead but stay where I can see you.”

With a grin, Noah shot off, racing down the pebble-strewn path. He slowed when he got closer to the lake, admiring the shining surface but going nowhere near the water.

Eli followed more casually, taking out his phone to start writing down notes. Occasionally, he glanced up to watch Noah as his lithe shaped darted back and forth along the shore.

Eli smiled to himself. Why had he ever stopped walking down here?

He turned to follow the path that led along the lake. Ahead, Noah was exploring every inch he could, but took care not to stray too far. Eli watched as he stuck his head behind a few bushes, his tail whisking back and forth.

Eli’s attention went back down to his phone. He had a document open- one he’d started when Noah had first arrived at the mansion. He kept a similar document for each of his pets, listing their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes…any important information that Eli needed to train them. Usually, at the end of training, this document would be forwarded to a pet’s new owner. But Eli would get to keep this one for himself.

He watched Noah leap forward, diving in the grass after a flock of birds. The poor creatures squawked, flapping into the air.

Eli looked back down. Noah was a nearly perfect specimen athletically. Energetic, agile, and flexible. But he had a bad habit of whining and moaning whenever he was faced with something he didn’t want to do. Eli figured this behavior had been accidentally encouraged by previous owners. They’d give orders, Noah would bitch, then they’d send him right back to the pet shelter, not wanting to deal with it.

Still, it seemed Eli already had a way around that. He was afraid his only way to reward or bribe Noah would be through orgasms. But the cat boy was really enjoying being outside and being active. If Eli could find more activities he enjoyed, more privileges he could use as leverage, he could have Noah safely under his thumb.

Eli raised his head again. “Noah!” he called, watching the cat boy sneaking up on another bird. “Leave the local wildlife in peace.”

Noah’s tail drooped, but he obeyed the command. He walked back over to Eli.

“You know, we could get back sooner if you’d move a little faster,” Noah teased.

Eli chuckled, adding the word “impatient” to his notes. “Why would I want to rush? This place is beautiful. Just relax.”

Noah huffed, but did as he was told, admiring the birds from a different. Now that their tormentor had been reeled back, the flock of little birds was returning to the yard.

One ear flicked, hearing Eli tapping on his phone. “What are you writing?” he asked. “Sounds like a novel.”

“None of your concern.” Eli shoved his phone back into his pocket. Raising his head again, he realized they were nearing the old horse stables.

“This is the oldest building on my whole estate.” Eli slowed to a stop in front of the huge, run down barn. In his childhood, the sides had been a welcoming brown color. But now they were turning black with rot. “Behind it is the raceway. Before getting into pet training, my family had horse girls. It was a huge money maker when my grandparents were around.”

“Horses,” Noah echoed. He’d only been around a few in the past, as they didn’t often end up in the shelter. But the few he’d met had been friendly, if a bit intimidating. “Do you still train them?”

“Not often,” Eli replied. “They’re not usually trained for pleasure. I still rent out the raceway every now and then for events. But juggling races and the pet training would be too much for me.”

He stepped up to the large double doors. Pushing one open, the entire building seemed to screech in protest, like it didn’t want to be disturbed.

“Do you think there’s mice in here?” Noah asked, following Eli inside.

“Oh, god.” Eli’s voice echoed off the empty walls. “Rule- you are not allowed to hunt or eat animals. Or leave them on my pillow as a present.”

Other than their voices, the stables were completely quiet. The electric to the inside had been turned off a while ago, but the late sun still offered plenty of light to see. It filtered in through the windows in the roof, making the dust in the air glitter. Empty stables lined the walls, still filled with a thin layer of hay, but the sleeping cots had been removed.

Noah’s scoff sounded louder in the empty building. “I’ve only ever caught and ate one mouse and it was not a fun experience. I won’t be doing it again.” He grinned teasingly. “Catching is the fun part.”

“No catching mice, birds, anything,” Eli ordered. “You’ll catch a disease.”

Noah just giggled. Now that he was fully inside the building, he realized how creepy it seemed. Dark and rotting and empty. But for Eli, this place was homely. He hadn’t come down here in years.

“Our horses were some of the finest in the country,” he murmured. “Our girls were champions. My grandparents won national nine years in a row. And when they passed, my dad took over running the track. He never raised another national winner, though.”

Noah wandered closer to him again. “Were they cool? They sound cool,” he said. He stared around the stables, trying to imagine Eli as a little kid, playing in the hay or admiring the horse girls. It was hard imagining someone so intimidating as a mere child.

Eli placed a hand between Noah’s ears, rubbing gently. “They were cool. I loved the gear they dressed the girls in. It’s what got me into collecting pet outfits. I’ve always dreamed of reopening this place, starting races again…but it’s too much work.”

He looked at each stable, remembering the horse girls. He could remember the younger ones he grew up along side, watching them train in the yard. And their mothers, always so cheerful.

He nodded to one of the stables. “That was Bella’s room. She was older, but she won a national before retiring. When I was little and the adults were busy, she’d babysit me down here. I could spend hours listening to her and the other horses talk.”

He could still see the old horse girl's face in his mind. Her bleach blonde hair was also tied back in a long braid, her dark eyes shining with wisdom and friendliness. Like all horses, she had been tall, with strong legs. Even in her more advanced age, she loved to strut around the barn, holding Eli's little hand and taking him to check on the other girls.

Noah was following his gaze, looking into each stable. “Why don’t you hire employees? You don’t have to do all the work yourself. You could have more horses.”

Eli shook his head. “No. My family always did everything themselves. It…it would hurt too much.” His voice had a slight quiver to it. God, how he missed those horses. But he didn’t just want to bring back the races, he wanted to bring back his old pets. Bella and the other ladies had been his first friends, his first supporters. There was no replacing them.

Besides, he liked his quiet life. He didn’t want anyone but himself and his pets at the estate.

He was vaguely aware of Noah’s gaze on him. He felt the cat boy lean against his arm, nuzzling his head into Eli’s hand. “At least you can still come here and relive the memories.”

Eli began petting Noah’s hair. He closed his eyes, nodding slowly. “And what good memories they were.”

Noah smiled. He shifted to wrap one arm around Eli’s waist, pulling them close together. All his attention was on Eli and making him feel comfortable. This close, he could faintly here Eli’s heartbeat begin to even out once again, relaxed and content. Not even a mouse scuffling through the hay distracted Noah from his job.

Chapter 23: Wake Up Call

Eli grunted as he shoved the barn door closed one more. He’d love to stay out here longer, but there were hungry pets back at the mansion.

“Master?” Noah asked. He stood a little way down the track, looking at the concrete foundation on the lake shore. “What’s that going to be when it’s finished?”

Without hesitation, Eli answered, “porn studio.” He joined Noah’s side, crossing his arms. “Trying to get into something new, something modern. Pet porn is a huge cash grab nowadays.”

He relished in the blush that covered Noah’s face. It hadn’t been the answer he’d expected. “Oh….wow. That’s uh…yeah, that’s pretty modern.”

“It’ll have state of the art equipment,” Eli rambled, “and a huge area to film in. Hopefully it’ll be ready by winter.” He looked down at Noah his gave teasing. “Ever wanted to be a world famous cum dump?”

“No, not at all,” Noah replied immediately.

Eli just laughed, heading back up the path. It was getting late and they’d have to save their lake side walk for another day.

Noah scampered after Eli. “Master?” he asked nervously. “Genuinely, who is going to star in those videos? I-I don’t really like being in front of cameras. And you sell the other pets. Does that mean you’re getting…more?”

Eli chuckled, petting Noah’s hair. “Would you be jealous if I did?”

“No!”

"Don’t worry, kitten, I’ve already got a plan. See, BAPS isn’t just for showing who’s the best trainer. It’s a business opportunity for anyone worth their pets. Not only can trainers and owners show off their merit, but they can also advertise pets they have for sale. Or pets they want to rent out. Some of the top performers get offered contracts for porn. The studio won’t be ready this year, but next year I’ll be able to advertise for filmers to come here and shoot their movies.”

He’d never thought about putting his own pets, let alone himself, in the studio. But it was a temping idea.

Noah’s tail was laying smooth again. “You could definitely make some good money.”

“That extra money could go a long way,” Eli replied. “I’m hoping to get a second party boat for the lake.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “A second one? Do you really need a second one?”

Eli grinned. “How about I take you out on the first one and you decide?”

“Oh, no, absolutely not,” Noah protested immediately. “You must have neglected to read my papers. I’m a cat boy, Master. I don’t do water. Showers are one thing. Bathes and swimming and especially boats are totally different.”

Eli chuckled lightly. “You must be the first person who’s ever turned down an invitation to go out on a lake. On a multi million dollar party boat, no less.”

The temperature had started to drop. Eli could feel his skin starting to chill.

Noah leaned against him. “You’ve never met anyone like me.” His voice shook a little. Eli could feel him starting to shiver.

He wrapped an arm around the cat boy, trying to warm him up. He should have realized if he was feeling cold, Noah and his small frame must be freezing.

Noah yawned, running out of energy and fast. He’d had an active day, more active than he’d been in years. But he didn’t want it to end. Despite how cold he felt, he began to slow down, wanting to stay out longer. He didn’t know when he’d have a chance to come outside again.

Eli noticed him slowly down, but didn’t say anything. “Impressive, isn’t it?” he asked. “Think it’s enough room to stretch your legs.”

Noah nodded. “Yes! I’d love to run the whole yard. But not tonight.” His voice had a small shudder in it. “Too tired.”

Eli glanced toward the sky. “It’s clear today. Perfect weather for a walk.”

“Good,” Noah replied. “I don’t care much for the rain.”

“Me, neither,” Eli said. “I’m not giving any muddy cats a bath.” They were nearing the door again. Eli spend up a bit, wanting to get Noah inside a warm. He reached forward to open it, ushering Noah inside.

The cat boy sighed once they were inside the warmed house. He shook himself out, his tail bushing.
“I’ll get started on dinner,” Eli said. “Head up to the bedroom and get warm.” He started for the kitchen, then doubled back. “My bed will be warmer.”

Noah stared after him, shocked he was being allowed such a privilege. For a moment, he hesitated, wanting to follow Eli. But he was exhausted and cold.

He headed in the opposite direction, able to find the stairs easily. He needed to take an actual tour through the house at some point.

He found Eli’s door still partially opened. Pushing inside, he flopped into the bed.

“So comfy…” He crawled further onto the mattress, burrowing beneath the blanket. He loved his little den, but being on an actual mattress was heavenly. The last time he’d slept on a real bed had been…

He sat up, shaking his head. He wished he could just delete those memories. He was in a good place. A safe place. But every time Eli made a kind offer, Noah couldn’t help remembering when Beau had done the same.

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli entered the bedroom with a plate for himself and a bowl for Noah, only to find his cat boy asleep. He set the bowl down on the side table, then gently sat down.

Noah hadn’t even bothered to get himself under the covers. He laid on his back, purring lightly in his sleep, his tail curled at his side.

Eli began to eat his own meal, laying a hand on Noah’s stomach. He winced back when Noah let out a whine, moving to lay on his side.

Eli moved his hand to Noah’s head, petting his hair. “Relax, kitten. You’re okay.”

Noah’s ear flicked. Even in sleep, he could recognize his owner’s voice. His purring grew louder once more, nuzzling Eli’s hand and slipping back into sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

Noah woke later than usual the next morning. He yawned and tried to stretch, only to find his limbs restrained. Panic streaked through him, then he realized he had an arm wrapped around him.

He was in Eli’s bed, his master holding him close. Part of him wanted to lay back down and get some more sleep. But the louder side of his brain was already bored.

He prodded Eli’s side. “Master?”
Eli groaned, letting go of Noah and rolling onto his back. “Five more minutes…”

Noah frowned. He didn’t want to get up without Eli. He’d just gotten back onto his good side and wouldn’t risk trouble.

He was ready to jab one finger between Eli’s ribs, then got a much better idea. An idea that guaranteed Eli would be in a good mood.

He crawled beneath the blankets, only his tail sticking out from one side. Grinning, he positioned himself between Eli’s legs.

Nestling between them and putting his hands on either of Eli’s thighs, he ducked his head to give his owner’s cock a warm lick. Then, he took the head into his mouth, lazily sucking.

Above, he could hear Eli started to moan. “Oh, yeah.” His voice seemed far away, still asleep. But his cock was already hard.

Noah grinned, taking him deeper. He laid down on his stomach and started to relax, laying his head against Eli’s thigh. Slowly, he began to purr, letting the sound vibrate up Eli’s shaft.

Above, Eli let out a huff. Over the blanket, Noah felt a hand settle onto his head.

“Yeah, that’s it,” Eli sighed. “Suck it.”

Noah let his teeth graze. Eli must be stuck in a dream. He was about to pull off and try something else when Eli’s grip over his head tighten, keeping him in place.

Noah was about to just give up and finish the blowjob. But then, he felt a hand squeezing around his exposed tail and yelped, sitting up.

The sudden movement must have startled Eli awake. The pressure on his tail disappeared. “Noah?” He sounded surprised.

“Here!” He remained still as Eli moved the blanket back. His master’s eyes were round with worry.

“Oh, Noah,” Eli said, amused. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I was trying to wake you up.”

Eli chuckled. He let Noah crawl out from beneath the blanket, then stretched. “Well, I’m up now.” He placed a hand on Noah’s head, gently petting him.

Noah purred, but he glanced down at Eli’s cock, still hard. “Want help?”

Eli shook his head, then swung his legs over the side of the bed. “We’ll have to wait. I’ve got a lot planned for today.” He stood up, rubbing his eyes as he tried to wake himself. He’d been having the most wonderful dream…

As he dressed himself, he glanced over at Noah, still in that starry latex outfit. He quite liked the look of it. The night sky suited his cat boy.

Noah stood up with a stretch. “My legs hurt,” he complained.

Eli snickered. “I warned you, but you insisted on staying out longer. Now come along, we’ve got stuff to do.”

Noah followed Eli from the bedroom. “What’s the training today? And, more importantly, do I have to be part of it?”

“First wake ups and breakfast,” Eli said. “Then Dawn just needs some brush ups on obedience. And Melody…Yeah, I’ll definitely need you.”

“Why?” Noah asked. “We’re not doing another dance, are we?”

“We’ll talk later,” Eli said, brushing him off. “Let’s see…it’s monday, isn’t it? That makes tonight pizza night.”

He was starting to ramble, trying to distract himself from his still half hard cock. He wanted nothing more than for Noah to finish the job, but he didn’t like getting behind schedule.

He glanced toward Noah. He had big plans for him and Melody today. But perhaps those could be…modified.

Chapter 24: The Cane

“Stay out here,” Eli instructed, taking the bowl of food from Noah’s hand. “I need to have a word with Melody.”

Noah’s head was titled curiously, but he obeyed, letting Eli shut the door on him.

“Good morning, Master,” Melody called, already awake and in position.

“Good morning, Melody,” Eli greeted.

Using his master key to unlock the cage, he set the bowl inside. But as Melody began to eat, he kept the door open and knelt down in front of her.

“We’ve got some special training today,” he explained, keeping his voice low. He doubted Noah would be able to resist eavesdropping. “See, Noah’s been rather naughty lately. I think he’s due for a punishment. So, Melody, training today…you’re going to punish Noah for me.”

Melody’s wings fluttered. She raised her head, surprised. “You want me to…punish another pet? B-but I don’t know how! I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

“Let’s start with the basics,” Eli suggested. “Remember when you were dancing for him, and he kept getting distracted? How did that make you feel?”

Eli sat down on the floor, getting more comfortable.

“Um…” Melody thought for a moment. “Frustrated. Dejected. Like I wasn’t doing good enough.”

“You were doing so well,” Eli reassured her. “You were putting on quite a show. Any master, or mistress, would punish a pet for ignoring something like that.”

Melody nodded in agreement. “You’re right. We must make sure this doesn’t happen again.” Her gaze hardened, her back straightening as she sat up a little taller. “What should I do?”

“Noah needs reminded of his place,” Eli said. “I think a good flogging will do just the thing.”

Melody nodded. “I think you’re right, master. He needs reminded of his place. I’ll do it.”

“Good girl,” Eli praised. This was Melody’s test, to see if she really was meant for a more dominant role. “So, Melody, if Noah was your pet, what would you dress him up in?”

He stood up, beckoning for Melody to follow him from the cage.

“Well, if he’s receiving a flogging, his back and ass should be exposed,” Melody suggested. “How about a backless crop top and tiny panties?”

“Perfect,” Eli said, thinking the same thing. It would show plenty of skin, while also being humiliating. “And what about you? What outfit do you think would dazzle him? Keep his eyes on you?”

Melody thought for a moment. “Something flashy. Sparkling. Like…a bedazzled catsuit!” The owl girl spoke with confidence and enthusiasm, more laid back than Eli had ever seen her.

“Perfect,” Eli agreed. “Okay, let’s get the two of you to the wardrobe.”

He stopped just in front of the door. Making a quick calculation, he grabbed the handle and threw it open without warning.

Noah yelped as he stumbled forward. He’d been leaning against the outside of the door, just as Eli had predicted.

Quickly, he straightened himself up. “M-Master! Melody! Hi! I was just…leaning…”

“Sure thing, kitten,” Eli said teasingly. “Come along. We’re going to the wardrobe for some special outfits.”

He stood aside to let Melody walk in front. She knew the way to the wardrobe by now, and strutted confidently in front of them.

Noah peered around Eli curiously, watching her. What kind of pep talk had they been having?

When they reached the wardrobe, Eli opened the door to allow Melody in. But he stuck out an arm to stop Noah. “Wait here.”

Noah groaned, annoyed. But Eli closed the door before he could argue.

“Alright, Melody, I’ve got just the thing,” Eli said. He immediately was able to find the suit he was looking for- one of his favorites. The base was black latex. But it was covered by several shining gems of varying sizes, with the biggest ones littering the chest and hips. They glittered white, reflecting the lights overhead.

He handed that to Melody, then also tracked down a small underbust corset and a pair of knee length boots with short heels.

“I think these will go nicely,” Eli said. “Try them on. See how it feels.”

Melody had just been slipping into the catsuit. She seemed excited about this little game of dress up. She especially liked that the outfit wasn’t revealing, yet still showed off every curve. She sat down to slide on the heels, enjoying the tightness on her calves. Then, she stood up to take a few steps. She was a bit wobbly, but didn’t think it would take her long to adjust.

She put her arms up so Eli could slide the corset around her torso. He tightened it enough to make her curves jut out, but not enough it would be uncomfortable. He made a mental note to work her up into wearing tighter outfits.

“Looking good,” he praised, tying off the corset. “Noah! Come in!”

When Noah entered the wardrobe, he was shocked to find Melody handing him a small black, backless crop top and a little pink thong.

Melody’s eyes shone with glee. “Get dressed, cat.”

Dazed, Noah took the clothes, but was distracted by the glittering gems Melody wore. “I…what’s happening?” he asked, turning to Eli.

Eli’s gaze was stern. “Melody was kind enough to pick your outfit today. You should thank her and put it on. See Melody, this is exactly why he needs punished.”

Melody nodded in agreement, only confusing Noah more. He shot a questioning glance toward Eli, but was ignored. Realizing he was outnumbered here, he had no choice but to slip off the catsuit and slid into the new clothes.

While he got dressed, he heard Melody and Eli murmuring behind him.

“He should wear heels,” Melody suggested. “Big stilettos.”

Noah turned on them. “What is happening?”

Eli ignored him. “Great idea, Melody.” He turned to begin rummaging through the wardrobe. He pulled out two pairs- one a large pair of strappy heels, the other taller and leather. “Which one do you want?”

“The taller ones,” Melody said. “We can’t make it easy for him.”

Eli nodded. “Exactly what I’m thinking. Speaking out of turn, not respecting command…Our little kitten’s in big trouble.”

He handed the heels to Melody, who turned to present them to Noah.

“But these on, cat,” she ordered. “And please do so without anymore snide remarks.”

Noah looked dumbfounded. But he did as he was told.

Eli glanced at Melody, impressed with how easily she was sliding into this role. Usually, during training, she was nervous and quiet. But being put in charge had given her more confidence. Given her background, he should have figured she’d prefer a more commanding role.

Once Noah was standing himself up on heels that gave him almost five inches in height, Eli headed for the wardrobe. “Down to the walkway,” he directed.

He let Melody lead the way out, then glanced over his shoulder to watch Noah stumble after them. He was falling behind, but Eli let him.

He leaned down to whisper in Melody’s ear. “Noah’s not a bad pet by any means,” he began, “he just needs reminded of the rules. See, he keeps forgetting even the basics. He talks back to me, he doesn’t have proper posture…He loves to tease me. I’m sure you can understand why some correctional training is in order. I’ve got the walkway set up for just the thing.”

He had set it up last night, when the idea for today’s training had first come to him.

“Unruly pets must be corrected,” Melody agreed. She walked confidently, so different from the meek girl who had come to the mansion just a few weeks ago. Eli knew how awkward and unsure she usually felt while on display. But with even an ounce of control over the situation, she seemed to be getting on fine.

“Master?” Noah called. “What are we doing?”

Eli exchanged a glance with Melody. “Patience, kitten. You’ll see soon enough.”

At the walkway, he held the door open for the pets to enter first.

A few bunches of rope and cuffs lay on the platform. He’d also laid out a few gags, blindfolds, and nipple clamps.

Propped against the stage was a decent selection of impact toys- floggers, paddles, and canes of varying sizes and lengths. Eli had wanted to give Melody plenty of room to explore.

Noah stopped as soon as he entered. Eli watched him freeze, gears turning in his head as he put everything together.

“I haven’t done anything wrong.” He turned on Eli, his voice high.

“So whiny, isn’t he, Melody?” Eli said. He leaned toward her. “Follow my lead. First, you explain to the pet what they did wrong so they know why they’re being punished. You never want to punish a pet for seemingly no reason. The lesson won’t stick.”

“Okay, Master,” Melody said. She was hanging on his every word.

Eli caught movement in the corner of his vision. “Noah!” he called, making the cat boy freeze, his tail bushed out. “Get over here right now.”

Noah’s ears were pinned back as he turned around. With the doms distracted, he’d been trying to sneak for the door. But he walked back in front of Eli, cowering.

“Noah,” Eli began sternly, “today we’ve decided you need to be punished for misdeeds. Talking back, wandering off, and worst of all- not watching Melody dance when she was trying to put on a show for you.”

He was relieved to see Noah’s fear turn to understanding. The cat boy glanced toward the stage. His tail flicked back and forth, as though trying to decide if he should just put up with it or try to run. But Eli was confident that since this was Melody’s training session, he’d want to let the other pet have time to shine.

He’d never done this before, letting one pet punish another. But he’d watch Melody closely. How hard of a swing could she have?

Melody strutted over to the stage. “Come here, cat.” But as soon as Noah moved to follow her, she looked nervous. “Uh…Master? Can you tie him to the stage? I don’t know how.”

Eli smiled. Melody knew to ask questions if she wasn’t sure. That was a good sigh of a responsible dom. “Let me show you,” he offered. “Noah, stand against the side of the stage and lean over it. Hands behind your back and legs spread.”

Noah hesitated a moment. “Yes, master.” He moved to the side of the stage and stood as instructed, laying his chest against it and letting his legs spread.

“Alright, Melody, watch closely,” Eli said. He grabbed one of the cuffs and held it in front of her to demonstrate. “They act like a belt. So you choose a hole to put the latch through, then pull it tight.”

With Melody watching, he knelt to put the first cuff around Noah’s ankle.

“Whenever you restrain a pet, whether with cuffs, rope, whatever, make sure it’s tight enough they can’t escape, but not too tight it’ll cut off circulation.” He tightened the strap, then tested it by sliding one finger between it and Noah’s skin. “If you can fit a single finger into the cuff, then it should be fine. Our kitten also has rather sensitive skin-”

“No, I don’t!” Noah whined defensively.

Eli continued without pause. “-So we have to be extra careful we don’t mark him up too badly. These cuffs are great because they have hooks to attach the rope to.” He stood up to grab a coil of rope, then brought it down to thread through the cuff. “You get his other leg and I’ll show you how to tie off the ropes.”

He’d set up directly beside the anchors, so he didn’t have to travel far to tie down the rope. He pulled on it to force Noah’s legs apart further.

The cat boy had stood up and was trying to look over his shoulder at what they were doing. In these huge heels, his legs had a slight wobble to them.

Eli gave him a quick pet on the head as he walked over to join Melody. “Now you just wrap the rope around here,” he explained, narrating his actions. “And tie it like this. All done. Test it out for us, kitten.”

Noah was resting his elbows on the stage, looking annoyed. “I think we both know I can’t.”

Eli nodded. “Now we’re going to cuff his wrists and attach them to each other.”

Noah moved his hands behind his back, making it easier for Melody to slip the cuffs around his wrists. She tested to make sure they weren’t too tight, then moved out of the way so Eli could use a long bit of rope to tie them together. Once Noah’s hands were trapped, Eli threw the ends of the rope of either side of him.

“There’s another anchor over there,” Eli directed. “Tie him done.”

Noah laid himself against the stage, feeling the ropes move on either side as they were brought towards the anchors. When he heard the sound of Melody’s heels returning, he made an attempt to stand up, but the ropes had no yield, keeping him pressed to the stage.

“Looking good,” Eli praised from somewhere behind Noah. “Only one thing left to do.”

Noah glanced over his shoulder, trying to see what Eli was gesturing at.

Melody’s voice made him flinch. “Which one will leave bigger marks?”

Noah took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He’d received corporeal punishment a thousand times before. He’d built up a resistance to it. But that didn’t mean he liked it.

“The paddle is wider, so it leaves more subtle red marks without hurting as much,” Eli explained. “It’s a thumping impact. The cane leaves thinner marks, but it hurts a lot more. The flogger is more of an in between.” He took a few steps back. “Pick whatever one you like. Try them all out. I’ll be right here if you have any questions.”

“Yes, Master.”

Noah swallowed, heavily, waiting in painful anticipation for Melody to pick her poison. When he glanced over his shoulder again, he was just in time to see the end of the cane flashing just behind him.

“Whoa, whoa!” He struggled against the ropes, suddenly terrified. Floggers and paddles and riding crops were easy. But even he couldn’t be brave in front of a cane. “I’m sorry for what I did, but there’s no need to bring a cane out.”

“No more words out of you,” Melody ordered. “Unless they’re numbers. I want you to count each hit for me, since I’m already doing most of the work. We’re going to…twenty. Master is watching so he’ll know if you skip a number.”

“M-Master…?” Noah called pleadingly.

“Right here, kitten,” Eli replied, but didn’t move to stop what was happening. In fact, he was very impressed. Melody was imitating him.

One of the first things he taught new pets was how to take a punishment. Getting them used to different impact toys, being tied down, and what to expect when they were punished. Melody was mimicking exactly what she’d seen him do when she’d had her first corporeal lesson.

“Remember, Melody, you don’t want to cause permanent damage,” Eli said. “You’re just reminding him of his place. Wack a spot only once or you’ll risk breaking the skin.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody replied.

Noah heard the swish of the cane a moment before searing pain smacked him in the ass.

“One!” he yelped out, jolting.

“Louder!” Melody ordered. She brought down another hit, waited for him to count, then moved on to the next. She was going good with not hitting the same place twice.

By the time they were at ten hits, Noah’s legs were wobbling, while his ass and upper thighs were covered in thin red marks. From the whines coming from him, Eli figured he was holding back tears.

Melody seemed to be running out of room. She raised the cane a little higher and Eli quickly lurched forward, grabbing her wrist before she could swing. “Careful!” he warned. “You don’t want to aim too high. You’ll hit his kidneys.”

He gently placed a hand on Noah’s ass, feeling him jolt in pain. “You’re doing great, kitten. Thank you for doing this.”

Noah grunted in reply.

Eli would make sure he got a nice treat for later. For now, he turned back to Melody “Get him to tell you why he’s being punished, that way the lesson will stick. Talk to him, remind him why he’s taking this. Make him beg for it.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody said. She stepped back up to continue. “What did you do wrong, cat?”

She swung again.

“Eleven!” Noah called out. “I-I didn’t watch you dance.”

“What else?”

“Nngh- Twelve! I didn’t listen to Master.”

“Good boy. Are you going to apologize?”

“Yes- Thirteen! Yes! I-I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention you,” Noah rasped. “And I’m sorry for disobeying Master.”

“Good.” Melody was running out of breath, but she swung again and felt a thrill of excitement when Noah called out another number. “I accept your apology.”

Eli was enjoying the show. He could have never gotten Noah to react like this to his punishments. But he knew the cat boy would want to encourage Melody, even if it was at his own expense.

By the time they reached twenty, Melody was out of breath and Noah was in tears. He called out the last number, then collapsed against the stage. His ass and thighs were glowing red.

Melody was able to handle herself, only needing corrected the one time, so Eli had taken out his phone to start taking notes. She was fierce, which he’d have to reign in. He didn’t want her accidentally hurting another pet, or herself.

“Very well done, Melody,” Eli praised. “But there’s one more infraction I forgot to tell you about.”

Melody turned to him curiously.

“This morning, our little kitten decided to wake me up with a blow job,” Eli explained. “But he didn’t even finish it.”

“What?” Noah’s head snapped up. “I offered! You fucking dick-”

“So I think,” Eli said loudly, drowning him out, “he deserves one last punishment. What do you think, Melody? One more lesson?”

Melody’s orange eyes widened. She nodded in agreement. “Yes, Master! I think you’re right. But what should we use now? The flogger?”

“Oh, god, no,” Noah whined.

“I think he’s sore enough,” Eli said, placing a hand on Noah’s bruising ass and letting his fingers caress.

“Stop touching it!” Noah whined. “That hurts!”

Eli pulled away, amused. “I’ve got a better idea. Wait here, Melody. I need to grab something.”

Chapter 25: Mistress Melody

Melody couldn’t look away from the marks all along Noah’s backside. She’d taken care not to hit the exact same spot twice, but a lot of the red lines were cris-crossed, making shapes and figures.

“It doesn’t hurt too badly, does it?” she asked nervously. She hadn’t meant to hurt him so much. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m great,” Noah grumbled. He had his face pressed to the stage, his snowy hair sprawling around him. He was just glad he’d remembered to keep his tail out of the way. “You’re doing great, by the way.”

Melody smiled. “Thanks, Noah.”

Eli returned a few minutes later, but only Melody was able to see what he had brought.

“Melody,” he called, “come over here.”

He presented the toy he’d gone after. He hadn’t used it in training before, only having it in the house because it had come bundled with a few other things.

He held in his hands a strap on dildo, but it was specifically modified with a hole in the back to fit a male’s cock.

“A good fuck after a spanking helps to really drive a point home,” Eli whispered. “What do you say, Melody? I’ll take his mouth while you use his ass.”

Melody was staring down at the strap on, her eyes wide. Slowly, she nodded. “Yes, master!”

“What? What’s happening?” Noah strained against the ropes, trying to sit himself up.

Eli moved around Melody to attach the strap to her waist. He adjusted the dildo in the front, it wasn’t huge, but definitely more sizable than Melody’s real cock, which was locked away in her own chastity cage. He’d also taken a moment to cover it in a generous heaping of lube before returning.

“He’s so impatient, isn’t he?” Eli teased.

Melody was looking down at the length of her new cock. She put a hand on it, rubbing up and down the shaft. “A good hard fucking will remind that marked ass of its place.”

“Oh, god,” Noah groaned. “You owe me so much for this. I want an orgasm, and cuddles in bed, and at least three minutes to complain.”

He heard footsteps nearing him. Then Eli climbed onto the stage in front of him, his shorts already gone. “Yeah, yeah. Just do your job.”

Noah felt excited fingers digging into his hips, then something thick prod at his hole.

“Get a ring gag,” he hissed to Eli. He was doing this for Melody. “Trust me, I don’t do well being fucked from both ends.”

Eli gave him a skeptical look, then understanding dawned on him. He’d never much cared for sharp fangs, so he reached over to grab a ring gag from the pile.

“I think a ring gag will be a big help, don’t you, Melody?” he called. “Really show him his place.” He wanted to get the idea into Melody’s head that she was the one in control, that this was what she wanted, not what Eli was commanding or Noah was suggesting.

Melody nodded in agreement. “Right. So he can’t force you out like a bad pet.”

She relished in the hiss of pain that came from Noah when she grabbed his ass, spreading it to reveal his hole. She’d moved the strap of his thong out of the way.

Eli held out the ring gag, waiting for Noah to accept it, but he flinched back.

“Please be gentle,” he whispered. “She can do what she wants back there, but you know I don’t do well with throat fucks.”

Eli put a hand between Noah’s ear, petting him gently to show he understood. He wouldn’t be doing this if he didn’t think Noah could handle it.

Once Noah opened his mouth, Eli shoved the gag between his teeth, then buckled it behind his head. Then, he knelt down and lined up his cock.

“Alright, Melody, start whenever your ready,” he directed. “I’ll follow your lead and adjust to your pace.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody agreed.

Her grip on Noah’s hips tightened, and she moved the dildo forward. The lube helped tremendously, and she slid inside him without much resistant. In front of him, Noah moaned as he was filled.

Eli put both hands on the back of Noah’s head, softly stroking his head. Matching Melody, he pressed his cock through the ring and down Noah’s throat. He was only half way down when Noah gagged.

Eli stopped, then realized Noah was lurching forward as Melody began to fuck into him.

“Not too rough today,” Eli warned. “We don’t want to overwhelm him. Smooth, deep thrusts.”

“Yes, Master!”

Noah glanced at Eli gratefully, feeling Melody’s rhythm begin to settle into a slower pace. But she went deep, only beginning to pull out after her hips touched Noah’s ass. He winced, the marks all across his skin still sore.

“Master,” Melody said, her voice wistful, “May I touch the bruises? They’re so…pretty.”

Noah moaned around Eli’s cock.

Eli shoved himself a little further. “Go ahead, Melody. Be aware of how big the welts are, and the color of the bruises. Right now he’ll be very tender, which is to be expected.”

“Mmf!” Noah protested, feeling Melody’s fingers run along the red welts. While she admired her handy work, she continued lazily fucking into his ass.

Noah choked when Eli began moving further into his throat, matching Melody’s pace.

“Don’t they look nice?” Eli asked. With Melody semi distracted, he started going a little harder. Noah’s mouth was at the perfect height with Eli kneeling in front of him, his pet’s face between his thighs. “He’ll remember this lesson for a while.”

Noah cried out, feeling Melody grip his ass. “Yes,” she agreed. “I almost hope he causes more trouble so we can punish him again.”

“Mmf!” Noah complained.

“He’s a handful, that’s for sure,” Eli said. “He’s still trying to talk. Shush, kitten.” He was having way too much fun with this. It was nice being able to tease Noah while he couldn’t talk back.

He knew Noah would only put up with this for so much longer. Bravely, Eli pressed further into his mouth, feeling Noah began to struggle. But he didn’t stop until Noah’s nose was pressed to his groin. He felt Noah’s throat tighten around him, gagging. Eli held his cock there for a few seconds, then began lazily fucking into Noah’s mouth.

Noah pulled desperately against the restraints. Not really out of protest, but more out of instinct. He closed his eyes, trying to relax his throat, but Eli didn’t give him room to breathe.

Melody was also picking up her pace. Her fingers dug into Noah’s hips, wanting to see bruises there later. Although she couldn't feel what the dildo felt, she was still enjoying being in control of another pet. Being able to see the marks she'd put on Noah's skin.

“Good, Melody,” Eli praised. “Squeeze him. Make him moan.”

Melody's pace picked up.

Noah convulsed again, starting to tire. He could hardly breath. No one had been able to fuck his throat like this in a long time. And the last guy who’d try hadn’t been warned to use a ring gag first.

Melody kept one hand on Noah’s hips, while the other ran over the welts along his ass. She squeezed him, then raised her hand and brought it down on his ass to watch it turn red. Beneath her, Noah let out a choked cry.

“He’s never quiet, is he?” Melody teased.

Eli’s fists tightened in Noah’s hair, pushing as deep as he could and feeling the cat boy choke around him. “No, he’s not,” Eli grunted, rolling his hips forward. “He never shuts up. That’s why we have to teach him to be quiet.”

He was getting close. His hips snapped forward, holding up Noah’s head and feeling his cat boy gagging around him.

Eli closed his eyes, grunting with effort. He shoved his cock all the way down Noah’s throat and was finally able to release what he’d been holding in all morning. He felt Noah convulse once more, cum filling his throat.

Eli thrusted one last time, riding through his orgasm. When he was done, he released Noah’s hair and felt him go limp.

Melody gently patted his back. “Good boy.”

Eli pulled his cock from Noah’s mouth and the cat boy immediately dropped his head, groaning. He gently pet his hair, seeing cum trickle from the corner of Noah’s mouth. But he wouldn’t correct it, knowing he’d been put through a lot.

And it wasn’t even noon.

He stood up, leaving Noah to rest for a second. “You can pull out, Melody. I think he’s had enough.”

Melody’s hips slowed to a stop. Then, she pulled the dildo from Noah’s ass, hearing him whimper.

Melody was beaming. “This was so fun, Master!”

Eli nodded. “It can be a fun job. But now is the most important part of a punishment- aftercare. We need to make sure our kitten is okay. Make sure he’s not hurt or injured.”

He reached around Melody to unclip the strap on from around her hips, then let it drop to the floor.

“Before we untie a pet, we make sure they’re not in a compromising situation,” Eli explained. “Every pet is different, but Noah tends to get sleepy after a session. So when you untie him, make sure his weight is supported and he’s not going to fall.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody agreed.

Eli supervised while she untied Noah, starting at his ankles. Then, she stood behind him to undo the cuffs on his wrists, leaning on him to keep him up right.

With a nod of approval, Eli grabbed Noah’s legs to get him laying on the stage. He groaned in protest, not wanting to move.

“You’re fine, kitten,” Eli soothed. He voice was sterner when talking to Melody. “Now, we do a check up. Make sure everything’s where it’s supposed to be. First, heartbeat. They’re easy to feel.” He took Melody’s hand and placed it over Noah’s chest. Feeling it himself, he found all things in order. “Slow and regular. That’s a good sign. Sometimes, after a session, it’ll be a little elevated. So long as it doesn’t seem irregular, and the pet is breathing smoothly, everything’s okay.”

Melody nodded.

“Since we were using his mouth, we also make sure nothing’s stuck in his throat,” Eli continued.

He used one finger to turn Noah’s head, not surprised when the cat boy tried to bat him away. With the ring gag still in place, he was easily able to peer down Noah’s throat and make sure there wasn’t cum obstructing his breathing.

“He didn’t swallow,” Eli reported, “but it looks like most was spat back up. Now, usually, you always want a pet to swallow what you gave them. But we gave him a harsh punishment today, so we’ll let it slide.”

Melody was watching Noah closely. “He’s really out of it.”

Eli nodded, sitting on the edge of the stage and gently petting Noah’s hair. “That’s just how he is. For any pet, you want to sit with them for a bit and wait for them to come around. I’ll have to let you play with Dawn at some point so you can see how different pets recover. With Noah, we don’t want to leave him alone. But since Dawn takes longer and doesn’t move much while she’s out of it, we can let her be.”

Melody nodded in understanding, watching Noah closely. She’d never seen him so still before. “Are you sure he’s okay?”

Eli nodded. “As I said, all pets are different. Noah prefers a quick nap after a session. But he doesn’t like being left alone.”

“Why?” Melody asked.

Eli hesitated. Noah’s past traumas weren’t her business. But he didn’t want to brush off her question.

“It’s just his preference,” Eli answered. “Now, let’s talk about you. That was a great show, Melody. You did exactly as I said and were able to take the reigns with ease.”

Melody brightened. “Yeah…Yeah, I did do well, didn’t I? Thanks, Master.”

Between them, Noah groaned as he slowly came back around. He rolled onto his side, coughing.

Melody took notice immediately. “We should give him water,” she suggested. “To clear his throat.”

Eli nodded, already thinking the same thing. “There’s a sink on the wall. Grab a glass for him.”

While Melody fetched water, Eli swung his legs onto the stage, dragging Noah towards him. “Take your time, kitten. You’re safe.”

Noah’s shuddered. “N-next…Next time you let another pet beat me, please warn me in advance,” he growled, not happy about this arrangement.

By the time Melody returned, he was able to sit himself up. She handed him the glass and he took it gratefully.

“Thanks…mistress.”

He couldn’t be mad anymore when he saw the delight on Melody’s face.

“Mistress Melody,” Eli said, trying the name out. “Has a nice ring to it, right?”

Melody grinned happily. Eli couldn’t be prouder. It seemed the owl girl had finally found her place in this lifestyle.

Chapter 26: Back To Basics

“Please tell me Dawn’s training will be easier,” Noah whined as soon as the door to Melody’s room was shut again.

Eli laughed. “Actually, she’s learning to box and needs a sparring partner.”

Noah frowned. “Don’t kick me while I’m down,” he complained, but he could recognize that Eli was just joking. “What’s with the sudden shift in training? You’re making Melody into a power pet?”

“Definitely thinking about it,” Eli replied. “It’s not my specifically, but there’s a niche market for pets like her. Not all owners like leading in the bedroom. Of course, this does mean her training will have to be extended. Learning to dominant is a lot harder than just following orders.”

“I thought power pets were rented out,” Noah said. “They’re not usually owned individually.”

“True,” Eli said. “I think I’ll advertise her at the contest this year. See if anyone’s interested.”

He began to walk and Noah followed, but quickly fell behind. He felt sore all over. “Please tell me this isn’t going to be a daily thing.”

Eli slowed to let Noah catch up. “Today was a test. I wanted to give her the reigns and see what she’d do with it. Now I know what she’s capable of, I can reel it back and start polishing.”

Noah was looking over his shoulder at the red marks crisscrossing his backside. “Can’t I get some different clothes? I don’t want Dawn seeing this.”

“Let her,” Eli replied. “He’ll think they’re cool.”

Noah huffed, amused. “He’ll probably be jealous.”

Eli chuckled. “Impressed? Yes. But jealous? No. Dawn can take a beating, but she does not like the cane. The first time I did impact training with him, he begged me to use the cane, wanting to act all big and tough. But one stroke and she was crying for an hour.”

“Poor thing,” Noah cooed, but couldn’t help being amused. He could remember feeling the same way as a pet in training, thinking he could handle anything. He hadn’t much liked his first meeting with a cane either. “They never look so scary until you actually get hit with one.”

“I told him that,” Eli agreed. “I said we should start with the flogger but she insisted. He learned a very valuable lesson about limits that day.”

“Every pet learns something the hard way at least once,” Noah said. “Some of us more than once. Some of us never learn our lessons.”

Eli nudged him playfully. “I’m very aware, cat. But I’ve never met a pet I couldn’t perfectly train. Want to talk about your biting habits?”

Noah rolled his eyes. “It’s just instinct. Some things can’t be trained out.”

“True. Things like personalities and simple quirks can’t be trained out. But an instinct to bite can,” Eli replied.

“Maybe it’s just a quirk,” Noah said. “I think you’d enjoy keeping it. You like having a challenge.”

Eli barked a laugh. “I asked for a challenge, but I didn’t realize how much I wouldn’t like it.”

“Don’t lie,” Noah teased. “You like having me here.”

Eli glanced toward him fondly, making Noah’s heart flutter. “I keep you here because I know you wouldn’t make it out there.”

Noah saw right through it. “I can make it anywhere. I’m very resourceful.”

“I bet,” Eli replied. “That’s why you’ve been captured and dumped at the shelter…how many times now?”

“You’re owner number one hundred and eighty seven,” Noah replied matter of factly. “My escape attempts must be in the thousands by now. But successful escape attempts- as in escaping from the house- are at one hundred and two.”

“Nearly one hundred and three,” Eli remarked. “In the ten years I’ve been doing this, only one pet ever got out of here. But I caught up before he could reach the gate. You were almost number two.”

“I can still be number two if you’d like,” Noah replied cheekily, his tail flicking. “You could use a good run.”

Eli laughed. “Already itching for another punishable offense so soon after getting your ass beat? Are you sure you’re not a masochist?”

“Don’t even start.”

But Eli was already getting ideas. “We could make it a challenge for Melody. Teach her how to deal with untamed pets. I’ll let you loose in the yard and see if Melody can track you down and drag you back.”

“So long as you’re not giving her another cane.”

“She definitely likes that thing,” Eli said, beginning to ponder. “But I’ll make sure she gets diverse training. Maybe next time we’ll try a whip.”

Noah’s tail bristled. “No. No whips. My tail always gets tangled in them.”

“Fair point,” Eli replied. “We’ll just have to train you how to keep it still.”

Noah sighed. But he couldn’t argue further, now that they were standing outside Dawn’s room. Eli was standing up taller, straightening out his shirt to look more presentable.

Noah was strangely endeared by the action. It made him realize how much more…loose Eli was while around him. He must be the only pet who’d ever seen Eli at less than his best.

Eli opened the door and walked inside. “Good morning, Dawn. Time for training.”

Dawn must have gone back to sleep after eating. Her ears perked up from within her den. She climbed out of her bed and jumped up. “Hello, Master! Hello, Noah. I’m ready!”

“Today we’re doing a brush up on standard procedures…” Eli glanced toward Noah. “For both of you. Positions, protocol, and practices. You know the drill, Dawn.”

He unlocked the front of the cage and moved so Dawn could step out. Her ears were up, but Noah could see the disappointment in her eyes.

“I’ll do my best, Master,” he said, walking over to join Noah’s side. The cat boy blushed when she did a double take, noticing the bruises along his backside.

“Wait…both of us?” Noah questioned. “I’m doing this, too?”

“You could use a reminder of the basics,” Eli said. “Unless you want those bruises to become a more permanent decoration.”

Noah curled his tail. “Okay, okay. Back to the basics.”

Eli nodded curtly. “Dawn, show Noah to the classroom. I’ll meet you there in a bit.”

“Yes, Master,” the pets answered in unison. Noah was the one to lead the way out of the den room. He began down the hallway, still struggling to walk in these damn heels. He could feel Dawn’s eyes on his back, staring at the marks.

He sighed heavily. “Talking back, wandering off, and getting distracted,” he explained. He left out that these had been caused by another pet, unsure how much Eli shared the business of pets with other pets. “It hurt like hell but I’ve had worse. No big deal.”

“Wow. They look painful,” Dawn said with a shudder. “That’s the exact reason you have to behave for Master.”

Noah laughed. “I’m working on it. I wish I was as good at obeying as you are. You’re amazing at like…everything!”

Dawn beamed, enjoying the praise. “It’s easy! I don’t like to upset Master.”

“No pet does,” Noah replied. “Master’s good at his job. I would know.”

“You do?” Dawn asked.

Noah glanced at him. “To tell you the truth, Master wasn’t my first…master. I’ve been bouncing around since I was put on the market.” Dawn didn’t need to know the reason why. “If I had just shut my mouth and played good boy, I would have settled a long time ago. But I’m glad I fought. Because now I’m here.”

He remained silent for a moment, wondering how much he should tell Dawn. He didn’t want to scare her. But maybe it was a warning she needed.

“I’ve been in some really bad situations,” he finally murmured. “If a few welts on my back keeps me here, maybe it’s for the best.”

Dawn smiled. “I’m glad you’re here, too. Being here is the best thing that ever happened to me! Master is so kind.”

“Yeah,” Noah agreed.

They walked in silence for a few moments. Then, Dawn took a deep breath.

“I came from a bad situation, too,” he admitted. “The place I was born in…Master called it a mill. It’s a place where they mass produce pets. My mom was forced to have me, and I was separated from her as a baby. I grew up with a bunch of other bunnies in this really small barn. We weren’t cared for like I am here. Food didn’t come on a schedule and beatings weren’t just for discipline.”

Dawn’s blue eyes were downcast, reliving older, less pleasant memories.

“But then they got caught. Master says the business was illegal, and had to be shut down. And all the bunnies were sold to proper trainers.” He brightened up a bit. “So now I’m here! And I couldn’t be happier!”

Noah stared at him for a long moment. He knew the type of place Dawn was talking about. He’d seen pets from mills end up the shelter. Noah used to hear them sobbing during the night, woken by night terrors. Or growling whenever someone got too close. He always felt an attachment to them, understanding their situation better than most others could.

“We’re both here,” he said. “We survived.”

Dawn nodded. “We survived.”

Dawn led the way down the stairs, but turned to go in the opposite direction of the kitchen. Noah’s tail bristled, recognizing the path to the dungeons. But then Dawn veered down a different hallway. At the end was a single door, colored black.

When Dawn opened it, they found a small room that looked way more like a classroom that Noah was expecting. It housed five chairs, with desks attached at the front. On the opposite wall was a black board and a longer desk with a few stacks of paper on it.

“My breeder had a room like this,” Noah remarked, looking around.

Dawn took a seat near the front of the classroom. “So you’re already used to classroom learning?” he asked. “I’m still no good at it. Master says I have an issue with my attention span. So he gave me this!”

She reached beneath he desk and pulled out a small orange ball.

“Master says that whenever I need to pay attention, I can just fiddle with this so my hands have something to do. It’s filled with flour.” She stretched the rubber ball, then squeezed it with his hands. It moved almost like clay.

“Inventive,” Noah commented. He’d never heard Eli mention a classroom before this, but he supposed it made sense. His trainer had used one. “Does Master use this place often?”

“He did when I first got here,” Dawn explained, playing with her ball on the desk. “Before training, he’d take me down here for a quick terminology lesson. Then we’d use the terminology! Master’s a really good teacher. But I only have to come down here once or twice a month for brush ups.” Her ears drooped a bit. “Master says I need brush ups more often than other pets, because I have a hard time focusing and I don’t remember stuff so well.”

“Nothing wrong with that.” Noah sat down in the desk beside Dawn, then winced. He folded one leg beneath himself to keep pressure off the cane marks. “You did a great job focusing the other day.”

“I…I did do great, didn’t I? And Master gave me the best reward,” Dawn said with a happy sigh. “I can still remember how you purred for me. It felt so good! You’re so talented, Noah.”

Noah blushed, his ears flicking back. His sexual prowess wasn’t something he’d been praised for often. “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he replied, unsure how to take the compliment.

“I wish I could sit still long enough to do something like that,” Dawn continued. “You give amazing blowjobs.”

“I-it’s really just the purring I’m good at,” Noah replied. “I still have my gag reflex. You must be way better than me.”

“Oh, I’m great at deepthroating!” Dawn boasted. “Master trained out my reflex within a few days of me being here. But he said deepthroating isn’t all it takes to give a good blowjob. There’s also technique.” His ears drooped. “I’m not so good at being creative. Master gives me orders and I follow them, but I can’t go off and add my own spice to it like you do.”

“I’m sure you’ll get there one day,” Noah assured him.

“I hope so!” Dawn agreed. “Master never lets us touch him, but I’ve always dreamed of giving him a blowjob. And really showing him all I’ve learned.”

Noah nodded along, but his ear flicked with interest. So Eli really didn’t touch the pets he trained? Even for blowjobs?

He felt a strange pang in his heart. It wasn’t painful. But…could it be endearment? Possessiveness? He was the only one in this house Eli was sleeping with. He was the favorite.

That was something new.

The door to the classroom creaked open. “Hello, pets. Ready for today's lesson?”

Eli entered, looking chirper.

“Yes, Master!” Dawn said cheerfully and Noah murmured the same phrase, leaning one elbow on the desk. This all felt childish to him. He could remember being in a setting similar to this, but not since he’d been small. His youngest years had been focused on learning the most basic of skills- reading, writing, how to speak, how to follow orders…

It almost felt inappropriate to be doing pleasure training in a place that reminded him of being a child. But he supposed he did have a different job now.

Eli walked between the pets, his hands neatly folded behind his back. He stopped in front of the blackboard and turned to them.

“Alright, today we’re going over positions and poses,” he began. “Dawn, come here.”

Dawn bounced out of his seat and scampered to the front of the class.

“I’m going to say the name of a pose, and I want you to assume it,” Eli explained. “First- Sit.”

Dawn dropped to the ground, her legs folded beneath herself and her hands on her lap.

Noah watched with interest. He’d also been taught poses and positions, even the sexual ones. But the way Eli taught sitting seemed to be different from his own.

“Good girl,” Eli praised. “Now beg.”

Dawn lowered her upper body to the ground and stretched out her arms, laying her hands flat on the floor with her head down.

“Good. Present.”

Dawn leapt to his feet. He spread his legs apart and kept his eyes up, then put his hands behind his back. He was fully on display.

“Inspection.”

Dawn dropped her gaze and put her hands behind her head.

“And rest.”

The bunny dropped back to the ground, kneeling. But this time his eyes were down and his arms were behind his back. She’d carried out each pose instantly.

“Last one,” Eli said. “Roll.”

Dawn hesitated a moment, having to think. Then, she dropped to her stomach and rolled onto his back. He folded his arms and let his hands go limp, revealing his belly like a dog.

“Good boy,” Eli said. “Alright, Noah, you’re up.”

The cat boy stood up with a nervous lash of his tail. It had been so long since he’d bothered to remember poses.

Dawn traded places with him, sending him an encouraging smile as she passed. Noah tried to return it, knowing he was about to humiliate himself.

“We’ll start with an easy one,” Eli said. “Attention.”

Noah stood frozen for a few seconds, raking his brain. He didn’t think he’d ever heard that before. He’d have to rely on context clues.

He stood up straight and put his arms at his sides, legs together and eyes straight. To his relief, he saw Eli nodding from the corner of his eye.

“Good. Crouch,” his owner ordered.

Noah completely blanked. Back at her seat, Dawn met his eye. The bunny gestured like she was about to put her hands behind her head, spreading her knees apart beneath the table.

Noah dropped to his knees and spread his legs, then put his hands behind his head.

“Dawn, this isn’t an open note test,” Eli chided.

Dawn dropped her gaze. “Sorry, Master.”

“Let’s do a harder one,” Eli said, pondering for a second. “Noah, stool.”

Noah dropped his arms, glancing up at Eli with clear confusion. “Uh…pardon?”

“Some trainers call it table.”

“Oh. Oh…” Table was how he’d been taught. But it was one of his least favorite positions. He turned sideways and got on his hands and knees, keeping his head down and his back straight.

“Good boy. Back straight, head down. Well done. Now- wall.”

Noah picked himself up, positive he’d never heard that before. Still wanting to give it a try, he spread his legs apart and put his arms out at either side of himself, getting into a spread eagle position against a fake wall.

“Good guess, but not quite,” Eli said. “Dawn, come show him.”

Eagerly, Dawn stood up from his desk. He walked all the way to the blackboard and placed his hands on it, his arms outstretched. Then, she backed her ass up and spread her legs.

“I don’t think i was taught that one,” Noah remarked.

“I see that,” Eli said. “Let’s do one more. Noah, cock.”

“Okay, I’m not even attempting that.” Noah was sure he was being messed with that this point.

But Eli seemed surprised he didn’t know the command. “Dawn, show him.”

Dawn turned around and dropped to his knees. He placed his hands behind his back and puffed her chest out. Then, she closed her eyes and opened her mouth, letting her tongue hang out.

“Ohhh.” It clicked for Noah immediately. “Open. We called it open.”

“Really? Haven’t heard that name in a while,” Eli said. “Your breeder must have been old school. Now, you both did well. Dawn, you’ve got a perfect score. Noah, remind me to go over this with you again.”

“No.”

“Back to your seats,” Eli ordered, ignoring Noah’s blatant protest. “Let’s go over general rules. God knows you need it.” He murmured the last part to Noah, who glared at him.

Dawn sat down in her seat with her hands folded on the desk. Noah put one leg beneath himself, sitting a bit more awkwardly.

They had to wait for Eli to get behind his own desk, grabbing one of the piece of papers and a pen. He wrote a few things down first, then began.

“Noah, first question is for you,” Eli said. “How should you address your superiors?”

The cat boy was caught off guard. “Um…sir or ma’am,” he answered confidently.

“Good. And what action do you take?”

“Um…” Noah stuttered, drawing a blank.

“Dawn?” Eli prompted.

“You bow,” Dawn answered immediately.

“Good boy.” Eli jotted down a few notes. Noah’s ears were pinned to the back of his head. He’d completely forgotten anything to do with formality. He hadn’t used it in years. “Now, imagine your owner takes you for a walk. Where do you stand relative to them?”

Dawn had to think for a few moments. Then, his ears shot up with excitement. “Oh! On their right side, one pace behind them.”

“Correct,” Eli said. “Noah, your owner sits down. Where do you sit relative to them?”

He was giving harder questions to Noah on purpose, wanting to challenge him. He needed to get these back into Noah’s memory.

The cat boy stared at him for a long moment. “Position…sit,” he answered. “And beside their legs?”

“Which side?” Eli prompted.

He had a fifty fifty shot. “Left.”

“Nope. On the right,” Eli corrected, writing down another note. “Dawn, why do you sit on their right?”

Dawn looked puzzled for a moment. “Because…because that’s the owner’s dominant hand! So we stay on their right side because it’s easier to see the command.”

Eli nodded, but Noah didn’t seem satisfied with that answer.

“What if an owner is left handed?” he asked. “I’ve had owners who are left handed. Wouldn’t the rule change for them.”

Eli smiled, impressed. Sometimes, Noah’s critical attitude was an asset. “That’s right, Noah. The standard is to sit on their right side, as the majority of people are right handed. But a pet should know their owner well enough to switch sides if the situation calls for it. Good thinking.”

Noah adjusted himself in his seat, basking in the praise.

“I think that’s enough for today,” Eli decided. “Before one of you-” he glanced purposefully at Noah “-gets an information overload. We’ll do this again soon. But, I want to do one last activity before calling it a day.”

Noah groaned at the same time Dawn clapped, excited.

Eli stood up. “A very important lesson for pets is when to talk and when to stay quiet.”

Noah rolled his eyes.

“So we’re going to play a game. Both of you, up here.”

Dawn bounced up to the front of the classroom. Noah followed more slowly.

“I’m going to tease you,” Eli said. “The first one to make a noise loses. And has to stay behind for an extra lesson. Whoever wins will get a treat later.”

The pets exchanged a glance, both nervous. Noah didn’t like sitting still for long. And he often had a hard time holding his tongue. But against Dawn, he had a chance of winning.

Meanwhile, Dawn felt screwed. She couldn’t resist her squeaks and fidgets! And Noah was much more experienced than him. She was sure to lose.

“Yes, Master.” Dawn tried to keep the cheerfulness in his voice.

Seeing Dawn in agreement, Noah supposed he’d have to play along. ‘Yes, Master.”

Eli nodded. “Face each other,” he ordered. “Hands on each other’s waists. I want you to look at each other the whole time. Look away, and you lose.”

Dawn’s eyes had fallen to the floor awkwardly. Noah wasn’t fond of this either. Neither of them were great at holding eye contact for long.

Wanting to encourage the bunny boy, Noah initiated first contact, facing his partner and laying his hands on her waist.

Dawn slowly raised her eyes to meet Noah’s, looking nervous. She glanced her hands on his hips. He wanted to do well for Master, but he was sure he’d lose.

“Ready?” Eli took a few steps back, leaning on the desk. “No sounds, no moving, don’t look away.”

Noah opened his mouth to reply, then froze, sensing the trick. He shut it quickly. In front of him, Dawn hadn’t gotten much farther, letting out a breath and catching on only after Noah stopped.

Eli was already impressed. He stood up off the desk and began to circle the two pets. He was going to be especially hard on Noah. This lesson was mostly for him.

He saw Noah’s jaw tighten as he tried to keep his eyes forward. Eli knew the cat boy would want to track his movement. He noticed the end of Noah’s tail bristling, but didn’t say anything, not wanting to be overly cruel. He had the impression Noah couldn’t entirely control it.

He took a couple laps around the pets, wanting to see if he’d even need to act before they broke. But he was impressed when both remained still.

Noah’s turn first.

He stopped behind Noah, seeing the lean muscles on his back tense. Eli brought one hand forward and, very gently, ran his hand over the cat boy’s ass, feeling the welts that had been left there.

Noah took in a sharp breath, his hands tightening around Dawn’s waist. But he forced himself not to whimper.

Or turn around and deck Eli in the face.

He exhaled, forcing himself to relax.

Eli was pleased. He moved on, doing a couple more circles, before ending at Dawn. He passed behind her and stroked one hand along the base of her spine, just above her tail.

Dawn gritted his teeth, squeezing Noah’s waist. But then Eli’s hand wandered further down to her ass.

She nearly yelped when she felt fingers digging into her ass.

Noah urged him to stay upright. He wanted Dawn to win this. And if she didn’t, he at least didn’t want to win unfairly. But at the same time, he was afraid of receiving more punishment. Or letting Eli down.

Eli went straight back to Noah. His hand started on the back of Noah’s thigh, but hardly brushed the marks before ending on his ass. Teasing him, he slipped one finger under the thong and brushed his hole.

He felt Noah tense, keeping down a moan. He hated how easy it was for Eli to get to him. Usually, he denied his owners any ounce of sound, knowing his reactions were where they derived the most pleasure. But for Eli, he didn’t want to keep it down.

Dawn received the same treatment and gave the same reaction.

Eli was honestly surprised. Both of them seemed keen to win. He supposed he could understand why. Dawn was eager to please, while Noah wouldn’t want to lose and bruise his ego.

Eli circled around back to Noah. He’d try a different approach this time. He got up directly behind the cat boy, until he was sure he’d be able to feel him against his back.

Noah tensed, expecting pain. He was sure Eli was getting impatient. He fully expected more fingers against his marks, or a slap.

But then, he felt gentle fingers comb their way from the back of his head up to his scalp. His ears dropped, a purr erupting in the bottom of his throat.

He immediately seized up.

“Did I hear a sound?” Eli wondered aloud. He ran his hand down the back of Noah’s neck and settled it on his shoulder. He leaned a little closer. “Could have sworn I heard something.”

Noah swallowed heavily, stuffing down the instinct to turn towards Eli when he got so close.

He couldn’t believe he’d gotten away with that.

Eli let go of Noah and gave the same treatment to Dawn, massaging up her back and running his fingers through her blonde hair.

Her legs wobbled dangerously, relishing in the touch. But she kept herself upright and only let out a tiny, muffled squeak.

Noah was getting the game. If Eli couldn’t make them whine, he’d make them moan. He clenched his jaw tightly, determined not to get caught making another sound.

Eli passed behind Noah again. This time, he combined most sensations. Laying a hand over the welts while his other hand stroked Noah’s hand.

“Nngh…” The mixed pain and pleasure was too much, and Noah couldn’t help letting out a tiny whimper.

Enough was enough.

“Fuck it,” he murmured, letting go of Dawn’s waist and taking a step back. He’d already made a sound earlier. If he got away with another, he’d feel like he was cheating.

“There it is,” Eli said. “Dawn wins!”

Dawn stared, slack jawed and in awe. “I..I won?” His tail twitched with delight. “I won!”

“Congratulations.” Noah supposed another punishment was worth Dawn’s happiness. “You did great.”

“I did it!” Dawn squeaked happily. “I can’t believe I did it!”

“You’ll get a special treat tonight,” Eli told her. “For now, back your room. Noah needs an extra lesson.”

Chapter 27: The Gothic Princess

Noah followed behind Eli, away from Dawn’s den. Already putting what he’d learned to use, he stayed on Eli’s right side, just behind him.

“This lesson…” he said aloud, “it doesn’t involve another cane, does it?”

“The lesson…is fake,” Eli said. “Because you let Dawn win.”

Noah stared at him, confused.

Eli was prouder than he could say. “You knew Dawn needed the confidence boost, so you threw on purpose. That was very kind of you, Noah. So you’re off the hook.”

Noah blushed. Eli wasn’t entirely wrong. “I really did make a sound when you thought I did. I just didn’t want to cheat.”

“I knew I’d heard something!” Eli said, amused. “But it was so faint I wasn’t sure. We’ll work on your self control at some point. Either way, Dawn’s happy. And I’m happy with your performance today.”

He stopped for a moment, letting Noah stand at his side. His eyes held fondness.

“You did very well with the other pets today,” he praised. “You took on Melody bravely and you gave Dawn a win she could really use. I’m proud of you.”

Noah’s throat tightened with an emotion he didn’t want to unpack. He just nodded worriedly.

Eli raised a hand to place on top of Noah’s head. The cat boy bent slightly and purred when fingers rubbed his scalp.

“We’re free for the afternoon,” Eli said. “Let’s lay you down on the living room floor and treat those wounds. They look painful.” He started down the hallway again. “Especially this one.”

Noah yelped when Eli’s hand fell down his back and pinched his ass.

“Stop it!” Noah slapped his hand away. “You have no idea how close I was to punching you earlier.”

“I’d bet you’d love to,” Eli teased. “I can imagine you’ve clawed up some poor owners in the past.”

Noah barked a laugh. “You don’t know the half of it. How’s that bite treating you?”

Eli raised his arm to take a look. “Still bruised, but it doesn’t hurt anymore. Not the worst injury a pets given me.”

“Really?” Noah grinned cheekily. “What’s the worst? I bet I can top it.”

Eli chuckled. “Okay. Uh…I’m sure you’ve noticed that scar on my shoulder.”

Noah nodded.

“It was from a dragon girl I was training,” Eli explained. “Unruly thing. I made the mistake of turning my back on her.” He shook his head, flexing his left shoulder like it still hurt. “She got me good. Second degree burns all up my back. Still gives me issues.”

Noah winced. “I can’t do much with fire unless you give me a stove, and not even the dumbest of owners are dumb enough to do that. Um…Oh, god, I’ve done so much. Worst bodily harm will have to go to the one guy I dropped a golf cart on.”

Eli completely froze where he stood. Noah walked a few paces ahead, then seemed to realize his owner was in a state of shock.

“You…what? How?”

Noah bit his lip trying not to smile. “Guy was a huge golf fan. Entire garage just dedicated to the stuff. He had those like…lifts.” He laid his hand palm down, then slowly raised it. “Like shelves. That you put cars on.”

“A loft.”

“Yeah!” Noah agreed. “He a few golf carts, and one of them was off the floor on a loft. I got out of the dungeon and he chased me in there. While he was looking for me, I chewed through a cable that was holding one of the loft in place and the cart fell on top of him.”

Eli’s entire body suddenly felt sore. “You chewed through a cable…? Like…Like a metal cable?”

“No, it was a rope,” Noah said. “Honestly, I don’t think that place was up to code.”

“No kidding. Jesus fucking lord,” Eli cursed. “I’d take burns over crushed by a golf cart any day. Did he at least do something to deserve that?”

“Uh…” Noah had to think for a moment. Then just shrugged.

Eli sighed heavily. “You know, it’s a miracle authorities haven’t put you in a federal prison.”

“Rare colors clause, bitch,” Noah said snidely. “I’m immune to the law.”

“You’re not immune to the law. Your immune to being permanently gagged and bound.”

“Same thing,” Noah said. He waited for Eli to catch back up. “Don’t worry, I won’t drop anything on you. Or bite you again. Maybe.”

Eli reached up to rub his shoulder. It still stung from a few nights ago. “So long as you’re biting the right area, I don’t mind. And thank you for warning me to use a ring gag earlier.” He placed a hand on Noah’s head, petting him gently. “You’re a good boy when you want to be.”

Noah beamed. “I’m a good boy for good owners. You have been good today, but is it enough to warrant the good boy treatment?”

Eli bit the inside of his lip. “I should hope so. Two successful training sessions, plus you got a reminder of protocols. Everyone’s happy and healthy.”

Noah thought for a moment. “Melody’s happy, Dawn’s very happy. I’m happy I don’t have to do anymore training today. Alright. But no deep throating and mind the marks.”

Eli let his hand stray to Noah’s shoulder, pulling him closer. “Sounds like a plan.”

Descending the stairs, Eli went straight to the living room. “Wait here,” he ordered. “I’ll get an ice pack.” He grinned. “Then you can show me how good you are at cock warming.”

“Ye-” Noah hesitated, surprised by the order. “Yes, Master,” he agreed. Eli nodded, then exited the living room.

Noah stared after him for a moment. If any other owner had ordered him to cock warm, then left him all alone, he’d be going right out the door. But Eli was getting something to help his pain. He was so gentle and kind.

So genuine.

“Alright, kitten.” Eli’s voice sounded before he appeared. When he entered the living room, he held a plastic bag that had been filled with ice and wrapped in a towel. “This will probably hurt at first. But it’ll feel better after a moment.”

“I know how ice packs feel,” Noah hissed.

Eli sat down on one of the end couch, then patted the spot beside him. Noah laid down on his stomach with his head against Eli’s lap. A moment later, he tensed, feeling something cold but soft against the stinging marks. He sighed heavily, feeling soothed.

Once the ice pack was in place, Eli gently slipped his hand to Noah’s back, gently rubbing up and down. “You’re so soft,” he murmured.

“I’m not soft,” Noah shot back. “I’m hardened and grizzled.”

Eli laughed. “You’ll never convince anyone you’re not a masochist.”

“I am not a masochist,” Noah growled.

“You had me fooled. You get into trouble so often, anyone would think you want spanked.

“Stop it.”

“And you’re very easy to tease.”

Noah glared up at him. “You’re talking a lot for someone within dick biting range.”

“Speaking of,” Eli mentioned, “let’s see your cock warming skills.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “If I’m a masochist, you’re a sex maniac.”

“So you admit to being a masochist?”

Noah dropped his head. “You are the biggest slut in this house.”

~~~~~~~~~

Noah peered out of the window, then frowned when he saw dark clouds in the sky. It wasn’t a good day for a walk.

“Noah,” Eli called, noticing he’d fallen behind. “Come on. I’m supposed to get this finished by midnight tonight.”

Noah jogged to catch up with Eli, who was heading for his office. “Why did you wait so long? You don’t seem the type to wait until the last minute.”

Eli chuckled. “I’ve been busy with you.”

Noah grinned. “That would do it.”

Eli’s office was homely, with soft beige walls. A circular desk sat in the middle, with two monitors, a few pens, and a stack of papers. In front of it was another chair for conferences. Last time Noah had been in here, so had JJ and Prince.

Eli walked behind his desk and sat down in the swivel chair. He held out a hand to make Noah stop. “Pop quiz- where do you sit in relation to your master?”

Noah huffed, then joined Eli’s side. He knelt down beside the chair, on Eli’s left side.

Eli laid a hand on his head. “Good boy.”

He clicked on a few files on the desk top of his computer. It pulled up a 3d rig.

“I had been struggling to think of a theme for you,” Eli explained. “Everyone always has a theme. Usually, it’s something softer, more elegant. You’ll see a lot of pets in white, pink, or light blue suits. Prince will probably be in something lacy again this year. He loves his expensive jewels and silk. Don’t get me wrong, it looks nice. But it’s not quite your style.”

Eli opened another file. After a moment of loading, a 3d model of a cat suit appeared around a white mannequin model of a cat boy. It was black, with thin, wavy pink patterns. A black corset was around the torso, covered in bells. A black collar was around the throat, also with a bell.

“I call it gothic princess,” Eli explained. “What do you think?”

Noah had sat up a bit to see the monitor, leading his arms against the desk. “Too many bells,” he decided. “And it’s not aerodynamic enough. Switch out the bells for chains.”

Eli didn’t appreciate Noah’s commanding tone, but his suggestion was pretty good. He clicked around the screen, easily dragging off the bells and replacing them with thin chains. Without the other bells, the collar looked out of place. So he switched it with a spiked one.

“The corset will have to be tight,” Eli warned. “But it’ll be made of breathable, stretchy material. I’m sure you’ll shine the most in the agility course, so I want to focus on that.”

“Will I be gagged for this?” Noah asked.

Eli nodded. “Let me show you.”

He’d put the suit and gag in different files, as there were a few details on the upper part of the outfit that he was sure Noah would protest to.

Zooming in on the model, a muzzle appeared. But it was different from the flat leather one Eli had used before. This one jutted out, meant to simulate the snout a cat. It was colored white with a pink nose, watching Noah’s coloring. When Eli spun it around, he revealed a ring gag sat inside, along with a rather long dildo.

“All pets are gagged for the contest,” Eli explained. “And scored for their ability to control their gagging and drooling.”

Noah’s ears were pinned back. “Does that mean we’re doing more deepthroat training?”

“Yes,” Eli said. “Unless you want to be choking in front of thousands of people.”

He realized Noah wasn’t listening to his answer. His eyes had gone to the ears of the model. Stud earrings ran down either ear.

“Are those part of the outfit?”

Eli winced. They had just been so perfect for pulling the outfit together. But he’d figured Noah would be against any sort of body modification, no matter how small and painless it would be.

“How comfortable are you getting your ears pierced?” he asked.

“Uh…” Noah hesitated. Eli knew he was asking a lot. Pets often had sensitive ears and tails. Noah’s tail was already sensitive even for a pet. His ears probably weren’t much better.

“How about we test it out this weekend?” Eli suggested. “The earrings aren’t directly attached to the outfit, so I don’t need to send them to my manufacturer. And a few friends of mine own a tattoo and piercing parlor we can check out. If you don’t like the vibe, we can leave and figure out something else. Sound good?”

After a moment, Noah nodded. “Okay.”

Eli petted Noah’s hair, trying to comfort him. “And don’t stress about the deepthroat training just yet. We’ve still got a little over three weeks before the contest. Plus we’ve got other training to go over.”

He turned back to his monitor, closing the files. Instead, he opened up a document he’d started, listing Noah’s training schedule.

“I imagine you’ve been crate trained in the past,” he began. “How well do you do with cages now?”

“How small are we talking?” Noah asked. If he could move around, and if it was comfortable, he didn’t mind a cage.

“Small,” Eli replied. “Before the show and while the other contestants are performing, you’ll be caged up just behind the stage.”

Noah grumbled. “What’s the sex part like?” he asked anxiously. “Will you be doing it or someone else?”

“No one,” Eli answered. “They’ll put a row of different sized dildos along the stage, and you’ll use each one. The judges will tell you what method they want to see- riding them, sucking them, using your hands. They’ll score you on eagerness, style, technique, and how well you follow orders.”

Noah wasn’t liking the sound of this. He wasn’t a performer and he had only basic pleasure training. “Is there a crowd watching?”

Eli nodded. “Oh, yes. The contest takes place in a stadium in the middle of town. It used to be in the community center, but it’s such a big event now they ran out of room. You’ll do your agility course on the pitch, then the rest is on a stage in the center of the field. There’ll be cameras, too. The show is aired out to every country in the world.”

“Around the world…?” Noah’s anxiety had peaked. He’d known it was a big event, but not a global phenomenon.

He didn’t like having eyes on him. Especially when he knew a few of those eyes would belong to past owners. And what if he failed? He’d not only be embarrassing himself in front of thousands of people, but also embarrassing Eli.

Eli was typing vigorously on his computer, adding to his schedule. He’d never entered a pet in the contest before, but he’d done plenty of research.

“All the pets will have to be there the night before for drug testing and gear tests. So until your turn on the field, you’ll be in a cage. Meanwhile, I’ll be mingling with the other owners. It’s a huge opportunity for business deals. I go every year to advertise pets. I had a whole campaign planned for Dawn. So if you don’t win, she might not be here when you get back.”

Noah was shrinking in on himself, not liking this at all. Being away from Eli for so long? Being locked up and surrounded by other pets? Having thousands of judgemental, or worse, mocking eyes on him? And what if he lost? What if he never say Dawn again?

It was too much.

“Oh…”

The small sound finally got Eli’s attention. He looked down at Noah, then realized he might have gone too far. “Hey, look at me.” He turned in his chair, gently petting Noah’s hair. “We’ll do plenty of training. We’ve got a whole month. You’ll be ready when the day comes.”

Noah had raised his gaze, trying to let his owner’s soothing voice calm him.

He couldn't back out now. If he won, with a perfect score, Dawn wouldn't get sold.

“Yes, Master."

Chapter 28: Punishing Reward

On the way back to the bedroom, Noah got distracted by the window again.

“Master!” he called eagerly. “The clouds are gone! Can we go outside? Please? Please?”

Eli doubled back, peering out the window. “It’s rather muddy, Noah. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Please?” Noah begged again, his eyes wide and pleading. “One last walk and then…then…full training mode! All the way to the contest. Please, Master?”

“Don’t look at me like that,” Eli said while he tried to think up an excuse. “It’s getting late. We should be getting ready for bed.”

Noah took a step forward, leaning against Eli’s arm. His eyes glistened with sadness.

It worked every time.

“Fine,” Eli agreed. “Go get a cat suit on.”

Noah flashed down the hallway.

Eli headed for the back door to wait for him. He was amazed how far Noah had already come. He couldn’t believe this was the same hissing cat he’d dragged out of the shelter almost a week ago.

He glanced up at the ceiling, thinking of the pets upstairs. He supposed all of them had changed a lot after coming to live here. Dawn had been so jumpy and emotional when he’d first arrived. Quiet, over apologizing, afraid to ask for things he wanted. The first time Eli had given him a correction, he’d burst into tears. Now, she was so much more lively. Eli had been so proud when he’d asked her what kind of pizza she wanted, and Dawn had answered clearly and with excitement.

Melody was the same. Now that he’d finally found a way to get her out of her shell. She was so much more confident, and no longer afraid to make mistakes.

He realized that might not have happened if Noah hadn’t been here.

Eli almost never trained pets together. He kept them separate as much as possible, not wanting them to grow attached. It made it easier when they were eventually sold off.

If Eli hadn’t used Noah for Melody’s training, he never would have discovered her more dominant instincts. He never would have gotten her to open up like that.

His eyes were still on the ceiling. If Noah really did pull of a perfect score, Eli would have a second permanent pet. And that would mean two hyperactive pets. He might benefit from having someone else in the house to care for them.

He startled when Noah suddenly appeared in front of him, wearing a light pink cat suit with thick pads on the hips.

“Fuck,” Eli cursed, being pulled from his thoughts. “What was that, two minutes?”

“Can we go outside now?” Noah asked.

“Rules first,” Eli said, trying to get Noah to slow down and breath. “I want you to stay away from the puddles.”

“What, do you expect me to go rolling around in them?” Noah hissed.

“No,” Eli replied. “But I don’t want you getting any in your hair.”

“Again, do you expect me to go rolling around-”

“I mean,” Eli interrupted, “splashing through them. My yard gets waterlogged when it rains and some of those puddles get deep.”

He reached behind him to grab the doorknob and watched Noah’s ears perk up.

“Hey,” Eli huffed. “Behave.”

“Yes, Master!”

“Don’t go near the fences. The shock collar is still active, just not at the doors. And no attacking the wildlife.”

“Yes, Master!”

As soon as the door was open, Noah shot outside, his tail streaming behind him. He sped onto the grass, turning to sprint along the line of the fence. His braided hair whisked out behind him while his tail whipped back and forth.

Eli sighed, but at least Noah was dodging the puddles. He wandered onto the grass with his hands in his pockets, trailing after his cat. It was almost unfortunate none of Noah’s owners had tried this before. The extra running helped Noah let off steam. And, Eli had noticed, he slept a lot better at night after more active days. No wonder he’d been misbehaving, even when in the care of kind owners. Cooped up in cages for the past three years, he must have been bored out of his mind.

When Noah reached the end of the fence, he had to double back. His ear flicked, noticing Eli walking toward him and looking down at his phone. He grinned. Slowing down to get the right timing, he raced directly at Eli.

Eli glanced up at him, then smiled when he realized Noah was returning. However, his happiness turned to horror when Noah suddenly skidded to a halt in a puddle directly in front of him, throwing up a sheet muddy water.

Eli went rigid, blinking through the drops that made it all the way up to his face. His entire lower half was soaked. Meanwhile, Noah was still bone dry.

“Oh, you’re in for it now,” he growled with a playful grin. “Come here!”

Noah yelped, then turned and race away. Eli made to grab for his tail, but Noah had predicted it and whisked it out of the way.

Eli was falling behind, panting. Noah stopped quite a few lengths from him, his tail flicking playfully.

“Alright, you win this round,” Eli panted. “But you’ll have to go back inside eventually. And then you’re in trouble.”

“What makes you think I’m going back inside?” Noah called. “If you can’t catch me, I have no reason to-”

He leaped in surprise when thunder clapped overhead. A few drops of rain were getting to fall, signaling the start of another storm. Terrified by the sudden loud noise, Noah raced back to Eli, sliding in the grass and slamming into him. But Eli was ready to catch him, watching with an amused smirk as Noah raised his wide eyes to the sky.

Eli pushed him away. “If you want to stay outside, you’re welcome to,” Eli teased. He turned and walked back toward the house.

Noah winced, feeling a rain drop hit his ear. “W-wait!” he called. “Wait for me!” He hurried after Eli, slipping on the now wet grass. “Don’t leave me out here!”

“You wanted to be,” Eli reminded him. “I’m sure you’re fast enough to make it to the barn before the storm starts.”

“No!” Noah looked panicked. “I’m sorry for splashing you!”

Eli wouldn’t be able to keep him outside. He raced past his owner and skidded to a halt in front of the door, waiting for Eli to catch up and open it.

Lightning flashed just a second before thunder crashed through the sky again.

Eli looked up at the dark clouds massing overhead. “Looks like a bad one.”

“Then let’s go inside!” Noah called, his voice strained.

“I’m coming, cat,” Eli said, amused. He wasn’t a fan of being outside in the rain, either, but someone had already gotten him all wet.

As soon as he opened the door, Noah was inside.

“Now, just don’t-” Eli was cut off by mud and rain splattering all over the back room, and himself. “-shake.”

Noah sighed, feeling much better. He turned to Eli, only to shrink away.

His owner stared down at him with an intimidating glare, his arms crossed and one foot tapping on the ground. He was completely soaked, with a huge darker spot all along his front where Noah had splashed him with the puddle.

“Sorry, Master,” Noah murmured, bowing his head.

Eli thought for a moment. He could punish Noah now, but he’d made plans for Melody’s training tomorrow, and this was a perfect excuse to use Noah in it. “I forgive you, kitten. But I wonder what Melody will think when she hears about this.”

Noah’s eyes widened. “No! No, please, Master! You can’t tell her.”

Eli patted Noah’s head. He was amazed to find Noah’s hair completely dry and mud-less. “Alright, alright. Behave for the rest of the night and it’ll be our little secret.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli watched Noah, his hair down and still damp from a shower, carefully climb into the bed, wincing each time his bruised ass brushed the mattress. He felt a bit bad, springing something like that on him so suddenly. Noah had definitely been do for a punishment, though.

“If Melody asked you really kindly to let her cane you again, would you let her?” Eli asked curiously. He wanted to keep using Noah for Melody’s training, but not if it was going to be too much for him.

Noah laid back into the bed. He hadn’t slept in his own cage for a while now. “Yeah, probably,” he admitted. “I have a hard time saying no to other pets. Besides, she’s got a lot of dirt on me now so I pretty much have to do what she says.”

Eli titled his head. “Why do you find it so much easier to talk and obey other pets? I’ve got plenty of dirt on you. And I hit a lot harder.”

Noah had to think for a second. “Don’t know. I guess because I relate to them? I like helping them?”

“That’s understandable,” Eli said.

He had his own theories why Noah was so much more in tune with other pets. He’d spent so long being hostile towards the humans around him, believing them to be abusers and monsters. He’d naturally learn more towards other pets.

“I really do appreciate you helping with the others,” Eli said. “Having you here puts them at ease.”

“Don’t mention it.” Noah scooted closer to cuddle against him. “I enjoy helping. It’s what I’m meant for.”

“I’m glad I know that now,” Eli replied. “Because your papers weren’t any help.”

Noah huffed. “At least if I tell you everything you get it straight from the source. You seem like a hands on learner anyway.”

"Definitely." Eli sat up on his elbows. "I can usually get a pretty good feel for what I'm working with. I've got more detailed notes on you now than Garcia has in the three years he's known you."

Noah tilted his head. "is that what you've been writing? You're taking notes?"

Eli grinned. He should have figured Noah was observant enough to figure it out. "Yes, it is. I've always kept detailed notes on every pet I train."

Noah giggled. "You take your job way too seriously."

"it's why I'm the best," Eli replied.

"No, it's why you're so uptight. You need a vacation."

“That would be nice,” Eli said. “But I just can’t. I’ve always got more work to do.”

He felt a flicker of sadness, but he didn’t let it show on his face. Ever since inheriting the business, he’d been working nonstop. It was all he cared about, all he had.

Noah was watching him closely. “Maybe your pets can take a break, too. Dawn is almost done with training and Melody has already come a long way. Take them with you.”

“I can’t take them on vacation with me,” Eli said. “They’re not truly mine.”

“Then leave them with a friend. What about JJ?”

Eli winced. “No.”

“Fair,” Noah replied with a shrug. “How about we just stay here? Chill out for a few days. After the contest, of course. Surely you’ve got a hobby you want to catch up on or friends to hang out with?”

Eli stared at him blankly.

Noah returned his look. “For fuck’s sake, Eli, please tell me you have something you do in your spare time.” He ran his hands threw his wet hair, thinking. “Okay. After the contest, I’m running my own training regime. You are gonna sit your ass down and relax. And we’re going to find something you like to do that doesn’t involve pets or sex. And while we’re at it, we’ll find you some friends outside the snobby rich people circle.”

Eli just stared at him, taken aback by the sudden outburst. No other pet would have the audacity to tell him what to do, or address him by his real name. Any other pet would immediately be belt over the bed and beaten with a belt. But when Noah did it, it was strangely endearing.

It felt good to have someone care about him. Even with an arrogant tone.

“Alright, fine,” Eli agreed. “But only if you win the contest. This is my livelihood we’re talking about. I still have a business to run.”

Noah smirked. “Oh, I’m going to win. And I’ll rub it in that stupid mutt’s face. And your asshole friend's.”

Eli laid back down and felt Noah nuzzle against him.

"It's really good luck you stumbled across an emotional support pet," Noah murmured. "You needed one."

Eli rolled his eyes. “Now that I think about it, I suppose it was bound to happen. I asked for an unruly pet. I should have figured someone so troublesome yet smart was trained in psychology.”

“Exactly,” Noah agreed. “That’s why it’s so easy to manipulate you.”

“You’re manipulating me?" Eli looked down at the cat boy. "Oh, that’s rich. If I’m being manipulated, how come you chose to stay here instead of running when you had the chance?”

“Firstly, fuck you,” Noah replied. “Secondly, I’m still wearing this stupid cage.” He pushed away from Eli and pointed to his closed legs, where the metal cock cage lay.

Eli hummed, pulling Noah back to him. "So what you're saying is...you'd rather stay here and be a good boy than be trapped in chastity forever."

Noah huffed. "I'll get you to give up on the chastity cage eventually. Give me another month and it'll be off permanently." He bowed his head, looking up at Eli with wide eyes. "You can't say no to this face."

Eli forced himself to resist. "Sorry, kitten, but your cage is the one thing you'll never change my mind on."

"We'll see about that, Master," Noah replied. "Maybe, when we go on vacation, we'll switch. You can wear a chastity cage and I'll act like a little bitch."

Eli raised an eyebrow. Before Noah could act first, he rolled on top of the cat boy, grabbing both his wrists and pinning them to the bed on either side of his face.

Eli leaned close to murmur into his ear. "You always act like a little bitch."

Noah shuddered, his ear flicking as Eli's hot breath hit it. "W-well...Then I'll act like a big bitch. Just like you."

"Mhm." Eli moved Noah's wrists above his head, then transferred them into only one hand, using the other to trail down Noah's chest. "You'd love that, wouldn't you? You love acting all big and tough. But you're just a little kitty, aren't you?"

"Little body with a big personality," Noah reminded him. He flicked his tail up, letting the tip graze the inside of Eli's thigh. His owner shuddered.

"That's true." Eli moved his hand down to circle Noah's caged cock. "But doesn't it feel good to be denied? To be edged? I can teach you to enjoy wearing this little contraption."

Noah's breath was heated. "Plenty have tried, but it's not an easy feat."

Eli ran his hand across Noah's thigh, then grabbed below it. In one switch motion, he had Noah flipped over to lay on his stomach. While the cat boy was still dazed, he grabbed one of his arms and forced it behind his back, while the his other hand grazed over Noah's still sore ass.

The cat boy gripped the pillow he was pinned to.

"Your cock isn't your only sensitive area. Your balls are still free. Plus your prostate. I can make you cum with a single finger."

His hand grazed against Noah's ass, one finger prodding against his hole. Noah was aware of prostate milking. It was a common practice for health reasons. But it had never come with such tender touches before.

“Not with the cage, remember?” he said softly. “That stupid sound.”

“You really think you can’t cum with a sound?” There was a smile in Eli’s voice. He leaned more weight against Noah, keeping him trapped. “Why don’t we test it out?”

Noah’s breath was quickening. “Won’t it hurt?”

“Tremendously,” Eli breathed. He pressed one finger inside Noah. “Consider this both a reward and punishment- reward for being good all day and punishment for cursing at me and using my first name.” His hand tightened around Noah’s wrist, keeping his arm at just the right angle he’d have a hard time moving. Meanwhile, his other hand searched for his pet’s prostate. “God, you’re tight.”

“I’ve got good genetics,” Noah replied.

“I prefer my pets a little looser. No resistance, but you can squeeze around me. I can’t be doing all the work.”

Noah groaned. “But I don’t want to do any work. I’m just a lazy little kitten. Don’t you-” He was cut off by a loud gasp, his back arching his tail going rigid.

Eli had found his prostate.

“Fuck!” Noah growled, squirming on the bed as though he could escape the sudden sparks of pleasure.

Eli held him in place. “That’s another curse.” He poked and stroked the cat boy’s prostate, using one finger to swirl around it. “You’d better cut it out before I decide to edge you instead.”

Noah gritted his teeth, trying not to say another word. But he couldn’t help letting out a few loud moans. He hated how nice it felt to fully let himself go with Eli. No other owner could get this sort of reaction from him.

“Oh, god!” he cried. “Oh, fu-...ahh…!”

“So it wasn’t just the bunny cum,” Eli teased. “You really are just loud during sex. How cute.” He pressed against Noah’s prostate, curling his finger and listening to the cat boy wail in pleasure.

“Please…” Noah begged. Unable to escape the intense pleasure, he had to lay still, trapped against the bed. His hole squeezed around Eli’s finger. Familiar heat was pooling in his stomach.

“Please what?” Eli prompted. “Say it.”

Noah gritted his teeth. “Please, master! Please let me cum!”

Eli hummed, deep in thought. “Not yet. Don’t you dare,” he warned, his voice stern. “Focus for me. Focus on my fingers. It feels good, doesn’t it?” He leaned close to Noah’s ear. “Warm and pleasant. Just focus.”

He pressed down on Noah’s prostate again and relished in the high pitched wail in elicited.

Noah threw his head back, trying to do as Eli said. He could feel every flick, every press, every rub. “Please!” he begged. “I’m so close!”

Eli curled his fingers.

“Cum for me.”

Noah's mouth fell open but no sound came out. His eyes rolled back. Through the small opening in the cage, he shot his load, cum splattering onto the hseets below him.

Eli let go of his arm, letting him fall limp onto the bed.

"See?" Eli said with a grin. "Wasn't that nice?"

Noah was left gasping. "Oh...my god!" he rasped. "That...that was too good. You drugged me again, didn't you? There's no way..."

Eli sat back on the bed. He'd have to change the sheets now. But Noah had a perfectly good den to rest in while he did. So for now, he picked Noah up to lay in his lap, gently petting his har. "No drugs, no tricks. That was all me."

"I don't..." Noah panted, "believe you."

Eli just chuckled. "You're just mad I proved you never need that cage off again."

Noah was suddenly wide awake. “No, no, no! That’s not fair! It’s still uncomfortable. You can’t just leave it on forever.”

“But you don’t need it off to cum, “ Eli pointed out. Noah relaxed under his fingers again. “And it’s just too cute on you.”

Noah groaned. He didn’t like the suggestion at all. But that was the best orgasm he’d had in a while. “No.”

Eli just shrugged. “At least it’s not as small as Dawn’s.”

Noah shuddered, thinking of the monster between Dawn’s legs trapped almost flat against his body. “Please promise I’ll never have to wear one of those.”

“Ah, but it would be so cute. You’d be flat like a girl,” Eli teased. “They actually use to score male pets on cock cages for BAPS. But they obviously cut it out pretty quick since it was unfair for female pets.”

Noah was shaking his head. “I am not getting a smaller cage. I don’t even like this one.”

“Alright, alright.” Eli finally relented. He was actually a little curious. Noah claimed he could get Eli to be a little more lenient with his cock cage rule. But Eli was positive he’d get Noah in a smaller cage eventually.

It would be fun to see who caved first.

Chapter 29: Caught Off Guard

As always, Noah woke before Eli. He couldn’t help it. As soon as the sunlight began filtering through the curtains, he couldn’t stay asleep any longer.

He stretched out on the bed, feeling relaxed and refreshed. With a purr, he nuzzled against Eli.

Not much time passed before Eli’s alarm was going off. He began to stir, rolling over to turn it off. Still only half awake, he rolled back to cuddle with Noah. He could hear the cat boy purring contently. Without a thought, he ran a hand down his back, grabbing his ass.

Noah yelped. Half asleep, he shoved himself away from Eli, one hand lashing out at a perceived threat. Eli was suddenly wide awake as searing pain slashed across his shoulder.

In his attempt to get away, Noah had tangled himself in the blankets, plummeting to the floor on the other side of the bed.

“Fuck!” Eli sat up, gripping his shoulder. Blood was already welling on the four scratch marks appearing there. Noah had gotten his bad shoulder. “Noah!” he snapped. “What the fuck?”

Noah’s head popped up on the other side of the bed. His eyes were wide. “Master!” he squeaked. “I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t mean to. I felt…you touched…” His gaze hardened. “You shouldn’t have touched! You know I’m still sore.”

Eli ignored him, standing up from the bed and stumbling to his vanity. In the reflection of the mirror, he saw Noah claw back onto the bed behind him.

“Fucking hell.” Eli pulled his hand off his shoulder, finding it stained a deep red. Blood seeped down his chest. “I forgot about the marks, but you did not need to do that.”

Noah’s ears dropped, looking horrified now that he could see the damage done. “I’m so sorry, Master.”

“Get me a towel.” Eli growled the order. “Now!”

Noah hurried from the room. Only a few minutes passed before he returned with two towels- one damp and one dry. He handed both to Eli, who snatched them away and immediately pressed the damp one to his shoulder.

He was clenching his teeth. Noah hadn’t done anything like this since his first day in the house.

He could see Noah’s reflection just behind him. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured.

“I know,” Eli panted. “It’s not…your fault.” If Noah had been a little closer, he might have struck deep enough to warrant a hospital visit. And Eli was bleeding enough to consider it.

Noah had stumbled back to the bed to sit down, in a state of shock. He felt ashamed. How could he let this happen? How had he lost control so easily? Eli hadn’t been meaning to hurt him. It had been a simple mistake.

It took a while before Eli got the blood to stop. He threw the used towel down and began cleaning up with the dry one.

“Noah,” he said through gritted teeth. “Outside. Now.”

Crestfallen, Noah hurried out of the bedroom. He closed the door behind him, then took a few steps back. His heart was pounding with terror. He’d hurt Eli. Badly. And Eli was mad at him.

He was going back to the shelter.

Inside the bedroom, Eli was grabbing a roll of bandages from inside one of the vanity drawers. Tears stung his eyes as he began dressing the wound, murmuring profanities to himself. He didn’t want Noah to see him like this.

Wrapping himself up, he took a second to rest. Already, splotches of light red were appearing on the bandages. He’d have to change them again soon. For now, he grabbed a pair of briefs and shorts. When putting on his shirt, he let out a loud, pained groaned. He couldn’t lift his arm any higher than his chest.

After about ten minutes, he opened the door to find Noah still standing there, his eyes on the ground.

When Eli emerged, Noah opened his mouth, but his owner put up a hand.

“Don’t,” he snapped. “I know you didn’t mean it. Come.”

He snapped his fingers, then walked off down the hall.

Noah flinched. He hurried to catch up with Eli, walking just behind him on his right side. He was trying to hold back tears.

This was it. Eli was getting rid of him. No one wanted a reactive pet.

Eli went straight to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast. He motioned for Noah to stay back. But the cat boy quickly picked up Eli’s shoulder was bothering him. He couldn’t reach into the cupboards to grab what he needed. And when he tried, he grunted in pain.

“L-let me help,” Noah offered. “Please. I can help.” He had to make it up to Eli somehow.

Eli didn’t look at him, afraid he’d lash out. He knew it was unfair to be angry with Noah- he knew it had been an accident. But he thought they'd moved past this aggression.

He shook his head, not wanting Noah so close right now.

But when he tried to stir the cook he was cooking, he groaned.

He stepped back. “Take the spoon, stir that up. Give it five minutes then plate up three bowls,” he commanded.

“Yes, master,” Noah answered. He stepped up to the stove nervously, then did as he was told. Meanwhile, Eli completely left the room.

Noah stared down at the food in front of him. Eli was just making simple oatmeal for today. He tried to stir it, then realized his hand was shaking. He felt like he could hear Eli in the other room right now, making the call to the different pet shops in the area. Someone would take him.

No one wanted a reactive pet.

By the time Noah had everything plated up, Eli was back. He’d more properly wrapped up his shoulder, but lifting his arm was still different.

“Grab the bowels,” he directed.

Once Noah had the bowls for the other pets, he fell into the proper place just behind Eli.

Eli marched up the stairs toward the pet dens. He stopped at Dawn’s door first. With a hiss of pain, he pushed it open.

Dawn was already up. “Good morning, Mas-” She stopped abruptly, catching the pained look on Eli’s face. “Is everything okay?”

Eli opened the door of the cage, then stepped back to let Noah deposit the food. “Everything’s fine, Dawn. Don’t worry.”

Dawn’s ears drooped when Noah entered, dropped the bowl, and immediately retreated without even looking at him.

Eli didn’t do his usual routine of waiting for Dawn to ask, or making sure she was fine. He locked the cage once more and left the room, trailing down the hallway to Melody’s den.

Noah glanced back at Dawn, then followed, closing the door behind him. His ears were pressed to the back of his head and his tail drooped.

Melody was always awake, and caught on even quicker than Dawn. When the duo entered her room, she glanced between them. “Good morning.”

“Morning, Melody.” Eli unlocked the door of the cage, then stepped out of the way for Noah to entered.

Melody leaned forward when Noah knelt down. “What happened?” she whispered.

Noah shook his head and stepped back. Melody’s gaze followed him, trying to figure out what might have happened. She’d never seen Noah look so sad before.

“We’ll be back later for your training,” Eli said.

Noah followed him from the room and closed the door. Eli was flexing his shoulder, grimacing. He turned to look at Noah, his gaze still hard. “Eat. Then right into training.”

“Yes, master,” Noah murmured miserably.

Eli shooed him off with one hand. “Meet me in the wardrobe when you’re done.”

He didn’t stop to watch Noah. He walked right off to the wardrobe, needing to get ready. He needed to be away from the cat boy right now, before he accidentally snapped.

But Noah didn’t understand. He stared after Eli, feeling like his heart would shatter. Sadly, he wandered back to the kitchen to eat his own meal, realizing Eli wasn’t having breakfast.

In the wardrobe, Eli picked out a cat suit for Noah. They’d be doing some outdoor training today, as he planned. Luckily, it was pretty hands off for him.

While he was alone, it gave him some time to calm down and think. He didn’t want to punish Noah for this. He knew it was an accident, and the cat boy seemed pretty broken up about it already. But he couldn’t let this kind of behavior slide.

He grabbed a pair of bondage mittens. He’d said all the way back in the beginning that Noah got privileges when he behaved. And he’d just lost no-mittens privileges.

He might have lost bed privileges, too.

A few minutes later, he heard the door creaking open behind him.

“Master…?” Noah’s voice was soft. “I really am sorry.”

“I know,” Eli breathed out, his voice calm. “These things happen.”

“Well they shouldn’t!” Noah blurted out. “Not to you. Not by me. I don’t know what happened…” He took a deep breath, his voice cracking. “Are you…getting rid of me?”

Eli snapped around to face him, his eyes wide. “No,” he said immediately. “No, I wouldn’t do that. Christ, Noah, you’ve done way worse since coming here. Why would I get rid of you now?”

“Because that’s how it happens!” Noah cried. “Owners don’t want pets that hurt them.”

Eli’s gaze softened, understanding. He’d been so focused on hiding his own pain, he hadn’t thought about how this was affecting Noah. it had been a simple accident, but this must have been a common occurrence in the past. Non-trainer owners would drop a pet after the first sign of aggression. Eli knew the statistics all too well.

“Noah, look at me,” Eli said, then waited for Noah to raise his gaze. “I know it was an accident. We both made a mistake and we’ll learn from this. Right?”

Noah nodded.

"I'm sorry if I seemed angry," Eli continued. "I'm just in a lot of pain. So I really need you to be good and stay focused today, okay?"

"Yes, Master."

“Good. Now let’s get you dressed.”

Eli handed over the outfit he’d picked out- it was a simple black latex with a bit of padding in the hips. It would be similar to what Noah would wear for the contest.

Eli cleared his throat, adopting a more professional tone. “Today, we’re going over techniques for walking. There’s a very specific way the judges will want to see you move.”

“Yes, Master.” Noah slipped into the suit. It was thicker than previous ones he’d worn, and a little harder to move in.

Eli usually would have added a corset to this look, but he wasn’t even going to attempt it with one arm. So instead, he held up the mittens and watched Noah wince.

“It’s just for today,” Eli promised. “Remember, we agreed you could have them off when I can trust you to have them off. I can’t do that right now.”

“Yes, master,” Noah agreed sadly. He held up his hands for Eli to easily trap within the leather mittens.

Eli wished he didn’t have to do this. But he couldn’t risk anymore accidents.

“That suit is a size too small for you,” he explained. “We’re doing resistance training today. The suit you’ll have for the contest won’t be nearly so tight. So, if you ran run and strut in that suit you’ll have no problems at the actual show.”

He left out that Noah would also be in an arm binder and gag for the show. That could be added further down the line.

“Yes, master,” Noah agreed. Eli felt strangely disappointed. Normally, Noah would have much more to say.

Eli checked his phone. “The storm passed and the yard should be dry. We’re going outside, but not for running. You’re to stay at my side unless I say otherwise. Understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Eli led him out of the wardrobe and back down the stairs. He was trying not to let too much of his pain show, not wanting to distract Noah or make him feel more guilty than he already did.

Maybe this was a good exercise. Eli would have to be more stern and professional at the actual contest. Noah would just have to get used to it.

He opened the back door and waited for Noah to step onto the back patio first. Then, he joined him. It would be a sunny day.

Eli snapped his fingers to get Noah’s attention and pointed to the spot beside him. Then, he walked off toward the paddock.

Noah followed with a frown. He still felt like Eli was mad at him.

Eli swung the gate open and waited for Noah to follow, then shut it behind them. The fresh air was making him feel a little better. He took a deep breath.

“Noah, sit.”

Noah immediately dropped into position. The suit he wore tightened, protesting the movement.

“Listen closely,” Eli said. “This is extremely restrictive, so you can’t go sprinting like you normally do. Otherwise you’ll injure yourself straining too hard. So I want you to stretch. Get a good feel for how much you can push it. Go ahead.”

Noah stood up to do as he was told. While he got in a good stretch, Eli wandered to the edge of the paddock to check his shoulder. Lifting his shirt, he found the bleeding had stopped entirely, but his shoulder was going stiff.

He didn’t like to leave the pets all alone in the house- and he certainly didn’t want to leave Noah to his own devices- but a hospital visit might be in order. However, that came with a whole other can of worms.

Eli had been hurt by pets before. It was bound to happen, whether intentionally or not. And every time he went to the hospital for it, he was urged to get rid of whatever pet had done it. He hated explaining that he was trainer, and it was part of his job, because the hospital staff never seemed to fully understand.

After all, why train a reactive pet? Why train a dangerous pet, only to give them to another, less experienced owner? Not everyone could understand that sometimes, accidents happen.

And he didn’t think he’d be able to handle someone telling him to get rid of Noah.

“Ready, kitten?” Eli asked, trying to keep the strain from his voice. “I want you to just walk for me. Give me your best strut. Head up, tail up, back straight. Just go to the fence and back.”

Noah suppressed a groan. He wasn’t a performer and he didn’t want to memorize some tense pose. He got into position, keeping his head up high and looking straight ahead. His tail was parallel to his spine, with a slight curl at the end. Then, he sauntered over to the fence, trying to walk with confident.

“Good,” Eli commented, but he didn’t sound satisfied.

When Noah turned around, Eli was on his phone writing notes. Noah felt a pang of guilt, seeing Eli wince when he grabbed his phone with his right hand.

“Straighten your back,” Eli directed. “And keep your chin higher. Remember, the judges are expecting snooty, pampered pets and pompous owners.”

Noah scowled, getting the twitch of a smile from Eli.

“I know. It’s just how it is.”

Noah raised his chin, straightening his back. The pose was uncomfortable. He tried the walk again, finding a cloud in the sky and focusing on it to keep his attention.

Nearing the fence, he felt a sudden shoot of electricity from his collar. With a yelp, he leaped back, his tail bristling. He’d strayed too close to the fence.

“Shit,” he heard Eli curse. “Sorry! I’m turning the collar off for now. Just behave.”

He waited for Noah to return.

“That was better,” Eli said. “You need to hold yourself up. Think about how Prince looked- elegant swagger, back straight, tail swishing. Move with your hips first. One more time.”

Noah nodded and turned around. He put his chin up and walked forward again, letting his hips sway while his tail swished gently behind him. He walked in the same way back, able to keep a straight line.

“There we go,” Eli said with a nod. “Much better. That’s how they’ll want you to walk onto the field and stage. When eyes are on you, this is how you move.”

Eli led Noah over to his first obstacle- a set of ten posts in the ground.

“I know you can run fast,” Eli said. “You don’t have to prove that. But you’ll have to combine speed with elegance. The judges aren’t looking for who can run the fastest, they’re looking for who can look the prettiest. So I want you to jog through these first.”

Noah nodded, eyeing the posts. He’d run these before while racing prince, and Eli had no doubt he could easier do it again. Cat boys were small compared to most other pet species, making them agile and nimble. So Noah would have an advantage in this leg for the contest.

Eli’s real concern was the pleasure parts. Noah seemed to have very limited training in pleasure. And cat boys were more often trained for companionship and support rather than pleasure, although a sex-trained cat boy wasn’t impossible.

Eli counted down, then gave Noah the signal. He jogged lightly through the posts. Eli had put them closer together than before, giving Noah a bit more challenge. But the cat boy didn’t have any problems. His tail seemed to do most of the heavy lifting, keeping him balanced as he weaved in and out.

“Good boy,” Eli called when Noah came back. “One more time. But now use the walk you just learned. Head up, back straight.”

Noah huffed, annoyed, but Eli ignored him. Once Noah was ready, Eli gave the signal, and stepped back to watch him weave through the obstacle. He seemed to be having trouble, but got a good rhythm going about half way through.

“Not bad,” Eli remarked. “This time, see if you can run while holding that pose.”

He could see Noah’s tail starting to switch with either annoyance or boredom- possibly both. They’d have to move on soon.

“Alright, that’s good enough for now.” He decided he’d start nitpicking later on. For now, Noah just needed the basics. “Why won’t we run the whole course real quick before going back inside?”

Noah’s ears pricked with interest. He nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Please, Master.”

The pain in his shoulder seemed inconsequential at the sight of Noah’s smile. He gently petted the cat boy’s head. “Get to the starting line.”

With an eager bounce in his step, Noah did as he was told, getting to the start of the obstacle course. Restlessly, he waited for Eli to join him.

Eli held up his good arm. “3…2…1…Stop!”

Noah shot forward only to stumble to a halt, slipping on the grass. “Master!” he whined. “What was that for?”

“Fun,” Eli replied with a playful smirk.

“Running is fun.” Noah pointed to the obstacle course. “Not whatever that was.”

“Alright, alright, relax,” Eli replied, amused. “Let’s do it for real now.”

He hoped a quick run would help Noah relax a little. And perhaps tire him out. Eli had a lot more planned today, and the less Noah fought him, the better.

Chapter 30: Elevated Heartbeat

“Ever seen a bunny boy get machine fucked for a couple hours?” Eli teased.

Noah completely froze. They had relaxed for a bit after coming back inside. But now it was time to start on the other pets’ training.

“Hours?” Noah echoed. “You’re setting Dawn up to get fucked for a couple hours?” The anxiety was clear on his face. Would he be expected to endure that? He could run laps at top speed from dawn to dusk, but sex made him exhausted.

Eli laughed. “Don’t worry, she loves it. It’s just endurance training. I’d appreciate if you could help me set him up. Afterwards…” He hesitated a moment. “I’d like you to return to your den until I come get you.”

Noah glanced at him, his heart sinking. But Eli went on before he could start feeling too miserable.

“I’m at limited mobility right now and I can’t risk putting Dawn in danger if I also having to be entertaining you.” Eli explained. He knew Noah wouldn’t be able to sit still for the entire training session. And Eli didn’t think he’d have the patience to deal with him today. “It’ll just be for a few hours.”

Noah sighed. “Yes, Master.”

Eli gently pet Noah’s head. “Don’t worry. We’ll have plenty of fun later. For now, Dawn gets to have fun. She loves the machines.”

Noah brightened. “She loves everything.”

“Everything except canes,” Eli joked. “Training isn’t supposed to be fun, but there’s nothing that won’t get Dawn excited. If I can just get her to focus a little better, he’ll be the perfect pet.”

“He’ll definitely make a quick buck when he’s sold,” Noah said wistfully.

He couldn’t help thinking about what would happen if he didn’t win the contest. If Dawn really was sold, would they ever see each other again?

“Master?” Noah began nervously. “Will we be able to visit Dawn once she’s sold?”

Eli glanced down at Noah. “That would be up to his new owner, so I can’t say for sure. We’ll just have to see.” His gaze was playful. “Or you could just make absolute sure you’re going to win that competition so he’ll get to stay.”

Noah nodded in agreement. “I know, Master.” He didn’t want to think about the possibilities of Dawn’s owner. “You could still make your money’s worth if you kept him. That bunny cum is no joke.”

“Huh…” Eli thought for a moment. “I mean, I’d have to buy a special extractor machine, which isn’t cheap. But I guess…I never thought of it before. Might take a year or two to see a full return on the investment. But it’s possible…”

“I’m sure Dawn would be happy about it,” Noah added. “See how filled I am with great ideas? You should just make me your business partner.”

“Yeah,” Eli said, nudging Noah with one elbow. “We’ll split the profits. Hundred percent for me, and zero for you, plus a monthly salary of one orgasm and a cat treat.”

“Make that two orgasms and a whole box of treats,” Noah negotiated playfully.

“One orgasm and a box split between you and Dawn. Final offer,” Eli shot back.

Noah grinned. “Deal!”

Eli chuckled over the absurdity of it. He could never imagine making a business deal with a pet. Or negotiating with them to begin with. Noah could be charming when he wanted to be. He’d make a good business man if he hadn’t been born with a tail.

Eli supposed he even had a good point about Dawn’s cum. It could make him quite a lot of money. But Dawn was usually a mess after an orgasm. If he wanted to make money, he’d have to be milking her every few days.

Dawn would love it, but it wasn’t sustainable.

But Dawn also had rather large loads. And it wasn’t like Eli needed that extra money. Once a week might work out. But he’d have to put Dawn through some extra endurance training.

“Noah,” he began, “just how potent is Dawn’s cum? What was it like?”

“Weird,” Noah answered. “When I’ve been on aphrodisiacs before it’s very…intense. Like painful. But even that entire load was just a small ebbing. Every touch felt amazing, but I never felt like I was losing control.”

“I’ve heard it effects everyone differently,” Eli added. “Some feel light headed and floaty, some feel a deep intense arousal and some get a nice mixture of the two.”

“It’s definitely the best drug I’ve ever had,” Noah said. “Way more pleasant.”

They were nearing Dawn’s door. Eli slowed down, wanting to think. Not only could he sell bunny cum, but keeping some on hand might be helpful for his business. If other pets were effected in the same way as Noah, he could have a reliable way to help newer pets relax.

Maybe he could do some experimenting. Getting a bottle of Dawn’s cum would be easy, and he could freeze it to keep it potent. He could run a few tests.

Outside of Dawn’s door, he slowed to a stop. “I don’t want to explain what happened this morning,” Eli said softly. “So just do what I ask.”

“Yes, Master,” Noah agreed.

Eli opened the door, holding back a grimace of pain. “Hello, Dawn.”

Dawn wasn’t in her bed. Instead, she seemed to be pacing restlessly at the back of her den. She spun around when Eli entered, then hurried to the front of the cage.

“Hello, Master!”

“We’re doing endurance training today.” Gritting his teeth, Eli retrieved his key and unlocked the door of the cage. “You know the drill. Wardrobe, then meet me in the walkway. Noah will help you.”

“Yes, Master!” Dawn stepped out of the cage.

Noah murmured the same sentiment, praying Dawn wouldn’t ask any questions.

He immediately bounded to the cat boy’s side, eager to get going. Noah led the way out of the room and towards the wardrobe.
Once out of earshot from their owner, who went in the opposite direction, Dawn’s tail began to switch. “Um…” She fiddled with her hands in front of herself. “Noah? What..um…Did something happen?”

Noah’s jaw clenched. “Master had an accident,” he answered tautly. “He’s fine.”

He could feel Dawn’s bright blue gaze boring into him, wanting to ask further questions. But she restrained herself. “I hope Master’s okay.”

Noah shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “He’ll be fine after a few days. Just a kink in his shoulder. Nothing to worry about.”

He quickened his pace. The sooner Dawn was distracted by a shiny outfit, the better.

Dawn trailed after him awkwardly. “Um…endurance training today! How exciting! It’s one of my favorites.”

She was delighted to see Noah relax when the subject changed.

“Yeah,” he replied. “Master said you’d have a good time today. What kind of outfit do you wear?”

“It’s…um…” Dawn wasn’t sure how to explain it. “It has pockets in the bottom for my legs to go in and stay folded. Then my arms go behind my back. It’s really restrictive. Master says I struggle too much when I’m tied down, so I need to be fully immobilized or I might hurt myself. It’s so comfortable. I can just relax and drift off,” he explained, his voice wistful. “I wish I could stay in it all day every day, but Master says my limbs will cramp up. I can’t argue. He always knows what’s best.”

Noah smiled. “Yeah, he knows what he’s doing. Whether I like it or not.”

“He’s great!” Dawn praised. “He knows exactly what I need. I, um…When I tried an arm binder for the first time, I struggled so hard I popped my shoulder out of place.”

Noah paused, turning to stare at her.

“It was fine!” Dawn giggled. “Didn’t hurt too much.”

Noah’s eyes were wide. “I’ve never had that happen before.”

“If you did, Master would know just what to do,” Dawn assured him, although he didn’t need assured. “He’s great with a first aid kit. Master says that some pets- like me- get nervous around doctors, so he does a lot of medical stuff himself.”

“Yeah. He seems to know what he’s doing.” Noah hadn’t thought about it before, but he supposed it was strange Eli had chosen to dress his own wound instead of going to a hospital. Come to think of it, he also doubted Eli had called in a professional to dress his bite when he’d first gotten here.

Once inside the wardrobe, Dawn went straight to a bundle of latex suits. The one she picked out was dark blue. Noah thought the bottom was reminiscent of a bitch suit, while the top was classic arm binder cat suit.

“Looks…comfy,” Noah said. Even on Dawn, it looked too small.

“It’s so comfy!” Dawn said. “It’s super tight so I can’t move and hurt myself. Master says I have to focus on keeping still when I’m tied up, but I can’t help it! I love that feeling of being unable to move.”

Noah’s ear twitched. “You’re stronger than me. I hate feeling helpless like that.”

“It’s not scary,” Dawn said, folding the suit neatly over her arm. “Master’s always there.”

As Dawn headed back out of the wardrobe, Noah realized his help wasn’t really needed. He wondered why Eli had sent him away. Was it just to keep Dawn on task?

Or was he still angry?

“You know your way around pretty well,” Noah commented as Dawn took the lead. “I’m still getting the hang of it. This place is huge.”

Dawn nodded enthusiastically. “It’s a big house! I still barely know my way around. I’ve never been downstairs except for the dungeons. And I’ve never been that way.” He pointed past the wardrobe, to the hallway that would lead to Eli’s bedroom. “What’s it like down there?”

Before Noah could answer, Dawn went on rambling.

“What’s Master’s bedroom like? I bet it’s huge! And I bet his bed is the softest thing in the world! I mean, I love my bed. It’s really nice. But it’s not a real bed.”

Noah blushed, wondering if Dawn would be jealous if he admitted he’d been sleeping with Eli for the past few nights. He decided he wouldn’t tell the whole truth, not wanting to seem like he was bragging.

“It’s big. Really nice. And the bed is comfortable. But I sleep underneath it in a den.”

Dawn paused, her eyes shining. “Wait…you’ve been in his bed? You’re so lucky! Noah, you have to convince Master to let me do that, too! Please?”

She had turned to grab onto his arm. Noah couldn’t help feeling amused as she leaned her chin against his shoulder, her eyes wide and glistening while her ears drooped behind her head. It was the same move he used when he wanted something from Eli.

“Alright, alright,” Noah agreed. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Down the hall and in the walkway, Eli had been struggling to pull two fucking machines out of a nearby storage closet. He’d set them up in front of the stage, facing each other. A large dildo was attached to each.

As the two pets entered, Eli was huffing while he adjusted the height of the dildos.

“There you are.” He turned around, wiping the sweat from his forehead. This usually wasn’t a difficult task for him. “Let’s get Dawn ready.”

While Dawn joined him, presenting the suit she’d picked out, Noah took a step back, worried. Eli looked exhausted. Why hadn’t he asked for help? Why would he send Noah with Dawn? Did he…not trust him?

He completely zoned out while Eli helped Dawn into her suit. Did Eli think they couldn’t work together anymore? Was he scared?

He was snapped out of his spiraling thoughts by the sound of Eli grunting as he hefted Dawn up. He placed her on a bench he’d put between the two fucking machines. Now encased in the latex outfit, Dawn’s arms were trapped behind her back, her heels pressed to her ass. Eli attached her to the bench using two straps. One wrapped around her arms, keeping them against her spine, and the other went around her knees. Besides her twitching tail, she couldn’t move a muscle.

Both dildos were around eight inches long, and a similar girth to Eli’s own cock. He lined them both up- one at Dawn’s mouth and the other right against her hole.

He’d grabbed a few more pieces of gear- a ring gag and a blindfold.

“Alright, Dawn, you know how this goes.” He tied the blindfold around Dawn’s head. “Once these start, they won’t turn off for two hours. Last time, you made quite the puddle beneath you. So this time I want you to focus. No dripping, got it?”

“Yes, Master.” With that, Dawn let her mouth fall open, accepting the ring gag.

Noah peered around Eli, watching nervously. He couldn’t imagine being tied up like this and fucked in both ends for two hours straight. But the more he thought about it- the sensation of being so full, the ability to see nothing but darkness, the complete helplessness in having his entire body immobile- the more his own cock pushed painfully against its cage.

He took a step back, looking away with a bit of confusion. He didn’t like these things. He didn’t think he did, at least.

After pushing the ring gag between her teeth, Eli slid the blindfold over Dawn’s eyes. Then, he pushed the front machine slightly forward so the tip rested on Dawn’s lips.

“And…begin…” Eli pressed the start button on the first dildo and waited for it to push into Dawn’s mouth. Then, he did the same for the back machine.

As soon as Dawn felt something pressing inside him, he let out a groan. He melted into the bench, moaning each time the dildos pressed deep inside.

Noah, watching from the side, felt both nervous and intrigued. He’d been spit roasted just yesterday by Eli and Melody, and that had been almost too much. But that had also been after a beating. It had served as a punishment. This, to Dawn, almost seemed like a reward. After a week of intense training, she got to relax and just drift off while two machines fucked either of his holes.

“I’d better get to my den,” Noah murmured. He didn’t want to be here any longer, trying to decipher these strange feelings.

“Just a moment,” Eli murmured. “Watch Dawn for a minute. See how well he handles it. He’s relaxed, accepting. You could learn a lot from him.”

“I’d rather just take a nap,” Noah replied.

Eli huffed a laugh. “Alright, fine. But your den. Not my bed.”

“I’m taking one of your pillows off the bed,” Noah replied. Before Eli could argue, he whisked out of the room.

Eli stared after him fondly. He wished he could have Noah here with him. They could relax together while Dawn took her training. But he didn’t want to start with one of Noah’s games while he couldn’t move as well. He wouldn’t put Dawn in danger.

She’d done this plenty of times before. But accidents could always strike at the worst of times.

With Noah out of the room and Dawn blindfolded, Eli lifted his shirt to check the bandages. Perhaps moving those two machines by himself had been too much. It felt more sore than ever. He was sure he was going to be bruised, and probably scarred.

Meanwhile, Noah’s walk to the bedroom was less than pleasant. He stared down at his still straining cock, wishing he could figure out how to unlock this damn cage already.

As soon as he was back in the bedroom, he swiped a pillow from Eli’s bed and shoved it into the den ahead of him. He placed it in the center of the den and laid down, taking a deep breath. It smelled like Eli.

He tried for a good few minutes to lay down and get some sleep. But despite his run earlier, he was filled with nervous energy.

And every time he closed his eyes, Dawn’s bound body appeared in his mind.

“Fuck me,” he sighed. He wasn’t going to sleep at this rate.

He crawled out of the den and slipped from the cage. Cautiously, he peered out of the bedroom and down the hall, then closed the door to the bedroom. Then, he crawled back into his den.

Reaching it, he grabbed Eli’s pillow and went straight to the back of the den, positioning himself as far from the light as possible. He hugged the pillow to his chest and took a deep breath, inhaling Eli’s scent.

Then, he reached one hand back to feel for his own hole. He let his teeth sink into the pillow to muffle himself, working one finger inside to feel for his prostate. He allowed himself a few moans, slipping another finger in.

When he finally found his prostate, he gasped, shoving more of the pillow in his mouth. On his knees, he leaned forward to brace his chest against the pillow, clutching it tightly with his free arm.

He rubbed at his prostate, shoving his face into the pillow. He reached his hand down to his cock, scratching desperately at the cage. But it didn’t budge, even as his orgasm approached.

He bit down the pillow harshly, muffling his cry of pleasure as heat gathered in his stomach. He moved his hips back onto his own fingers, pressing against his prostate and using the same motions Eli had.

He closed his eyes, trying to imagine he was in Dawn’s suit, his arms trapped and his body against a bench. He tried to imagine Eli as the person behind him, playing with his hole, teasing him. With Eli’s scent on the pillow against his face, he could practically hear his owner’s voice, urging him to cum, calling him a cute, messy little kitty.

Before he could think about what a bad idea this was, his back arched, cumming onto the blankets below him.

He dropped onto his stomach, sighing in relief. His straining cock went right down and the strange, aroused pulsing in his groan was ebbing way.

Then, the moment of bliss passed, leaving him in dreadful clarity.

“Shit!” He sat up quickly, yelping as he banged the top of his head on the ceiling of the den. “Shit, shit, shit, shit!” He scrambled out of the way. In the dim light, he tried to wipe the cum off the blankets. Panicked, he gathered it with his fingers and licked it off, just needing to hide it. He wiped and lick until there was no evidence left.

His heart felt heavy with guilty, but he chose to blame this on Eli. His owner had shown him something so hot he couldn’t help but want it.

Besides, Eli had never directly told him he couldn’t give himself an orgasm. So had he really done anything wrong?

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli was sitting on the stage, his eyes on Dawn, but his mind was on Noah. He thought about the last time Noah had been left to his own devices. How ever time Eli turned his back, he seemed to stray towards a door.

Eli suddenly jolted, grabbing his phone. He’d forgotten to turn Noah’s collar back on! He didn’t think the cat boy would want to escape, but he’d certainly try to go exploring.

Quickly, he opened the app and turned Noah’s collar back on. Checking the gps, he sighed in relief. Noah was exactly where he was supposed to be- right under Eli’s bed.

But before Eli could put his phone away, a notification went off for the collar. Confused, Eli looked down at it, reading the report.

Noah’s heartbeat was elevated.

Eli narrowed his eyes, confused. The collars were able to sense the pulses of the pets that wore them, reading it through their necks. It was a feature that had come with the collars, and Eli found it useful for more intense training, to make sure a pet wasn’t over exerting themselves.

But Noah was in bed. There was nothing he could possibly do that would raise his heartbeat so high.

Eli feared the worst. He swiped on his phone a few times, pulling up the full report. Noah’s heartbeat had steadily risen just a few minutes ago before coming to an apex and suddenly dropping. Which eliminated the idea that it could be a panic attack, as Eli had feared. Unless Noah had been experiencing one very quickly.

But what else could cause that?

Suddenly, it clicked.

Eli slowly grinned to himself, realizing exactly what Noah had done. He should have known it was only a matter of time before his naughty cat took matters into his own hands.

Melody was going to have a field day with this one.

Chapter 31: Nylon

“Noah?”

Noah startled awake, leaping up and banging his head on the cage ceiling above. “Ow!” he hissed softly, rubbing the top of his head.

He crawled out of the den to the front of the cage, where Eli was waiting.

“There you are.” Eli leaned down to open the cage door. “How was your nap?”

“Fine, thanks,” Noah answered. “Is Dawn okay?”

“He’s sleeping in his bed.”

Eli moved out of the way so Noah could crawl out of the cage. He stood up and stretched. “Melody’s turn?” he asked.

“First, give my pillow back,” Eli ordered.

“P-pillow? Right.” Noah crawled back into the den and grabbed the pillow. With Eli right outside, he didn’t have much time to check and make sure he hadn’t gotten any cum on it.

He threw it back onto the bed before Eli could properly look at it.

Eli nodded curtly. “Good. Now let’s go. Melody will be eager to get started.”

“Yes, Master.” He joined Eli’s side, then took a step back to walk just beside him. He was absolutely positive there was no way Eli could discover what he’d done, but he wanted to play it safe. “Can you tell me what we have planned this time before we start?”

Eli smiled softly. “Not all of it. I’m planning to put Melody in charge again. But I want her to practice with bondage. I’m going to show her how to tie you up in different positions.”

Noah was pleasantly surprise. That didn’t sound too bad. He was used to bondage. So long as Eli didn’t throw any curve balls at him, it would be an easy day. “Lucky me.”

“Lucky you,” Eli agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~

Melody stood at the front of her cage, listening to the hallway outside. She had been thinking non stop about what might have happened that morning. Eli had behaved more curtly than usually, and Noah had looked like he was about to jump out the nearest window.

She could only imagine Noah had gotten himself in trouble. But the possibilities of what he could have done were endless.

She jolted when the door opened. Eli stepped through first. “Hello, Melody,” he said, then waited for Melody to return the greeting.

Noah followed right after him. While Eli looked much more relaxed, Melody noticed that the cat boy was tense. His eyes were up and focused, and his tail flicked back and forth restlessly.

“Today we’re going over basic bondage techniques,” Eli explained. “Noah has volunteered to serve as your rope bunny for the day.”

Melody caught the glare Noah shot at Eli.

“Sounds fun, Master,” Melody replied. “I’m excited to get started.”

“Good. Any particular outfits you want our kitten in?” Eli prompted. “Fabric is good for softening the feel of the ropes. But if you want to leave some pretty marks, you’ll want skin showing.”

“Fully nude is fine,” Melody replied, loving the idea. Behind Eli, Noah groaned.

“Good choice,” Eli praised as he unlocked the cage. “We’ll head to the gear room first for supplies. Then the best place for this would be the sling room, so we can hang ropes from the ceiling.”

“S-sling room…?” Noah’s tail bristled.

Eli’s playfulness dropped. “Not that one!” he said immediately. “A different one. It’s not like that, I promise.”

Noah suddenly looked very nervous. Eli petted his head as he passed to lead the way down the hallway. With a flick of his tail, Noah followed.

Melody stayed beside him. She leaned close to whisper. “Did something happen this morning?”

Noah glanced toward Eli before replying. “I…I scratched Master. Badly.”

Melody’s eyes widened. “You scratched him?”

“Clawed him,” Noah corrected. “I didn’t mean to. He just startled me and…and…”

“In here is my gear collection.” Eli hadn’t been paying attention to their conversation, and interrupted as soon as they reached the gear room. He opened the door awkwardly. “On the right wall, you’ll find the ropes. Have a look through them, Melody. See what you like.”

Melody stepped into the room. The wall Eli had gestured to was covered in ropes of all different sizes, colors, material, and thickness. She was immediately drawn to a yellow nylon rope.

She took the coil off the wall. Behind her, Noah was immediately anxious. Of course she had to choose the nylon rope.

“Good choice,” Eli said. “That’s a thicker rope, so it’s harder to maneuver, but it’ll hold a sub more firmly. And Noah is small enough we can even suspend him with it.”

Noah was regretting agreeing to this. He watched as Eli helped Melody shrug a few coils of rope onto her shoulder.

“Now to the sling-...uh. Suspension room,” Eli said.

“Master…?” Noah bounded to Eli’s side, gently grabbing his good arm. “It’s not going to be like last time, right?”

Eli gently petted Noah’s hair. “Nothing like last time, I promise.” He leaned close to whisper to him. “But if you’d stop getting yourself in trouble, we’d never need to go into one of those rooms again.”

Noah shuddered. It was another punishment. He should have known.

Eli led the way down the stairs. He went right past the kitchen and living room, instead heading for the dungeons. Noah slowed down, but Eli still had a hand on his head. His grip on his hair tightened, forcing him forward.

He led the pets to one of the dungeons, closer to the end of the corridor. Opening the door, he revealed a completely bare room, expect for hooks in the ceiling and anchor points all along the wall.

“Melody, lay the rope down there,” Eli said, pointing to the center of the room. “Noah, stand beside it. I hope you’re feeling flexible today.”

Noah groaned nervously, but followed Melody to where he’d been directed.

“Let’s start simple,” Eli said to Melody. “There’s a couple different types of knots you’ll need to know. The first is a simple loop.” He reached down, gritting his teeth as he grabbed one of the ropes. “Noah, give me your arm.”

Noah held out one arm, his palm facing up.

Eli looped the rope around it. “You wrap right here, then pull this end.” he gave the rope a yank and Noah felt it tighten around his wrist. “And if you pull the other end, the entire thing comes apart instantly.” he pulled a piece of the knot, and it came undone, dropping to the floor. “Now you try.”

Melody had watched with great interest. Strangely, Noah was doing the same. He’d never had a knot be tied in front of him with such detail before. This was knowledge he could use.

Melody picked up the rope and wrapped it around Noah’s wrist again. She used the same knot Eli had, then yanked it tight. “Like that?”

“Just like that,” Eli agreed. “Just make sure you wrap this part only.” He pointed to different places on Noah’s arm. “You don’t want to wrap up here, or too close to the elbow, otherwise you’ll cut off the circulation. And that kind of knot is great because you can repeat it all over the body, but use a single tug to undo it. Also make sure you have a way to quickly get a rope off a sub.”

Melody pulled on the rope and watched it unravel. “What happens if you cut off circulation?”

“It hurts,” Noah answered, knowing from experience.

Eli nodded. “The sub’s limbs can go numb, which could lead to permanent damage. So always watch the color of the skin. Noah’s easy to see, since he’s so pale, but if you ever deal with a darker skinned sub, make sure to watch them very closely. If the skin turns blue or gray, the rope is too tight, or it’s on a pressure point.”

Eli grabbed the rope again and tied a knot closer to Noah’s elbow. “If you press right…here.”

He pulled the rope tight, making Noah yelp.

“It causes shooting pain up the arm,” Eli finished.

“I think she gets it!” Noah growled, trying to tug his arm away. Eli pulled the rope free.

“That was a pressure point,” Eli explained. “There’s several all over the body. Each arm has three of them- here, here, and here.” He pointed to each point so Melody could see. “Even just squeezing them with your fingers causes pain.”

Demonstrating, he moved his hand to Noah’s shoulder and used two fingers to squeeze the muscle that connected his neck to his shoulder. Noah crumpled with a hiss of pain. Eli held it for only a second before letting go and giving Noah a moment to recover.

Melody placed her hand on the same spot, but didn’t squeeze. “Can these be used for control?” she asked, much to Noah’s dismay. “Like, if I wanted him to move somewhere and he won’t, can I use this to get him there?”

“No!” Noah protested.

Eli had never thought about that before. “I’d say…no. Only as a last resort, as it does cause considerable pain. And if you do it too much you could damage the blood vessels.”

Noah glanced toward Melody nervously. He didn’t like that she was already thinking of her own ideas. Bad owners were scary- creative owners were demonic

“Now, using what you’ve learned, let’s tie Noah’s arms back. Wrists first, then work up,” Eli ordered.
Noah shot Eli a warning glare as soon as Melody was behind him and grabbing his arms. He could feel her working diligently, already getting the hang of the simple not. He was greatly relieved when she avoided any and all sensitive areas, and stopped just before hitting a pressure point. Once she had Noah’s arms trapped behind his back, she gave the rope a tug, tightening it.

Noah glanced over his shoulder to watch.

“Perfect,” Eli said. Wincing, he bent to grab another rope. “Now wrap this around his chest and waist, and then his arms. It’ll trap them to his back.”

He got Melody started, wrapping the rope around Noah’s torso in a harness-like pattern, before letting the owl girl finish it with a knot behind Noah’s arm. She gave it a tug, and Noah felt his arms being trapped to his back.

“Alright, Noah, see if you can escape,” Eli ordered.

Noah, not happy about this, did his best to wriggle from the ropes, but they held tight. And Eli had enough forethought to keep the ropes on his chest down enough he couldn’t get his teeth around them. He tried everything he could while standing in one place, but the ropes didn’t give.

“Alright, you win,” Noah growled.

Melody looked pleased. She’d moved around to look at the ropes against Noah’s chest, admiring the patterns.

“With a sub tied like this, they won’t have use of their hands or arms,” Eli said. “As I said before, all subs are different. But Noah is flexible enough to hold that pose for long periods of time.”

He grabbed another bit of rope and weaved it through Noah’s bond arounds, then around his chest harness a few times to make an anchor.

“This is an anchor,” Eli said. “Which you can tie to other points. If you want a sub against the wall, or on the floor. You can even use it as a leash. But today, we’re using it as a hoist.”

He threw the long end of the rope over his head, tying it to a hook in the ceiling. Then, he gave the end of the rope to Melody.

“Give that a pull,” Eli ordered.

Realizing what was happening, Noah started forward. But Melody was already pulling on the rope. With Noah’s weight dispersed over the harness, she was easy able to hoist him from the ground and into the air. Noah was forced to bend forward, his legs dangling.

Melody’s eyes sparkled with delight. She’d never be able to lift Noah normally, but the ropes made him feel weightless. She only had him a few centimeters off the ground, just enough to leave him dangling, but not enough for it to be dangerous.

“Great.” Eli took the end of the rope and pulled it back more, tying it to an anchor point on the wall.

Noah was further off the ground, staring down nervously. He didn’t like being off the ground, but he supposed he should have figured he’d be suspended when stepping into a room Eli had referred to as a suspension room.

“The legs are similar,” he heard Eli say behind him. “Pressure points are here, here, and here. But otherwise, you can wrap a rope anywhere. Try folding Noah’s leg and tying his ankle to his thigh.”

Noah squirmed in the air, feeling himself swing. Melody stilled him by grabbing one ankle and folding it against is thigh. She used the same method as before, wrapping the rope around the ankle and thigh separately before joining them. Then, she worked her way down until one leg was firmly trapped in place.

She stepped back and looked at Eli.

“Just like that,” their owner praised.

Noah dropped his head, trying to watch them from below. His long white hair hung in the air, nearly touching the ground.

“Since Noah’s so flexible, he can stay like this for hours,” Eli continued. “But he also has a problem with struggling too much, so watch that the ropes don’t shift. Now, tie the other leg.”

With a smile, Melody did as she was told, tying Noah’s other leg with just as much efficiency.

It was taking all of Noah’s will power not to kick at her or try to struggle. He gulped heavily, reminding himself he was doing this for her. She was just training. She couldn’t help accidentally pulling too roughly.

When Melody was done, Noah felt utterly helpless, dangling from the ceiling about four feet off the ground.

“Perfect,” Eli said. “See, Melody, you can buy all the expensive cuffs and chains in the world, but nothing beats a simple piece of rope. Now, let me show you a fun trick.”

He grabbed a shorter length of rope and held it up for Melody to see. He tied a knot directly in the middle of the rope, then tied over it a few more times until it had formed into a ball of sorts.

“Bigger knots like this can be used as gags,” Eli explained. “And to control the motion of a sub’s head.”

He untied the knot, then handed the rope to Melody.

“Try making a gag, then give it Noah and tie the ends of the rope off to the ropes around his arms. That’ll keep his head up and also keep him quiet.”

“Wait, what are you doing?” Noah tried to look over his shoulder, rocking himself in the ropes.

Melody easily brought up one hand to still him, then she took the rope from Eli and tied it into a big knot.

When she presented it to Noah, he growled at it.

He yelped, feeling a light slap on his ass.

“Noah, be nice,” Eli chided. “Melody is only training. Don’t you want to help her?”

Noah huffed. Still unhappy, he let his mouth fall open to accept the gag. Delighted, Melody began wrapping it behind his head, attaching it to the ropes around his arms.

Nylon was too thick of a material for Noah to bite through. But he still gave it a few testing chews, wondering if he could wear it down. He felt another slap on his ass and stopped.

Noah hated this. He couldn’t move an inch, forced to look straight ahead. These ropes would surely leave marks all over his skin. And no matter how much he struggled, all he succeeded in doing was swinging back and forth.

He whined, frustrated. And all that frustration went right to his cock.

Melody had noticed. “He likes it!”

“He does!” Eli leaned close to Melody. “He’ll never admit it, but he loves the attention he gets when he’s being used.”

Noah grumbled in protest behind the gag, ignored by the doms.

“Now, you can do anything you want to him while he’s tied like this,” Eli said. “You’ve got him on display for us. Now, do you want to know something interesting about our little kitten?”

Melody nodded eagerly.

“He’s actually been quite naughty today. And you’ve got him in the perfect position for a punishment.”

Noah swallowed heavily, trying not to whimper. He knew exactly what this was about. He sighed in acceptance, knowing he deserved whatever punishment Eli had decided for him.

Melody sighed. “He’s always up to something. What was it this time?”

“A few things,” Eli began. “Firstly, when we went on a walk last night, I specifically told him not to get muddy. So he got me muddy! Splashed me with a puddle. Then, when I told him to stay still, he ran away from me. I only got him back inside after a lightning storm hit. And of course that meant we both had to take a bath. But you want to know the worst thing?”

Noah winced guiltily. Eli was still mad at him about the scratch. He’d known it all along. Now he was letting Melody get revenge for him.

But Eli’s next words were even more terrifying.

“He gave himself an orgasm- without my permission.”

Noah tensed, stunned.

“He snuck off to his room and his collar sensed an elevated heartbeat. I bet he was playing with that slutty hole of his. And he came from it!”

Noah’s eyes widened. He wriggled in the bondage with a high pitched whine. He didn’t know the collar could do that!

Melody looked shocked. “That’s awful!” she said. “I thought the caning from yesterday would keep him in check for a while longer. But it hardly did a thing! What should we do?”

“Well, it seems the pain in his backside isn’t good enough. I think he needs to be reminded who’s in charge here. So let’s hit him where it really hurts.”

Noah cried out, feeling fingers around his balls.

“I’m going to show you my favorite way of torturing a pet’s balls,” Eli said. “And maybe next time our little kitten thinks about cumming, they’ll ache so much he won’t want it anymore.”

Noah whimpered, panicked. Melody turned her head to check on him, looking worried.

Eli checked him over, but nothing was wrong. “Don’t worry, he’s just being dramatic,” he reassured the owl girl. “Now, how shall we punish him?”

“Can we cane his balls?”

Noah shrieked into the gag.

Eli was inclined to agree with the cat boy. “Oh, no. Canes are for asses. It’s fleshy and padded. Caning balls is more pain that we’re looking for. Plus, it can cause permanent damage. Instead, grab another rope and tie it around his balls.”

Noah groaned as Eli pulled his balls down. Melody wrapped a rope around the base, then pulled it tight. As Eli had shown her the previous day, she wriggled a finger between Noah’s skin and the rope to make sure it wasn’t too tight.

“So, what we’re doing here is causing a dull pain,” Eli explained. “Sharp pain is what canes cause. It’s a great punishment method that subs want to avoid at all costs. But some subs need a little more time to think about their actions. So we’ll give Noah some dull, constant pain, that’ll help remind him of his place.”

Once Melody had the rope around Noah’s balls, Eli took the ends and lopped it around a hook in the ceiling.

“Now, this will pull on his balls and cause a constant, slowly growing pain, but it won’t cause damage,” Eli explained. “So give that rope a tug.”

Melody took the rope and gently began pulling it back. Noah yelped in pain.

“Pull it further back,” Eli instructed. “Just do it slowly.”

Noah whimpered as Melody began pulling on the ropes. His balls stretched further and further from his body.

Noah tried to remain completely still, but he couldn’t stop himself from trembling. A single swing could have him in excruciating pain, and he knew Eli knew that.

Any arousal he’d had earlier was completely gone.

This was not fun.

Melody was feeling the exact opposite. She was loving the little sounds Noah made as she pulled on the rope. She could tell how he was feeling just from how his breath stuttered.

Her own cock was pressing against its cage.

Eli was watching closely. “This is a pretty reliable method of getting a naughty pet to cooperate. And since the pain is centered in the groin, any thoughts of an orgasm are completely gone.”

Noah wailed in pain. Melody wasn’t stopping.

“How far is too far?” she asked.

“Good question,” Eli said. “Testicles are quite stretchy. And since he’s tied up, we can pull them pretty far. So probably about…here.”

He had taken the rope and pulled it back just a bit further. Noah cried out in pain.

“This is as far as you should take it,” Eli said. “We’re looking for pain, but not injuries.”

Noah blinked, feeling tears in his eyes. He wasn’t often punished like this, but it was by far his least favorite method. He wailed behind the gag again, begging for mercy.

Eli gave the rope a little more slack, then tied it off to another anchor. “I think this length is perfect. See, the further you pull back, the less time you have to keep a sub like that. So at this length, we’ve got maybe an hour before we need to let him down. And we also don’t want to give him too much pain, or he won’t be able to to handle it. Every sub is different.”

Melody nodded in agreement. “He seems like he can take a lot of pain.”

“Trust me, Noah’s used to punishments,” Eli replied. “He doesn’t like them, but he can still take them. This kind of punishment isn’t just physical, though. See how he’s trembling? He’s trying not to struggle, or the extra movement will pull on his balls. So it’s a mental exercise as well.”

“Clever,” Melody said. From here, she could see Noah’s chest heaving. His ears were pinned back. Not to listen to them, but more so to express his discomfort.

“Now, we still need to watch him, especially in this position,” Eli said. “Pets will anxiety- like Noah- might start to panic when under this much stress. If he starts struggling, he could really hurt himself.”

“That’s why the rope knots are quick release,” Melody realized.

“Exactly,” Eli said with a nod. “But right now, he’s fine. Look how he’s concentrating. I don’t even think he can hear us.”

Melody observed Noah for a moment. He was trying to keep completely still, staring straight ahead. Beads of sweat were forming all over his body. When Melody peered at his face, his gaze seemed far away.

“Now, there’s a few things we can do from here,” Eli said. “Like getting a vibrator. Forcing an orgasm out of him. It would be excruciating, and he’d definitely think twice about touching himself again.”

Eli felt his shorts growing tight, watching Noah helpless and trembling. He could easily lower the hoist and fuck him like this. But that was a little too good for a punishment.

Melody was frowning at his suggestion. “I don’t think he deserves another orgasm, even a painful one.” She thought a moment. “What if we edged him?”

Eli grinned. Melody was going to be a prodigy. “That’s brilliant, Melody. How do you think we should go about it?”

“Well…” Melody paced behind Noah again. “A vibrator feels too cruel. He’ll start struggling to get away from it and hurt himself.” Slowly, she raised her head, her eyes lighting up. “He used his hole to give himself an orgasm. What if we did the same?”

Melody said exactly what Eli was thinking.

“I couldn’t agree more,” he replied. “There’s two options we could take. The first is getting a dildo to fuck him with. But that means he’ll be moving, and it could cause damage to his balls. The second, safer option, is getting a vibrating plug.”

“Yes!” Melody agreed. “That’s perfect.”

“Wonderful. Head down the corridor to the gear room,” Eli instructed. “On the opposite wall, you’ll find a chest full of plugs. Find one you like- one with ridges will be acceptable, since it’ll tease his prostate.”

“Yes, Master!”

Once Melody was out of the room, Eli slowly paced in front of Noah’s field of vision. He waited until Noah blinked at him, his eyes focusing.

Eli leaned down to get eye level with him. “Hey there, kitten,” he said softly. “How you holding up? In pain? It’s what you deserve for that little stunt earlier.” He stood up again, gently patting the top of Noah’s head. “Let this be a lesson- don’t you ever cum without my permission again.”

Chapter 32: Edge Of Glory

“These buttons set the strength,” Eli explained, pointing to the different settings on the base of the plug. “And these ones cycle through the types of vibrations. That button will activate a small shock, but don’t use that one now. Just vibrations should do the trick.”

The buttplug Melody had picked out was thick and black, and covered in ridges. Now that Eli had explained its function, he left Melody to her own devices.

Gently, she slowly worked the plug into Noah’s ass, inch by inch, ridge by ridge. Each one had Noah moaning, his hole slowly stretching around the wide plug. He whined when it got deep enough to rub against his already sore prostate.

Melody continued, working it in until Noah’s hole had swallowed it to the base.

Noah was panting heavily.

“Good,” Eli praised. “So this one has five speed settings and five strength settings. I wouldn’t put it on the highest- we don’t want our kitten to enjoy it too much. I’ll let you decide what to use. Experiment. Have fun with it.”

Noah whimpered. Melody stared at the settings for a long moment, deciding what to do. Then, she reached forward and pressed the button for speed four and strength three.

Immediately, Noah howled, swaying back and forth in his bondage. His moan of pleasure was cut off by a scream as the swaying pulled painfully on his balls, which were turning red by now.

Melody took a step back and watched him, delighting in his torture. Her hand went straight to her groin, but she could only feel so little through the cage. The sound of Noah's cries was a huge turn on.

Noah's prostate was already sensitive from being playing with just a few hours ago. The closer he got to an orgasm, the louder he got, swinging back and forth until his balls were pulled taunt.

Eli joined Melody’s side, checking on Noah’s agitated ballsack.

“Doesn’t he look amazing like this?” Eli teased. “He’s feeling pain, pleasure, discomfort, agony…all from one little toy and a few ropes. Doesn’t this turn you on, Melody?”

Melody’s breath was heated. “Yes, Master.”

She reached out a hand to gingerly touch Noah’s balls, feeling how taunt they were.

“This is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Eli said. “Only two training sessions, and you’ve already doing so well. I think you've earned an orgasm this week. And I’ll even let you decide how Noah gives it to you.”

Melody blushed. But before she could begin to think about how she’d taken an orgasm, she noticed Noah’s demeanor change. His wails turned to pleasured moans. He was trying to move his hips, riding a cock that wasn’t there.

Realizing he was close, Melody reached up to completely turn off the plug.

Noah went completely rigid for a long moment. Then, he took several deep breaths and wailed into gag, shaking his head desperately. His cock was painfully hard in its cage.

“What did you have the plug on?” Eli asked.

“Speed four and strength three,” Melody answered.

Eli nodded. “Good choice. But our kitten is still rather sensitive. Turn it down and see how his behavior changes.”

Melody changed the settings, lowering both speed and strength to setting two. Then, she turned it on again.

Noah groaned, trembling. It took longer for him to reach the edge again. But Melody was patient, waiting until his moans grew high pitched. But he never got right on the edge again.

“Oh, I see,” Melody said. “This makes it easier to tease him.”

Eli nodded in agreement. “Precisely. This is strong enough to be pleasurable, but not enough to get to an orgasm. Meaning we can leave him like this as long as we want and never worry about having to turn off the plug.”

“But we don’t leave him all alone,” Melody said.

“That’s right. We stay here and keep an eye on him,” Eli agreed. “Now, look at how red his balls are. I’d estimate we’ve got another forty minutes in this set up before it’s time for a break. Or, we take the rope off his balls and leave him here for a few hours with nothing but the plug.”

Melody watched Noah for a moment. She didn’t want to take the rope off yet. She wanted to see just how red his balls would get. And what kinds of marks the ropes would leave. Besides, keeping him here longer than an hour would just be teasing Melody herself.

“Another forty minutes of ball stretching,” she decided.

“Good choice. Now, I want you to watch his balls. If they start turning any color but red, they have to be released immediately. Also listen to his breathing. If it seems like he’s starting to panic, we’ll let him down immediately.” Eli dropped his voice. “Even if you suspect a pet is just pretending to get out of a punishment, if they start hyperventilating, you have to let them down. I’d rather end a punishment early over nothing than put a pet in danger.”

Melody nodded in understanding.

Noah was settling again. With the pleasure so minimal, pain was returning in intense burst. The room was filled with his cries of anguish and whimpers of pain. Every small movement sent sharp stings throughout his balls.

Melody remained exactly where she was, already Eli had moved to the edge of the room to observe. He took out his phone, taking notes. Each time Noah started getting used to the pain again, his cries lessening, Melody would change the settings on the butt plug. She seemed to be enjoying hearing him cry.

And she was good at keeping him on edge. She listened closely to his moans, waiting for them to get high pitched so she could turn the plug off.

Melody never seemed to get bored of it. Eli was entranced as she messed with the plug, trying every combination of settings she could. Whenever Noah seemed to be getting too comfortable, she turned both settings up to five, just to hear him scream, only to turn the plug off right before he could cum.

Beneath him, Noah’s cock pressed painfully against its cage. Eli figured his balls must be numb by now. He hoped this was a lesson Noah would finally remember. If not, Eli was running out of ways to punish him.

Melody was a natural sadist, he was starting to realize. She was relishing in Noah’s suffering. Which Eli thought was amusing, considering how close Noah had gotten to her. She’d been the one Noah had fled to while angry with Eli. He wondered if Noah was allowing this because he genuinely believe Melody had information that could hurt him, or because in doing him that one emotional solid, she’d permanently gained his loyalty.

Sadly, Eli realized both could be true. Noah had a hard time trusting people. He might believe Melody was eventually going to use whatever he’d told her to hurt him. But after so many years of torment and cruelty, he latched on to any minute show of kindness.

Eli knew, because Dawn did the same thing.

He settled when the timer on his phone went off, signaling the end of forty minutes. He was a little disappointed, enjoying the show. But he would remain true to his word.

“Alright, Melody, times up!” he called, making Melody jump out of her trance. “Plug out first, then the rope around his balls. Then we’ll lower him to the ground.”

“Right, Master,” she agreed, also sounding disappointed. She turned off the plug and gripped the base.

Eli grabbed her hand before she could yank it out. “Remember, this one has ridges on it. Go slow.”

Melody nodded and began gently pulling it from Noah’s hole. The cat boy moaned as it was pulled free. Each ridge stretched the rim from his hole and made him groan.

When it was finally out, Melody watched with interest as Noah’s stretched hole spasmed, clenching down on nothing. She bit the inside of her lip, feeling her cock twitch.

She kept glancing at it as she grabbed the rope around Noah’s balls. With one tug, it came undone.

As soon as the rope was off, Noah screamed in agony. Melody took a step back, her eyes wide with worry.

Eli hurried over to take a good look. “It’s fine, Melody. His balls went numb. Getting feeling back into them will be painful.”

Melody nodded in understanding. With Noah calming down, she moved to the anchor that held the hoist. She grabbed the knot and pulled it apart, then gasped when it unraveled from the anchor.

“Whoa!” Eli dove forward, grabbing Noah before he could plummet to the ground. He stood rigid, shooting pain lacing through his shoulder as he was forced to strain it.

The cat boy let out a broken groan.

“Sorry!” Melody called. “I’m so sorry, Master.”

“It’s alright,” Eli said. “Always make sure you have a good grip on the rope before untying it from the anchor point.” He was also glad he’d been standing so close.

With a grunt of pain, Eli lowered Noah to the floor on his stomach.

“His arms and legs will be sore, so untie them slowly,” Eli directed. “If you move them too fast, you could pull his joints.”

Noah was completely still as Melody began untying the knots. Although they came apart with a simple pull, she did so slowly, learning her lesson from the anchor. She made sure none of Noah’s limbs hit the ground too hard.

Sparks of joy shot through her when she uncoiled the ropes and found red marks all across Noah’s body. They crisscrossed his skin, forming almost floral-like patterns.

But his silence was off putting. Even when Melody removed the gag, Noah just lowered his head to the ground.

“Is he alright?”

“I don’t know,” Eli admitted. “Let’s do our check. What’s first?”

Melody had to think for a moment. “Um…we check his heartbeat for irregular patterns,” she answered.

“That’s right. Turn him onto his back for me.”

Melody gently gripped one of Noah’s arms. He groaned in protest as she moved him onto his back, his head lulling. Melody placed a hand on his chest. His heart beat was slow, but normal.

“Everything’s in order,” she reported.

“Good,” Eli said. “Now this time, we had him tied up in a rather compromising position. So check each of his limbs. Make sure no appendages have turned blue or black.”

Melody checked Noah over, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Now that she was checking it all herself, she felt relieved. Noah was just tired after a rather harsh punishment.

“Everything looks fine,” Melody said, and relished in Eli’s nod of approval.

“Good. Let’s sit here for a bit and wait for him to come around,” Eli said. “Remember, Noah has a lot of energy, but he loses it pretty quickly. So a knocked out kitty is a sign of a successful session.”

Noah groaned. He was coming back around, at least enough to roll onto his side and curl up protectively. His entire body was aching.

“See? He’s fine,” Eli said. “Once we’re sure no damage has been done, we’ll clean up in here.”

“Okay, Master.”

After just a minute, Noah made to sit up, rubbing his jaw where the rope gag had rubbed his cheek. Despite being in his own mind again, he made no irritated remarks or attempts at a joke. He was utterly subdued.

“Melody, grab the ropes and plug,” Eli directed.

While Melody followed the order, Eli sat down and scooted up against Noah.

“Hey, kitten,” he said softly. “You with me?”

Noah blinked up at him. He slowly lowered himself back to the floor, resting his head on Eli’s lap. “Sore,” he croaked.

“Yeah, this was a harsher punishment,” Eli replied. “Let’s get you back to my room to rest.”

Despite his injured shoulder, he pulled Noah closer and stood up with him, one arm under his legs and the other on his back.

Noah sighed softly, leaning against his chest.

Melody rejoined them, the ropes on her shoulders.

“Take that back to the gear room,” Eli ordered. “Then wait for me there. I need to get Noah to bed.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody agreed.

Eli led the way out of the room, walking with Melody to the gear room, then going straight past to head for the stairs. In his arms, Noah was stirring.

“Master…” he rasped. “I’m sorry. I should have known better.” He pressed his face to Eli’s shoulder, his words muffled but clear. “Seeing Dawn on those machines…It just got to me. And you were busy.”

Eli nodded curtly. “I’m glad you know that. But if you want something, you can always ask me. I’ll never punish you for asking for something. Understand?”

“Yes, Master,” Noah agreed. He’d known even before realizing he’d been caught that it was a bad idea.
And Eli’s stern voice made him want to sink into the ground.

“I’m sorry it’s hard to trust me,” he murmured. “With anything.”

He glanced at Eli’s shoulder. It hadn’t escaped him that Eli had been struggling with it all day. Even now, as he carried Noah to their room, he was wincing with each step.

“I wish I could be like Dawn,” Noah admitted. “He’s so good at just…getting it right. He just takes it.”

“Noah,” Eli began gently, “You’re not Dawn. And you never will be. I don’t expect you to be. I like that you have spirit. I like that you’re willing to stand up for yourself, even though I get aggravated with you. But I need you to trust me. If you’re feeling a certain way, you have to tell me. I promise, I will never get mad at you just for asking something, okay?”

Noah nodded. “Okay, Master.”

“Good boy,” Eli sighed. “And I want to make sure you know- that punishment had nothing to do with the scratch this morning. That was an accident. And it’s never going to happen again, right?”

Noah glanced up at him guilty. “What if it does happen again?”

“Do you think it will?”

Noah swallowed heavily. “I…I don’t know. I didn’t think it would happen at all.”

Eli took a moment to just look at him. There was no training method he had that would get a reactive pet to stop lashing out. He’d trained pets like Noah before- not pets from Noah’s exact situation, but pets who had come from bad places and coped with violence. It was all in self defense. The only way Eli could stop the behavior was by making Noah feel as comfortable and safe as possible.

“That instinct that you have,” Eli said, “when you think you’re in trouble and you just want to hurt whatever’s doing it…It’ll never truly go away. But we can take measures to help. We can stop accidents before they happen.”

To his surprise, Noah flinched.

“Are you…going to abandon me?”

“No,” Eli answered immediately. “Absolutely not. You’re my pet now. And it seems I’m the only person in this entire city who can even half-way tolerant you. You’re here to stay.”

Noah relaxed. “Thank you, Master. I like it here.” His words were soft, slipping back into half-unconsciousness.

Eli was ready with a whole other lecture, but he’d save it for now. For when Noah could actually remember what he said.

Once at the bedroom door, he used his hip to push it open. “I’m glad you like it here. This is your home for as long as you want it to be.”

He didn’t want to jostle Noah around too much, so he laid him down on his own mattress.

“But seriously, no more giving yourself your own orgasms. That’s unacceptable.”

“Yes, Master. I understand.”

He was asleep before Eli was even out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli was met with wide orange eyes the second he stepped into the gear room.

“He’s not too hurt, is he?” Melody fretted. “I got so carried away. And he’s been so quiet since this morning when-” She squeaked, her hands flying to her mouth.

Eli raised an eyebrow. “You know about the scratch?”

Melody blushed. “He told me about it. He tells me everything.”

Eli held his tongue. He didn’t appreciate Noah telling her about their personal business, but he supposed it was good he felt comfortable enough to do so. He and Melody were becoming good friends.

“Noah’s fine,” Eli answered. “We talked on the way to my room.”

Melody sighed, relieved. “That’s good.” She hesitated a moment. “M-master? If I may ask…Why did he scratch you?”

Eli glanced away, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. “It was mostly my fault. I forgot his ass was still bruised and brushed it while we were still asleep. He reacted badly and just caught me off guard. But he apologized, and I knew it was an accident. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“I see,” Melody said. “I’m glad it was just an accident. “ While she spoke, Eli gestured for her to follow him from the room. “Noah has a lot of respect for you and I was surprised to hear he’d attack you.”

Eli paused momentarily, surprised. He didn’t think Noah respected him at all.

“Noah…came from a bad place before he ended up here,” Eli explained, keeping it vague. He would usually never tell one pet about another pet’s business, but perhaps this was a lesson Melody needed. She might one day meet other pets- or even just a sub- who needed the extra emotional support that Noah did. “His instinct to lash out will never leave, but there are ways we can make him feel more comfortable so he’s less likely to act out. Like my new rule- he’s not allowed to sleep with me in my bed after a beating.”

Melody smiled. “If you ever want me to help out, too, just ask. Noah’s been nice to me. I’d like to return the favor.”

Eli smiled back. “I appreciate that, Melody.”

He stopped in front of the stairs, feeling exhausted.

“Why don’t you head back to your room? I think you know the way.”

Melody nodded. “Yes, Master. I look forward to our next session.”

With a small bow, she hurried back up the stairs.

Eli waited for her to disappear around the corner, then let out a loud groan. His shoulder was aching. He trudged to the living room, not wanting to climb all the way back upstairs. Plus, he’d already put Noah in his bed, and he didn’t think they should be sleeping next to each other right now.

In the living room, he sunk onto the couch, exhausted. Hardly past noon and it felt like such a long day.

He set an alarm on his phone. One hour of rest, then it was back to work.

Chapter 33: Remnants

Delicious sizzling filled the kitchen. The smell of seasoned chicken wafted through the room. Eli grabbed the cutting board, covered in chopped up vegetables, and dropped them into the skillet.

Behind him, Noah’s ear twitched, hearing the sizzling grow louder. He was on his knees on the floor. Eli had taped a teasing wand with a toy fish on the end to the edge of the counter. Noah had initially been quite appalled by the patronizing toy. But after one bat with his still bound hands, he was enjoying himself way more than he wanted to admit.

Grabbing it between both hands, he brought the toy to his mouth to gnaw on it, enjoying the crunching of the plastic.

“Noah,” Eli chided. “No biting. I won’t tell you again.”

Noah huffed and let the fish go, watching it bounce into the air. His tail swished back and forth as he sat up to bat at it again.

Eli watched him, amused. He had quickly discovered Noah wasn’t a bad pet. He never truly had been. He’d just been dealt an unfair hand. And Eli felt proud that out of over a hundred other people, he was the one who’d discovered that.

Because Noah was his pet. His pet was an albino cat who loved to play and run. His pet was funny and clever and entertaining. And every day, he was teaching Eli something new.

“Noah, I’m curious,” he said. “What made you so aroused that you had to take matters into your own hands? Was it really just seeing Dawn tied down and fucked?”

Noah dropped back to the ground, blushing. “It wasn’t Dawn. Well, it kind of was. I don’t know! It just…what she was doing looked fun,” he admitted. “I wanted to know what it was like. But I don’t actually!”

Eli turned off the stove and slid the skillet back to cool off before he plated up the food. He had a suspicion Noah didn’t mind a lot of aspects of being a pleasure pet. In fact, he might actually like them.

“We can always try it,” Eli offered. “With smaller dildos, of course. And less strict bondage. I just wish you’d told me before sneaking off to deal with it yourself.”

“I know,” Noah whined, rolling his head. “And now I feel stupid because you’re being so reasonable about this and I didn’t have to go through any of that.”

Eli chuckled. “You’ll come to realize, I often know what’s best.”

Noah scoffed. “I hate that you’re right like ninety percent of the time.”

Eli barked a laugh. He’d cooked four pieces of chicken, and dropped three of them into bowls for the pets, the last one going to his own plate. Each one received a decent helping of mixed vegetables on top.

“Ninety percent?” Eli echoed, picking up two of the bowls. “Try a hundred. I’m always right.”

“I lied,” Noah said, standing. “You’re right fifty percent of the time. And I’m the other fifty percent.”

Eli rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. “I’m taking these to the other pets. Take yours and go eat in the living room. I’ll meet you there.”

“Yes, Master.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli peered into Noah’s bowl. The cat boy had immediately devoured all his chicken, then crawled off to lay beneath the coffee table. But he’d hardly touched the vegetables.

“Noah,” he said sternly, making the cat boy’s ear twitch. “You’re not leaving this room until you finish everything in your bowl.”

Noah sat up, scandalized, then yelped when he slammed his forehead into the bottom of the coffee table.

Eli held back a laugh.

With a grumble, and now his head hurting, Noah crawled out from the table to keep eating. His scowl as he scooped up the first piece of vegetable.

“Stop with the growling,” Eli chided, putting his feet up on the table. “They’re good for you.”

Done with his own food, Eli set his bowl to the side and settled deeper into the sofa. He still felt exhausted from a long day. His shoulder still ached. But he didn’t want to end the day just yet. In the heart of summer, the sun hadn’t even set yet.

But his eyelids felt heavy.

He yawned, grabbing Noah’s attention.

A million different options played through his mind, watching Eli drift off. He could fully walk out of here without touching those stupid vegetables. Or find a place to hide them. But Eli probably had an app on his damn phone that would somehow detect it.

“Hey.” The cat boy whisked his tail against Eli’s leg. “Don’t fall asleep or I might do something we’ll both regret later.”

Eli startled. “I’m fine. I’m awake…” He rubbed his eyes, covering another yawn with one hand. “Sorry, it’s just been a long day. Just…give me a moment.”

Noah stifled a laugh, amused. He abandoned his bowl to stretch out in front of the couch, purring.

Soon enough, Noah heard his master’s breathing even out, slipping into sleep. But it was occasionally broken by a moan of discomfortable.

Noah raised his head, watching Eli adjust his shoulder in his sleep. Guilt stabbed his heart. He’d caused this, and he wanted to fix it.

Very carefully, he crawled onto the couch. He started with just his upper body, trying not to dip the couch too much, then brought his legs up as well.

He knelt beside Eli for a second. Sure his owner was asleep, he leaned against him, pressing his cheek to his arm, right above the scratch. He closed his eyes and began to purr.

It was a deep but quiet purr, one he’d been caught in his original days of training. His owner had taught him a lot of about cat boys, and how useful they were as support pets. Their purrs were good for not just calming down a patient, but also for speeding up the healing process. The deep rumble could stimulate cells, making them move faster to heal a wound.

Eli fidgeted below him, then relaxed deeper into the couch. Noah’s tail swished happily, feeling his owner’s shoulder soften up, the tension slowly leaving.

If Noah had been told this morning that he’d scratch up an owner, and that same night, be cuddling with them on the couch, he wouldn’t believe it. But he couldn’t be happier than he was now.

He relaxed, continuing to purr. He leaned his weight against Eli’s arm. Feeling comfortable, he let himself begin to drift off, slipping into sleep.

~~~~~~~~~

In his sleep, Eli felt himself sliding to the side. He jolted awake, sitting up. He was still in the living room. He must have fallen asleep on the couch. Noah was snuggling up next to him, purring in his sleep.

Eli gently moved him off his arm, then stretched.

“Wake up, kitten,” Eli said gently. “We should probably go sleep in a real bed. I…”

He’d never given Noah permission to get on the couch.

“What are you doing up here?”

Noah woke slowly, yawning. He sat up and stretched, then gasped, as though just realizing where he was.

Panic lit in his eyes. “I’m sorry!” He began sliding off the couch, back to his knees. “I’m so sorry, Master! I-I wasn’t trying to cause trouble! You were just moaning in your sleep. Your shoulder was bothering you so I…I…”

“Hey, hey,” Eli cooed. “It’s alright. You’re not in trouble.” He placed a hand on Noah’s head, gently petting him. “It was a nice thing to do. Just ask next time. You can wake me up for that, alright?”

Noah nodded. “Yes, Master.”

“Good boy.” Eli stood up and stretched. “Let’s head to bed. We’ll have another busy day tomorrow.”

But after a nap, Noah was wide awake. He glanced toward the other end of the living room. There was a doorway on the opposite side of the kitchen that led into a wing of the mansion he hadn’t been to yet.

“Master?” he called. “What’s down there?”

Eli stopped in the doorway that would lead to the stairs. He seemed confused by the question. “Mostly storage rooms,” he replied. “But close by is a party room I never used.”

“Party room?” Noah echoed.

“Yeah. There’s a cocktail bar, a pool table…a dart board, I think. I might have taken that down actually…”

“What’s a pool table?” Noah asked, scampering to catch up with Eli as he turned down the hallway. The image of water flashed through his mind.

“It’s the game where you use a long stick to hit balls into holes,” Eli explained.

Noah’s blinked at him.

“The table’s usually a dark green,” Eli tried. “There’s holes along the side. You’ve never heard of pool before?”

“When would I?” Noah scoffed. “I don’t know rich people games.”

“Commoners play it too. Lots of bars have them.”

“Oh, my mistake,” Noah droned sarcastically. “I’ve definitely seem them at bars that I’ve been to because I go to bars.” He rolled his eyes. “You’ve got that, plus probably a bunch of other games, and you still don’t have any hobbies?”

“It’s not a hobby. It’s a two player game and I don’t have anyone else to-” Eli cut himself off. “Fuck you.”

Noah’s tail curled, amused. “No, go ahead and finish that sentence.”

Eli glared over his shoulder. “Look, training pets is serious and it keeps me busy. I don’t have time for anything else.”

“Does JJ feel the same?”

Eli didn’t reply, his jaw tightening. Noah dropped it, realizing this wasn’t something Eli would like being teased back.

Noah glanced back and watched the living room disappear around a corner. He didn’t want to sleep. He wanted to explore.

“What other rooms are back there?” Noah asked, changing the subject.

“Mostly old storage rooms. Full of old stuff,” Eli explained. “There’s a library I never use.”

“Library?” Noah echoed. “That’s a book place, right?”

Eli chuckled. “Yes. It’s a room to keep books in. My parents and grandparents collected them. It’s quite extensive.”

Eli hadn’t been in there in years. He figured the place was probably covered in dust.

“My grandmother was a published author,” he explained. “And an avid historian. She had tons of research on the history and biology of pets. She even wrote a few training manuals I used when I first started.”

He let out a little sigh. His grandmother used to read those books to him. As a child, he’d been fascinated by everything to do with pets- where they’d come from, what their jobs were, how to care for them…He’d always found he could socialize better with pets compared to other humans.

He was broken from his thoughts when he noticed red eyes staring at him in his peripheral.

“Your grandma was an author?” Noah asked, sounding shocked. “Why haven’t I heard about her before! That’s so cool.” He frowned, thinking. “You’re so weird about your family,” he said bluntly. “You don’t hold any resentment towards them, but you don’t seem to think about them often.”

Eli smiled softly. If Noah had been more lucky with his first owner, he would have gone very far as a support pet.

“My parents died in a car crash when I was fifteen,” he explained, and watched Noah’s ears droop with sympathy. “I’ve tried my best to just move on from it, but…I don’t know. I don’t like to dwell on the past. There’s too much to do.”

“You can’t grief properly if you won’t let yourself,” Noah said. “You came from a good family. Let yourself remember them.”

Eli shook his head. But deep down, he knew Noah was right. “It’s easier without the distraction. It’s been ten years now.” He felt a pang of resentment. Not towards his parents, but to everyone they knew. “For the longest time, when I went to events or shows, all anyone could talk to me about was them. They’d tell me how great they were, how sorry they were about the accident, how much they helped the community. It was suffocating.”

He slowed to a halt, his limbs suddenly feeling heavy. He’d never let these feeling spill to anyone. Not even his closest friends. But there was something about Noah that just coaxed it out of him.

Damn shrink.

“At the time, it felt easier to just forget everything they’d done. I forged my own path. I made myself, so people would stop…comparing me to them.”

“They compare you as a compliment,” Noah reasoned. He hesitated a moment before continuing. “Master, be honest. Do you have any friends outside of JJ? Any friends you actually like?”

Eli glared at him. Only three other faces appeared in his vision. The first was in the same boat as JJ, and the other two he hadn’t talked to since the last pet show.

His silence answered Noah’s question. “No one really knows you, do they?”

His words stung. They stung more than Eli would like to admit. He’d never considered himself cold and distant, like Noah was framing him as. He almost felt like it was an error on the cat boy’s part. He was used to cold and distant owners. He was projecting, surely.

But the more Eli thought about the question, the more he hated the answer.

Eli shook his head. “Stop psychoanalyzing me, cat. You don’t know me.”

“I’d like to.”

Eli halted. Even Noah seemed surprised by his words.

“I-I mean,” Noah stuttered, “I like when you talk about yourself. You’re interesting…when you let yourself me.”

“That’s…” Eli was lost for words. “That’s very nice of you to say.”

Unsure what else to do, Eli turned and hurried for the stairs.

Noah followed in silence, blushing. He hadn’t meant to let that slip.

But it wasn’t a lie. He enjoyed how open Eli could be with him. He liked being presented with a puzzle to piece together, a problem to find a solution to. The more he learned about Eli, the more his theories were proven correct.

He wondered if Eli was aware Noah had a mental profile on him. With context clues from the mansion, the way Eli spoke, and how other pets spoke about him, Noah had put together his own idea of who his owner truly was. It had been a fun game, one he played with every owner he’d ever had. But with Eli, he felt like it was evolving into more than just a game.

It was becoming his job.

At the top of the stairs, Eli paused to rest. He turned on Noah. “You know a bit about my family now. Why don’t you tell me about yours?”

Noah stopped just below him on the stairs looking surprised by the line of questioning. He didn’t think Eli would care for something like that.

He flicked his tail distrustfully. His first instinct was that he was being messed with. Eli was looking for something vulnerable about him, something to use on him later.

But he couldn’t detect and malice in Eli’s expression. Noah wondered if he genuinely cared, or if he just wanted to break the awkward silence.

“It’s pretty big. Lots of siblings and half siblings,” he explained, walking up the last few steps. “But I was only raised with a handful of them. Plus my mother. I had a dad, too, but I didn’t really know him that well. He was my breeder’s only male cat, so he fathered like every kitten in my generation. But it was our moms that raised us.”

He watched Eli as he spoke, and noticed his owner softening, intrigued by tales of Noah’s childhood. The cat boy continued.

“My mom was the best. Her name was Eve, and she had black hair and blue eyes. She always said if I hadn’t been born albino, I’d look just like her.” Noah smiled as she recalled her. “I was her last kitten, though. She was getting too old to keep breeding.”

Eii chuckled. “No wonder your so bratty, being the youngest of your siblings.”

Noah grinned. “We were rowdy. But our breeder was really nice and let us play a lot. I didn’t actually start sexual training until I was old enough, so most of it was learning proper etiquette and other education stuff. Once my trainer realized I had a more uh…what’d he call it? ‘Sensitive’ personality- he switched me from companion training to support training.”

Even when speaking of his trainer, there was a shine of admiration and love in his eyes. He’d had a good childhood- a great one, compared to other pets.

He winced. “My mother used to tell me about how, when I grew up, I was going to be the most important thing to my owner. I’d be loved and cherished, just like she was.”

Eli glanced at him sympathetically. “She saved your life, then.”

Noah didn’t believe him. The comfortable life he’d been accustomed to had been ripped away the second he’d been taken from his mother. He remembered, in those first few weeks after Beau, despising his mother for giving him that false idea of what the world looked like.

Of course, now that he missed her so dearly, he could never think so negatively.

“I don’t think so,” Noah finally replied.

Eli began down the hallway again. “I do. She taught you how a pet should be treated. She showed you that you’re worth more than some owners would want you to believe.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Noah grumbled.

Eli’s gaze was serious. “If someone like Dawn- abused since birth, raised to be nothing but an obedient drone- was given to Mallory…”

Noah’s heartbeat quickened at just the thought.

“...If she saw what you’d seen, she’d think she deserved it,” Eli explained. “She’d think that was just what owners did. She’d believe that was her purpose. Noah, do you think you would have bitten your owner if you didn’t believe what he was doing was wrong?”

Noah scoffed. “He was mutilating pets! Anyone would think that’s wrong.”

“You’d be surprise,” Eli’s voice was sad, “by how many pets are raised to believe they deserve such treatment.”

Noah opened his mouth to reply, then seemed unable to, thinking over Eli’s words. He’d always blamed his comfortable upbringing for the years of torment he’d endured. But maybe it was something he should be grateful for. If other pets didn’t get the same.

Eli was grinning playfully. “See, I can say introspective stuff, too.”

Noah huffed. He swiped a gloved hand over Eli’s shoulder. “Shut up!”

Eli laughed good-heartedly. “You know, kitten, my parents were pretty close with every breeder in the area. Trainers and breeders tend to be business partners, you know. They probably knew the facility you came from. I bet there’s records of us buying from it somewhere upstairs.”

Noah blinked, his eyes wide with excitement. “Really? You could find my breeder? Please, Master? Can we?”

Eli’s heart lifted. “It’s not guaranteed, but we can sure as hell try. The attic’s full of old records and papers. I’ve never taken the time to short it out, so it’s pretty messy up there. We’d have to wait until after the contest, when we actually have time.”

His voice trailed a bit, not really wanting to, but Noah looked too happy about the idea for him to take it back now. Eli was a little worried. If Noah did find his original home, would he want to go back?

Would he stay here?

Eli felt selfish thinking like that. He’d promised he wanted to do whatever was best for Noah, but he couldn’t bare the thought of giving up and getting rid of him.

He’d stay true to his word. After Noah won him that competition, they could do whatever the cat boy wanted.

As they neared the bedroom, Eli’s mind wandered to the attic. He only went up there once a month to dump his paperwork. There was no order to it- and he felt like there should be. But with all his other responsibilities, keeping papers he didn’t need anymore but had to have for legal reasons in order was too much.

Maybe one day he’d hire someone to rummage through it all. He had tried, once, to hire a secretary.

He huffed. “You know, I actually have a sister,” he announced, grabbing Noah’s attention. “We’re twins, but I’m a few minutes older. She’s a total bitch. We had a huge fight after mom and dad passed. They left everything to me since I was the oldest.”

Noah listened intently. “Where is she now?”

“Last I heard, she’s doing favors on street corners.”

Noah breathed a laugh. He always enjoyed hearing more about Eli’s family. They seemed interesting, and it felt good that Eli felt safe enough to tell him. It made his owner seem more like a person. He’d grown used to a string of Masters with no family or identity other than Master.

Eli was a nice change of pace.

“You don’t talk to her anymore?”

Eli shook his head. “I didn’t abandon her,” he said, almost defensively. “I tried to help. I tried to give her a job, tried to budget for her. But she didn’t want my help so I stopped.”

Noah hummed in agreement. He hadn’t grown up with all his siblings at once. Some of them were so much older than him, they’d already been sold by the time he’d been born. But the ones he did know had been his first friends. Sure, they’d had their disagreements on occasion, but they were family. He’d do anything for them.

“Didn’t she get some inheritance?” Noah asked curiously.

Eli’s jaw tightened. “She got half. Spent it all within a year and went bankrupt. Then she had the audacity to beg me for mine. I told her she could work under me to earn back the money our parents made for her, and she wasn’t having it.”

Before Eli could open the bedroom door, Noah hurried ahead to grab the door, opening it for his owner. Eli shot him a warning look, not liking needing to ask a pet for help. But Noah glared back at him, refusing to let Eli strain himself.

Eli stumbled, exhausted, to the bed and sat down. He took off his shirt with a grunt. It was heavily padded with gauze and bandages.

Slowly, he removed it.

Underneath were four gashes, looking deep but clean.

Noah winced at the sight of them. He’d definitely caused worst damage, but that had been on purpose.

“Grab me that roll of bandages,” Eli ordered, gesturing toward the vanity.

With his head down, Noah trudged to the vanity and grabbed the roll of medical tape, then brought it back between his gloved hands. Eli took it gratefully, patching himself up.

Noah’s ear flicked, unable to stop from questioning him. “Shouldn’t you get it checked out?” he asked. “Aren’t you worried it’ll get infected?”

“I’ve got it,” Eli grunted. “Honestly, it’s impressive how clean you got me on accident. This’ll make a sick scar one day.”

Noah whined, deep in his throat. Eli had scars already, but those were from before Noah had gotten here. He didn’t like that Eli had a new blemish of his causing.

Once wrapped up again, Eli stood and adjusted his shoulder. He’d regained some mobility since that morning.

He glanced down at Noah, watching the cat boy. He was staring at the wound, a look of concern on his face. Eli’s heart broke for him.

He didn’t want to do this. But Noah was still sore and he couldn’t risk something like this happened again.

“Noah,” Eli began, “I’m having you sleep in the den tonight.”

Noah’s ear flicked, then he blinked up at Eli.

“It’s just for tonight, while you heal up a bit,” Eli continued quickly. “Remember when we talked about preventing accidents before they happen?”

Noah gritted his teeth, holding back a retort. He knew this was for the best. He knew Eli was just being safe. But it still felt like a rejection.

He quite liked Eli’s bed.

“Yes, Master.”

“Thank you.”

Chapter 34: Pet Park

“Master!” Noah whined, rattling the door of the cage again.

He’d woken half an hour ago when the sun rose, and had been waiting patiently for Eli to get up and let him out. But Eli’s alarm had gone off ten minutes ago and his owner had decided to hit snooze.

Noah grumbled, frustrated. He wanted out. “Master!” He rammed himself against the door of the cage.

“Noah,” Eli groaned. Noah heard shifting on the bed. “Be quiet. I’ll let you out soon.”

His alarm went off again, and he reached out to fumble with his phone for a second. Hitting snooze once more, Eli buried his face into his pillow, feeling exhausted and stiff.

If Noah’s hands were free, he would have just picked the lock by now.

He whined, high pitched and begging. “Master! Come on!”

“First lesson of the day, cat.”

Noah yelped as something hit the top of the cage, rattling it. A pillow from Eli’s bed landed in front of the
door.

“Patience.”

Noah stifled a growl, wanting out now. Eli didn’t usually sleep in so late.

He winced with guilt. Eli’s shoulder must still be bothering him. With that realization, he laid down in the entrance to the den.

A few minutes, Eli’s alarm went off for a third time. He heard his owner groan, and the bed shift as he finally got himself up. A few moments passed before Eli was in Noah’s view.

The cat boy pressed himself to the front of the cage, eager to get the day started. But Eli was glaring at him as best he could while still sleepy.

“You have to be more patient, kitten. Don’t rush me.”

Noah dropped his gaze. “Sorry, Master.”

Eli couldn’t hold his stern glare for long. “You can apologize by doing me a little favor.”

Noah knew exactly what he meant before Eli even had his pants down. His owner dropped his shorts, his cock already half hard with morning wood. He pushed it between the bars.

Without much hesitation, Noah’s lips were around the head of Eli’s cock. He used both gloved hands to work the shaft. He looked up at Eli, keeping eye contact. His owner groaned in pleasure.

“That’s a good boy,” Eli sighed. “Use your throat.”

Noah pulled back and swallowed the precum in his mouth. “I think we both know that’s not happening.”

Eli gripped the top of the cage. “You’re so lucky you’re in there right now, or I’d be slamming down your throat.”

Noah replied with a short laugh, then continued with the blow job, taking Eli’s cock into his mouth. He’d show his owner he didn’t need fancy, messy deepthroating to do a good job. His tongue could do all the work.

Especially when every day he found it easier to purr.

“Fuck, yeah,” Eli groaned out. Noah had pulled back to the tip of his cock, purring. “That’s right.”

Usually, he’d hold off and enjoy this. But he was still tired and needed to get the day started.

Only a few moments later, he was cumming into the back of Noah’s throat. The cat boy gagged, but swallowed it all down. Once Eli was spent, he pulled back and took a breath.

Eli stood back with a sigh of satisfaction. “It’ll be a good day,” he decided.

“Can I get out now?” Noah asked eagerly.

Eli chuckled lightly. “Patience, kitten. I might just leave you in there until breakfast.”

He walked away from the cage, heading to his closet to get dressed. Noah whined, still stuck in his den. Wondering how far he could push Eli, he let out a high-pitched, loud, desperate whine. “Master! Please!”

“Noah,” Eli grumbled, getting annoyed, “if you don’t stop, I’ll gag you until bedtime tonight. And then today won’t be nearly as fun.”

“Oh, god,” Noah groaned. “What scheme did you think up this time?”

“Don’t act like you don’t love my plans,” Eli called. “I see the way you get hard during training. You’re not fooling anyone.”

Noah blushed. “It’s a very natural instinct to arousing situations. Stimulation causes arousal. Anyone would react the same.”

Eli hummed thoughtfully. Only now did he return to open Noah’s cage. “So why did you feel the need to pleasure yourself?”

Noah crawled out of the den and stood up. “Uh…to alleviate some pressure,” he replied matter of factly.

Eli led the way out of the bedroom, heading for the kitchen first. He needed to get breakfast started.

“Sure thing, kitten.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“This is a very expensive suit,” Eli explained. “Premium latex, custom design by yours truly. And it’ll look adorable on you.”

Noah looked down at the full body cat suit. It was colored a light pink. The hands ended in closed mittens, like the one Eli had been using for him. And floral designs covered the hips, embroidered into the latex.

“We’re using that for agility training?” Noah asked, confused.

“Not agility training. We’re going for a walk.”

Noah’s ears perked up. He snatched the suit from Eli and began dressing himself.

Eli had known he’d like the idea. While Noah got dressed, he went to the vanity to grab a hair tie and a brush.

Noah groaned when he saw it. “My hairs fine. Let’s go!”

“Nope.” Eli sat down on the edge of the bed, then spread his legs. “Sit.”

With a whine, Noah did as he was told. He sat between Eli’s legs, facing away from him. Then, he felt a brush begin to glide through his hair. He settled into the touch, always enjoying Eli’s gentle fingers.

“What do you think today?” Eli prompted. “Braid or pony tail? Pig tails, even?”

“Braid,” Noah replied. Braids were harder for people to grab.

He felt Eli separated his hair, twisting it into a braid behind his back. After about a minute, Eli was finished, and gently nudged Noah up.

“Can we go now?” Noah asked, already heading for the door.

Eli took a few long strides to catch up. He placed himself between Noah and the bedroom door. “Not so fast. There’s a few things I need to grab. Stay here.”

Noah’s eyes widened as Eli opened the door and slid out. “What? Where are you going?”

“I’ll be back soon.”

The door shut.

Noah huffed, but sank to his knees to wait.

~~~~~~~~~~

“We’re doing something different today,” Eli said as he handed Melody a black cat suit with purple sparkles.

“I’ve got Dawn waiting outside and Noah’s in my room. I want you to help me control them today. I’ll need the extra set of hands.”

Melody took the outfit, looking intrigued. “I’ll do my best, Master.”

Once Melody was dressed, Eli led her into the hallway. Just outside the door, Dawn was waiting in her own light blue cat suit.

“Dawn, this is Melody,” Eli introduced. “She’s training to be a power pet, so do as she says and behave.”

Dawn nodded. “Yes, Master!”

“Hello,” Melody greeted. “I’m Melody.”

“Dawn!” the bunny boy chirped. “It’s so nice to meet you. Your wings are so pretty. I wish I had wings! Can you fly? Can you even move them? I can’t control my tail unless I try really hard.”

While the pets got acquainted with each other, Eli attached leashes to the hooks of their collars.

“This way,” he directed, tugging them down the hall to his own bedroom. “Wait out here will I get Noah.”

“Yes, Master,” the pets answered in unison.

Eli opened the bedroom door just enough to slip inside. As soon as the door was shut, Eli turned to meet wide pink eyes staring up at him eagerly.

“Now?” Noah begged.

Eli chuckled. He produced another leash from his back pocket, then clipped it to Noah’s leash. “Now.”

Before opening the door, Eli wound Noah’s leash around his fist, keeping him close to his side. Then, he turned the knob and let the door open.

Noah made the rush into the hallway, then scrambled to a stop when he saw the other pets waiting. He blinked at them in surprise.

“Master? What’s going on?”

Eli closed the door behind him, then looked down at his three pets. This was the first time they’d all been in the same room together, and the first time Eli had ever introduced pets to one another.

“You’ve all been working very hard these past few days. It’s wednesday, the middle of the week, so I thought you’d all enjoy a break today,” Eli explained. “All we're doing is a simple obedience test. We’re going for a walk, and I want all of you on your best behavior.”

Noah’s tail was lashing impatiently, wanting to get going. But Dawn’s had begun twitching uncontrollably. She hadn’t been outside the mansion since arriving six months ago.

“Melody is going to be my right hand lady for today,” Eli went on. “You’ll both listen to her, and she’ll make sure my orders are understood. So keep in pace with her, and no tugging on the leashes- Noah.”

Noah scoffed.

“Everyone understand?”

“Yes, Master,” Melody said first, and the other pets followed suit.

Eli nodded. “Let’s have a quick practice walk to the stairs. Line up. Melody in the middle, directly behind me. Noah, Dawn, on either side of her and a pace behind.”

Melody fell into place first, and the others followed. Noah glanced toward Eli. He didn’t want to be outside if it meant slow paces and leisurely strolls.

Dawn joined Melody’s other side, hardly able to contain himself. He’d begged Eli to wear his ballet heels today, but Eli hadn’t thought that was a good idea. The compromise had been three inch stilettos that put Dawn about an inch taller than Noah and just trailing below Melody.

Eli snapped his fingers to get their attention, then started down the hallway. Noah took a confident step forward, then stuttered and quickly fell behind Melody again. The owl girl wasn’t going slow, but it was slower than Noah would like.

Dawn wasn’t struggling at all. She watched Melody carefully, matching her stride for stride.

Eli was watching over his shoulder. This would be a good exercise for all of them. Melody would be able to practice being in charge of two subs at once, Dawn was getting in some focus training and Noah was going to stick with the theme from that morning and be patient for once in his life.

So it all worked out.

“Looking good,” he commented.

Going down the stairs proved just as easy. But the hard part would just be getting outside.

Eli stopped in front of the door. “Before we go, let’s lay down the rules.”

Noah stifled a groan.

“Firstly, stick together,” Eli began. “No straying away. Dawn, stay focused. Don’t get distracted. Noah, keep with the rest of us and wait when we stop.”

“Yes, Master,” the pets replied.

Eli smiled. “This is going to be fun.”

With all three leashes in hand, Eli swung the door open.

As soon as the lawn was in sight, Noah was shooting forward, but came up short when Melody stuck an arm into his path. She shot him a teasing smirk.

“Great, now there’s two of them,” Noah mumbled to himself.

Eli began slowly, just wandering down the driveway while the pets got themselves in order. Melody kept her head up and eyes forward. Noah’s tail curled in amusement at her usual stiff professionalism.

Eli was heading straight for the front gate.

Noah’s ear flicked, confused. They weren’t going to the back? That’s where all the interesting stuff was.
He noticed Dawn starting to slow down. Her blue eyes were wide with wonder. Her ears flicked back and forth with every small noise. Noah wondered if Eli was planning to take them around the length of his property, starting with the least stimulating side.

He also wondered if he could ever convince Eli to let Dawn into the paddock to play. If he won that contest, and Eli bought Dawn permanently, there would be no reason to reject the idea.

He noticed Melody starting to relax now that they were in the sun. The wind grabbed her brown hair, gently lifting it. She took a deep, satisfied breath of fresh air.

Noah understood completely.

Eli dug his phone from his pocket. A moment later, Noah startled when the front gates glided open.

“Going left,” Eli warned, then stepped onto the sidewalk.

Noah halted, feeling his heart began to pound. The mansion was safe. The yard was safe. But he didn’t know this side of town. He only started forward again when he felt his collar tugging.

While Noah stared around nervously, Melody and Dawn exchanged an excited glance.

Eli led them down the street, his head high. He lived on a quiet road. Only the occasional car rolled past, paying no mind to the pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Each time a car passed, Noah’s tail bushed out, which didn’t escape Melody’s ever watchful gaze. She eyed him curiously, wondering what had the usually confident cat boy on edge. He’d reacted better to the sight of a cane.

She leaned closer to him. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Noah snapped. He watched another car speed fast. “I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure,” Melody replied, not wanting to press him.

Eli had slowed down, forcing the pets to stop as well. He had spotted a couple walking along the opposite side of the street and raised his arm to wave to them politely. They returned the greeting, paying no mind to the three pet boys on leashes.

Dawn had been trailing slightly behind, amazed by the new sights and sounds. Not paying attention, her foot caught on a small tuft of grass growing in the cracks of the cement. The stilettos made her balance delicate, and she tumbled forward, falling into Noah.

The cat boy turned on him with a growl, startled. He relaxed when he realized it was just Dawn. His heart felt weighted with guilt when the bunny boy took a step back, his eyes slightly widened.

He glanced down. “What? Did you get attacked by some grass?” he teased, his tail flicking.

Dawn brightened, realizing Noah wasn’t angry. “Yes!” she squeaked. “It jumped out at me.” Dramatically, he threw his head back, bringing his wrist to his forehead. “But I vanquished it.”

She raised one foot and brought her heel down on the tiny tuft.

Noah giggled. “That was very brave of you. Who knows how many other bunnies its taken out.”

Melody was watching them begin to banter. Noah’s growl hadn’t gone undetected, but the owl girl was glad he’d played it off so well. She felt a tug on her collar, and realizing Eli was heading off again.

“Let’s go,” she told the other pets, then waited for them to scramble back to her.

Eli led them to the end of the street. He could see their destination not far away. But first, they had to cross an intersection.

He held up one hand, gesturing for the pets to stop.

A car- a nice, sleek blue one- rolled to a stop at the intersection, obeying the stop sign on the corner. The man behind the driver’s seat gestured for Eli to cross. Eli gave the man a grateful wave, then tugged the pets into the road.

Melody and Dawn started forward obediently, but Noah hesitated, eyeing the car warily. When his leash became taunt, he skittered into the road.

Eli wrapped up his leash before the cat boy could get in front of him. “Chill,” he cooed. “It’s okay. This is a nice neighborhood.”

Noah glared at him. He’d signed up for a walk through the yard, not this.

“Almost there,” Eli murmured to him.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

Noah’s tail was bushed out. A thousand options ran through his head. Why wouldn’t Eli say where they are going?

His heart sank to the ground.

The pet shop. They were going to the pet shop. Eli was going to give him away and he was going to make the other pets watch so they knew what happened to bad pets and they’d never see each other again and-

A sign caught his attention. Directly in front of them was a fenced off area, only accessible through an archway. The arching sign had paw prints all along the bottom, and bones in the corner. Through the middle, in bold, bubbly writing, was West Side Pet Park.

“We’re going to a park?” Noah squeaked, his voice high pitched as the sudden excitement within him rose to an unbearable level. “We’re going to a park?”

He bounced up to Eli’s side, his eyes wide with relief and joy.

Eli relished in his cute expression. “Yes, kitten. I didn’t want to tell you too soon or you’d go running here without me.”

“And we’re getting off the leashes?” Noah pleaded. “Please, Master?”

“Only if you get back in line.”

Noah immediately froze, waiting for the other pets to catch up before joining them. His tail curled behind him, the end bristling as his energy began to build.

Melody nudged him playfully. “Don’t cause trouble. I won’t be merciful just because we’re in public.”

“Don’t worry, Mistress,” Noah teased. “I’m on my best behavior when I’m outside.”

“Not from what I’ve heard.”

Noah huffed, feigning offense.

Eli led them straight through the arch. It was an open field of grass with an asphalt walk way snaking around it. The fence spread out on either side, then ended at the houses closest to the park. The entire back length was trees, lined with thick bushes. Only a few other people were in the park. In the distance was a single man with a dog boy on a leash. And closer was a woman in a sundress, standing in front of two bunny girls on their knees.

Noah wasn’t even phased by the appearance of other people. He was trembling with excitement, eager to get going.

On Melody’s other side, Dawn wasn’t fairing much better. Her jaw had dropped, looking around with wide eyes.

Eli led them to a wooden bench close to the entrance. He turned to the pets. “Sit.”

All three dropped to their knees sharply- Melody out of obedience, Noah and Dawn out of eagerness.

Eli’s grip on the leashes was still tight.

He knew as soon as he let go, Noah would be gone and he wouldn’t wrangle him back until the cat boy was all out of steam. Dawn would follow suit, but she wouldn’t get tired so quickly. He took a seat on the bench, then tied the leashes to the leg of it.

“Alright, ground rules,” he began, leaning forward. “Stay in the grass. Don’t go near the fence or the trees. And especially stay away from the entrance. I want all three of you in my sight at all times. Secondly, don’t get too rough. I don’t want any tears in those suits. Lastly, if you hear me calling, you come back here immediately.”

He made eye contact with specifically Noah.

“These rules are for safety,” he said sternly. “Not because I want to be mean. Understand?”

“Yes, Master,” Melody and Dawn answered together.

“Yes, Master,” Noah added with a nod of acceptance.

“Good. Melody, stand up please.”

Noah whined impatiently as Melody stood up. The owl girl daintily lifted her chin so Eli could unclip her leash.

Eli glanced down at Noah.

“Dawn, you’re up next.”

Dawn leaped up, grinning. Once he was off his leash, he padded over to Melody. “Wanna walk with me? I’ve never been here before!”

Melody seemed a little taken aback. “Oh. Sure. I’ve never been here either.”

“Let’s explore, then!”

Before Melody could have in a word, Dawn was hooking his arm around the owl girl’s and leading her off. Melody’s wings were open, surprised, but she let the bunny drag her away, already starting to babble.

Eli watched them, glad Dawn was already growing fond of Melody. He’d never introduced pets to one another, and there was always the possibility they wouldn’t get along. Melody wasn’t used to other pets, but she was socially confident enough not to be off put by Dawn’s forwardness.

Eli was broken from his thoughts by a chin resting on his knee.

He looked down to meet wide, desperate pink eyes. He could only laugh.

“Alright, Noah, your turn.”

Noah climbed to his feet, then pointed to the leash.

Eli leaned forward and grabbed the hook of the leash. But he didn’t untether it just yet.

“Oops. It won’t open,” he said nonchalently. “Guess it must be jammed. Looks like you're stuck with me."

“What?” Noah squeaked. “Give me the leash. I’ll bite it off.”

“No need for that,” Eli said, grabbing the leash before Noah could grab it himself. “Maybe if you ask really nicely, I’ll find the strength to open it.”

Noah was switching his weight from leg to leg. “Please, Master!”

~~~~~~~~~~

“This is so fun! Are you having fun? I’m having fun! I’ve never been in such a big, open space before! Well, I have, but it was super crowded so I don’t think it counts. Can you smell that? I think someone’s having a cook out nearby. It smells so good! Did I tell you how pretty your wings are yet? They’re so pretty! I love how they’ve got speckles of lighter brown on them. You’re just…so pretty! You’re so pretty! And I’m so glad I finally get to meet you. Master told me when you first arrived, but I hadn’t heard anything sense. I can’t believe the first time we met we get to go for a walk!”

Melody just smiled and nodded along as Dawn ranted. The bunny boy certainly had lungs. He’d paused for a breath maybe twice since they began their stroll. Melody glanced back to see Eli still fiddling with Noah’s leash, all the way across the park.

“I’m so glad Master let me where heels,” Dawn continued. “He almost didn’t, but I begged really hard and he let me. I love wearing heels. They make me feel so pretty.” He suddenly blushed. “Oh! I’m so sorry- am I talking too much? I talk when I’m excited.”

“It’s okay,” Melody said. “You have a lot of things to talk about. It’s honestly pretty cute.”

Dawn’s blush deepened. “Thanks! I love being cute.”

“Well, it’s the- whoa!”

A gust of wind smacked her in the side. She was about to glance back, wondering where such a sudden breeze had come from, then she saw white tail flashing past her.

Eli had finally let Noah off his leash.

The cat boy sprinted along the track that wound through the park. Melody suddenly understood why Eli had gave him more sensible shoes for today. He was in perfect posture, his back straight and legs reaching far with every stride. But he didn’t seem strained. In fact, he wasn’t even panting yet. His eyes were ahead, focusing on staying on the track.

“Noah!” Dawn called, but the cat boy was too focused to hear.

Melody glanced at her playfully. “Wanna see if you can chase him down?”

Dawn was off before Melody had finished her sentence. Even in the heels, Dawn could be fast, sprinting after Noah and quickly gaining ground.

Melody halted, staring after the bunny boy. She’d been joking.

Well, at least they were entertaining each other.

Melody turned back along the trail and made her way back to Eli.

Her owner was relaxing on the bench, his legs crossed and his arms splayed out along the back of it. His eyes were on Noah, watching him sprint along the tree line. His trail streamed out behind him. His powerful legs carried him a long distance with each stride. Each step made his ears bounce.

Eli could watch him all day.

He was broken from his daze when he realized Melody was approaching. He sat up and scooted to the side, letting her gracefully sit down beside him.

“Hey. Did those two leave you in the dust?”

“It’s fine,” Melody said. “I’d rather just relax and enjoy the fresh air. It’s a lovely day.”

Chapter 35: The Accident

When Noah turned a corner, he suddenly became aware of Dawn trying to catch up to him. She was cutting across the grass, trying to get ahead of him.

Noah grinned. So she wanted to play, huh?

Just as Dawn was catching up, Noah suddenly skidded to a halt and turned on her. Dawn yelped, trying to stop, but slammed into him, knocking them both onto the grass. Noah felt himself rolling on the ground, then he tossed Dawn off.

For a moment, he just laid on his back, laughing breathlessly. The sky was a bright blue, and completely cloudless. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been outside on such a nice day, playing with someone in the grass.

He finally sat himself up. “You okay?”

Beside him, Dawn was completely still. When he nudged him, he didn’t move.

Noah reeled back, horrified. But then, he noticed the bunny boy’s tail twitching uncontrollable.

The cat boy grinned.

“I guess the bunny’s dead,” Noah said out loud. “Shame. I would have loved to play a game of tag with her. But I guess I can just eat him instead. Bunnies are a delicacy for alley cats like me.”

Dawn gasped, sitting up. “No! Don’t eat me!” he cried.

He leapt to his feet and raced off. Noah stared after him, giving him a head start. Then, with a flick of his tail, he gave chase.

“You’d better run, bunny!”

“Master!” Dawn cried. “Help!”

Eli and Melody had been enjoying a nice chat when Dawn sent out her call. Eli raised his head to see him heading for some shrubs at the side of the park. Eli was about to call to him to remind him of the rules. But then, Dawn took a suddenly, sharp turn, nimble and quick.

The sudden directional shift completely caught Noah off guard. He tried to skid to a halt, but tripped over himself and was thrown into the bushes.

Eli stood up just as Dawn threw herself at him. She was hyperventilating, her face pressed into Eli’s chest.
"Noah…said..he…he was gonna eat me!” she wailed.

“I’m sure he didn’t mean it.” Melody had stood up and joined Eli’s side. Gently, she ran a hand down the back of Dawn’s hair. “And even if he did, he couldn’t catch you anyway. Look.”

Dawn raised her head.

Noah was carefully crawling out of the bushes, wincing in pain. He stood up and ruffled his own hair, trying to shake leaves out of it. But then he yelped. Looking over his shoulder, he found a few thorns that had stabbed through the latex suit and into his skin. With a groan, he reached over his shoulder to begin picking them out.

He headed toward where the others were gathered. Once he caught sight of them, he brightened a bit, and jogged over. “That was great!” he called before reaching them. “That was so smart. You totally dodged me. Let’s do it again!”

Understanding replaced Dawn’s fear as she realized Noah had only been playing a game. “Yeah!” she cheered happily.

Before they could head off again, Eli grabbed the back of Noah’s collar.

“Hey!” he whined.

“I told you not to mess up the suit,” Eli grumbled, picking more thorns from Noah’s back. “You’re lucky it didn’t rip. Be careful. And stay away from the thorn bushes.”

“Whatever, mom!” Noah shot back, waving his arm to ward Eli off. “And I’m fine, thanks for asking. Please, check on the inanimate latex suit and not the cat inside it.”

Melody rolled her eyes. “Master warned you to be careful. And you wouldn’t have crashed into that bush if you hadn’t been trying to scare Dawn. So who’s fault is that?”

Noah growled, but knew he couldn’t mouth off to either of them. Not in front of Dawn.

Eli gave the last thorn a tug, then gave Noah a firm slap on the ass. “Get going, kitten. You don’t want to keep Dawn waiting.”

Noah stumbled forward. He turned and shot Eli a playful looking, sticking out his tongue. Then, he jogged over to join Dawn, and the two began a race again.

Eli watched them for a moment, but their game of chase seemed to be over. “Thank you, Melody,” he said. “I wish he listened to me like he listens to you. I always get back talk.”

“He knows he can get under your skin, that’s why,” Melody replied. She took a few steps back to sit on the bench again. She’d been enjoying Eli’s company.

While she spoke, her eyes were on the other pets. Dawn had suddenly bolted ahead, yelling something taunting to Noah before darting off. The cat boy gave chase.

Eli sighed, sitting down again. “I know. I’ve never met a pet like Noah. I tried being nice, being mean, negotiating, threatening…it all only works half the time. I don’t know if he’ll ever fully behave for me.”

Melody glanced at him. “Do you want him to?”

“What?”

“You seem to enjoy his games.”

Noah was gaining on Dawn again.

Eli leaned back. “Maybe I do.”

Melody gave him a sympathetic look. “He’s not actually afraid of me, you know. He just pretends to be to boost my confident.”

The strained hum Eli let out told Melody he agreed.

“But you don’t need your confidence boosted. In fast, I think he likes taking you down a peg. And you like that about him.”

Noah was nearly on Dawn’s heels. He leaped forward, trying to tackle her, but she dodged out of the way at the last second, sending the cat boy to the ground. He laid dazed for a moment, then was after her again.

“I do,” Eli admitted. “I don’t know. It’s just nice having someone else in the house I can just…have a conversation with. An interesting conversation. But he’s still my pet. I need him to know when it’s time to play and time to shut up and listen.”

Melody watched as Noah managed to catch up to Dawn. He flicked his tail against the bunny boy’s chest, then dashed off again, reversing their game.

“Noah likes feeling safe,” she said. “But it’s hard for him to. Even when there’s no threat around him, he’s on edge. He scratched you just yesterday. And did you see him growl at Dawn earlier?”

Eli sat up, his eyes wide. “No. When was that?”

“Dawn tripped into him and he turned on her,” Melody explained, then quickly added, “he didn’t try to hurt her. But it was a rather tense moment.”

Eli looked concerned. “Oh, no. I expected him to eventually strike me. But I hope he won’t become a danger to other pets. If I’m going to keep you all, I want the mansion to be safe…”

His voice trailed off, realizing what he’d said.

Melody’s gaze snapped to Eli. “Stay? You’re keeping us? We’re staying with you?”

Eli gulped. “Uh…well…” He glanced toward the other pets, then dropped his voice. “Just don’t tell the others, okay? Promise?”

“Promise.”

Eli still hesitated a moment. “I made a deal with Noah that if he won the competition with a perfect score, I’d keep Dawn. But…I’ve thought about it and I want to keep all of you. I might…”

He hadn’t said this out loud yet.

“I might be able to retire from pet training. Noah will instantly become famous, end up with a bunch of business deals I could make money from. Plus, I’ve been doing pet training for so long…There’s other things I want to do. So I’m going to keep all of you.” His voice hardened. “But you can’t tell Noah or Dawn about any of this. Especially Noah. He needs the motivation.”

Melody nodded seriously. She opened her mouth to speak, then paused when Noah went running past, laughing. Dawn wasn’t far behind.

“You’ve got it, Master,” she agreed once they’d passed. “I’ll stay silent.”

Eli sat back again, and Melody’s attention returned to the pets. Noah had flawlessly initiated a game with Dawn. He was slowing down, letting Dawn catch him, before turning to chase her.

When Melody had first heard that Noah was causing problems, she assumed it was a socializing issue. But Noah had clearly been around other pets before.

“Master?” Melody began, “if I may ask- what happened to Noah before he came here? You don’t have to answer.”

Eli hesitated for a long moment, thinking of what to say. “Noah’s first owner was a very bad, very cruel man. He lashed out, and the guy dumped him. So he’s been bouncing from home to home every since. I think he’s had a lot of run ins with some pretty bad people, and it’s given him a lot of issues.”

He leaned forward, his elbows braced on his thighs.

“When he scratched me, he was so scared I was going to abandon him over it. I think after years and years of being tossed out the second he gets rowdy, he just expects bad things to happen.”

Dawn was it again, and turned to race after Noah.

“I don’t know how to be an owner. I’m a trainer. I don’t keep pets.”

Noah was starting to tire. Melody could see him straining and panting. His speed dropped.

“I guess you’re both doing things for the first time,” Melody commented. “I want you to know- because I know he’d never say it himself- Noah does enjoy being a pet. He enjoys being around you. He just doesn’t know how to convey that.”

“Me, neither,” Eli admitted.

Melody smiled at him sympathetically. “You both care a lot about each other. If you make him realize that, I’m sure he’ll be a little easier to get along with.”

“How?”

Noah had pulled to a stop, panting. But Dawn hadn’t been far behind. Too close to stop, she smashed into his side, throwing them both onto the ground.

“Uh oh.” Melody stood up.

Eli raised his head. Noah was sitting himself up, shaking his head. Dawn was about a foot away from him, laying on her side and completely still.

“Shit!” Eli leaped up, running to the pets. “Noah? Dawn? You okay?”

“Yeah,” Noah rasped. “I-I’m good.”

Eli dropped to his knees beside Dawn. Gently, he lifted him up, and sighed in relief when he began to stir.

“Ow…” Already, Dawn’s cheek was blossoming into a dark blue bruise. She reached up to rub at it.

“Move your jaw for me,” Eli directed softly. Dawn opened, shifting his jaw back and forth. He seemed a little pained as he did so, but his jaw wasn’t sliding, nor was it an intense pain. At least it didn’t seem to be broken.

Melody had gone to attend to Noah. The cat boy stayed on his knees, holding one hip.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Collision,” Noah groaned. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have stopped…”

“Is Dawn okay?” Melody called.

“Shaken and bruised, but she’ll be fine,” Eli reported. He stood up, bringing Dawn with him. She held one hand over her cheek. “Let’s get home and get an ice pack.”

“Am I broken?” Dawn fretted.

“Nothing’s broken as far as I can tell, Dawn. We’ll get you settled with an ice pack.”

Eli let Dawn lead most of her weight on him. When he glanced up, he noticed Noah still at the ground, staring at Dawn with wide eyes.

“You hurt, Noah?” Eli asked.

Noah blinked. “Ribs hurt. I’ll be fine.”

“Good. Let me-”

“Hey!”

Eli turned to see someone heading toward them. He realized it was the man who’d been there when they’d first arrived. Up close, he was a big man- muscular, and much taller than Eli. He completely towered over his own pet- a blonde dog boy, older than Noah or Melody, wearing a crop top and shorts that hardly covered anything.

Noah growled as soon as he got close. Melody, still kneeling beside him, put a hand between his ears, reminding him to stay low.

“What’s going on here?” the man grunted. “Why are pets off leashes? You’re supposed to have them on leashes.”

Eli narrowed his eyes. “There’s no signs that say that.”

“It’s just safe.” The man’s brown eyes landed on Noah. “Especially if you’re bringing that one out here.”

Noah’s growl deepened.

Eli took a step in front of him. “I have it handled.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because I just watched a feral pet attack your boy there.”

Melody grabbed Noah’s collar before he could shoot forward.

“Excuse me?” Eli growled.

“Don’t be naive,” the man replied in the same tone. “Garcia getting so desperate he’s covering up records now? That thing you’ve got there is a damn demon. You shouldn’t have brought it out here without a muzzle. Now you’ve got an injuried bunny.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about you being irresponsible,” he grunted. “That cat is feral. It attacks anything that moves. You shouldn’t even have it.”

“No one was attacked!” Melody squeaked. “I saw the whole thing!”

She winced back when both of the owners turned to her.

“Go on, Melody,” Eli prompted. “What did you see?”

“It was just a game,” Melody replied. “Dawn crashed into Noah. It was an accident.”

“There we go,” Eli said, gesturing to Melody. “It was an accident. So mind your own business.”

The man scoffed. “The bird needs her eyes checked.”

“She’s an owl, sir. I think she’ll be fine. Let’s go.”

Melody helped Noah to stand, then stood herself between him and the stranger. She hurried him to join Eli, who was leading them back out of the park.

Noah stared past her at the man. He seemed vaguely familiar. But he couldn’t quite place it…Perhaps a previous owner?

~~~~~~~~~~

“You need anything else?” Eli asked. He knelt over Dawn, who he’d laid in her bed. She was laying with her face pressed to an ice pack.

“No, Master,” Dawn said. “Thank you.”

“Okay. I’ll come check on you in a bit. I need to sort out the others.”

“Okay, Master.”

Eli locked the cage behind him, then exited the room. The walk back home had been slow and quiet. Melody and Noah had walked together, murmuring the entire time, but Eli hadn’t questioned them.

He couldn’t believe he’d let himself get distracted. He hadn’t seen anything that had happened, relying on Melody for the truth.

Guiltily, he recalled feeling a flicker of belief when that stranger had told him Noah attacked Dawn. After Melody had told him about Noah growling at him earlier, how could he not?

If Melody hadn’t been paying attention…

He found the other pets in the living room, on the floor. Noah was sprawled on his side, resting his face on one arm. Melody sat beside him, pressing an ice pack to his hip. He’d shed the cat suit so the doms could get a better look at his injury. Nothing was broken, but he had a nasty bruise.

“How're you feeling?” Eli sat down on the couch.

“I’ve felt worse,” Noah replied. “How’s Dawn?”

“Settled. She’ll be fine.” Eli couldn’t resist asking, “Melody, you’re sure what you said is the truth?”

Melody nodded vigorously. “I saw the whole thing. Noah slowed down and Dawn crashed into him. It was an accident.”

“That bunny can run,” Noah added. “I was getting tired.”

Eli ran a hand through his hair. He needed a shower. “Okay. I’m sorry, I should have been watching.”

He winced, dropping his arm. He’d been ignoring it all day, but his shoulder was starting to ache terribly again.

It didn’t escape Noah’s gaze.

“Alright, Melody,” he said with a smirk, “how would you like your injury today?”

Melody looked startled. “What?”

“Dawn’s got a bruised jaw, I’ve got a fucked up rib, and Master’s scratched up. Your turn!”

“Absolutely not,” Melody shot back. “One of us has to remain in good health to keep the rest of you in line. We should just switch out latex suits for bubble wrap.”

Noah laughed, then winced when it made his side hurt.

“Please, no more injuries,” Eli said.

“Honestly, I think your prides more hurt than your ribs,” Melody told Noah. “I can’t believe you were outrun by a bunny in high heels.”

“She didn’t outrun me. She outlasted me,” Noah corrected. “But I’ll practice and beat her next time.” He winced, his over excitement making his ribs strain.

“Take it easy, dare devil,” Melody chided.

Eli chuckled. “Christ, I never thought owning pets could be so…chaotic. I should have saved the receipt.”

Noah sat up, his eyes wide.

“He’s joking, Noah,” Melody reassured him, putting a hand on his shoulder so he’d lay back down.

“All jokes,” Eli said quickly. “Bad jokes. Actually, I should thank the two of you. Melody helped a lot once shit went sideways. And Noah, you’re amazing with Dawn. Other than crashing into one another, she was having a great time playing with you.”

Noah’s ears perked up.

“I just wish I knew what that guy’s deal was.”

Eli sat back, crossing his arms. He understood another owner wanting to make sure things were okay. But spinning some story to blame Noah for it? Calling him “it” and “feral”? It was uncalled for.

“Noah, did you know who he was?”

Noah shook his head slowly. “I don’t think so. He seemed kinda familiar. Might have just been a previous owner.”

“He was quite rude, wasn’t he?” Melody said bluntly. “Getting into our business and calling you names. What an unpleasant person. I feel bad for that dog he was with. I’d be so embarrassed if my owner started making a scene in public.”

Suddenly, Noah shot up. “Jack!” he gasped, then yelped when the movement caused a shooting pain in his ribs. He doubled over with a groan.

“Jack?” Melody echoed.

“He was my first owner’s guard! I didn’t recognize him because his hair’s longer. He’s the one who tore me off Beau’s arm when I bit him.”

Melody’s eyes widened. “You bit your owner?”

“Nearly tore the guy’s hand off,” Eli added. “You’re sure that was Jack?”

“The dog’s name is Willoughby,” Noah said. “A golden retriever. He used to talk about him all the time. He’s had him forever. Oh, god, if Jack was this close to the house…”

Eli had been thinking the same thing. Unless it was a huge coincidence one of Mallory’s guards was at the park by Eli’s house, Mallory must live close by.

Eli dropped to the floor before Noah could start panicking. “Noah, look at me.”

The cat boy was already starting to pant, terrified. He looked up at Eli, his fear clear in his gaze.

“We’re safe here. I’m sure it was just a coincidence.”

“He’s near here!” Noah wailed. “What if he lives close? Jack saw you. He’ll know where I am now. What if-”

Eli rested a hand on Noah’s head, gently bring him into his lap. “Nothing is going to happen. I will keep you safe. I promise.”

Chapter 36: Career Paths

Eli had gotten Noah calmed down enough to slip into a restless sleep. He was curled up on Eli’s bed, resting beneath the covers.

Eli sat beside him, gently running his fingers through the cat boy’s hair.

Melody was watching them, sitting in the small chair in front of the vanity. Eli had decided not to send her back to her room yet. Her presence was strangely comforting.

And she was the only pet he hadn’t checked up on yet.

“How are you holding up?” he asked.

Melody smiled. “I’m okay. Today was fun. We’ll just have to control the levels of rowdiness next time.”

“Easier said than done. Between’s Noah’s attitude and Dawn’s energy, those two could level a city.”

“They belong together. They get along so well.”

“They’re cute,” Eli said. Despite being polar opposites, Noah and Dawn made a perfect pair. One was submissive and obedient, the other bratty and playful. He supposed he was also a pair with Melody now, being their handlers.

“I hope I’ll get better at controlling them,” Melody said aloud. “Noah listens to me most of the time, and Dawn seemed like she wanted to impress me.”

“And I’d better get used to watching more than one pet at once,” Eli said. He still felt guilty about not being more careful. Maybe that man- Jack, if Noah was to be believed- was right. He had been irresponsible, not keeping a closer eye on his pets.

He looked down at Noah, sleeping a bit more peacefully.

“Being a dom is hard somethings. There’s no room for mistakes. Subs trust us to keep them safe. We were lucky they got out of that crash with bruises and nothing more.”

Melody nodded in agreement. “Yes, Master.”

On the bed, Noah was stirring, woken by the sounds of voices and the throbbing in his side. He curled into himself with a whine. Then, jolted, and sat up.

“Easy, kitten,” Eli chided. “You’re in my room. You’re safe.”

Noah groaned, rubbing his eyes. “I feel like shit. Why does everything hurt?”

“You were doing a lot today,” Eli said. “You’ll be sore for a while. I can give you some numbing spray for your hip.”

Noah shook his head. “I’m fine. I don’t need wrapped up after one smack from a little bunny.”

“You feeling good enough to eat?”

Eli had let Noah and Dawn sleep through lunch, knowing they were tired. Plus, he didn’t want to deserve Noah, who was still shaken after the encounter with Jack.

After a moment, Noah nodded. “Yes, Master.”

“Can I help, Master?” Melody requested.

Eli came up short, surprised by the offer. “Uh…sure, Melody. If you’d like.”

“You can cook?” Noah questioned.

Melody nodded. “Very well, I’d like to think.”

“Let’s put that to the test,” Eli offered. “How do we fell about chicken tortilla wraps?”

“Easy and quick,” Melody said. “Good idea.”

Noah was eyeing her. “You can cook?”

“Do you think I just got sold?” Melody jeered. “I had another job before becoming a pleasure pet, you know. I’m older than you.”

“Nuh uh!” Noah protested. “There’s no way.”

“It’s true,” Eli teased, unable to resist jumping in. “Melody turned twenty two back in March. You’ve gotta wait until August.”

“What?” Noah whined. “Then what the hell have you been doing for three years?”

“Cooking, for one,” Melody said. “I was a care pet.”

“Oh, so a maid,” Noah teased.

“Yes.” Melody didn’t seem offended by it. “What you have been doing for three years?”

Noah’s jaw tightened. “Screw you.”

“That’s what I thought.” Melody stood up to stretch, her wings flaring out behind her. “Chicken wraps. That’s chicken, tortillas, lettuce, onions, cheese…We have all that, right, Master?”

“Sure do.” Eli stood up off the bed and held out a hand to Noah.

For a moment, the cat boy stared at him, caught off guard by the gesture. Then, he took Eli’s hand and pulled himself off the bed. His side was still stinging, and would for a while.

They took it slow to the kitchen. Melody wandered ahead, looking around curiously. She hadn’t been on this side of the mansion before. It looked…homely. Like a house she was more accustomed to. Instead of the never ending corridors of dungeons and gear rooms she’d been living with.

Following Eli’s instructions, she found the kitchen and pulled to a halt. It was much larger than her old one, almost industrial. Like a kitchen from a five star restaurant. Everything was pristine and perfect, with appliances neatly pushed to the back of the counters and the sinks empty.

The only signs of recent activity were a few cat toys littered in the corner and a fluffed up dog bed beside the island counter.

“Alright, Melody,” Eli said, “Pans are over there, oil and seasoning is on the rack. Heat the hob up, pour in a little oil and while you wait for it to simmer, start cutting up ingredients.”

“Yes, Master.” Melody already knew to do all that, but she didn’t say anything. Eli seemed to take comfort in giving orders.

“Just be careful with the knife.”

While Melody got herself started, Eli took a seat at the bar. Noah fell to his knees beside him, leaning his head on the side of Eli’s thigh. He felt a hand on his head, gently scratching behind one ear, and began to purr lightly.

Eli’s eyes were on Melody, but she didn’t seem to need the supervision. He knew she had the skill to cook, originally coming from a maid-like background before being sold by the family who owned her. But he hadn’t put any of that to the test.

He wondered if Melody would have preferred to stay on her original job path. At the time, Eli had bought her simply because he was the only owner around who could afford the offer the family had made. And since he was a pleasure pet trainer, he made the decision to start training her as such. He didn’t need a care pet. He was capable of taking care of himself, and he liked that. He’d never needed someone else to clean up his messes before.

But maybe that could change.

It would be a waste to bar Melody out of a kitchen for the rest of her life. And she was good at it. Not just cooking, but caring. She entertained Dawn, she was capable of holding her own against Noah…she’d make an excellent assistant.

Perhaps it was time Eli go a secretary. And he didn’t even have to pay this one.

Noah suddenly jolted beside him, the sound of sizzling filling the room. Melody had dropped cut up chicken into the pain to begin cooking. Eli gently pet his hair, trying to relax him. Noah had been on edge since leaving the park. The encounter with Jack had spooked him, and Eli didn’t hold it against him.

He figured it was only a matter of time before Noah stumbled across his original tormentors again. Eli’s town was big, but not big enough to avoid someone forever. And, with Jack’s appearance, Mallory’s location was narrowed down.

Eli had gotten Noah from a pet shop in the same sector as his own place of residence. Most likely, Mallory had dropped him off in a similar fashion. Noah’s theory was probably right- Mallory lived nearby.

But Eli didn’t understand how. He knew everyone in the neighborhood. He knew everyone who owned pets- he’d trained most of those pets.

Perhaps he was jumping to too many conclusions. If Jack owned his own pet, it was likely he didn’t even live with Mallory. He might not live close to him. It was also possible Jack had been the one to drop Noah off in Mallory’s place, and had known about Garcia’s pet shop.

Eli paused. Jack had said Matteo Garcia’s name, hadn’t he? He did know that pet shop. And Garcia might know him personally.

It would make sense. Lots of upper class pet owners were in close contact with one another. Eli had never been to a party where the host didn’t have their pet on display for everyone.

He wondered if he knew anyone who could fill in some blanks.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Did you see the picture I posted of Prince in his new swim suit?” JJ asked. “He’s so adorable. He can really pull off anything.” Behind JJ, peering into the frame, was a man with curly blonde hair that framed his face. This was Keanu Tailor, the third member of Eli’s little friend group. Actually “friend” might be the wrong word. It was more like business group.

If he hadn’t grown up with these two, Eli would never be friends with them.

“I did see it. He looks cute. As always.”

Eli was trying to seem energetic. He’d gotten a text from JJ just before finishing dinner- an invitation to go out for drinks. For the first time, Eli declined.

Usually, JJ didn’t take kindly to being told no. But Eli had explained he’d had an emergency with one of his pets and couldn’t leave the house. JJ had, begrudgingly, accepted, with the compromise that Eli would face time them.

Eli hadn’t minded. He actually needed to speak with them.

Before the call, Eli hadn’t gotten Melody and Noah back into their dens. He had tried to remain calm for them, but he the encounter with Jack had made him a little uneasy. He’d checked twice now to make sure his security system was working. He’d also been extra careful when locking the dens, wanting to make sure nothing was getting in or out of the cages.

Even now, while using his computer for the call, he had his phone on his desk beside him, his security feeds open. He would not let a single person in his house come to harm.

“Eli? Are you listening?”

“Yeah,” Eli answered sharply. He’d been zoning out.

JJ gave him a skeptical look. “Dude, you need to get some sleep. You look like shit.”

“I’m fine,” Eli replied, leaning on his desk. “It’s been a busy day. I took my pets to the park-”

He paused when JJ and Keanu exchanged a shocked glance. They were aware that Eli never took his pets in training out of the mansion. JJ had the same policy.

He quickly corrected himself. “Pet. I took Noah to the park.”

He didn’t want them to know he was thinking of retiring yet. He’d be in for an earful.

“Noah?” Keanu echoed.

JJ rolled his eyes playfully. “I told you, Eli got himself a personal pet. And it’s an albino! But he’s not nearly as pretty as my Princey.”

“No one is,” his friends replied in unison, exasperated.

“So, how’d it go?” JJ asked. “I doubt that alley cat can behave nearly as well as my Prince.”

“Actually, he did quite well,” Eli shot back. “But that’s not the point. I wanted to ask you guys something. Have either of you ever heard the name Beau Mallory?”

“Do you mean Beau Williams?” JJ asked. “The BAPS arena owner?”

“No.” Eli had thought about it before, but Mr. Williams couldn’t possibly be the man Noah had described. He was much older. And Eli had met him personally- he was a very kind man, with a great appreciation for pets.

“It sounds…familiar,” Keanu said, seemingly pondering for a moment. “I may have heard it before. But I can’t place a face.”

Eli’s heart lifted. “I need to find this guy. It’s important.”

“Why?”

Eli hesitated. He wouldn’t even tell Melody this story. But perhaps it was important for his friends to know.

“When Noah first got to the house, he told me this story…”

He relayed the same story Noah had told him, every detailed, hoping they’d jog Keanu’s memory. He knew he’d promised Noah he wouldn’t try to find Mallory, but how could he not? How many more pets had he mutilated since getting rid of Noah? How many more would he?

What if Eli had sold a pet to him before?

As he ranted off the story, he watched JJ’s eyes widen in shock. Meanwhile, Keanu seemed skeptical.

“That sounds ridiculous,” Keanu said as soon as Eli was done. “How would that even happen? Surely someone would notice so many rare pets never being seen again.”

“I know it’s…a lot, but it’s not a lie,” Eli said, desperately hoping they’d believe him. “Noah doesn’t lie.”

“Are you sure?” JJ asked, uncharacteristically genuine. Eli wondered if he was having the same thoughts as him- wondering if he’d ever sent a pet to that fate. “That just doesn’t sound real. More like a nightmare.”

“Look,” Eli said, trying to keep his temper in check, “whether it’s true or not, I think it’s worth looking in to. Keanu, you even recognized the guy’s name. Doesn’t that mean something?”

“Not really. It’s easy to pull a name off any billboard or out of a newspaper,” Keanu replied.

“But you don’t even know where you’ve heard it from.”

“Exactly. How do you know that name isn’t totally made up? The cat could have gotten it from anywhere.”

Eli gritted his teeth. “JJ, what do you think?”

“I mean…if you want to play detective in your spare time, go ahead,” JJ replied. “But this doesn’t affect me or Prince, so I don’t really care.”

“What about the pets you sell?”

“I’ve never sold to a Beau Mallory before, so it’s not a problem.”

Eli narrowed his eyes. “If Prince came to you, in tears, and told you this entire, detailed story of someone who had greatly wronged him, going so far to drop the guy’s name, wouldn’t you believe him?”

“That’s different,” JJ insisted. “I’ve known Prince for years. You’ve had this cat like…hardly a week. How can you trust him?”

“I know I can!”

Keanu scoffed. “This is so stupid. If it makes you feel better, Eli, I’ll do some digging and try to figure out where I’ve heard that name before. Since it means so much to you.”

Eli felt a sense of gratefulness. “Thank you, Keanu.”

“But if I find it in on a storefront advertisement or a fucking tv show, you owe me.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli creaked his bedroom door open, trying to be quiet. It was late- later than he wanted it to be. He’d sent Keanu a quick doc he’d put together of every tidbit about Mallory he knew, and how it affected Noah’s behavior. He hoped his friend would genuinely put effort into this.

If Eli could put Mallory away for ever, Noah wouldn’t have to be so tense.

“Master?”

Eli startled, hearing Noah’s voice. He sounded tired and meek.

“Hey, kitten.” Eli knelt in front of the den door, where Noah was sat. “Why aren’t you in bed?”

“I can’t sleep,” Noah complained. “Did you check the security locks?”

“Yes, kitten. You watched me do it. But I can check them again.” His voice was soft with sympathy. Noah wouldn’t cause a scene in front of Melody, but Eli could tell he was terrified.

Noah nodded. He looked exhausted, his eyes dark.

“Okay,” Eli agreed. “I’ll check them right before I go to bed.”

He braced himself to stand up, then stopped, thinking.

“Noah, listen careful,” he began. “If anyone or anything ever gets into this house, I want you to throw the cover over this cage and hide in the back of your den. Don’t come out until I get you. Understand?”

Noah nodded slowly. “Yes, Master. I understand.”

Chapter 37: Go Away

“Melody, for such excellent progress this week, you’ll be rewarded with an orgasm. And since Noah needs to work on his deepthroating, I have the perfect exercise for the two of you.”

Melody clapped excitedly, while Noah groaned. When Eli had fitted with him bondage mittens and a collar, both with D-rings, he probably should have expected it would be for something he wouldn’t like.

Eli had decided to excuse Dawn from training today, knowing she’d still be sore. First thing in the morning, he’d gotten up for breakfast, then collected both pets. He’d give them an easy day today.

Now, he stood in front of them, hands neatly folded behind his back. They were in the walkway. He’d already set up the ropes for Melody. She’d be tied down in the same way Dawn had for her orgasm, but with a regular blindfold instead of a full mask.

“Lay on your back Melody,” Eli instructed. “You know the rules.”

Melody was more composed than Dawn, but her eagerness was clear in her grin as she climbed onto the stage and laid on her back.

Eli got to work tying her down. He wasn’t as strict as he’d been with Dawn. Melody didn’t have an issue with struggling too much.

“Comfortable?” he asked, once Melody was restrained.

“Yes, Master.” Melody gave each cuff an experimental tug. She’d been left completely naked for this, and her cock was already growing in its cage.

“Good girl.” Eli gestured for Noah to come closer. “Same position you were in before.”

He’d left the blindfold off so Melody could see what he was doing. He’d laid everything other before collecting the pets. Grabbing a thin chain from the stage, he attached it to one of Noah’s mittens, then to the ropes wrapping around Melody’s legs. He repeated on the other side, anchoring Noah in place.

Eli grabbed another chain, then stepped behind Noah to lean over him. “How’s your side?” He didn’t want to strain Noah too much. They needed to get back to agility training soon.

“I’m okay. So long as you’re not planning on making me twist.” He flicked his tail against Eli’s leg, signaling his appreciation for the question.

“Good. Alright, here’s the plan. Melody, I’m about to blindfold you and take your cage off. Then, I’m going to tie off Noah’s collar to keep him in place. I won’t gag you, because I want you to tell him what to do. Tell him what speed, how intense, where to use his tongue…This is your customizable blowjob.”

Melody’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Master.”

“Yes, Master.” Noah laid his cheek against Melody’s inner thigh, waiting to get started. He wondered if Melody would be packing as much as Dawn.

Eli climbed onto the stage to tie the blindfold over Melody’s eyes. “Once Noah’s ready, you’ll be in charge. Enjoy this.”

Eli moved to where Noah was kneeling. While he pet Noah’s head with one hand, he used to the other to grab his master key and unlock Melody’s cage. He cock sprang up immediately, but Eli left the ring around the base. He grabbed the other chain and attacked it to the front of Noah’s collar, pulling him until Melody’s cock was at his lips.

“Stay relaxed,” Eli said. “Remember to breathe.”

Noah was eyeing Melody’s cock, watching it raise. She wasn’t nearly as big as Dawn, but still had a decent girth. Noah let his tongue dart out to lap at the tip. Melody shuddered, letting out a small moan.

“Okay. Do it.”

Eli tied the chain around the ring, pulling Noah’s head forward until his lips were wrapped around the head of Melody’s cock.

“Alright, Melody, he’s all yours.”

Eli stepped back, wanting to give them place, but then felt Noah’s tail lashing against his leg.

“I’m here,” he whispered, putting a hand on the small of Noah’s back. “Go ahead.”

Melody took a deep breath, trying to control the urge to buck up and slam herself down Noah’s throat. “Go slow,” she ordered.

Noah obeyed, slowly taking her deeper into his mouth. He didn’t go anywhere near the back of his throat, afraid of hurting Melody if he couldn’t control himself.

He took her as deep as he dared, then began to pull back at the same pace. She let out little gasps and moans of pleasure. She was a lot quieter than Dawn, and didn’t resort to begging as Noah tended to. Instead, she was dignified. Despite being the bottom in this session, there was still a sense of control and regality to her.

“Little deeper,” she ordered. “And use your tongue.”

Noah took a deep breath, then let the top of Melody’s cock press to the back of his throat. His tongue lapped and licked and swirled. Bravely, he tried to take her deeper, than gagged, his throat constricting.

Melody gasped, her back arching. “Do that again!”

Noah had pulled off as far as he could, tugging on the chain. Worried, he tried again. This time, when his throat closed, Melody couldn’t help bucking into his mouth.

Noah growled in warning.

He felt a hand moving up and down his back. Eli’s breath touched his ear. “Deep breaths. In and out.”

Noah relaxed. He took a deep breath, then lowered himself down Melody’s shaft again.

After so many weeks without friction, Melody’s stamina wasn’t high. Already, she was starting to stutter.

“Just like that. Keep going.”

Feeling more confident, Noah swallowed her almost to the base. He took a deep breath, his tongue sliding against the bottom of her cock. Melody wailed in pleasure.

Noah forced himself to stay in place, swallowing heavily.

Suddenly, something hot hit the back of his throat and he pulled back, gagging. Melody was already spent.

He tugged on the leash, but he couldn’t pull himself off to avoid the stream of cum filling his mouth.

He felt a hand on his head, gently petting his hair. “Good boy,” Eli cooed. “You’ve sucked off everyone in this house now.”

Noah hummed in response. Eli leaned over him, unclipping the leash, and Noah pulled off with a gasp for breath. “This one…” he rasped. “...Doesn’t have aphrodisiacs in her, right?”

Eli chuckled, starting to unclip Noah’s mittens. “No, kitten. Just regular cum. I think. I’m pretty sure.”

Noah gave him an exasperated look. “Well, I guess we’ll find out.”

Eli smirked at him. “Mind doing a run to my gear room real quick? Melody should have a fresh cage.”

“Yes, Master.”

Once Noah was out of the room, Eli heaved himself onto the stage to sit with Melody while she recovered. He gently stroked her hair away from her face.

“How was that? He’s got a nice mouth, doesn’t he?”

“Yes. It was excellent,” Melody agreed. “He still has his gag reflex?”

“It’s a long story. We’re working on it.”

Noah returned only two minutes later, clutching a cage between both hands. Eli scooted off the stage to press it over Melody’s now flaccid cock. It clicked into place, and Melody let out a regretful sigh.

“Let’s get her untied,” Eli said. “Noah, get her wrists.”

“Yes, Master.” Noah hopped onto the stage and climbed overtop of Melody, undoing the cuffs on her wrist.

She’d hardly struggled.

He couldn’t help snickering. “You and Dawn are like total opposites. Dawn can’t keep still, but you went totally rigid.”

Melody smiled. “I’ve got good self control. That’s why I’m in charge of you.”

“Oh, please.” Noah’s ear flicked, annoyed.

“She’s got a point.” Eli gently lowered Melody’s leg down. “You and Dawn have terrible impulse control. And neither of you can sit still even a second. Melody is the perfect example of a good girl, even when being played with.”

While Melody removed her own blindfold, Noah hopped off the stage, his tail lashing. “Don’t pretend you don’t love how quirky I am,” he teased, jabbing a finger into Eli’s chest. “You’d get bored if you didn’t have to track me down twice a day.”

“Quirky is one way to describe it,” Eli teased back. “Headache-induing is more accurate.”

He left Noah to help Melody off the stage. Noah grinned after him, always enjoying their little spats.

~~~~~~~~~~

Melody peered down the hallway, where Dawn’s room was shut tight. Usually, Melody could hear skittering from inside, maybe even Dawn’s voice as she went over routines by herself. But it was eerily quiet.

The bunny was still sulking.

“Master,” Melody said. “I’d like to do something nice for Dawn. To cheer her up.”

Dawn wouldn’t be participating in training for another day or two, as Eli didn’t want him straining himself. And he had to watch that bruise carefully. There was still the possibility something was broken.

Eli seemed surprised by the request. “Sure, Melody. What did you have in mind?”

“I still remember a recipe for carrot cake.”

Eli understood immediately. “That sounds wonderful. I’m sure he’d appreciate it. I should have everything we need already.”

Melody nodded, excited. “It’ll be fun! Could we do it tonight? After Noah’s finished training?”

“I don’t see why not,” Eli said. “Think of all the ingredients you need and I’ll be back tonight to get you.”

“Yes, Master.”

Eli opened the door to her cage and let Melody step inside. Then, he locked it shut behind her, giving her a friendly nod. “See you in a bit.”

Noah was waiting in the hallway. “So what are we doing?”

“Today we’re working on performance,” Eli informed him. “You’ve got agility down. So we’ll be working on your routine. You’ve got three whole minutes on stage along, putting on a show for the judges.”

He began down the hallway, Noah following just behind.

“It’s not gonna be something stupid, right?” Noah asked.

“Depends on what you consider stupid,” Eli replied. “You get one piece of equipment to use. Every owner can pick from a selection of gear- ribbons, hoops, whatever. I was thinking on an aerial silk routine.”

“A what?” Noah barked.

“You’ll see. It’ll be fun,” Eli said. “I haven’t thought out the full routine yet. But we’ll see what we can do.”

Noah grumbled. “I don’t know. With my hip right now…”

“You’ll be fine. We’ll just get you used to the ribbons today. But first, we’re doing deepthroat training.”

“Again?” Noah groaned. “I literally just did that.”

“Hardly,” Eli scoffed. “We’ve gotta get rid of that gag reflex. You’ll be tested during the competition.”

“Can’t we just cheat?”

“No. Besides, it’s not possible. They check literally everything. They’ll even x-ray you to make sure you’re not hiding anything. And the bigger the dildo gag, the better your score,” Eli explained. “I want to work you up to a ten inch. It’ll double your points.”

“Ten inch?” Noah echoed. “That’s not happening.”

“If you follow my training routine for the next couple weeks, it will. You want that perfect score, don’t you?”

Noah swallowed heavily. Perfect score meant Dawn got to stay. It guaranteed Dawn’s safety, his happiness, his autonomy.

Noah had to make it happen.

Eli led him to one of the gear rooms. On the back wall was a small red button over a panel. Noah slowed, sensing danger.

“Go kneel in front of that button,” Eli instructed. “Hands behind your back.”

Noah whined, not wanting to do this. But he didn’t have a choice at this point. He knelt in front of the button, folding his hands behind his back. Eli was moving through the room, grabbing equipment.

“This room is specialized for deepthroat training,” Eli explained.

Noah glanced around, and realized there was more than just the one button. They seemed to be all over the walls, at different heights. One was even in the corner of the floor.

He felt Eli grabbing his wrists, locking them in cuffs behind his back. His ankles were next. Then Eli disappeared for a moment.

Noah startled when the panel in front of him opened. From within the wall, a metal rod poked out.

Eli rejoined him, affixing an eight inch dildo to the mount. It sat directly in front of Noah’s face.

“This exercise will help you practice at your own speed,” Eli explained. He attached a rope to Noah’s collar, then tied it to the bottom of the mount. Noah would be able to pull off and breath if he needed to, but he wasn’t escaping until Eli decided he was done.

Eli stepped back for a moment. Noah watched him this time. His owner was beside a sink, filling a small cup with water. Then, he grabbed a bottle from beside the sink and dropped two pills into the water.

Noah tugged at the rope. “Master?”

Eli glanced back at him. “It’s a muscle relaxer,” he explained. “Mixed with a numbing agent. It’ll weaken your gag reflex to make this easier.”

Noah shied away when Eli knelt beside him.

“It’s okay,” Eli reassured him. “It’ll only last a few hours, and there’s no side effects. It’ll help.”

Noah hesitated. He wasn’t a fan of drugs. But he supposed if Eli meant any harm with it, he would have tried harder to hide them. He took a deep breath, and parted his lips to accept the water.

“Good boy,” Eli praised, holding the cup for Noah to sip from. “It’ll feel a little tingly at first. But once that fades, it means it kicked in.”

He placed the cup on the ground beside him, but kept at Noah’s level.

“Everything in this room has an electronic sensor, including your cuffs.” Eli reached up to adjust the dildo, moving the mount further into the wall. Noah shuffled forward after it, pulled by the makeshift leash. “When you deepthroat this dildo, you record it by pressing that button with your nose. The relay will trigger once you hold it down for one second. Once you slide back off the head of the dildo, it recognizes that as one repetition. Once you complete fifty reps, the cuffs will release.”

Noah swallowed heavily, feeling that strange tingly feeling as his throat began to go numb. “Fifty is a lot.”

“You can go at your own pace,” Eli said. “And the rope is long enough you can pull away and take a breather if you need it. Just take your time.” He gave Noah a few strokes on his hair. “I’ll be right over there in the corner. You can even turn and look to make sure.”

“You’re not leaving? You promise?”

“Of course not. I need to be here in case something goes wrong.”

Noah felt a little better. “Okay, Master. I’ll try.”

“Good boy. Start whenever your ready.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“He blew me off again!”

Keanu watched JJ pace in front of him. He’d invited himself over to JJ’s place for drinks. JJ had, of course, invited Eli. And, as Keanu had predicted, Eli would decline. It was too early in the day.

“I can’t believe this.” JJ had poured himself some whiskey and promptly abandoned it on the bar. “Who does he think he is? Why does he think he’s so important he can just stop coming to these things? He’s never done this!”

Keanu leaned one arm on the bar, combing his fingers through his own hair. Behind JJ was a small stretch of concrete, which ended when it hit a pure blue inground pool. A few toys and pool floaties were suspended on the surface. Prince, JJ’s precious dog, was curled up on a circular raft, completely ignoring his flustered owner.

Keanu wished he could do the same.

“Maybe he’s busy,” Keanu told his friend. “He’s got to train that new cat for the competition.”

“Oh, that stupid cat!” JJ growled. “You should have seen it, Keanu, he totally blew past poor Princey. There is no way I can let us lose to some…some stray! I bet he’s the one who’s got Eli acting like this.”

“That is literally what I just said.”

“That cat has him thinking he can just disregard the status quo. Now he think he can win or dumb bet. I only agreed to it because I knew I’d- uh, we- uh, Prince! I knew Prince would win.”

Keanu sighed heavily. Between his two friends, he’d much rather be hanging out with Eli. Although he was definitely the more boring of the two, he was a lot smarter.

JJ threw himself into one of the bar stools, dropping his head onto the counter. “What am I gonna do? That cat could actually win. God, I wish Eli never found him.”

Keanu looked down at him, an idea forming in his head. Perhaps there was a way they could both get something out of this.

“What if Eli…couldn’t find him?” Keanu prompted.

JJ raised his head, his eyes glistening. “What?”

Keanu glanced up toward Prince, but the dog boy was still resting peacefully, paying no mind to them.

Still, Keanu kept his voice low. “If you’re so worried this…cat is going to beat Prince, maybe there’s a way we can make sure he doesn’t. He can’t win if he doesn’t compete.”

JJ blinked. “What do you mean? You want me to convince Eli to pull?”

Keanu scoffed. “He’s too stubborn for that. But there’s a way we can make sure this cat can’t compete.”

JJ’s eyes widened. “Kill him?”

“No!” Keanu hissed. He couldn’t stand JJ sometimes. “Not kill him. But make him…go away.”

JJ sat up, starting to get it. He also glanced toward Prince, then dropped his voice to a whisper. “Make him disappear.”

“Right,” Keanu praised. “Make him disappear. Only until the contest is over. Then we can send him right back to Eli. Technically, you’d still win the bet since Prince would win by default.”

“Wait…we?”

Keanu placed a hand on JJ’s shoulder, his green eyes warm and kind. “Of course. What are friends for? Here’s the idea: you get your guys to grab the little brat and we’ll hold him at my place. He’ll never know you’re behind it, and Eli will just think he snuck out and got lost for a few weeks. Plus, Prince doesn’t have to know about this. How does that sound?”

JJ stared at him for a long moment, then grinned. “Yeah. Yeah! Oh, Keanu, that’s brilliant.” He nudged his friend with one elbow. “You know, if you want a personal pet, you don’t have to steal one. Ha!”

Keanu chuckled. “I don’t want a personal pet. But who wouldn't want to spend some quality time with a pretty kitty?"

Chapter 38: Silk In The Sky

Noah felt the cuffs click open, then fall behind him. He groaned in relief. “Finally…”

It had taken him over an hour to hit fifty reps. The numbing agent had helped greatly, only letting him gag a handful of times when he got suddenly scared. But he could hear Eli behind him, occasionally shifting or tapping on his phone. And knowing his owner was nearby was calming.

“That was fifty,” Eli called. “Just pull on the rope and it should release you. How did that feel?”

Noah reached up to untie the rope himself, then shuffled away from the dildo.

When he stood up, his eyes were shining. “I did it! I’ve never been able to do that before.”

“You did amazing,” Eli praised. He was especially impressed that Noah had only complained once, and it had just been a short whine of frustration.

He checked his phone. They had about an hour until lunch. Plenty of time to get outside and get Noah introduced to the aerial silk.

“Let’s get up to the wardrobe. Then we’re doing sunscreen today,” Eli said, then continued when Noah groaned. “It’s hot outside. And it’ll be easier with the friction from your skin.”

“Fine,” Noah whined.

Eli narrowed his eyes. “Don’t start with the attitude. I’m going to grab the sunscreen. Get to the wardrobe and pick out a crop top and shorts. Meet me by the back door.”

“Fine.”

“Noah.”

“Yes, Master.”

Eli nodded curtly. “Good boy. See you in a bit.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli noticed movement from the corner of his eye and looked over just in time to see Noah enter the hallway. He took in a sharp breath. The cat boy had dressed himself in a black, sports bra-like top and black panties, For a moment, Eli just stared, admiring the cat boy’s physique.

Noah glared at him. “What?”

“Nothing,” Eli said. “That’s one of my older garments. The first one I designed myself.”

“Really?” Noah feigned intrigue. “I’m surprised it hasn’t fallen apart, being so ancient.”

“I’m like four years older than you, brat,” Eli shot back. “We could have been in highschool together.”

“Well, I don’t know what a highschool is, so…”

Eli rolled his eyes. He’d never met someone who could make him feel both exasperated and amused at the same time. “Come here. Let’s get sunscreen on.”

Noah’s playfulness dropped. “Can’t we just stay in the shade?”

Eli’s gaze was stern. “Noah, it’s for your own health. Come here.” He reached out to grab Noah’s arm.

The cat boy snatched his arm away. His ears were pinned back, showing his discomfort. “Can’t we just skip outside training for today? Maybe it won’t be so sunny tomorrow.”

Eli stared at him, confused. The last few days, Noah had been ecstatic about going outside. Why was he shying away?

“What’s wrong?” Eli asked. “This isn’t like you.”

Noah glared at him. “It’s perfectly like me, actually. You should be used to it by now.”

“Yeah, but there’s always a reason you misbehave,” Eli pointed out. “Why are you doing it now?”

Noah seemed caught off guard. He looked away. “I…I don’t like sunscreen.”

“Why?”

“It’s sticky. I don’t like how it feels.”

Eli lowered the bottle. “Okay. Well, that’s an easy fix. I’ve got spray on sunscreen that’ll dry quicker.”

Noah didn’t look fully convinced.

“What if I just spray your arm real quick so you can see how it feels. Then we’ll do the rest of you.”

After a moment, Noah nodded. “Okay.”

“Good. Wait here.”

Noah stood awkwardly while Eli whisked back down the hallway. He couldn’t help feeling like he was in trouble for causing issue. He just couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

Eli returned less than a minute later, with a can colored blue and orange. He gave it a good shake, then held out one hand. “Give me your arm.”

Noah held out his arm, then winced when a cold but thin mist hit his skin. He tensed, but the spray wasn’t thick and slimy like he was used to. It felt like being sprayed with water. He looked down at his arm, a faint blush starting to spread over his face.

“Better?” Eli asked with a kind smile.

Noah nodded.

“Good.” His smile fell. “Noah, you’re allowed to tell me if you don’t like something. I can make adjustments.”

“I know,” Noah sighed. “I’m sorry, Master.”

“Just promise you won’t get in attitude over something so little again,” Eli said.

“I promise.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Noah stared at the…well, he could only describe it as a contraption. When did Eli find the time to set up something this massive?

Four long, metal poles were anchored into the ground, forming a triangle, as they were attached at the top. Between them, at the top, was another, shorter pole parallel to the ground. Hanging from it was a hook, and hanging from that was two long, hot pink lengths of fabric.

“So,” Eli prompted, sounding brought of himself. “What do you think?”

Noah didn’t look away from the set up. “I think you’re about to execute me via hanging."

Eli laughed. “It’s not as dangerous as it looks. If you fall, there’s a mat below that’ll break your fall. Just don’t wrap it around the fabric around your neck.”

“And what happens if I do?”

“Just don’t.”

“And how much experience do you have with this?” Noah asked.

“Well, I already had the rig if that tells you anything,” Eli replied, moving to stand beside one of the fabric lengths. “I had a client who was obsessed with suspension, and wanted me to train his pet specifically for that. So, to get them more used to be up in the air and balancing their weight, I decided to set this up. It was good for upper body strength, and it was just fun to do.”

He left out how unorthodox of a training technique it was. Truly, Eli just thought the sport was gorgeous. He’d never want to do it himself- not a fan of heights- but the contest was a perfect excuse to train his personal pet for it.

“We won’t do any tricks today,” Eli said. “I just want to get you familiar with it. So I’ll teach you some basic climbing techniques.”

He gestured for Noah to join him. The cat boy was glancing nervously toward the top of the silk.

“You don’t have to go too far off the ground,” Eli assured him. “Not today.”

Noah still seemed nervous, but he nodded.

“Right. First, grab as high as you can.”

The cat boy stood beside the first length of silk, and stood up tall to reach as high as he could with one hand.

“Now, take this leg, and wrap it around the bottom. Then you’ll reach up with your other hand.”

Noah brought one leg around the silk, trapping it under his knee, before wrapping his ankle around it. He suddenly got the jist, and used his other leg to hoist himself up.

“Don’t go fast,” Eli warned. He reached a hand above Noah to hold the silk, stopping it from swaying. “Listen to me.”

“But I got it,” Noah protested. “I used to climb the vines from trees in my breeder’s yard. It’s the same thing.”

“It’s definitely different,” Eli said. “And what vines were you finding tough enough to climb in New York?”

Noah shrugged. “I don’t know. But we climbed them.” He began scaling the silk, already having the technique down.

Now it was Eli’s turn to be nervous. He held up his hands, as though ready to dive forward and catch the cat boy if he fell. He hadn’t expected Noah to pick it up some quickly.

“Okay, that’s good,” Eli said. Noah was above his head now. Filled with confidence, he no longer seemed afraid of the height. His curling tail betrayed delight as he climbed higher. “You can come down now- don’t jump!”

Noah paused.

“Slide down slowly,” Eli instructed.

This would be a surprisingly quick lesson. He hadn’t expected Noah to get a handle on it so quickly. He supposed he should have figured, considering how naturally athletic he was.

Looking disappointed, Noah slid back to the ground. He seemed amused. “You’re not usually timid. What? Do you care about me or something?” he teased.

Eli rolled his eyes playfully. “I just don’t want to do a hospital run because you flung yourself to the ground from six feet in the air.”

“I won’t. Cats always land on their feet.”

“Really now? Well, if you’re so confident, why don’t you try a trick?”

Noah glanced back up at the silk. “What do you have in mind.”

“It’s a simple arabesque,” Eli said. “Wrap up your foot with the silk, then twist your body around it.”

Noah nodded curtly. “Easy.”

He climbed back onto the silk, anchoring himself by wrapping one foot with it. Then, he twisted his upper body in front of the silk, while his legs and one shoulder stayed behind.

“Looking good. Now raise that other leg.”

Noah knew the pose Eli wanted. He remembered one of his older sisters being trained for shows and performances, and watching her learn dance poses. He’d never been that interested himself, but his brothers would teasing try to mimic her. He always thought they secretly wanted to learn dance too, but didn’t want to ask about it.

“That’s beautiful,” Eli complimented. “You’re a natural. Is there anything you can’t do?”

Noah grinned, his tail curling with glee. “Fly. But I’m working on it.”

He began sliding back down the silk. But his tail was close to his body now, tight with happiness. And as he slid off the fabric, it tangled in the folds and knots Noah had created. He gasped in sudden pain, feeling a sharp stab throughout his entire spine.

Eli dove forward to catch Noah before he could slam into the ground. He slowly lowered him to his feet, being gentle so his tail would untangle.

“Careful,” he chided. “You have to remember where your tail is at all times. You could get hurt.”

Noah gritted his teeth, wanting to retort with sudden frustration. Why was he even doing this? Why was he doing something he could get hurt on? Eli should know how easily his tail could get stuck.

But when he raised his gaze, and saw the concern in Eli’s eyes, his anger melted away.

“I know, Master,” he replied. “I’ll be more careful.”

“That wasn’t bad.” Eli dropped Noah to his own feet. “We’ll be doing a lot more tricks than just that. You’ve got about three minutes to impress the judges before you have to exit the stage. I’ve got a few more things in mind, but not the whole routine.”

“I can probably bullshit my way through most of it,” Noah replied, one hand on his hip. “I’m good at improvising.”

Eli laughed. “Sorry, kitten, but we need a plan if we want to win. It has to look fluid and smooth. Every move must flow into the next. Plus, it lowers the chance that you’ll get on that stage and just freeze.”

Noah frowned. “I’m not doing this with a gag, right?”

Eli softly smiled sympathetically. “You’ll be gagged and plugged ever second of the show.”

Noah groaned. This stupid contest was taking the fun out of these activities.

“We’ll build you up to it,” Eli said. “And the show issued dildo gags have a hole through them to make it easier to breath. So don’t worry about that.”

“I’m not worried about breathing. I’m worried about choking.”

“You won’t. We’ll have that gag reflex gone by then.”

Noah gave him a skeptical look. “If I win this competition, you had better spoil me rotten.”

“Absolutely,” Eli promised. “With all the money I’ll make from photoshoots and press…you’ll have a life of luxury known to very free. Just like Prince. He’s basically the poster child for BAPS at this point. You’ll have that, next.”

Noah scoffed. “I don’t want what Prince has. I’m doing this to show that spoiled preppy pedigree bitches aren’t shit. Any stray alley cat can beat a purebred dog.”

“Language, but yes,” Eli agreed. He leaned against one of the metal poles. It was a nice day, and it seemed a waste to go back inside so soon. “If you could have any prize after the contest, what would it be?”

Noah hesitated. A week ago, he would have said royalties and freedom. But now he wasn’t so sure. Eli had taught him to enjoy being a pet again. He had friends and a warm bed and three meals a day. He didn’t want to give that up again.

“I don’t know.”

“Think about it,” Eli said. “Whatever you want after the contest, it’s yours.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli was in a great mood today.

“Alright, stay here.” He put a hand on the top of Noah’s head, gently pushing him down until he was kneeling in front of the television. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” Noah asked.

“Just wait. It’ll only take a minute.”

Noah frowned as his owner disappeared around the corner. He immediately began to fidget, wanting to go with him. What was so important Eli had to get it himself?

When Eli returned, he held one hand behind his back. Noah tried to peer around him, but Eli was keeping whatever he had well hidden. He paced in front of Noah.

“Sit up, sit still, hold out one hand, and close your eyes,” Eli ordered.

Noah tensed, nervous. But he obeyed, closing his eyes and holding out one hand, palm up. It was a few moments before something settled into his arm.

“Alright, kitten, open your eyes.”

Noah curled his fingers above the small, disk-like shape that had been placed in his hand. He blinked his eyes open and stared in confusion.

It was a cookie. A crumply sugar cookie. Noah figured it must be a treat of some sort. But then, he noticed the green flecks within the cookie.

His eyes widened.

A catnip treat.

He even knew the brand. The pet store sold them, and he’d had a perfect view of the stock from his cage. That bag had always taunted him, just out of reach.

Noah’s mouth fell open, overwhelmed with joy.

“Remember your manners,” Eli chided before Noah could throw it into his mouth.

“M-m-may I, Master?” Noah squeaked. “Please?”

As soon as Eli nodded, Noah crunched down on the cookie, savoring the earthy taste. Any other pet would despise this kind of treat, but Noah, and any other cat, couldn’t get enough. His breeder had used these treats during his training, and any owner who specifically wanted a cat made sure to have them on hand. It had been so long since he’d earned one.

Eli knelt on the floor, then moved to sit beside Noah. “Pretty good, right? Pure organic catnip cookies. You’d be surprised how much they go for.”

“A lot!” Noah mumbled, covering his mouth with one hand. “I could see the treats wall from my cage at the pet store. There’s one brand that’s fifty bucks for a single cookie.”

Eli nodded. “That one came in a box of six. It was like two hundred dollars. But it’s quality ingredients for a decently sized cookie.”

“Box of six?” Noah echoed. “So you have more?”

Eli winced, recognizing his mistake. “You’ll never find them. Not in a million years.”

“Wanna bet?”

Eli raised an eyebrow. “Yes, actually. But now for all five. How about just one.”

Noah gasped when Eli held out another cookie. He hadn’t even noticed Eli still keeping one hand out of sight.

“What is it?” Noah asked. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

Eli leaned closer to him. “I want to train you to walk in a bitch suit.”

Noah reeled back, his tail bristling. “No!” he whined immediately. He couldn’t stand those things. They were popular- too popular, in his opinion- with kinkier pets and owners. He’d been in them a handful of times, and hated them.

“Ah, well,” Eli said with a shrug. “I guess I can just put this cookie back. Or I’ll go see if Dawn wants it.”

“Wait.” Noah was distressed. He didn’t want to pass up another treat. But he couldn’t stand bitch suits. “An hour a day. That’s it.”

Eli thought for a moment. “One hour a day. After five combined hours, you get a cookie.”

Noah whined. But he wanted that treat. How could he resist while Eli was waving it in his face?

“Alright fine.”

“Perfect.”

Noah’s ear flicked at Eli’s tone. He seemed to be hiding his excitement. Was this an idea he’d gotten just now?

“We’ll do it later,” Eli said. “For now, the other pets are waiting for training. Let’s go get Melody.”

Eli stood up, then reached down to take Noah’s hand. The cat boy hefted himself up. Eli led him out of the room, but Noah’s gaze stayed on his hand.

Eli hadn’t let go.

Chapter 39: Mental Aspects

“What should we do with Melody today?” Eli wondered a loud on the way to the owl girl’s room. He led Noah by his hand, hardly even realizing.

Noah hadn’t pulled away.

“I don’t know,” the cat boy grunted. “Maybe something that doesn’t involve beating me up.”

“I’ll give you a break today. You’ve been good,” Eli said. “Maybe we’ll do some dominating exercises. Small things like posture and tone.”

“Fine by me,” Noah agreed. He’d had enough excitement for one day, between deepthroat training and the aerial silk.

He was looking forward to this training session, under the impression he wouldn’t have to be part of it. He was getting filled with energy again. At the stairs, he separated from Eli and jogged up the first few.

“Come on, old man,” he teased. “Getting slower?”

Eli grabbed the rail, taking his time. “I’m just not what I used to be. Just can’t keep up with youngsters like you.”

Noah purred. “If you die of old age do I inherit the estate?” He kept pace with Eli, walking up the stairs before turning to wait for him. “Or would it go to Dawn because she’s been here the longest? I think it should go to me because I’m the favorite.”

“I’ve got a better idea,” Eli said. “We’ll preserve my brain in a robot so I can boss you around forever.”

“I’d prefer a robot, actually,” Noah said. “Less of a sex drive.”

Eli gave him a teasing look. “Maybe, but I’ll definitely request some upgrades. How would you feel about an owner with a fifteen inch monster between his legs?”

Noah’s playfulness dropped. “That would kill me!”

“Nonsense. You just need the training.” Eli jogged the last few stairs, joining Noah at the top.

Noah’s ears drooped when he saw the genuine thoughtfulness on his owner’s face. Eli was really considering getting Noah trained up to take something like that. He could see Eli's shorts growing tighter just thinking about that belly bulge and hole gape.

“No, thanks,” Noah said. “I’m fine taking eight inches and nothing deeper.”

“No pet of mine is settling,” Eli chided. “We’ll get you trained up to twelve inches within a week.”

“Absolutely not,” Noah growled. “I’m your emotional support pet, remember? You’ve got Dawn to do all that extreme stuff.”

“Actually, you’re sort of becoming my everything pet, aren’t you?” Eli teased. “You’re the full package.”

“Not with taking things that deep.”

“I don’t know. You said you’d never deepthroat, and that’s what you were doing all morning. Things change.”

“Well can we at least save it for another day? We’re supposed to be focusing on Melody.”

Eli shot Noah a cheeky glance. The cat boy was trying to change the subject. “Tomorrow it is then.”

Before Noah could argue, Eli took a few long strides to reach Melody’s door and opened it. Noah promptly fell quiet.

“Hi, Melody,” Eli greeted. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine, Master,” Melody answered. She was already sitting at the front of her cage, ready for a training session.

Once Eli opened the cage, she stepped out.

“We’re going to do a small exercise today,” Eli explained. “We’ll explore the mental aspects of being a dominant. As a pet, I know it can sometimes be confusing to act both dominant and subservient to the same time. So I’d like you to start building up a sort of dominant mind set to slip into whenever necessary.”

Melody nodded. “I understand, Master.”

“Good. First, to the wardrobe. Your appearance is very important and may affect how your submissives view you.”

Eli led her back out into the hallway, and started toward the wardrobe. Noah fell behind them, trying to stay out of sight and out of mind. He didn’t want to be brought into another of Melody’s lessons.

“First lesson of the day, what outfits do you wear to certain events,” Eli said. “I’m going to describe a scene to you, and I want you to put together a look for the occasion. As you’ve probably noticed, I like to keep things nice and simple. I prefer comfort over glamour. And I don’t want to wear clothing with too many sparkles or even words, in case a pet gets distracted by it. But I also have the advantage of intimidation, being taller than most pets and being well built. So I can look dominant without much effort.”

Behind him, Noah let out a high pitched scoff. “He thinks he’s intimidating.”

Eli shot him a playful glance over his shoulder.

“Then I think tall heels will be a big help,” Melody said.

“Tall heels are good, but only if you know how to walk in them,” Eli replied. “You don’t want to wobble in them, or you’ll look inexperienced and vulnerable. For now, we’ll use flat platforms.”

“I’d like to keep practicing with bigger heels,” Melody said. “I love how they look.”

“We can do that at some point,” Eli agreed, returning her bright tone. He enjoyed how enthusiastic Melody was now that she’d found her niche. “Maybe I’ll have Dawn give you some pointers. He’s obsessed with heels.”

“I’d like that.”

At the wardrobe, Eli opened the door then leaned against the frame, gesturing for Melody to enter. “Get affiliated. Look around a bit. Then we’ll start.”

As Melody began to wander, Eli became aware of Noah at his shoulder. The cat boy was watching Melody closely, as though trying to decipher where she’d go first. Eli gently placed his hand on his head, petting his hair.

“Alright, Melody,” Eli began, “for this first outfit, imagine you’re going to an event at my side. What’ll make you stand out from the crowd?”

“Something formal,” Melody decided. “Something that’ll grab attention. This is pretty.”

She reached into the many racks of clothes, and pulled out a shining red dress with a cut in the skirt that went all the way to the hip.

“And what about accessories?”

Melody took a few steps back, knowing Eli kept jewelry boxes toward the end of the wardrobe. When she returned, she was holding a few tight, bulky necklaces.

Noah’s eyes shone, grabbed by the glitter of the dress and the golden jewelry. Melody took that as a sign she’d done well.

“Looking good,” Eli praised. “Pick out a pair of shoes, and get changed for us.”

Melody whisked off to the back of the hallway.

Noah had his arms crossed. “You’ve got too many clothes in here. Do you really have an outfit for every occasion?”

“I like to,” Eli said with a shrug. “It’s a hobby.”

“Collecting clothes is your hobby? You need a better hobby.”

Eli rolled his eyes. “You complained about me not having a hobby.”

Noah gave him an exasperated look. “Collecting clothes that sit in here most of the time, that you don’t even wear yourself, is not a hobby.”

“It’s an interest. That’s something right?”

Noah snickered, his tail lashing.

When Melody reappeared, she was wearing the dress, which hugged every curve. The necklaces forced her to keep her head up high, and the red heels she’d found accented her long legs.

Eli nodded his approval. “You’d definitely turn some heads. What do you think, Noah?”

Noah’s eyes were on the gold necklaces. “Shiny.”

“My thoughts exactly. Alright, Melody, give us your best strut.”

Grinning, Melody took a few steps forward, letting her hips swing. She leaned slightly forward as she walked.

Eli put up a hand, signaling for her to stop. “Close, but you’re walking more like a submissive pet. Drop your shoulders, puff your chest out, and lean back. You want to advertise yourself as someone to be respected, not used.”

Melody took a few steps back to try again. This time, she kept her chin up and her shoulders back. Her strides were long and purposefully.

When Eli noticed Noah’s lip drawing up in the beginning of a growl, he knew Melody had done well.

“That’s more like it,” Eli praised. “You want to give the impression of power and importance. Noah, any thoughts?”

Noah glanced away. “I definitely wouldn’t think you were a pet if I saw you at an event.”

“Agreed. Let’s try something else.” Eli thought for a moment. “Alright, Melody. Let’s say there’s a new pet at the mansion. One that’s known for being mischievous.”

Noah shot him an annoyed look.

“What sort of outfit would you choose to give that pet the right impression?”

Melody pondered it. “They need to know their place. With their attitude, they’d need to be taken down a peg or two. So definitely high heels…yeah, thigh high heeled boots with a catsuit and a whip as an accessory.”

“Sounds good. Have a look.” Eli ordered, then waited for Melody to disappear into the racks of clothes. He put his hand on Noah’s shoulder. “They do need to know their place, don’t they?”

“Oh, hush,” Noah growled. “I’ve been very good since…three days after coming here.”

“And how many times did you get yourself in trouble after that?” Eli teased.

“Master!” Melody called. “I think I found something.” She had returned with a black latex catsuit. All over it were belts and loops. Some for holding equipment, others for aesthetic.

“I like it,” Eli said. He remembered buying it quite a few years back for a different power pet he’d trained. “Grab some accessories and boots.”

When Melody returned in the cat suit, her appearance was foretold by the clacking of heels on the floor. She’d chosen a pair with inch tall heels. Her hips were lined with that little equipment was in here- a flogger on one side and a coiled leather whip on the other. She walked confidently toward them, enjoying how each tool bounced on her hip.

Noah’s ears were pinned back, glaring at the correctional tools on Melody’s hips. Eli gently glided his hand down his hair.

“Lovely,” Eli committed. “Remember to keep your head high. Those impact toys go a long way, but what’ll really give you the upper hand is confidence and power.”

“Right, Master.”

“Now last one- You’re accompanying me to a business meeting. What should you wear that’ll show my associate you’re a pet, but also my assistant?”

Noah shot Eli a confused look. Why would he ever invite a pet to a business meeting?

But Melody nodded in agreement and whisked off to find another outfit.

Noah tapped Eli’s arm with the back of his hand. “Business meeting? Are you taking her to a business meeting?”

Eli bit the inside of his cheek. “I don’t have plans to currently. But it might be a good thing for her to get familiar with.”

Noah seemed skeptical.

But before he could question his owner, Melody returned.She was holding a more sensible sleeveless dress, with a high collar and a pair of bicep length gloves.

“Cute,” Eli commented. “But formal. That would work well. Let’s see it on you.”

With a grin, Melody went to get dressed. She was getting good at the constant costume changes. She reemerged wearing the dress. Its skirt ended just above her knees, but hugged her upper legs to give her a nice figure.

“Looking good,” Eli praised. “Noah?”

“She’s good at this,” Noah commented, then turned to Melody. “You know how to highlight your assets.”

Melody was beaming. “Thanks!”

“You’re a natural,” Eli agreed. “Now on to part two of today’s training. We’ve gone over appearance and body language, now let’s go over tone. To the walkway.”

“Without the impact toys, right?” Noah asked.

“Yes, kitten,” Eli said. “You’re not being punished today. So long as you behave during the lesson. Melody, come walk with me.”

Melody took a few long strides to catch up with Eli, standing at his shoulder while they headed for the walkway.

“As a dominant, it’s important for you to get pets under control. But we also want them to enjoy being controlled. A pet who only obeys because they’re scared isn’t really obeying, they’re surviving. So it’s important to find a balance between intimidating and encouraging. I’ve got a few exercises in mind that’ll help you see that.”

Melody was nodding. “Isn’t it good for a pet to be a little afraid? They should know not to mess with you.”

“Well, there’s a different between fear of punishment and fear of an owner. It’s natural for a pet to be afraid of punishment. That’s what makes it effective. But you don’t want a pet to be afraid of you. They need to know they’re safe with you, and that they can come to you in times of need.”

“Is that why Noah likes you now?” Melody asked. “Because he’s not afraid of you anymore?”

“I was never afraid of him!” Noah hissed. “He’s not scary.”

Eli chuckled. “Noah is actually a prime example of why you don’t want a pet to be afraid of owners. A scared pet will act irrationally and do anything it takes to escape, including hurting you or themselves. But I’ve earned Noah’s trust, and now he’s only afraid of me when I’m holding a cane.”

Noah suddenly halted, crossing his arms. Eli and Melody only noticed when his voice came from several lengths behind them.

“Actually, I don’t want to train anymore today,” he called, a growl in his throat. He turned his face away, his nose in the air.

Melody put one hand on her hip. “You’re antics are very cute, Noah, as always. But you’re not training right now. I am. And perhaps Master will decide I need a brush up on my swing.” Her eyes narrowed. “Those red lashes are fading. I’d love to put them back.”

Noah’s tail lashed. He stalked toward the hallway and right past them, as though suddenly quite eager to continue with training.

Melody turned to Eli. “Like that?”

“Not bad. But avoid jumping straight to harsh threats. If you keep telling him you’re going to cane him, he might grow numb to it. Start small. And remember- what do I always say about different pets?”

“Different pets react to different things,” Melody answered.

“Good girl,” Eli praised. “More masochistic pets won’t see punishments as well…punishments. You’d need a different trick to get them where you want them.”

Melody nodded, then glanced ahead. Noah was several steps in front of them, in a hurry to get to the walkway.

“Master, what does Noah respond to?” Melody asked in a hushed tone. “Caning didn’t do much of anything, and I don’t think edging helped much with his attitude.”

“Honestly, he’s had every type of punishment there is,” Eli said. “And he doesn’t respond well to any of them. So I’ve recently been trying out positive reinforcements. Which I’m actually going to show you today. When we get to the walkway, I want you to take charge. Give him orders. Push him. Experiment, and see if threat of punishment or promise of affection works better.”

Melody’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Master.”

Eli glanced toward Noah. The cat boy’s ears was swiveled back, listening to them. Eli dropped his voice lower.

“I want you to try to get him to do simple tricks. Then ramp up the difficultly a bit.”

Melody nodded, already thinking of a plan.

“Can you two hurry up!” Noah called from the end of the hallway. He was already at the door to the walkway.

“Noah, we’ve talked about patience before,” Eli retorted. “This is Melody’s training, and I need to talk to her. So wait.”

Noah grumbled, but didn’t complain again.

Eli nudged Melody, whispering to her. “See? Sometimes reinforcement isn’t even necessary. A simple reminder of the rules will suffice. Especially for pets with selective memory.”

Melody moved one hand to her mouth, covering her smile of amusement.

“Alright, now’s your chance,” Eli said. “Take him into the walkway and begin. But only threaten punishments. Don’t try to hurt him.”

“Yes, master.”

Melody pulled ahead to reach the walkway first. She pushed the door. “Come on, Noah. Go wait for me in front of the stage.” When Noah opened his mouth to retort, she quickly added, “without talking back, please.”

The cat boy trudged inside, heading for the stage. Melody waited until Eli had joined them before approaching.

“I want to see what kinds of tricks you already know, and what we need to work on,” Melody began. “Kneel for me.”

Noah dropped to his knees.

“Now…shake.” Melody held out one hand.

Noah recoiled. “I’m not a dog!” he growled.

Melody ignored his retort. “Shake,” she ordered again.

Noah’s jaw was tight with indignation. Still, he raised one hand to take Melody’s hand, shaking it.

“Good boy,” Melody praised. She used her other hand to give him a pat on the head.

Noah relaxed slightly, appreciating the affection. He glanced toward Eli, who still by the door to watch. His owner had an approving look in his eye.

“Now roll over,” Melody ordered, doing a spinning motion with one finger.

Noah obeyed, rolling onto his back before getting to his knees again. He didn’t look happy about this, glaring up at Melody. But his sour expression faded when Melody rewarded him with pets.

“Good boy. Now speak.”

“I hate you.”

Melody ignored his attitude. She knew he was just irritated, and she knew these orders would have that affect on him. “No, no, no,” she chided. “That’s not how puppies speak.”

Noah narrowed his eyes. “I am not barking.”

Melody stood up taller, crossing her arms. “Then you don’t get anymore treats. I’ll only ask one more time- Speak.”

Noah whined, looking towards Eli. But his owner just shrugged.

Noah glanced between both of them, realizing there was no way out of this. Still, he stared silently up at Melody. If she wanted to push, fine. But he’d do it right back.

Melody raised one hand, holding up three fingers. “One…two…”

“Okay, okay!” Noah snapped quickly. He dropped his head, his hands bunched into fists. “Woof…”

It wasn’t nearly as loud or enthusiastic as Melody would have liked, but she couldn’t be too cruel. She gave him a pet between the ears. “We’ll work on it. Now let’s see…”

She thought for a moment, trying to think of what else to do. Then, she grinned.

“Stay.”

She backed away from him, giving him a stern glare, then turned and walked over to Eli.

“Stay,” she called again, right before she got to Eli. “Stay perfectly still.” Then, she casually leaned against the wall. “How’s your day been, Master?”

Eli barely stifled a laugh, seeing Noah’s jaw drop from the corner of his eye.

“Standard,” he said with a shrug. “Training with Noah earlier went pretty well. I’m teaching him to do aerial silk tricks.”

Melody cooed, interested. “I’ve heard of that before. It’s where you climb and pose with hanging silks, right?”

“Yes,” Eli replied. “It actually originates from circus acts. Noah did excellent with it…before getting his tail stuck in the silk and nearly crashing.”

Noah growled, his tail lashing.

Melody giggled. “Oh, goodness. He can be so reckless some times.”

When Noah opened his mouth to retort, she suddenly turned on him, her cheery attitude gone.

“Noah! Stay still and stay silent,” she snapped.

Noah ducked his head, looking dejected. He was growing restless as the two doms continued their conversation. Melody only looked toward him when he began to fidget, glaring at him as a remember to stay still.

Finally, Melody turned to him with a calmer expression. “Crawl to me, cat,” she ordered.

Noah huffed, irritated, but crawled to her on his hands and knees.

“Stop,” Melody ordered. “Stay on your hands and knees. Just like that. Now don’t move.”

With Noah in position, she turned to sit down gracefully on his back, crossing her legs. She looked up at Eli innocently, one hand on the back of Noah’s head. “How’s Dawn been? Feeling better?”

Noah was starting to tremble with anger.

“Oh, yeah, he’s just fine,” Eli answered. He glanced down at Noah, already thinking of everything under the sun he could do as an apology for this. “I’ll get her back to training in no time.”

Beneath Melody, Noah was practically steaming. But he hadn’t snapped yet, and Melody was keeping him obedient, so Eli was happy to let them carry on.

Even if Noah was glaring up at him with the ferocity of a roaring fire.

“That’s good to hear,” Melody was saying. “I’m sure cake tonight will be a delightful treat before getting back to business.”

“I’m thinking the same,” Eli said. “He’s been a very good boy and deserves a nice treat.” He looked down at Noah as he spoke, not so subtly aiming the sentiment at him.

Noah wanted to snap at him, but then he felt Melody’s weight lift from his back. “Alright, Noah, you can get up now.”

Noah stood up immediately, but kept his head down. He trudged over to join Eli’s side, his arms crossed.

Eli leaned close to whisper to him. “Thank you.”

“I’m gonna eat you in your fucking sleep,” Noah hissed back.

Eli gently stroked his hair. “Alright, Melody, that was pretty good. But now for some feedback.”

“Yes, Master.” Melody’s domineering persona seemed to melt away.

“Firstly, that was excellent. You did a great job following my instructions,” Eli said. “You were strict, but gave rewards when Noah followed harsh commands. My one concern is knowing not just your limits, but your pets. I did tell you to push Noah, but I should have specified to rile him up, not piss him off. Even the most docile of pets, when irritated enough, could snap.”

Melody nodded. “Right! Sorry, Noah. Master told me to push you.”

“It’s fine,” Noah said, trying to keep a growl out of his voice. Most of his anger was directed towards Eli for even letting this happen in the first place. “You did well. And you apologize by making that cake.”

Chapter 40: Fox

“I’m thinking pork curry tonight,” Eli said aloud. “It’ll be easy to make. Then, Melody, while you get started on that cake, I’m going to get Noah changed.”

Noah groaned, annoyed.

“Changed? Into what?” Melody asked.

Eli grinned. “Noah agreed to try out a bitchsuit. So he gets an hour in it, then he gets a treat.”

“What’s a bitch suit?” Melody asked.

“It’s like the latex cat suits you all wear, but much more restrictive,” Eli explained. “It keeps your arms and legs bent back, forcing you to walk on your elbows and knees. It’s used a lot by owners who enjoy pet play.”

“Sounds cute,” Melody said.

“You say that now,” Noah growled. “They’re the worst. It’s hard to move, you can’t do much of anything, and after a while your limbs go numb.”

“You won’t have to worry about that in the suit I’ve got in mind for you,” Eli assured him. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”

“For some reason, I don’t believe you,” Noah snapped.

“You’ll see. Just trust me.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“Noah, on the floor,” Melody chided.

Noah held his food bowl in one hand. Eli had ordered them to eat in the living room while he took Dawn her dinner.

“Why? Master’s not even here.”

“It’s the rules,” Melody said. “And I’m here. So eat like a pet.”

Noah gave her a cheeky smirk. “And what happens if I don’t?”
Melody already had her bowl on the floor. “I’ll tell Master, and he’ll let me punish you again.”

“Tattle tail,” Noah growled. “You just like beating me up.”

“Yes, I do. And do you really want to give me a reason to now?”
Noah rolled his eyes, but dropped his bowl to the floor. “One day, you’ll be the one in trouble. And I’ll never let you hear the end of it.”

Melody stooped down to start eating. “We’ll see about that.”
When Eli entered a few minutes later, Noah sat up. “How’s Dawn?”

“Bored,” Eli reported. He sat down on the couch. “But very excited to get back to training tomorrow.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Melody said.

“I didn’t tell him about cake tonight yet,” Eli said. “I didn’t want to overwhelm him.”

Noah purred with fondness.

“I can get started as soon as I finish eating,” Melody said. “Or…or once you’re ready, Master.”

Noah’s tail lashed with amusement. “Getting ahead of yourself, Mistress?”

“It’s okay,” Eli reassured them. “I trust when Melody says she’ll do something, she’ll actually do it. Instead of getting distracted or wandering off.”

“Hey,” Noah growled in warning.

Melody shot Noah a teasing look, her wings flapping curtly. Noah just rolled his eyes, but his curled tail showed he wasn’t upset.

Once she’d finished eating, she stood up with her bowl. “May I go, Master?”

“Yes,” Eli granted. “If you need help with anything, just call for me.”

“Thanks, Master!”

With Melody out of the room, Noah sat up, staring after her. “Who does she think she is?” he grumbled. “Being all perfect and making me look bad in comparison.”

With a chuckle, Eli leaned forward to give him a pet between the ears. “Oh, you poor thing. I guess you’ll just have to work harder to be good.”

“Or, hear me out,” Noah began, “I serve as a bad influence and bring them down to my level, making myself look relatively well behaved in comparison.” Although he still had some food left in his bowl, he crawled closer to place his chin on Eli’s knee, his eyes wide with innocent.

“Good luck with that,” Eli teased. “Dawn couldn’t misbehave if she tried, and Melody gets too much pleasure out of punishing you to ever let herself drop to that level. Brattiness is just a you thing.”

“It’s my firm belief that everyone has a little chaos inside them,” Noah replied. “Even you. It’s just a matter of bringing it out. That’s another thing we can try after the competition.”

“I’ll add it to my to-do list,” Eli said. Done with his own meal, he picked up his plate and stood. “Come on, kitten. Let’s check on Melody.”

Noah grabbed his own bowl, then stood.

When they entered the kitchen, they found Melody deep in her work. She had the entire counter crowded with what she needed. In a bowl, she was mixing up dry ingredients. She nodded in greeting when they entered.

“I’m fine,” she said before Eli could even ask.

“Good.” Eli lowered his voice, then nudged Noah with one elbow. “See? I don’t even have to ask and she responds.”

He took Noah’s bowl to put both dishes in the sink.

“How long do you think this will take, Melody?” Eli asked. “I’m not much of a baker myself.”

“An hour,” Melody replied. “Probably less. While its in the oven, I’ll make the icing.”

“Sounds good. In the meantime, Noah…? Don’t we have one more thing left to do today?”

Noah frowned. “But we’re eating cake. You really want me to eat that in a bitch suit?”

“Yes. Unless you don’t want that extra cookie.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to get your suit messy.”

“Luckily, its latex, so everything wipes right off.”

Noah grumbled, out of excuses. He didn’t respond- not admitting defeat, but putting the argument on pause. He retreated to the dog bed beside the counter, sitting down to get comfortable.

Eli watched him, knowing he’d won the exchange. He was getting better at taking Noah’s constant jabs, and he could tell that was frustrating to the cat boy, who’d grown used to owners snapping or getting irritated with him.

“What’s your favorite type of cake, Melody?” Eli asked curiously.

“Me?” Melody seemed surprised by the question. “I suppose…red velvet. With cream cheese icing.”

With her dry ingredients mixed, she made a small crater in the center to start adding wet ones.

“Good choice,” Eli replied. “I prefer regular chocolate. But only when its nice and rich.”

“I agree,” Melody said. Beside her, the oven beeped, showing it was up to temperature. “Airy chocolate cake is underwhelming.”

“Exactly. You know, there’s actually a bakery I know that has amazing chocolate cake. Might have to take you there one day.”

“If I got a taste, I bet I could recreate it.” Melody said.

Noah had curled up in the bed, but his ears were still perked as he listened to them. “You can recreate a cake just by tasting it?”

“Sure! I used to experiment with ratios and ingredients all the time. Once you know what different ones taste like, its easy to pick them out.”

“You experimented?” Noah questioned. “What the hell were you doing before coming here?”

“Melody used to be a care pet,” Eli explained.

“Yes,” Melody confirmed. “Specifically, I was supposed to be an assistant of sorts. My owner’s family bought me when I was eighteen. He was an older man, too old to take care of himself property. So I was in charge of taking care of him- cooking his meals, doing his laundry. Just doing any chore he needed help with.”

Noah cocked his head. “What happened? Did he die?”

“Noah,” Eli snapped sharply.

“He didn’t die.” Melody didn’t seem upset by the line of questioning. “But he got worse. His health rapidly deteriorated, and his mind was going, too. His family decided to move him into a home.”

“A home? He already had a home, didn’t he?”

“A retirement home,” Eli said. “Or an elder care facility. Like pet sanctuaries, but for humans.”

Noah still didn’t seem to understand.

“Okay, you know the statistics for abandoned pets, don’t you?” Eli prompted.

Noah did, all too well. “Older pets are more likely to be abandoned or given away. Is that what you mean?”

“Yes,” Eli said. “It’s the same for humans, in a way. Once we get to a certain age, when our families don’t want to or can’t take care of us anymore, they take us to a place with other elders, where we’re cared for. Just like how old or retired pets end up in sanctuaries.”

“Can we send you to a home then?” Noah asked.

“I’m not even thirty!” Eli snapped, scandalized.

Noah shrugged. “Could have fooled me.”

“Alright, that’s enough.” Eli stood up. “Upstairs. We’re getting that suit on so I can have some quiet.”

Noah ducked down into the dog bed. “Awh, come on, Master. I’m only playing.”

Eli stomped over to the bed and bent to pluck Noah out of it, holding him by the back of his cat suit. Noah writhed, dangling from Eli’s grasp.

“Melody, will you be okay for a few minutes?” Eli asked.

“Yes, Master,” Melody said, then shot Noah a teasing glance. “I’m not accident prone.”

“I am not accident prone,” Noah growled defensively. Eli dropped him onto his own feet, but kept a grip on the back of his collar. “I’m chaos prone.”

“We know,” Eli sighed. “We shouldn’t be long, Melody. Unless I decide Noah needs some behavioral therapy.”

Noah shot Eli a dangerously teasing grin, then exited the room ahead of him. The end of his tail flicked, beckoning Eli to follow.
Eli glanced back at Melody, absorbed in her work, then hurried from the kitchen. Even in the hallway, he walked a few paces behind Noah, admiring his swinging hips, accented by that snow white tail.

“I’d better warn you, kitten, I don’t want any damage done to that suit,” Eli said. “It’s the most expensive outfit I owe, and only one other pet has worn it before you. So consider yourself lucky.”

Noah suddenly stopped, turning on Eli. His gaze was serious. “You trust me with a suit like that?”

“I trust you. Now prove that my trust isn’t misplaced.” Eli took a few steps to catch up with him. “Anyway, that suit is indestructible. I’d honestly be impressed if you managed to damage it.”

“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” Noah warned him more playfully.

“Well then don’t have a will,” Eli said. “This suit hasn’t been used in nearly three years. It was worn by a fox boy- a leucistic fox boy. He was gorgeous, and one of the most expensive pets I ever trained.”

“Foxes are usually pretty,” Noah commented. He’d only met a few before, as they were rare and didn’t often end up in the pet store. But he knew they were sleek and nimble. Like cats, but bigger.

Eli nodded in agreement. He had a special love for foxes. They were rare and difficult to train, as it was common for them to be skittish, but they were also kind and bright. And they made him bucketloads of money.

“When I sold him, the new owner requested custom gear to go with him. He had three specialized bitch suits made. But when I shipped them, I forgot one. So I’ve had it the last couple years.”

“Specialized?” Noah echoed.

“The guy who ordered it off me wanted a suit for long time wear,” Eli explained. “It’s comfortable enough to stay in for long periods of time. It’s uniquely stretchy, with built in electric pads to stimulate muscles. And it doesn’t even hurt.” Eli had worked on it for months, along with his team of designers. It was one of his proudest achievements. “The collar is incredibly advance. It monitors the wearer’s muscles and vitals, and provides electrical stimulation that stops the limbs from aching or going numb. Honestly, I don’t even know how it all works, but it’s one of the most high end suits on the market.”

“So it’s like…a permanent suit?” Noah had slowed down.

“It’s more semi permanent,” Eli said. “The designer recommends no more than a month inside, with two days for recovery.”

“You promised only an hour,” Noah reminded him nervously. He had stopped at the top of the stairs.

“Only an hour, I swear,” Eli promised. “But you never know. You might find it so comfortable you never want to take it off.”

Noah shook his head. “Not me. I don’t do things in permanents.”

“It doesn’t have to be permanent,” Eli said, not wanting to push him. “But if you decide you like it, we can use it more than just an hour a day.”

Noah wasn’t encouraged. “We’ll see.”

“Wait here,” Eli ordered when he opened the wardrobe. He moved to the back, trying to locate the box where he kept the suit.

Noah slid off the cat suit he currently wore, depositing it on the ground in front of himself. He crossed his arms and leaned against doorframe. “This suit isn’t like…super pretty, right? I don’t want to get cake on it.”

He could hear Eli rummaging through boxes. “It’s stunning,” he called. “But it has a special coating that makes food and anything else slide right off.”

A few moments later, Eli reemerged. The thing he held looked like a solid block of latex. It was all one piece, made from black latex with a light blue pattern weaving across it. It had a hole on either side, most likely for the head and ass, but not a single seam or zipper. A collar seemed built into the head hole. It was bulky, with a large box on the back of it that acted as a control panel. A muzzle hung off the collar, in the shape of a fox’s snout.

“What do you think?” Eli asked.

Noah just stared at it, unsure what he was looking at. Where were the straps? The zippers? How did he get in and, more important, how did he get out?

He glanced at Eli. “Just an hour, right?”

“Just an hour,” Eli agreed. He held the suit over one arm. “The collar controls the entire suit, and sends signals throughout to make it bend and shift and stretch.” He held out the suit. “Stick your arm in there and see if you can stretch it.”

Noah took the suit. It felt soft for being latex. He reached one hand through the hole and found a pocket inside, most likely where a leg was supposed to go. When he tried to open his hand, he found the suit didn’t give.

“And this is supposed to be comfortable?”

“It will be.” Eli pressed a button on the back of the collar.

Noah felt the latex go lax around his arm. He stretched his fingers again, and was shocked to find little resistance. “Whoa!”

“The collar sends electric currents through the suit, and that makes molecules inside this type of latex expand or contract,” Eli explained. “I don’t have a clue how it works, but I know it’s expensive. And takes forever to make. So it should fit you perfectly. Once you’re inside, the latex will tighten to fit you. It’ll be comfortable and breathable.”

Strangely, Noah was starting to warm up to this a little better. He was deeply interested in how this worked, and wondered if there was a way he could manipulate the collar from inside the suit.

“How do I even get it on?” Noah asked. “There’s no zipper.”

Eli pushed another button on the collar. It suddenly sagged around Noah’s arm, going completely lax. “Put your hands on my shoulders and I’ll slide it over you. It’s similar to a cat suit when you first put it on.”

He bunched up the suit, then bent down to slide it over Noah’s body from bottom to top. He maneuvered Noah’s legs into the right pockets, then slid it over his torso and to his arms.

“Tuck in your elbows,” Eli instructed. When Noah obeyed, Eli slid the latex over his limbs, until the collar was situated around his throat. Beneath the latex, he was able to move Noah’s limbs into the proper pockets. “Kneel for me.”

Once Noah was on the ground, Eli helped to bend his legs into the pockets. Now, Noah was in the usual bitch suit pose, his limbs folded while he balanced on his elbows and knees.

Eli moved around him, making sure the suit was lining up where it was supposed to. “I’m gonna pull your tail, kitten. I’ll be gentle.”

When Noah was ready, he softly tugged his tail to make sure it wasn’t stuck in the suit.

Eli leaned over Noah’s back, then pressed a few buttons on the collar. He set the suit to restrict tightly, but not harshly. Just so Noah could get used to it.

Noah jumped, feeling the suit began to squeeze around him. He took a few steps back, as though he could get away from the sudden tightness. The latex hugged his arms and legs, trapping them together.

Noah bent down, cowering, as the suit continued to tighten. After a moment, it stopped. And he was shocked to find how…comfortable it felt. He usually immediately start to feel the strain of being restricted, but this felt more natural.

Eli looked relieved to see Noah relax. “Try to walk.”

Noah put his arms forward, then his legs, wanting along the ground. He looked more like an actual house cat now, his tail straight up in the air, curling at the end.

“Alright, I’m going to turn up the tightness a bit,” Eli said. He reached down to grab the collar, going to the highest setting.

Noah winced, feeling the suit tighten. This time, he was sure it was going to immobilize him. But when he tried to move, he could do so easily.

“This is so weird,” he said.

“It’s quite something, isn’t it?” Eli knelt down to get eye level with Noah. “An albino cat boy in an electroactive polymer bitch suit. You are probably one of the most valuable pets in the world right now.”

He held up his hand, and Noah pushed his head into it, purring.

“I was always the most valuable pet in the world,” Noah teased. “That’s why I kept getting bought.” He moved away from Eli to turn in a circle. He’d been in bitch suits before, but none so easy to walk in. “You gotta patent this or something. Why are you wasting your time training pets when you could be selling these?”

“I do sell these,” Eli replied. “I’m the top investor for the designer who makes them. But it costs a lot of time and money to produce. I think about ten of them get sold each year. So that’s like…less than a hundred in the whole world. Not really worth retiring over.”

He grabbed the back of Noah’s collar and pulled, making him stumble over.

“One last thing. The muzzle.” Eli took hold of the muzzle dangling around Noah’s neck. “You’ll still be able to talk and eat through it, but there is a setting to make it close entirely. But even then you should be able to speak.”

Before Noah could argue- and Eli knew he would- he slipped the muzzle over his mouth. It functioned like a jaw, with the bottom half wrapping around Noah’s chin. When he opened his mouth, it would open as well.

Eli had to sit back, admiring his handiwork. Noah looked adorable with the long, canine like snout. But he’d have to ask his designer for a cat one next. Maybe a pink one.

“You are the cutest thing to ever grace this planet,” Eli murmured.

Noah looked up at him. Beneath the muzzle, he was blushing. No owner had ever said something so…loving to him before.

“You think so?” he took a step back, doing a small spin for Eli. “I think its this suit. It’s rather practical.” He lifted his tail high, showing off every curve for Eli.

“Practical,” Eli repeated, feeling heat rising in his stomach. He not only wanted to get Noah accustomed to these suits for his own sake but also for more…personal reasons. Seeing Noah strut around so easily, his tail raised and his ass on display…it was mesmerizing.

He loved bitch suits.

Noah seemed to catch the look of lust in his owner’s eyes. He turned away, his tail swishing. “We’d better get back to Melody. I think I can smell cake.”

“We’ve still have a few minutes to spare.” Eli reached out one hand, trying to grab for Noah’s tail, but the cat boy whisked it away. “You should get back over here so we can give that suit a proper test run.”

Noah looked over his shoulder with innocent eyes. “Won’t Melody get worried if we take too long? She might think I finally got the upper hand and shoved you out a window.” He took a few steps back toward Eli, teasingly running his tail up Eli’s leg. “Come on, Master.”

“She can handle herself.” Eli walked past Noah and to the wardrobe door. He pushed it closed, then turned back to Noah. “We've got things to attend to, don’t we?”

“What ever do you mean, Master?” Noah batted his eyes innocently.

Eli stared down at him, enjoying his teasing. But he was getting wound up. He unbuttoned his jeans and let them drop, stepping out of them and starting to fiddle with his boxers.

“Oh, those things,” Noah said, amused. “Well, that’ll have to wait. I want cake.”

Confidently, he strode past Eli. Then had to stop when a hand wrapped around his tail.

“I think I want cake, too,” Eli grunted. “I did tell Melody we might get sidetracked with behavioral therapy.”

“I didn’t know this is what behavioral therapy-”

Noah was cut off by a yelp of alarm as a rough hand pushed down between his shoulders, forcing his upper body to the ground. He would have tried to run, but the hand at the base of his tail was warning him not to.

He heard the sound of Eli spitting, then something cold and wet hit his hole. “You are so fucking cute when you’re being a little bitch,” Eli groaned, pressing one finger into Noah’s hole to start prepping him.

Noah let out a breathless laugh. “I was born to be a little bitch.”

Eli repositioned his hands, letting go of Noah’s tail and settling on both on his shoulders, just over where Noah’s hands were trapped beneath latex.

“I’m going to enjoy this.”

“You’re so forward,” Noah teased. “Getting you riled up is as easy as-” He gasped, feeling something huge push into his hardly prepared hole. He let out a cry of pleasure so loud the fox muzzle opened. “Fuck!”

Eli slid all the way inside Noah with one fluid motion. Then he pulled out, until only the tip was left, before pushing in again. He leaned over Noah, forcing himself deep with each thrust, his balls slapped hard against Noah’s.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” Eli praised.

Noah was being crushed into the floor. He suddenly wished he’d coaxed Eli into their bed first. But he was quick to forgive. Eli hadn’t fucked him this hard before. Their last encounter had been more teasing and slow. But he was falling in love with the feel of Eli’s hands holding him down.

His caged cock hit the ground and he whined. “Fuck…please, master!”

Eli was using all his body weight to keep Noah low to the ground, smashing their hips together. He heard Noah’s pleasure filled cries beneath him, loud and pleading.

“Harder…harder!” he begged. He had to admit, he’d missed this. They’d been too busy the last few days for raw, steamy sex like this. “Please!”

Eli was more than happy to oblige. With each beg, his hips spend up, going deep and faster. The sounds of his balls slapping against Noah’s echoed through the room. “Cry for me, kitten,” he panted. “Tell me how much you want it.”

Noah shuddered, hearing his master’s voice. He could get lost in it. “So bad!” he begged. “Please, Master, please! I need you so badly.”

Eli’s grip on Noah’s shoulders tightened. “That’s it, kitten. Moan for me.” Each word was highlighted with a ferocious thrust of his hips. “I wanna hear you scream.”

He felt the warmth of an orgasm quickly growing, and let himself get lost in the heat of it.

Noah’s mouth fell open, the muzzle going with it. “Fuck, Master, that’s so good! So deep!” It almost hurt, how good it felt. Or perhaps that was just his cock pressing painfully against its cage. He tried to move his hips, trying to get Eli to nail his prostate. “Master, please!”

Eli moved one hand to the back of Noah’s head, gripping his head. “Fuck, I love your ass.” He felt his legs starting to shake, his whole body warmth. He couldn’t hold back any longer.
With one final thrust, he came into Noah’s ass, pumping cum deep inside his pet.

Noah encouraged him all the way his orgasm, begging to be used and fucked and owed. God, he’d missed this. He missed feeling so wanted. He missed being fucked mercilessly with that hint of adoration behind it. He’d received harsh fuckings before, sure. But none with an owner who desired him in the way Eli did.

Chapter 41: Too Far

Eli gave a few more thrusts, then collapsed against Noah’s back. He lay panting for a few moments, then hoisted himself off, sliding off Noah.

“Fuck. I needed that,” he groaned.

Noah remained on the ground, his limbs splayed out. “Fuck me.”

“I just did,” Eli teased. “You make me go crazy sometimes, you know that? And not just with your attitude. And with you dressed like a fox right now…You’re perfect.”

For a moment, Noah remained still, unsure if Eli had even realized what he said. The cat boy felt a strange emotion in the pit of his stomach, like something was squirming. He tried to push it away.

“Foxes and cats aren’t so different,” Noah said. “They’ve just got thicker tails. I can get a thick tail, too.”

“When you’re scared, I’ve noticed,” Eli said. He sat beside Noah, gently petting his hair. “But I don’t want you to be scared.”

He looked down at the cat boy- his cat boy. They’d fucked before, but this was the first time he’d felt truly connected to him. Not just as an owner training up their unruly pet, but as a pair. As companions.

As partners.

Noah closed his eyes, relaxing. “I’m not scared. Not anymore. Not when you’re near.”

He put one arm beneath himself, trying to stand, but his limbs were shaky. As soon as he moved, he winced, feeling cum start to leak from his hole and drip down his balls.

“I’m glad,” Eli said. He slowly climb to his feet, stretching his arms above his head. “Now hold still a second. I think a butt plug ties this outfit together perfectly.”

“Do I have to?” Noah grumbled. He was slowly climbing into a standing position, his limbs shaky. “Melody will see it.”

Eli was already rummaging through a box. He pulled out a metal butt plug with a golden jewel on the end. It was more for decoration than pleasure.

“The kitchen is just below here,” Eli said. “She probably heard most of that.”

Noah tried to turn on him, but Eli grabbed the back of his collar to keep him still. He wiped up some of the dribbling cum, pushing the plug into Noah’s hole.

“You should have gagged me, then!” Noah whined, blushing. “She’s gonna think I’m a total slut.”

“She already knows you’re a slut.”

Eli backpedaled when Noah gave him a harsh glare.

“I-I mean, no one thinks you’re a slut. Some pets are just loud during sex.”

“Has Dawn heard me before?”

Eli shook his head, then shrugged, then finally nodded in defeat. “Probably. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re adorable when you’re moaning for me.”

“I am not a slut,” Noah insisted.

“Maybe, but give yourself some credit,” Eli said. “You’re fantastic with blowjobs, you’ve got the tightest ass I’ve ever been in, and you’ve got lungs to encourage your partner the entire time. Porn stars are jealous of you.”

He grabbed his jeans, stepping back into them and pulling them up. Noah scurried after him.

“Porn stars are jealous of you!” he whined. “You’re the real slut of this house. Always ready to whip it out at any given moment.”

“Noah, you were literally just begging me to fuck you,” Eli pointed out, adjusting his belt. “I was just doing what you wanted.” He grabbed the door to the wardrobe, then pulled it open. He stood to the side for Noah to crawl through.

“You wanted it first! That’s the whole reason you put me in this thing,” Noah growled, bounding a few lengths away before turning to face Eli. “That makes you the slut.”

“If I recall, you’re the one who started teasing me.”

“Because you’re so easy to tease.”

“So you were doing it on purpose?” Eli smirked.

Noah glared up at him. “The initial plan was getting you riled up and denying you so I could watch you squirm the rest of the night.” He lashed his tail playfully. “So while it would have led to sex, I didn’t think it would be that quick.”

“Oh, okay.” Eli put one hand on his hip. “So you were getting me worked up so we could fuck later on your terms. That’s not slutty at all,” he drawled sarcastically.

Noah’s tail bristled, a blush cover his face. “W-well…uh…nuh uh.”

Without elaborating further, he turned and bounded down the hallway, trying to reach the stairs as quickly as possible. Eli strolled after him slowly, admiring the glittering butt plug and his swinging hips. He moved fluidly in the suit, and Eli figured he must have a lot of experience with them. For how much Noah had voiced his distaste, he seemed comfortable now.

“Why don’t we just ask Melody if she thinks you’re a slut?” Eli asked. Noah had stopped to wait for him at the top of the stairs.

“Don’t you dare,” Noah growled. “She doesn’t need to be in our business.”

“I don’t know.” Eli had a thoughtful tone in his voice. “She’s pretty trustworthy. She’d tell it how it is.”

“Let me rephrase,” Noah said, starting to climb down the stairs. “I don’t want you to tell her our business.”

Eli walked beside Noah down the stairs, watching to make sure he didn’t fall. But Noah made navigating the house in a bitch suit look easy. Eli realized these had probably been a means of control for past owners, and Noah would have gotten good at being in them just out of spite.

Eli wondered if Noah realized that in his attempts to irritate and anger his past owners, he’d already given himself all the skills he needed to be a dream pet.

As they neared the kitchen, Melody poked her head around the corner. “Have fun? It sounded like you were having fun.”

Noah froze, his face red. “You weren’t supposed to be listening!”

Eli barked a laugh. “We did have fun, Melody.”

“He had fun.” Noah flicked his tail toward Eli. “I was just doing my job.”

Melody cocked her head. “Then why were you begging for Master to go harder?”

Noah’s jaw dropped, the muzzle going with it. “You could hear that?” he cried.

“I told you she would,” Eli said. “And she’s right. You begged me to pound you like a slut.”

“You told me to!” Noah squeaked, flustered. “I wouldn’t have if you didn’t tell me. Melody!” He padded into the kitchen, where Melody was trying to retreat. “You don’t think I’m a slut, right?”

Melody turned back to him, thinking for a moment. “I don’t think you outwardly act like a slut. But subconsciously, you might be.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means you act all closed off, but you want to ride every dick in the city,” Eli teased.

Noah looked between them, not used to getting ganged up on. “You’re dick is all I need, thank you very much.”

Melody hummed thoughtfully. She’d returned to the counter, putting the finishing touches on the cake. “So you’re only a slut for Master?”

Noah froze.

Eli let out a loud laugh. “He admits to it!”

“I do not!” Noah whined.

“You will one day,” Eli insisted.

Noah just shook his head. He retreated to the dog bed in the corner of the kitchen. Eli had to hold back a coo of adoration when he turned it in a few times before settling down to get comfortable.

“How’s the cake coming along, Melody?” Eli asked.

“Almost done,” Melody replied. She took a step back, then seemed to finally notice what Noah was wearing. “Oh, that’s adorable. Shame it’s not pink, though.”

Eli couldn’t help but agree. “I’ll order him a pastel pink one. Maybe Dawn might like a blue one, too.”

“Dawn would love that!” Melody agreed.

Noah let his head hang over the side of the bed. “Just leave the bells off.”

“Awh, come on,” Eli drawled. “The bells are the cutest part.”

“And they’d help us keep track of you,” Melody murmured.

Noah rolled his eyes. “A detachable bell, then. And only for when Master is a very good boy.”

Eli chuckled, then glanced at Melody. “I don’t know what he’s talking about. I’m always a good boy.” He turned back to Noah. “So good, I think we should get a bell for not just your collar, but also both nipples, your balls, and your tail. Now that would be cute.”

“Yeah,” Melody agreed. “Master is always good. Don’t you think you should give him this one little treat?”

“Melody!” Noah sat up. “You’re supposed to be on my side. Would you enjoy walking around with jingling bells all day?”

 

Melody shrugged. “Not really. It’s not my style. But it could be yours if you gave it a try.”

Noah dropped his head again. “I don’t do bells. They’re annoying.”

Melody gave him a knowing look. “Your constant complaining is also annoying. You know that, right?”
Noah shot her a smirk. “Alright, here’s a proposition. I’ll wear bells, but only when you leave me ungagged. You can listen to the bells and me complaining at the same time.”

Eli thought for a moment. “I can get behind that.”

Noah’s ear flicked, hearing the sheen of a blade. He could see a large knife flashing just over the counter. His tail bristled- at first with fear, before becoming excitement, as he realized why Melody had a knife. He picked himself up and padded over to the counter.

Melody cut the cake into a few evenly sized pieces. She glanced down when Noah approached. “Sit and I’ll give you some.”

Noah obeyed immediately. But his waving tail betrayed his excitement. It was so rare he got any sort of treat like this.

Melody gave Noah a decently sized piece, as a reward for putting up with her and Eli’s teasing. She dropped it into a bowl. But before she could give it to Noah, who was sitting up in anticipation, she paused.

“Master, can he eat through that muzzle?” she asked.

“The suit was designed for long term wear,” Eli explained. “It’s got a specially designed muzzle. Noah, show her.”

Curious himself, Noah opened his mouth wide, feeling the muzzle stretch with his jaw. He closed his mouth, and the muzzle did the same.

Melody’s eyes glittered. “That’s…so cute!” she squeaked. She placed the bowl on the floor in front of Noah, and watched with endearment as he opened the muzzle and used it to tear off a chunk before throwing his head back.

“It’s adorable.” Eli hadn’t expected Noah to figure out how to eat so quickly. But he was glad he’d decided on a method like this. The cat boy was opening the muzzle, then letting it close around a chunk of cake. After biting it off, he tilted his head back so it would fall into his mouth.

Noah seemed too distracted by cake to focus on two pairs of eyes staring at him.

Melody finally had to turn away, preparing her own bowl, along with one for Dawn and a plate for Eli. “Shall we take this up to Dawn now?”

Eli nodded in agreement. “Good idea. Grab Noah’s bowl and we’ll head upstairs. I’m sure Dawn will enjoy the company.”

He grabbed his own plate, then walked away with it. Sticking one finger into the icing, he brought it to his mouth, then sighed in satisfaction. Melody was certainly a talented baker.

Behind him, Melody knelt to grab Noah’s bowl.

Suddenly, the muzzle snapped forward. Melody barely saved her fingers from being trapped between the jaws. A growl rolled through Noah’s throat, before he seemed to realize what he’d done and took a step back.

His head hung guilty. “Sorry.”

Over her initial shock, Melody pet him between his ears. “It’s alright. I should have warned you before getting so close. Let’s get upstairs.”

Eli had waited for them by the door. He shot Melody a concerned look, but she didn’t seem bothered by Noah’s sudden aggression. Eli’s jaw tightened, wanting to chastise Noah, but the cat boy looked guilty enough.

“How are you getting along in that suit, kitten?” he asked.

Noah seemed surprised to be addressed. “It’s nice, actually,” he admitted. “Strange. I keep thinking I shouldn’t be able to move, but it stretches so easily. And I’m not even sore.”

“That’s good to hear,” Eli said, genuinely interested in some feedback. “Anything about it you don’t like?”

Noah thought for a moment, pausing. He braced himself, then leaped forward. He seemed to catch Melody off guard, as the owl girl flapped her wings in surprise when he raced past her.

At the end of the hallway, Noah skidded to a halt. “I can even run in it! This thing is awesome. How easy does it tear, do you think?”

“It should be nearly impossible to rip from the inside,” Eli said, catching up to him. “It’s everything but bullet proof, including naughty cats.”

A grin spread over Noah’s face. “Is that a challenge?”

“Oh, no,” Melody sighed.

Noah padded back to Eli. “If something can be broken, I’ll find a way. And you’re ordering a new one anyway. I totally bet I can find a way to rip this thing.”

“Maybe you should wait until the new one arrives,” Melody suggested.

Noah waved his tail dismissively. “If I rip it now, Master can fix the next one’s designs. Then I’ll figure out a new way to break that one.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Eli said. “How about this. I’ll give you ten minutes to escape the suit. You can use anything in the room to help- everything short of asking the other pets for help. If you manage to rip it, I’ll give you an orgasm tonight. But if you can’t, you get two hours in it tomorrow. How about it?”

Melody glanced between them anxiously. This didn’t seem like a good idea at all. At best, Noah failed and ended up grumpy for the rest of the night. And at worst, he got himself hurt.

But before she could voice her concern, Noah sat up on his back legs. “Deal!”

Eli teasingly rubbed his head. “I hope this will serve as a lesson not to be so cocky in the future.”

“It’ll be a lesson alright,” Noah shot back. “A lesson in not underestimating me.”

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Eli said.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dawn was staring with wide eyes at the bowl Melody had just handed him. At first, he had no idea what to do. His ears were straight up in the air, his fingers curling gently around the sides of the bowl.

A carrot cake, and Melody had made it for him.

Eli had pulled a chair up beside his head, sitting with one leg crossed over the other while he ate his own share. As soon as Melody had dropped Noah’s bowl again, he’d practically dove on it.

Dawn had at first been interested in the strange new outfit Noah was in, but all her attention was know on the sweet treat she’d been presented with.

She picked up the fork she’d been given to each with, at first unsure what to do with it. He was a pet, he didn’t eat with forks. That was what Master did.

He glanced toward Melody, who was sitting on the floor besides Eli’s chair, easily eating with her own fork. Dawn took note of how she used it to slice off a chunk of cake before stabbing it with the prongs and bringing it to her mouth.

Dawn mimicked the action. She brought the piece of cake to her mouth and closed her lips around it. As soon as the moist cake touched her tongue, she let out a soft gasp, shocked by the sweetness. Her ears dropped back, and she began eating heartily.

Although Dawn had just begun eating, Noah was finished. He took a step back from his bowl, then padded over to join Eli, placing his chin on his owner’s knee. His pink eyes were wide and expectant.

Eli took a bite of cake, then reached down to pet Noah’s head. “Be patient. Let me finish eating first.”

“But I want to do it now. The hour’s almost up anyway.”

“Noah,” Eli said sternly, “patience.”

Noah sat down with a thump, watching Eli as he finished his cake. Once his owner was gone, he stood up and took a step back to let Eli stand.

“Everyone finished?” Eli asked. “Our entertainment for the evening will be our resident cat boy with an escape act.”

While Dawn hummed with interest, Melody sighed. “He’s going to get himself hurt.”

“Oh, please, have some faith.” Noah padded into the center of the room. “I’ve done this plenty of times before.”

“What’s happening?” Dawn asked.

“Noah is going to try to escape from that bitch suit he’s stuck in,” Eli said. “If he can get out within ten minutes, he gets an orgasm.”

“Oh!” Dawn seemed very interested now. “But who would ever want to escape a suit like that? It looks so comfy.”

“Exactly,” Melody said. “So maybe he should just stay in it for the rest of the hour.”

“Relax, Melody,” Eli said gently. “That suit won’t let him stretch in any way that’ll hurt. And it’s pretty much indestructable. There’s no way he’s getting out.”

“That’s what you think,” Noah growled.

Eli pulled out his phone and set up a timer for ten minutes. He could see, from the corner of his eye, Noah watching him.

As soon as he thumb hit the start button, Noah got to work. He tried to use the muzzle to gain an advantage, stretching his jaw to open it and get a grip on his own arm. But the muzzle didn’t have teeth capable of gripping and tearing, so that plan went nowhere fast.

On to plan B, the only other plan.

He shot a cheeky look towards Eli. Then, he stood up on his back legs- on his knees. After finding his balance, he braced, then threw himself into the air. He got high enough just in time to get the angle right, smashing into the ground with his shoulders first, crushing the control box beneath his weight.

Melody gasped when Noah didn’t pick himself back up right away. Her hands covered her mouth, watching him slowly climb to his feet, seeming dazed. He glanced down at the ground, and grinned when he spotted tiny black specks in the carpet. A look at the collar would reveal he’d caused a dent in the control panel.

Noah didn’t give himself time to recover. He reeled back and pulled the same move again, hitting the floor with a loud thud that shook the room. Melody winced each other, expecting him to flop onto the floor and never get up again.

“Master, make him stop,” Melody begged. “He’ll hurt himself.”

“Yeah…Noah,” Eli began, “maybe this isn’t the best idea.”

“You’re just worried…you’ll lose the bet,” Noah panted.

He hit the ground again.

Eli winced. He didn’t want to admit defeat, but this was getting dangerous. He didn’t even know what would happen if the collar broke.

“I know you want to win, but you could get yourself hurt,” Eli said. “It’s not worth it.”

“It’s fine. I’ve done this before,” Noah replied. He was starting to get shaky, exhausted and growing sore. If it wasn’t for the constant electric pulses from the suit, he wouldn’t be able to keep this up.

He slammed the collar into the floor again, and grinned with satisfaction when he heard the sound of it cracking.

Before he could pick himself up, expecting the suit to slither off him, it suddenly tightened to an almost painful degree. He yelped in surprise, writhing in the floor. But the suit squeezed around him, backing it impossible to move. The material of the suit was going just as stiff as when he’d first found it.

“What’s happening?”

Eli jumped off his chair to kneel beside Noah. He turned him onto his side to look at the panel. As soon as it was off the floor, it slipped off the collar, snapped in two pieces.

“Well, you definitely broke the collar,” Eli said. “And it looks like it completely turned the suit off.”

“Well, turn it back on!”

“With what? The collar’s busted.”

Melody’s eyes were wide with worry. “You mean he’s stuck in there?”

“Stuck?” Noah squeaked.

“I need to make a call.” Eli stood up. “Melody, you’re in charge.” His phone was in his hand, already dialing a number, as he exited the room.

Chapter 42: Promise

Melody had crawled over to Noah, who was still writhing on the floor. She put a hand on his stomach, trying to calm him.

“That fucking bastard,” Noah growled. “He totally knew this would happen. He tricked me!”

“He did not,” Melody said firmly. “Now just lay still while Master gets help.” She ran her hand along Noah’s latex-covered hip, hoping he could feel it. She didn’t think Eli realized just how ruthless Noah could be, even in front of other pets.

She glanced up toward Dawn, who was peering over the bed with wide eyes. He’d been completely silent during Noah’s display, shocked and horrified.

“What were you thinking?” Dawn rasped. “You could have broken your neck!”

Noah turned his head to look at her, shocked by her tone. He’d never heard Dawn…angry before.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I knew what I was doing, okay? You shouldn’t worry. I’ve done this before.”

“When?” Melody asked, confused.

“Lots of high tech suits have control panels on the back of the collar,” Noah explained. “That’s how I break all of them. It’s supposed to make the straps loosen.”

“This one doesn’t even have straps!” Dawn pointed out, gesturing to the whole suit with one arm. “This could have gone wrong in so many ways! You could have killed yourself, Noah!”

He grabbed the blanket and threw it over his own head, cowering on the bed.

Before either of the other pets could reply, the bedroom door creaked open. Eli entered, looking worried.

“I’ve got good news and bad news.”

“Bad news first,” Melody said. “Just get it out of the way.”

Eli cleared his throat. “Well…I got ahold of my designer She confirmed that you are stuck in there.”

Noah whimpered.

“Apparently, if the collar suddenly loses power, the suit is programmed to tighten up and prevent a pet from escaping.”

“Oh, god…” Noah whined.

“What’s the good news?” Melody prompted.

“I can get a replacement collar that’ll open the suit again once it syncs,” Eli continued. “But it’s shipping from the other side of the country and won’t be here for…three days.”

“Three days?” Noah cried. “Fuck…Fuck, fuck, fuck.” He felt his throat closing with panic. He couldn’t be trapped like this for three whole days!

“Well,” Melody huffed, “let this serve as a valuable lesson. You will learn not to break things.” She pointed at Noah, then at Eli. “And you will learn to stop him before he breaks things.”

“I didn’t think he’d throw himself around like that!” Eli said defensively. He sighed heavily. He was the owner, and he had to take responsibility for this. “I’m sorry.”

Noah was too tired to feel any sort of guilt or remorse. Without the electric current, he’d run out of steam fast, and simply curled up as best he could in the restrictive bondage.

Eli knelt beside him, trying to figure out what to do. The latex was taunt against Noah’s skin, too tight to cut off and risk slicing him, too. And in this state, the latex wouldn’t let them stretch it open.

“How much can you move?” Eli asked.

Noah half-heartedly moved one arm. He was able to get it back and forth, but couldn’t bend enough to stand himself up.

Eli sat back, thinking. This was going to seriously throw off their training regime. He had planned to get Noah’s routine in order in the coming days. But they couldn’t even go outside like this- Eli didn’t want to risk Noah getting picked up by a hawk or something.

“Okay, here’s the plan,” Eli decided. “We can still do training like this, just more visual stuff. We can also work on sexual skills. We can pry the jaws open whenever you need to eat, and you should have enough movement to walk.”

“What about cramps?” Melody asked. “Won’t his limbs lock up?”

Eli thought a moment. “There might be a way to hijack the electric pads with a shock collar.”

“A shock collar?” Noah repeated. “No!”

“I don’t think you have a choice,” Melody said. “It’ll hurt a lot worse if we let your muscles lock up.”

“We’ll use the lowest setting,” Eli said. “We have to stop your limbs from locking up. If you start cramping, your stuck like that.”

Noah dropped his head to the floor. “Fine.” He sounded miserable, and couldn’t even be angry about it. He’d gotten himself into this situation.

“It’s only three days,” Melody assured him. “It’ll pass quickly, I’m sure.”

“Yeah, we’ll make it fun.” Eli gently took hold of Noah’s waist and lifted him from the floor. The cat boy writhed, before being set down on his limbs.

The suit was tight enough it helped him keep balance easily. Stiffly, he tried to take a few steps forward. It was more a scuffle, but with some effort, he could move forward.

He growled, frustrated. “This damn thing has no give.”

“Well, on the plus side, I finally have a way to keep you out of trouble,” Eli said. “And after three days of walking around like this, you’ll have really built up some muscle.”

“Good. So I’ll have three days worth of pent of troublemaking and well-built muscle for you to deal with,” Noah growled.

“Bring it on, runt,” Eli teased.

“I will! I could easily take you,” Noah replied.

Melody sighed, exasperated. “You know it’s that over confidence that got you into this miss in the first place, right?”

“It wasn’t over confidence,” Noah argued. “I knew it was going to break and I was right. It just didn’t do what I wanted it to.”

Eli just shook his head. “Melody, can you help Noah downstairs?”

“Yes, Master.” Melody stood up immediately. Although Noah was small, she wasn’t much bigger, and wouldn’t be able to pick him up. So she stepped over him and opened the door. “Come on. We’ll go slow.”

Noah scuffled after her. The hardest thing was keeping his balance. If he fell, he couldn’t pick himself back up.

Once he was out of the door, Eli closed it, then stepped into Dawn’s cage. “Hey, bunbun,” he said gently. “You okay?”

Dawn hadn’t said a word, still cowering beneath his blanket. But when Eli touched his back, he suddenly shot up.

“Why would Noah do that to himself?” he cried. “He could have died!”

“He…none of us were thinking that…” Eli said. He’d never seen Dawn angry before. Frustrated, sure, but not angry. And never directed at another individual.

“Melody was! Why didn’t you listen to her?” Dawn pointed out. “Why did you let Noah do that?”

Eli reeled back, caught off guard by the question. “I…I don’t know.”

Even during the spectacle, there’d been a small voice in the back of his head, telling him this was a bad idea. But he’d ignored it. Because if he stopped Noah, that would mean he lost the bet by forfeit.

Did he really value his pride over the wellbeing of a pet?

“It won’t ever happen again,” he promised Dawn, and himself. “I promise.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli had sat with Dawn for a while, letting her calm down. Once he’d fallen into a light doze, Eli stood up and exited the cage to leave him be.

He started down the hallway toward the staircase, expecting Noah and Melody to already be in the living room waiting for him. But instead, he heard Melody’s voice carrying down the hallway.

“Come on, Noah!” Melody called from halfway down the stairs.

Noah stood at the top of the staircase, cowering with his tail bushed out.

“I can’t!” he squeaked.

“I’m right here,” Melody reassured her. “I’ll make sure you don’t fall.”

Noah shook his head.

“Trust me.”

“No!”

Eli sighed, picking up his pace. “Everything alright?”

Melody climbed back up the stairs. “Noah’s afraid he’s going to fall down the stairs.”

Noah was peering over the top, his tail rigid and fluffed. He cowered away, moving his limbs like he wanted to run, but the suit wouldn’t move enough to let him.

Eli watched him, feeling guilty. It was his fault Noah was stuck like this. “Easy, kitten. I’ve got you.” He bent down and grabbed Noah around the waist, hoisting him onto his hip.

Noah froze, surprised to be picked up so nonchalantly. He blinked at Eli in surprise, but didn’t struggle, allowing himself to be carried down the stairs.

At the bottom, Eli set him back down on his limbs. “Get to the living room while I fetch a shock collar and a few cables.”

Melody gently nudged Noah with one leg, encouraging him toward the living room. As soon as he was on the carpet, he flopped onto his side, exhausted. Melody sat beside him, wishing she could check him for injuries of any kind. He must be bruised after throwing himself around so savagely.

“Does anything hurt?” she asked.

Noah groaned in answer. “Just my pride.”

“You’re fine.”

Eli returned just a few minutes later, with a shock collar and a few short wires. As soon as he saw Noah laying on the floor, exhausted and miserable, his heart began to ache. He wished he’d listened to Melody, or just not egged Noah on to begin with.

“You two okay?” he asked, sitting on the couch and starting to fiddle with the shock collar. He plugged one end of the cable into the charging port. “Dawn was fuming. I didn’t think she was capable of getting so angry.”

“She was just scared for Noah,” Melody said. “The poor thing thought something worse would happen.”

Noah gulped. “It’s my fault. I didn’t realize you’d all be so upset.”

“Yeah,” Eli sighed. “I just…I’ve never seen a pet go to such lengths just to escape. I didn’t expect it. You’re back must be sore.”

Noah shrugged as best he could. “I do this all the time. It’s hard breaking something on your body without breaking yourself.”

His tone made it sound like a comedic statement, but Melody and Eli exchanged a horrified glance.

“Noah, that’s…not normal. You don’t have to do that here,” Eli said. “I gave you that challenge thinking you’d tire yourself out stretching the suit from the inside. I had no idea…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you go through with this.”

“It’s not your fault,” Noah said immediately. He rolled onto his back, then onto his other side to face Eli. “I took it too far.”

“I let you,” Eli said. He took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair. “Okay, new rule. I absolutely forbid you from hurting yourself ever. Not during games, or challenges, or sessions. Nothing is worth that.”

“Yes, Master. I understand.”

With a soft smile, Eli set the collar on the couch beside him. He reached down to grab Noah beneath his arms, dragging him onto his lap. Noah struggled momentarily, then relaxed against Eli’s chest.

Despite his predicament, he was able to relax himself enough to start purring.

Eli gently ran a hand over his hair, feeling him relax. He was glad, even like this, they could still cuddle. He’d have to really be careful the next few days, to make sure he didn’t push Noah too far. Like this, he couldn’t check his well being. Too much movement would exhaust him, but not enough would cause cramps.

He could sense when Noah slipped into a gentle doze. His tail went lax, only the end curling slightly, while his breathing evened out. Eli held him closer. A sudden memory flashed through his mind. He’d felt this sort of terror and bewilderment before, over a week ago, watching Noah bite a chunk out of his own shoulder just to escape bondage.

“I forget sometimes just how badly he’s been treated before,” Eli said out loud. “He’s had to do so much just to survive. I guess I just thought we’d moved past that.”

Melody scooted closer, sitting in front of the couch. “I suppose it makes me feel lucky. I seem to be the only pet here who wasn’t horribly abused. Is that common, for people to abuse their pets?”

“Actually, no,” Eli said. “It does seem like that sometimes, doesn’t it? I specialize in pets from bad pasts. I like to take pets no one else will give a chance, and train them to do something they can enjoy. Truly, most pets are like you, coming from good breeders and good enough owners. But there are the odd few, who don’t grasp exactly what a pet is for.”

Noah nuzzled his face into his chest with a soft meow.

Eli’s grip on him tightened. He couldn’t even begin to image all the horrible things Noah must have seen. Frankly, he didn’t want to. He couldn’t help but feel like that would always be something that kept them distance. He’d never truly understand why Noah did the things he did, or what process of thought he had to go through to reach some conclusions. He’d might never understand why Eli did things the way he did. But Melody was right. This was a valuable lesson they’d both remember. Or rather, Eli would remember it, and he could only hope Noah would do the same.

Bad habits were hard to break.

Melody was watching him closely. “You know, when I got sold again, I was so nervous about what kind of owner I’d get. I’m glad it ended up being you.”

Eli smiled at her. “I appreciate that, Melody. And I suppose I owe you an apology, too. You knew something would go wrong, and you tried to make me stop it. I was too prideful to listen. I’m sorry.”

Melody returned the smile. “Thanks. Let’s just all agree to never let it happen again.”

“Yes, please,” Eli said. He looked down at Noah, fast asleep and peaceful. “It’s nice having another dominant in the house to talk about these things with. Especially when this little troublemaker can bring out the worst of me. I’m glad you’re here to keep us level headed.”

He’d always considered hiring an assistant. But when his first one hadn’t turned out so well, he’d never gotten around to finding another one. He supposed, thinking back on it, he really needed the help.

Melody beamed proudly. “Thank you, Master. That means a lot.” She sat back, her wings neatly folding as she relaxed. “You know, you two are too alike for your own good. You’re both too stubborn, and that’s what gets you into trouble. But that also means you work well together when you’re sharing a goal.”

Eli felt a strange feeling in his heart. It wasn’t painful, but not entirely pleasurable. Happiness, companionship, but also… nostalgia. A sense of belonging he hadn’t felt in a long time. Melody had become more than just a pet to him- she was a friend. She was someone he- and Noah, it seemed- could go to in times of need.

He looked down at Noah, wondering what he was. Friend didn’t seem like the correct word, but neither did simply Pet.

Melody leaned closer. “Do you really think being stuck like this will stop him from getting up to mischief?”

Eli scoffed. “Nope. Not at all. He always finds a way.”

Melody giggled.

Eli cocked his head. “You know, I’m curious. I knew the family who sold you, but not the breeder you came from. What was it like for you growing up? I might as well know, since I know so much about Noah and Dawn.”

“It’s nothing much,” Melody said. “I came from a breeder who specifically raised owls for companionship and support jobs. I had three siblings, and we were pretty close. But once we were old enough to start training, we were separated and put with other owlets doing the same job.”

Eli nodded. It was standard practice for bird pets. Since most bird pet subspecies were known for their intelligence, they were more likely to have assistant-like purposes.

“Do you ever regret your path being changed?” Eli asked. He’d taken pets out of other jobs before and trained them to be pleasure pets, but it was rare he asked how they felt about it. Most didn’t care, or perhaps didn’t think they had a choice.

Eli was trying to be better at making it clear they did.

Melody just shrugged. “I don’t mind, really. I just like having a job where I can take care of someone.”

Eli chuckled. “Well, you certainly like being in charge.”

On his chest, Noah grumbled. “Too loud…” he whined, half asleep. “Both of you.”

Eli ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry, kitten.”

Noah settled back into sleep with a purr.

Melody put a hand over her mouth, muffling a giggle. “He must have been king of the pet shop.”

“Sure,” Eli agreed teasingly. “Whenever he wasn’t chained to the floor.”

“Oh, goodness.” Melody supposed she shouldn’t be surprised. “He tries that with Dawn and I, you know. I think this is the first time in a long time he’s truly been at the bottom of the pecking order.”

“Well, he is the most experienced out of all of you,” Eli said. “He assumed he was top pet because of that. But I think he’s starting to understand that’s not how it works around here.”

He grabbed the shock collar again, fiddling with it over Noah’s back. With Noah asleep, it was easy to attach the cable to the collar. It wouldn’t restart the collar, but it would give it a burst of electricity it could send through the suit.

“Hey, kitten.” Eli gently rubbed Noah’s back. “Wake up. We need to test out the collar.”

“Comfy,” Noah mumbled, but he was starting to rouse. He jolted, confused why he couldn’t move, then relaxed with a huff. “It hasn’t been three days yet?”

“It hasn’t even been three hours,” Eli said affectionately. “How are you feeling?”

“Numb.” Noah moved each limb one by one. “But nothing hurts.” A grin spread over his face. “You told me to be careful with the suit. I don’t think I was careful enough.”

Eli picked him up and delicately set him on the couch. “Well, luckily, there’s absolutely no way you’re damaging it now. And before you ask, that’s not another challenge.”

“Can it be?” Noah asked. “Mount a couple knives on the wall and I’ll slice it open easy.”

“Absolutely not!” Melody squeaked.

“Relax,” Noah teased. “I’m reckless, I don’t have a death wish.”

Eli took his phone from his pocket, linking the shock collar. This was at extra one he had lying around, and wasn’t registered to any of the pets. While Noah and Melody argued back and forth, he set the collar to the lowest setting and turned it on.

Noah didn’t seem to register it at first. Then, he yelped, realizing electricity was back in the pads. Every few seconds, his body gave a little jolt. “I don’t like it,” he whined.

“So long as it’s not painful, it’ll have to do,” Eli said. He turned the collar off. He’d have to give Noah a quick dose every hour or so. He was afraid if he kept it on continuously, it would cause damage.

Noah sat back, frowning. “I’ve always been so scared of getting stuck in one of these things permanently. Now it’s actually happening and it’s my fault.”

“Lucky for you, it’s three days,” Eli said. “As soon as that collar arrives, you’ll be out again. I promise.”

Noah glowered at him. “Don’t act like you’re not loving this.”

Eli reached over and hooked one arm around Noah’s waist, pulling him closer. “You have no idea. I think this is going to open up a lot of opportunities.”

Noah bit his lip. A few days again, Eli would have gotten his fingers bitten off over this. But now, the only thing stopping Noah from dropping to the ground and begging for it was Melody’s watchful eyes.

“Well, too bad. Because we’re still got work to do.”

“We can make time,” Eli decided. “This is the perfect time to start working on deepthroating and the sexual part of the show.”

“Fine by me.” Noah glanced away a second, not wanting to admit he was looking forward to this. Now that he knew he could cum from just anal, he didn’t mind it so much.

Melody noticed his restrained reply. She got a mischievous glint in her eye. “Oh, yes, I’ve heard about this. Doesn’t it involve taking different dildos? You’ll definitely need some deep levels of training for that.”

“Very true,” Eli added. “They set up a line of different sized and shaped dildos, and the pets go along each one and rid them. Each year they use different dildos, so we won’t even know what you’ll be working with until the day of. But last year, the final dildo in the line was this huge dragon cock- girthy and scaled with a flared head. Only two pets managed to take the whole thing, including the knot.”

“K-knot…?” Noah’s enthusiasm quickly faded. Although his mind was setting off alarm bells, his cock pressed against its cage.

Melody leaned closer. “Does that scare you?” she teased. “Having a huge knot pushed into your cute little ass?”

“N-no!” Noah protested. “I’m not scared.”

Eli nudged him with one elbow. “Good. Because last year, Prince took it like it was nothing. You wouldn’t want to get shown up by that mutt, would you?”

A growl rumbled in Noah’s throat. “Hell, no! That bitch has won too many times now- and he’s not even that cute! Dogs are just loud- that’s why he gets so much attention. I could take four dicks at once just to put him down.”

“Who’s Prince?” Melody asked.

“The worst!” Noah complained. “Stupid prissy pampered mutt. And he’s deluded himself into thinking he’s a purebred.” The cat boy huffed, high pitched and mocking. “A purebred! What a dumbass. Who told him that?”

“Prince is my friend’s dog boy,” Eli explained. “He’s won BAPS three years in a row now. And Noah’s right- he’s unbearable.” Eli scowled. He couldn’t even stand Prince’s owner. “Last year, he broke the record for the highest points scored in the show’s entire history. I personally don’t think he deserved it. The second place was this gorgeous fennec fox girl.”

“I could beat any record that mutt set,” Noah growled. “I’ll get perfect marks. And if I don’t, the whole thing is rigged. Prince is just a prissy, sheltered little bitch.”

“I can’t wait to see the look on JJ’s face,” Eli said with a grin. “His perfect pooch is going to get beat by an alley cat. The whole stadium will lose their minds!”

“Exactly!” Noah would be pacing if he could move well enough to.

“I bet your past owners will be there, too,” Eli said. “They’ll never believed you’re the same cat.”

“Is it really that easy, though?” Melody asked. “I’ve seen the pet show on tv. Isn’t there a rule about pets orgasming?”

“Right,” Eli said. “For male pets, even precum gets them docked points. And an orgasm is immediate disqualification. Plus…being vocal while riding also docks points.”

“What?” Noah whined. “But that’s not even fun! Stuffy judges. I think they should just change the rules. And when I win, I’ll convince them to do just that.”

“It’s not meant to be fun,” Eli pointed out. “It’s a contest for the country’s best pet. That means being quiet and following the rules. Only the cream of the crop place.”

“You know, I doubt Prince would ever argue with the judges about how they run their show,” Melody said.

“That’s because Prince is a prissy bitch!” Noah snapped. “Whatever. I’ll play his game and beat him at it! It’s not even hard to be prim and proper, it’s just boring.”

Eli chuckled lightly. He couldn’t admit it, but he did agree.

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli had mixed feelings about this new development. On one hand, Noah finally had no choice but to sit still and listen to him. On the other, he was in a very compromising position. Eli had kept his close for the past week, but now if he wasn’t directly at Eli’s side, Noah would have to be in his cage. Eli couldn’t risk him wandering and getting trapped somewhere, or hurting himself more.

Tomorrow was friday. He usually went shopping on friday. Perhaps he could pick up some extra things for Noah.

He’d carried Noah all the way back to their room and sat him on the bed. He’d decided he could risk letting the cat boy sleep outside the cage while he was immobilized like this.

Noah was already settling down against the pillow, exhausted. But Eli frowned at him. “Noah, can you promise me something?”

Noah raised his head. “Uh. Depends on what it is.”

Eli took a deep breath. “Please, promise me you’ll never, ever, pull a stunt like that again.” He sat down on the edge of the bed. “I’m serious. You could have…you could have broken your neck, kitten. You could have paralyzed yourself, or worse. It was lucky the suit broke before you did.”

Noah seemed surprised by the sudden show of concern. Eli had been mostly calm about the situation, but that had been in front of the other pets. The cat boy’s ears dropped, hearing the rasping terror in his owner’s voice.

“I promise, Master.”

Chapter 43: Left Alone

Noah whined, high pitched and desperate, as the cage door closed. “Do you really have to go? Can’t I come, too?”

Eli pressed his fingers through the bars of the cage for Noah to rub against. “Yes, kitten, I explained it to you. I’m just going on a grocery run. I’ll be gone a few hours, maybe less, and I don’t want you getting into trouble while I’m gone.”

“What trouble could I possibly get in to?” Noah complained. “I can hardly move!”

Eli locked the cage’s door in place. “I don’t want you wandering while I’m not in the house. If you get hurt somewhere, I can’t come find you and something bad could happen. This is the safest option.”

“Or I could just come with you.”

“Maybe one day,” Eli promised. “But I can’t be carrying you around the entire trip.” He thought for a moment. Noah didn’t like being left alone. Eli believed he might have been isolated in the past as punishment, which had given him separation anxiety. “How about this- I’ll go open Melody’s cage. If you need anything, she can come help.”

Noah huffed. “How come she can be left out to wander but I can’t?”

“Because she won’t go rummaging through every room in the house looking for catnip cookies.”

Noah winced, realizing his true plan had been found out.

Eli stood up. “I’ll be back soon, I promise. You’ll be just fine.”

Noah whined again, begging, and Eli had to look away before he could put on those sad, doughy eyes. He just couldn’t say no to Noah sometimes, even when he knew he was right- it was dangerous for Noah to be on his own. Eli would be a fifteen minute drive away. If anything happened, he might not get back in time.

“I’ll see you soon. And I’ll have Melody come check on you after a bit. Bye, kitten.”

Noah pressed himself to the door of the cage, his ears drooping sadly. “Bye, Master.”

Eli closed the bedroom door behind him, but left it unlocked for Melody to use later. His heart broke when he heard Noah’s pitiful farewell. But this might be a good exercise for him. They couldn’t stay at each others’ sides every second of the day. Sometimes, they’d have to be separate and Noah would just have to put up with it.

Now, he had one last thing to do before heading out. He’d been thinking about it all night, mulling over his options. He wasn’t sure if this was a good idea.

Only time would tell.

He headed for Melody’s den. Opening the door, he stepped through with a friendly smile. “Hello, Melody.”

“Hello, Master.” Melody seemed a bit surprised he’d returned so soon after breakfast. “Are we starting training already?”

“Not until later,” Eli said. He unlocked the cage door. “But I do have a special job for you. See, I need to do an errand run today and Noah is a little nervous about having me out of the house,” he explained. “So I want you to go check on him every hour or so. Just make sure he doesn’t need anything. Keep him company.”

Melody nodded seriously. Although Noah’s concern was a bit childish- in both of their opinions- she knew the importance of keeping pets happy. “Yes, Master. I can do that. Does that mean you’re leaving my cage unlocked?”

“Yes. But this isn’t your cage anymore. Come with me.”

Melody seemed startled. She stepped out of the cage to follow Eli from the room. They didn’t have to go far, just past Eli’s room and down a turn in the hall. Melody hadn’t been over here, past the stairs before.

Eli stopped in front of an unassuming room. It looked like any of the other pet dens. But when he opened it, he revealed a slightly outdated, dusty bedroom. Not a pet den- a bedroom, with a mattress, bedframe, vanity…a bedroom a human would use.

“You’re still my pet, and house rule is that the collar and chastity cage stay on,” Eli said. “But you’re also my second in command. My assistant. You deserve your own bedroom. One you can lock yourself, if you choose to. It’s not much right now, but we can get some decorations soon.”

Melody was staring into the room, shocked. Eli’s heart stuttered, wondering if he’d made a mistake. Tears were starting to gather in Melody’s eyes, and he realized he probably should have asked if she even wanted a bedroom.

But then, she turned and dove on him, wrapping her arms around his torso. “Oh, thank you, master! This means so much to me!”

Eli staggered back. Getting his bearings, he put his arms around her, returning the hug. “You’re welcome.”

Melody pulled away, wiping her eyes. “You should get going. I’ll get started on cleaning this place up.”

“Oh. Right now? Are you sure?” Eli hadn’t expected Melody to dive into chores so quickly.

Melody’s eyes were pleading. “Please, let me clean something. I miss doing chores.”

Eli couldn’t help but chuckle. He’d never heard of someone enjoying chores before. Perhaps Melody needed to find a hobby as well. “Alright. Cleaning supplies are in the kitchen under the sink. Just don’t forget about Noah.”

“Will do,” Melody agreed. “Thank you so much, Master.”

“Of course. Now, I’ve really got to get going. Be good.”

“Yes, Master.”

~~~~~~~~~~

A few minutes later, Eli was pulling his car out of the front gates. He could see them closing in his rearview mirror as he drove away from the house. He imagined Melody was already hard at work sprucing up her new room. He made a mental note to look for decorations for her at the store. Maybe he’d take her out some time to pick something for herself.

He could already imagine it. He could take Melody out to the mall. They could look at gear, toys, whatever Melody wanted. Maybe they could take the pets with them, but that would add extra complications. He couldn’t imagine Dawn would do well focusing in a large, bustling, loud space like that. And he was afraid Noah would lash out if any strangers got too close. But they could work up to it.

He needed to get Noah used to being around people again. For his own health. Even if he had to muzzle train him. After getting the new collar, he was adamant about getting Noah to a doctor for an actual check up. He had to be certain the cat boy wasn’t hurt in any way he wasn’t letting on. Plus, he was worried about that tail kink. He’d begun to notice how Noah couldn’t seem to get his tail to go straight, always curling towards the end.

He hoped Noah would realize it was for his own good. Eli had just earned his trust and he didn’t want to lose it.

~~~~~~~~~~

Melody was easily able to locate the cleaning supplies beneath the sink. Eli had them well stocked with everything she needed. She grabbed a few spray bottles, wipes, and a roll of paper towels, them brought them up to her room. She started on the bed first. Although the sheets looked like they hadn’t been touched in years, she stripped them off the bed and put them in a neat pile for Eli to wash when he got home. After checking the mattress for bugs and stains- and finding them perfectly fine- she moved on to start wiping off the vanity.

It was covered in layers upon layers of dust. It seemed like this room hadn’t been touched in ages. She imagined it was a guest room Eli had decided should have a permanent resident. He didn’t seem like he had many guests who stayed over.

She knew he wasn’t a total loner, as much as Noah was convinced. She’d heard strangers enter the mansion before and known they hadn’t been pets. Their steps were too heavy, their voices too loud. They had to be Eli’s colleagues.

Just a few minutes into her cleaning session, she decided she should check on Noah. Although it was much earlier than Eli had said, she thought it was a good idea to know where he was and what he was doing.

So, after wiping off the mirror, she put down her supplies and went to Eli’s room. She found the door unlocked, and pressed it open.

Hearing the door clicking open, Noah shot to the front of the cage. “Master?” he called happily, only to frown when Melody entered. “Oh. It’s just you.”

“It’s just me,” Melody said, amused. “Missing your master, cat?” She knelt down in front of the cage.

“Oh, fuck you,” Noah growled. “Please tell me he left you the key?”

“Unfortunately, no,” Melody said. “It’s for your own safety. I’m busy right now and can’t watch you.”

“Why does everyone think I’m going to get myself hurt?”

“Because every time you’re left to your own devices, that’s exactly what you do,” Melody pointed out. Sympathy wormed its way into her heart. She was lucky to be out of a cage right now. “Look, if you be good and quite complaining, I’ll bring you a slice of cake in a little bit. Would that make you feel better?”

Noah sat down. “Yes.”

“Good. I’ll be back later.”

Melody stood up and made to exit the room. Not seeing any reason to close it, she left it slightly open, hoping it would be easier to hear if Noah called for her.

Noah sighed, then padded back into his den to get some sleep.

Then, an idea struck him. Why should he stay in here all day waiting for his owner to return? Since when was he a good boy who sat and waited like some prissy bitch?

He turned back to the front of the cage and turned to the side, slipping his tail through the bars of the cage. He wrapped it around the lock, using the tip to worm through the latch. He’d down this a thousand times before. It was why cages didn’t often work on him, unless he let them.

He heard the click and let out a hiss of familiar pain as the latch squeezed around his tail, opening. He used his tail to pull it open, then waited for the cage door to creak slightly forward.

With a satisfied flick of his tail, he pushed out of the cage and padded to the door. Melody had quite stupidly- in his opinion- left it a jar open. So it was easy to paw at it until he could squeeze through. Out in the hallway, Noah glanced back and forth. He thought about going toward Dawn’s room, but that would mean getting past Melody. And he didn’t want to risk being discovered. So, he turned to head in the opposite direction. Going down the stairs was never going to happen. But he hadn’t seen a lot of the upstairs anyway. Surely, he could explore a bit.

And maybe find those catnip cookies.

He padded confidently down the hallway, only to freeze when a door behind him opened.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Noah turned, cowering as Melody stomped toward him. His tail was bristling and he ducked his head. But his fear was soon replaced by shock.

“I should ask you the same thing!” he snapped. “What are you doing in there?” He pointed one arm to the room Melody had emerged from, the door still hanging open.

Melody put her hands on her hips. “Master moved my room. But I know he didn’t move yours. How did you get out of your cage?”

“I have my ways.” Noah wrapped his tail around himself.

“Uh huh. And I’m sure Master will interrogate it out of you later. Now back in your cage.”

“Don’t tell him!” Noah whined. “Come on, Melody, I’m bored. Can’t I at least stay with you?”

Melody hesitated. Eli had wanted Noah in his cage. And she hadn’t entirely explored her room. She didn’t want to risk either of them getting in trouble.

“No. Now back to your cage and stay here.”

Noah didn’t budge.

Melody sighed. “If you go now, I won’t tell Master about this. But if I find you out of your cage again, I will. And I’ll make sure he lets me deal out your punishment.”

“Yes, mistress,” Noah murmured begrudgingly. He skittered off down the hall and back to Eli’s room.

Melody huffed. She should have known this would prove to be a challenge. But perhaps this was a test of her merit as a dominant. She’d take it in stride.

For now, she returned to her cleaning.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Little brat…” Eli murmured, watching his security feed. He’d tried to promise himself he’d focus on shopping and leave his pets in peace. But when he got a notification that Noah’s cage door had opened, he had to see what was going on.

He’d watched the entire ordeal from the security camera. Although he didn’t appreciate Noah and Melody agreeing to keep something from him, he did admire how well Melody had handled the situation. He’d switched over to his bedroom camera just in time to see Noah sadly pad back into his cage and disappear into the den. Although Melody hadn’t named a punishment method, the ideas Noah was getting in his head was much scarier.

After checking the camera in Melody’s room, then Dawn’s, and finding nothing else out of the ordinary, he pocketed his phone and went about his business.

It was nice being away from the house, getting some peace and quiet by himself. Noah had become dear to him, but he still needed time to himself every now and then. He was nearly done with grocery shopping and would be home soon, with any luck. But just before he could turn to head for the registers, he noticed a small, older woman standing below a shelf of crackers. Her head was inclined, staring at a smaller box on the top shelf.

“Need help, ma’am?” Eli called, wheeling his cart over to join her.

The woman seemed vaguely familiar, with pale blue eyes and completely gray hair. Her face sagged with age, but smile lines were still clear around her mouth.

“Yes, thank you,” she rasped. “That one at the top. It’s the only brand my husband likes.”

“Sure.” Eli reached up, standing tall to grab the box. He handed it to the woman.

“Thank you, dear. I- oh…” She looked up at him for the first time. “Oh my! Eli Leyton? I haven’t seen you in ages!”

Eli smiled at her awkwardly. He felt like he’d seen her before, but couldn’t place it. His parents had known every single household on this side of town, and he was familiar with them through proxy. But he wasn’t great with names.

“It’s good to see you, too. How have you been?” he began awkward.

“Oh, just peachy. Same old, same old. What about you? Still in the training business? My son said he bought from you a few years back.” She elbowed him teasingly. “If you ask me, I think you’ve doomed him! He likes that pretty cat more than he wants to look for a wife.”

Eli laughed nervously. “It’s known to happen.”

The woman- Eli was really racking his brain for her name- carried on, filling him in on people and places he didn’t know. Out of courtesy- and social anxiety- he listened, trying to seem interested. But he sold it a bit too well, even ignoring when his phone vibrated with a notification from his security system.

~~~~~~~~~~

Not ten minutes later, Noah heard the door to the room creak open again. “Master?” He hurried out of the den, only to despair when it was Melody once more. “Melody, go away. You don’t need to check on me every-”

“Shh!” Melody hissed. Noah fell silent, noticing fear in her wide eyes. “I heard someone downstairs. And it’s not Master.”

Chapter 44: Intruder

The pet den seemed suddenly crowded with two pets inside. Noah pressed himself to the back wall, trying to stop from breathing too heavy. It wasn’t until Melody had pointed it out that he’d began to hear footsteps from downstairs. But she was right- they couldn’t be Eli. They were too heavy, yet moved like they were trying to be silent.

Someone was in the house. Someone who wasn’t supposed to be there.

Melody knelt in the mouth of the den, listening outside. She’d shut the bedroom door behind her, hoping it would deter anyone from entering. Downstairs, she could hear someone moving around, but she didn’t recognize them. She knew it couldn’t be Dawn.
Dawn!

Her wings opened, fluttering with sudden terror. Dawn had no idea there was danger. She was all along down the hallway. And her room’s door was unlocked.

Melody retreated further into the den, trying to be quiet. “I’m going to go check on Dawn,” she whispered.

Noah’s eyes widened. He shook his head. “No!” he hissed. “Dawn’s locked in his cage. He’ll be fine.”

“He needs to hide,” Melody reasoned. “And he doesn’t know it. I have to go tell them.”

She turned back to the entrance to the den, then gasped when she felt teeth nip the back of her leg. She turned on Noah, who had scrambled after her.

His gaze was hard. “I’m going with you.”

Melody shook her head. “You can hardly move,” she reasoned. He’d have a hard time moving silently and quickly while in a bitch suit. And she couldn’t risk being slowed down. “I’ll be right back.”

“I am not letting you go out there alone.” Noah’s lip pulled back in the start of a snarl.

Melody opened her mouth to reply, then caught the creaking of a floorboard. She and Noah exchanged a terrified look.

Whoever was here, they were coming upstairs.

Now more than ever, Melody was sure it couldn’t be Eli. This person moved slow, trying to be quiet on purpose. And their footsteps were heavier- they were bigger than Eli, and not as comfortable here. Melody wanted to believe it was a friend of Eli’s. Perhaps he’d sent someone to check on them. But wouldn’t he have told her?

“I’m gonna peak outside,” she whispered.

“Melody, please, stay here,” Noah almost whimpered. “It’s not safe.”

Melody glanced over her shoulder at the dim light outside the den. “Stay in the mouth of the cage. I won’t even leave the room.”

Noah whined, wanting to argue. But Melody had already made up her mind. He followed her through the tunnel and into the main cage. When Melody crawled out and stood up, Noah stayed behind, ready to pounce forward if anything happened.

Melody crept toward the door. She stopped in front of it, listening outside. But she couldn’t hear any footsteps. She took the door knob and twisted it all the way before pulling it open, peering into the hallway.

Down the hall, she could make out a tall, muscular figure wearing all black- black sweater, black coat, black pants, and black boots. It was a man, fiddling with a door that had been locked down the hallway. He grumbled, irritated, then turned.

Melody’s eyes widened. He had a hood over his head and a mask over his face. He was definitely not supposed to be here. Melody ducked back into the room and closed the door, then hurried to the cage.

Noah crawled deeper into the den. “What did you see?” he asked, once they were both in the dark.

“We’re being robbed,” Melody gasped. “It’s a man- a big man. And he’s wearing a mask.”

“How did he get in here?” Noah asked. “Master has this entire place locked up twenty four-seven. How did he get past the fence and all the way into the house?”

Melody thought a moment. “Do you think he slipped in when Master opened the front gate to leave?”

“And Master didn’t notice?”

“Shh!” Melody slapped a hand over Noah’s mouth. The cat boy flinched back, realizing he’d been raising his voice in panic.

Melody understood completely. She was also trying to not to panic. Master hadn’t told her what to do in a situation like this. She hadn’t even thought it was possible!

“If he got into the house, he must have triggered an alarm of some sort, right?” she tried to reason. “Surely Master knows?”

Noah looked terrified. “I-I don’t know. The alarms are synced to our collars. I don’t know if just opening a door trips it.”

Suddenly, both of them startled, hearing the bedroom door click open.

“Finally, one that’s not locked.” The voice was gruff. The man was breathing heavily, like getting here had been laborious. Footsteps sounded all around the room.

Melody kept expecting to hear the closet door or a drawer open. But instead, the man seemed to be completely ignoring those and searching around the room.

Noah jumped when the sheets on the bed shifted. He and Melody glanced at each other, but stayed completely silent. From outside, the cage would be completely hidden by the sheets. But if they were moved…

“Where is that little prick…?” the voice murmured outside.

Melody and Noah glanced at each other, confused. Was he here for…someone? Not something?

The man grumbled, annoyed, but didn’t seem to find what he was looking for. Footsteps receded, then the door creaked out and the man turned down the hallway once more.

Melody breathed out a sigh of relief.

“What was he looking for?” Noah whispered so quickly he was almost just mouthing it.

Melody just shrugged. She had a suspicious, but she didn’t dare say it out loud, not wanting to freak Noah out anymore than he already was.

She listened for footsteps again, but found none. “I have to check on Dawn,” she whispered. “I’ll be right back.

“Melody,” Noah hissed. But Melody was already crawling out of the tunnel. “Melody!”

“Wait here,” she murmured. Carefully, she stood up from the cage and headed for the door. Peering outside, the hallway was empty. When she listened, there was no sign of movement. As quietly as she could, she snuck from the room and towards Dawn’s den. She assumed the burglar must have gone back downstairs,or was preoccupied rummaging somewhere else.

Getting to Dawn’s room, she turned the knob before pushing open the door, slipping inside.

Dawn had heard the door clicking open and leaped out of her bed, excited, only to look confused when Eli wasn’t the one who entered. Before she could question Melody’s presence, Melody put a finger to her mouth, gesturing for the bunny to be stay silent.

She snuck to the edge of his cage and knelt down. Dawn came closer, his head titled.

“I need you to stay in your den and be quiet,” Melody whispered. “Master went on a shopping trip and someone broke into the house.”

Dawn’s eyes widened in fright.

“Don’t panic,” Melody said. “Just stay hidden until Master or I comes to find you.”

When she stood up, Dawn whimpered. “You’re leaving me here?”

Melody gave him a sympathetic look. “Your cage is locked and Master has the key. You’ll be safe in here. But I have to get back to Noah. Trust me, Dawn.”

Dawn had no choice but to nod in agreement. He dove back into his bed, getting as far into the shelter of his shadows as possible.

Melody stifled a sigh of relief. Dawn was safe and her heart was at ease. Still keeping quiet, she snuck to the door and slipped out.

“Knew I heard something.”

The owl girl shrieked in alarm as fingers clench in her hair, yanking her out of Dawn’s room. She heard the bunny boy scream after her. But she was unable to turn back to him, being throw against the wall on the opposite side of the hallway.

The man’s mask was black and clothe, covering the bottom half of his face. But dark brown eyes glared at Melody.

“Where’s the cat?” the man grumbled. One hand was still in Melody’s hair, while the other settled around her neck.

“Wh-who?” Melody squeaked.

She felt herself being moved away from the wall, then lifted up and slammed into it. She gasped, her wings being crushed beneath her own weight.

“Where is the cat?” the man repeated. “You’re smart enough to get out of your cage, I know you know who I’m talking about it.”

“I-I don’t. I’m the only pet here.”

“Melody!” Dawn called again and Melody winced.

Even beneath the mask, Melody could tell the man was smirking. “Only pet, huh?”

“Please, there’s no cats here,” Melody tried instead. “Not that I know of.”

“You’re a shitty liar.” One hand left her hair, and the man began fumbling at his belt. “I’ll make a deal with you, bird. I can’t leave here empty handed. So either give me the cat…”

Melody saw the sheen of a blade. Something sharp pressed to her face, just below her eye. Not hard enough to draw blood, but enough for her to finch away.

“Or I’ll take those big pretty eyes with me instead.”

Melody’s jaw was set, trying to remain strong. But her entire body was trembling. “I don’t know where he is!”

The man seemed unimpressed. And unconvinced. “I was hoping for full pay, but if you want to be difficult, I’ll settle for a few trophies.”

Melody cried out, feeling the pocket knife prick her skin, just below her eyelid. She tried to turn her head away, but the man’s hand flashed to her hair again. Tears blurred her vision.

“Stop!” she cried, trying to push the man off. But he was even bigger than Eli, and wouldn’t budge, using his body to hold her against the wall. “Stop!”

Suddenly, the man pulled away with a shriek of agony, stumbling back. The knife clattered to the ground, and Melody went with it, sinking to her knees. She held one hand over her eye. Her sight was still blurred by unshed tears, but she could make out a small shape clasped onto the man’s leg.

“Fuck!” the man cried, grabbing a fistful of Noah’s hair and trying to yank him away.

The cat boy held fast, his teeth sunk into the man’s leg. A growl rumbled in his throat, his tail bushed out bigger than Melody had ever seen it.

“Let go of me!” The masked man grabbed the back of Noah’s collar, trying to pull him back.

But Noah wouldn’t release him, biting down until he felt bone crunching beneath his teeth. The man’s pained shouts filled the hallway, and blood was dripping out of the wound.

“Let go!” Giving up on trying to pull him away, the man reached into his belt once more. The weapon he pulled out was one Melody recognized, but was so shocked by the sight of it to move.

A hand gun.

Noah wasn’t paying attention, all his focus on keeping his teeth locked into the man’s leg. Everthing seemed to move in slow motion as the man aimed the gun direction between Noah’s shoulders.

“No!” Melody shrieked. Her hands flew to her ears, her eyes squeezing shut as a gunshot rang throughout the house.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Please, hurry,” Eli rasped. “I have pets in the house.”

“Of course, sir. I’ve already sent for the police. They’re on their way,” the lady over the phone replied calmly.

“Thank you,” Eli gasped. “A-and tell them to be cautious! One of my pets is reactive.”

“Yes, sir.”

The line went dead. Eli threw his phone into his passenger seat, trying to focus on the road. He hadn’t been able to check his phone again until getting to his car. Only then, sitting down to take a breather, had he noticed several alarms had been set off- the backyard fence, a downstairs window, and both Melody and Noah’s collars were reporting elevated heart rates.

Checking his security feed, he’d watched, frozen in terror, a recording of a strange, disguised man cutting a hole through his fence and sneaking into his house. While on speaker with a 911 operation, he’d checked the other cameras, finding Dawn still in her cage while Melody hid with Noah under his bed. They were all safe, but for how long?

In the recording of the man sneaking through a window, he’d caught the flash of a gun under his coat.

Eli blew through a stop sign, his mind racing. He’d promised Noah it would be okay. He promised nothing would happen. Why, of all days, had this happened now? Eli was rich. Everyone knew he was rich. He lived on that side of town. And never in his twenty five years of life had anyone dared to break into his house.

Why now?

Why today?

If he was in a clearer head space, he would have stopped to think how convenient this was. How strange it was for someone to break in the moment he left the house, while a rare color pet was inside. But the only thing on his mind right now was getting home and saving his pets.

He’d opened the gates as soon as he’d gotten off the phone with 911, giving whatever squad they sent an entrance to get in. He slammed on his breaks just outside the gates, briefly relieved to see a few cop cars around it. One was still stationed outside, blocking the entrance to the gates. Three others were parked right at the entrance to the house, throwing red and blue lights across the front. The door was already opened, but a few cops were still standing outside, armed and ready. Eli could see others moving along the side of the house to the back.

“You can’t go in there, sir!” The one cop left to guard the gates came to meet him when Eli got out of his car.

“I’m the home owner!” Eli snapped.

The cop held firm. “Our target’s armed. It’s not safe.”

“My pets are in there!” Eli begged.

“We’re doing everything we can. Please, you must wait.”

Eli just shook his head. He’d promised Noah nothing would happen. He promised it would be safe.

Steeling himself, he shoved past the cop, who seemed stunned, and raced through the gates.

“Sir! Sir, wait! Deputy!”

One of the cops- a bigger, older man- spun around. All of them seemed shocked to find a civilian racing toward them.

“Whoa! Whoa!” Eli felt arms hooking around his own, stopping him in his traps. “You can’t go in there!”

“Let go!” Eli snapped. “Please, my pets are in there. I can’t-”

A huge boom echoed through the air, making him completely freeze. A few of the cops suddenly lurched inside the house, guns drawn. Whoever was holding Eli let him go to join them. A few policemen called back and forth to one another, but all of them were starting to storm the house.

Eli fell to his knees, recognizing the sound of a gunshot. He felt sick grief swamping over him, making his entire body feel heavy.

If he hadn’t forgot his phone in the car, he’d pull up the security feed and see what had happened. But now, he could only stare up at his estate, his mind unable to comprehend what was happening.

Chapter 45: Bury A Friend

Melody’s ears were ringing. She’d pressed her forehead to the floor, her eyes shut tight and her knees beneath herself. The gun shot was so loud, it had completely cut out the man’s cry of agony.

She heard something thump into the ground. Bile rose in her throat, imaging Noah’s limp body slumping.

“That’s right!” a voice called. “You’d better run, asshole! Get the fuck out of here!”

Melody opened her eyes, looking down at the carpeted floor. That was Noah’s voice.

She raised her head just in time for a blur of black to race past her. Their attacker was fleeing, one arm limp while he clutched his shoulder. He disappeared around a bend in the hallway. Footsteps thudded after him, and Melody recognized a woman dressed in police gear giving chase.

Noah stood just down the hall, panting and glaring after them. Blood dripped from his mouth and a growl was rumbling in his throat.

Beside him laid the man’s gun, which he’d seemed to drop.

Slowly, Melody’s mind put together what had just happened. The woman had probably just saved Noah’s life, shooting their attacker in the arm before he could pull the trigger. Melody suddenly felt weak with relief.

They were safe.

Voices were coming from downstairs. More footsteps raced down the hallway. Melody was still frozen in place, staring at Noah with so much relief she felt she might cry.

He stumbled down the hallway to her, nuzzling into her side. “You okay?”

“I’m okay,” Melody reported. She felt a stinging beneath her eye, but she could still see. “Are you?”

“I think so.”

He jumped in surprise when a crashing sound came from down the hallway.

“Was that a window?” Melody asked aloud. She heard more voices calling.

“He’s outside! Back downstairs!” someone called. A few police officers sped past them again, heading back downstairs in hopes of intercepting the strange man in the yard.

Melody sat back against the wall, just resting. She had so many questions and so many worries, but she felt exhausted.

Still, she had work to do. Without Master here, she was in charge.

“No, no.” Noah put one arm on her leg when she tried to stand. “Sit still. You’re in shock.”

“We have to check on Dawn.”

“Wait.” Noah used his head to force Melody back against the wall. He climbed into her lap, keeping her on the ground. “Give yourself a second.”

Melody wanted to argue, then just sighed. She still felt heavy as stone, and lifted one hand to lay on Noah’s back. Then, she gasped.

A needle-like shape was sticking out of the back of Noah’s suit, between his shoulders. The tip seemed to have hardly pierced the latex, slightly tilted. The end of it was decorated with bright red, feather-like fluff.

“Is this a tranquilizer dart?” Melody gently plucked it from the suit. It had left a small hole in the suit, but had hardly gone deep enough to pierce Noah’s skin. At point blank, it should have already taken him out. But the suit had saved him.

Melody dropped it onto the floor, then leaned her head back. “Oh my god, it was a tranquilizer gun. Oh my god…” She felt lightheaded, her breathing suddenly picking up.

“Hey, chill,” Noah growled. “It’s fine. We’re all fine.”

“You’re okay.” She hadn’t fully grasped it until now. It was only a tranquilizer gun. Noah was alive. He was uninjured. “I thought…I thought you were going to die.”

Noah scoffed. “Did you think a single bullet would take me out? Please."

Melody leaned her head back against the wall, settling her hand on his back again. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears and couldn’t help feeling guilty about it.

Noah had been the one in danger here. He’d been the target. He’d had a gun pointed at him. Melody had been unable to keep him or herself safe, yet she was the one in a panic.

Noah just laid against her, calm. She knew he was in protection mode right now, trying to keep her from launching into a panic attack. But it felt wrong. She was the dominant. She needed to have his back. Not the other way around.

Before she could voice her feelings, footsteps sounded from the stairwell again.

“Noah!”

Noah leaped up immediately. “Master!” he squeaked happily, skittering toward the stairs.

Melody stood up as well, heaving herself to her feet just as Eli appeared at the top of the stairs.

As soon as he saw them, his shoulders dropped with relief. “Oh, thank god!” He stumbled closer, then dropped to his knees, allowing Noah to crawl into his lap with a happy purr.

He hugged the cat boy tightly, panting. When he raised his head again, he saw Melody staring at them, her gaze dark.

He held out one arm, gesturing for her to join them. The owl girl stumbled across the hallway, looking lost. She fell to her knees against Eli, burying her face against his shoulder. A moment later, he felt her hand come up to grip his back, squeezing tightly.

Eli didn’t move, so relieved to see his pets. “Are either of you hurt?”

“No, Master,” Noah reported. “Blood’s not mine.”

“I’m fine,” Melody answered with an uncharacteristically low tone.

“Where’s Dawn?”

“In his cage.”

“I’d better check on him.”

Before Eli could stand, footsteps sounded up the stairs. A few police officers had returned.

“Everyone alright?” one of the them asked.

“I think so,” Eli said. “I need to check on my other pet.” When he made to stand up, Melody easily slid off him. But Noah grappled desperately to stay on his lap.

Eli didn’t even question it. He leaned down and picked the cat boy up, hoisting him onto his hip and relishing in the purr he let out.

“Paramedics are setting up in the kitchen,” the cop informed them. “You might want to send them there anyway.”

Eli nodded. “Melody, you go first. I’ll be down soon.” He paused. “If you want to.”

Melody just nodded wordlessly. She let the policeman lead her downstairs.

Meanwhile, Eli found Dawn’s door cracked open. “Dawn?” he called in warning before entering.

Immediately, the bunny boy leaped out of his den. “Master! Oh, thank goodness, you’re back! Is Melody okay?”

“Yes. Everyone’s okay.” Eli fumbled with his belt for a second, pulling off his master key and using one hand to unlock the front of the cage. “Are you?”

“Yes! I was safe in my den just like Melody said.” Dawn stepped out of the cage. But she took one look at Noah and gasped. “You’re bleeding.”

Noah’s tongue darted out to blood the blood that had dripped down his chin. “It’s not mine.”

“Oh, god.” Eli hadn’t even noticed. “Let’s get you cleaned up, kitten. Dawn, come. I want you to see the paramedics, too.”

“Yes, Master!”

~~~~~~~~~~

“That’s when Officer Todd arrived.” Melody nodded toward the woman she remembered chasing her attacker. A paramedic- a middle aged woman with her dark hair pulled into a bun- was swabbing up Melody’s cut while she gave a report to the police about what had happened. She’d tried to keep her voice from trembling, unsure why she felt so incredibly…shaky. She was fine. No one had gotten hurt. So why was her heart still pounding?

“You did very well, honey,” the paramedic praised. She’d introduced herself, but Melody had already forgotten her name. “You did just the right things.”

Melody didn’t believe her. She’d gotten herself discovered and nearly blinded. Noah could have been taken, perhaps even killed. She hadn’t done anything right.

But she knew the paramedic was trying to comfort her, and didn’t want to upset her. She simply nodded wordlessly.

“We need to talk to the cat boy next,” Officer Todd said. “If he really attacked the guy, we can take some of that blood and run a dna test.”

“What about my boy?” Eli’s voice came from the entrance to the kitchen. He stepped inside, carrying Noah in one arm while using his other to hold Dawn’s hand. “He’s not injured.”

“I’d still like to check him over,” the paramedic said.

Noah’s tail bristled. “I’m not hurt.”

“Honey, you got shot with a tranq,” the woman argued, unaware of what she was getting herself into. “Whether the sedative was administered or not, you still need looked at. Bring him here. And take the suit off.”

Eli hesitated. He had no idea how to explain Noah’s current predicament. “Uh...we’ll keep it on. This is the reactive one.”

“Whatever. Just bring him here.”

“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Officer Todd asked.

“Noah,” Eli answered for him.

Noah glared at him. The paramedic looked equally unimpressed. “Set him down here,” she ordered.

Eli clutched Noah against his hip. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Officer Todd exchanged a glance with her. “We know you’re all shaken. Trust us.”

Eli still seemed reluctant. But he set Noah down on the chair Melody had been using. The cat boy whined, raising one arm in an effort to get back on Eli, but his owner just gave him a pet on the head and stepped back.

“It’s alright.” The paramedic’s voice was soft and sympathetic. “He’ll be right over there. Now can I take a look at you?”

Noah pressed himself against the back of the chair, suddenly looking meek. But he was helpless as the paramedic grabbed the front of his collar. He growled, and used one arm to bat her away. The paramedic frowned, grabbing his arm.

"Hold still," she ordered. "I'm just cleaning you up."

Meanwhile, Eli felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Officier Todd- Sabrina. They’d gone to the same highschool. She gestured with her head for him to step to the edge of the room.

Eli followed her.

Sabrina kept her voice low. “Your owl said the guy was after your cat.”

Eli blinked at her. “What?”

Sabrina gave him an annoyed look. “You didn’t see something like this coming? You do have a rare color pet.”

“Yeah, but…”

Eli didn’t have a good excuse. The idea that Noah would be in danger didn’t cross his mind. With how many owners he’d had, who was left in the city that would even want him? Rare color or not, Noah was obnoxious on his best days and a felon on his worst. Anyone who wanted to take him had no idea what they were getting in it.

“But no one knows I have him,” Eli finally finished. He’d been planning to debut Noah as his pet at the pet show. “No one except JJ and Keanu. And…”

Jack.

Eli’s heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. “Sabrina, how do I hire a private investigator?”

Sabrina raised an eyebrow.

~~~~~~~~~~

Detective Dimitri SinClair was having a busy day. Another case had closed, adding to his stacks upon stacks of paperwork to file. But more were opening every day. He hated busyness like this. He wanted one job to do at a time, break, then move onto the next. Not this constant influx of paperwork, overlapping cases, and crying testimonies coming in and out of his office.

So he was very eager to drop everything after a call from one of the squads on duty.

“You’ve gotta hear this.”

Thirty minutes later, he was sitting in the living room of the Leyton estate, listening slack jawed as the homeowner retold an experience his pet had gone through a few years back.

“Well,” Dimitri said when Eli was finished. “Damn.”

Eli sat on the couch with Noah in his lap, the cat boy’s face against his chest. He’d been completely unwilling to be away from Eli, even when most of the cops had left and Eli had sent the other pets back upstairs to rest.

Eli had warned him he’d be telling the detective about Mallory. Still, Noah insisted on staying with him.

“Have you ever heard of anything like this before?” Eli asked.

Dimitri shook his head. He was starting to understand why Todd had called him. At first, he’d been confused why he was being called about a home invasion investigation. That wasn’t really his thing. He was a pet detective- investigating abuse, malpractice, and illegal trafficking. Not home invasions.

But this was definitely right up his alley.

Dimitri leaned forward. He’d pulled a chair from the kitchen to sit across from Eli and the coffee table. “Noah? Can you tell me about the man who was here? Did you see him?”

The cat boy’s ear flicked. He wriggled in Eli’s grasp, looking at Dimitri with an untrusting glint in his eyes. “He was wearing a mask.”

“What about your owl friend? Do you think she saw anything?”

Noah growled. “Don’t bother her right now.”

“Sorry.” Eli put a hand on Noah’s head. “He’s a bit protective. I’m sure Melody will be happy to give you her point of view when she wakes up. She’s exhausted.”

“I bet.” Dimitri had read the report Todd had given him. It seemed like Melody had mostly taken charge during the chaos, and almost gotten badly injured because of it.

Noah was still glaring at him, confused why Dimitri wasn’t looking more uncomfortable about it. Most people were rather off put by a pet who looked like they were about to rip his throat out. But this man was nonchalant, like he’d seen the look a thousand times before and couldn’t care less. He almost seemed to look sympathetic.

“Well, I have to be honest,” Dimitri went on, “I’ve never heard the name Beau Mallory before.”

“You and everyone else on the planet,” Eli scoffed. “I’m sure it’s a fake name.”

“No doubt about it.” Dimitri seemed a bit distressed. He had no leads here except… “Noah, do you think you could tell me about all the pets you saw?”

Noah blinked, while Eli clutched onto him tighter. “Why?” the owner asked.

“I’d like to try tracking down who they used to be,” Dimitri said. “Find their original sellers and who bought them. It sounds like they’re all rare color pets, which means there’s only so many of them in the world. Surely someone in the area’s bred a golden dragon or a munchkin cat.”

Eli shook his head. “I don’t know if that will work. They might be in the same situation as Noah- not knowing where they came from without any clues. No one in this area bred an albino cat. You might not find anyone who bred a gold dragon.”

“Maybe they’re not from the area.”

Eli’s gaze snapped to the doorway. Melody stood there, her head down and her eyes glazed with sorrow. How long had she been there?

What had she heard?

Dimitri gestured for her to join them. Slowly, Melody paced over to sit in front of the couch. “Go on.”

“Well, if no one in the area bred an albino cat, maybe Noah isn’t from here,” Melody continued. “Maybe none of those other pets are, either. If I were doing something shady with pets, I wouldn’t go to breeders that may eventually see me again or see any of my peers. Some of those pets might even be from out of the country.”

Eli blinked at her. He hadn’t even considered that. Buying pets over state lines was rare. Most people wanted to get from a breeder close by who their peers could attest were reliable and safe. Some people treated buying pets like buying a car- they didn’t want one from an unfamiliar seller.

He put a hand on the top of Noah’s head. “Kitten, do you remember how you got to Mallory’s house? How long was the drive?”

Noah looked quite interested. “We didn’t drive. We took a private jet.”

“I see,” Dimitri said. “That doesn’t help narrow the search down anymore. For all we know, he doesn’t even live in New York.”

“No, he does,” Noah said. “My breeder told me I was moving to New York when I was first sold.”

“That could have been a lie, though,” Dimitri pointed out. “I’ll try to leave out an area bias, then. That was clever, Ms…Melody, right?”

“Yes, sir,” Melody replied.

“Now, Noah,” Dimitri went on, “Can you tell me about those other pets? As many as you can remember.”

Chapter 46: Brave

Melody didn’t sleep that night. Every creak in the house, every murmur of a voice, had her sitting up in bed and alert. She cound hear wind blowing through the upstairs hallway. A sheet had been taped over the broken window, but it didn’t stop a cool breeze from wafting past her bedroom and whistling through the air.

The bandage under her eye was irritating her. She could feel it shift on her skin each time she blinked. And her heart was still pounding too much for her to fall asleep.

She curled up in her bed, afraid to close her eyes. She hadn’t meant to overhear that conversation Eli had with the detective. But unable to sleep earlier, she’d wandered back downstairs, only to begin listening to the conversation right as Eli went into detail of Noah’s first owner.

Against her own will, she was imagining it. Noah breaking into that room, finding those horrors, attacking his owner. She was understanding why Eli had been so vague when explaining Noah’s behavior to her at the park. Now, she had no doubt that the man who’d broken in had been hired by Mallory to bring back his albino cat.

She clutched her pillow tightly. He’d been so close to succeeding. She never should have left the den. She never should have left Noah all alone. His fate would have been worse than death, and it would have been her fault.

With a heavy sigh, she tried to sink into her bed, just wanting to sleep. But then, her bedroom door opened with a creak and she shot up. “Who’s there?”

“Shh!” Noah hissed. In the dark, Melody should see him slinking into the room, then using his side to close the door behind him. “It’s just me.”

Melody fumbled out of bed, sliding onto the floor as he padded towards her. “What are you doing up? How did you get out of Master’s room?”

“You think I don’t know how to open doors in a bitch suit?” Noah growled. “And I came to check on you.”

Melody wanted to protest, but she could really use the company. “I’m okay. Just…rattled.”

Noah flicked his tail. “I thought you were gonna have a panic attack.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t!” Melody hissed. “You were the one in danger. He was going to take you and do something awful! And they didn’t even catch the guy. I heard the police say he managed to escape into the woods. Aren’t you scared that he’ll come back?”

Noah stared at her for a long moment. “Of course I am. But being scared doesn’t help, does it?”

Melody deflated. “No. I guess not.”

Noah gestured with his head to the bed. “Help me up there, then lay down.”

Melody didn’t have the energy to question him. She climbed into her bed, then leaned over it to grab Noah’s arms and help him scramble onto the mattress. When she laid down, he felt him settle over stomach.

Strangely, the extra weight was relaxing. Noah was light enough he wouldn’t crush her, and his body offered the same warmth a blanket would. She sighed, feeling her body relax. Even through the tight latex, she could feel Noah’s heartbeat, slow and rhythmic. She hung onto it, letting it lull her to sleep.

He was safe. And that was enough.

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli got to bed late. He’d had to make sure the fence and window were patched up and all alarms were active. Sabrina had helped him set up a panic alarm. Not only would he get a notification if anything that wasn’t supposed to open opened, the police would also get notified and be able to act appropriately.

For the first time in quite a few days, he woke with his alarm. He’d grown used to Noah pestering him awake an hour early, then falling back asleep for a bit before it was actually time to get up. He rolled onto his side. Maybe Noah was finally learning to be patient.

Then, he remembered he hadn’t put Noah into his cage to sleep again.

He was supposed to be in bed.

Eli scrambled up, looking around. “Noah?” he called. “Noah!”

His bedroom door was open.

“Noah!” Eli was up in an instant. He raced from his bedroom and into the hallway. But before he could double back and grab his phone, he heard a door creaking down the hall.

“Shh!” he heard. A moment later, Noah skittered out of Melody’s room. “Shut up, will you? You’ll wake the whole house.”

Eli sagged with relief. “What are you doing out here?” He silently walked toward Noah, then bent to pick him up.

Noah purred. “Melody was pretty upset yesterday. I was just making sure she was okay.”

Eli sighed. “I appreciate you giving the others some support, but can you please ask before wandering off like that? I thought you’d been taken.”

“Oh.” Noah’s ear flicked, guilt on his face. “Right. Sorry, Master.”

“It’s fine. It was a kind gesture. Now let’s get breakfast.”

Noah purred in agreement. But he was confused when Eli walked past the stairs and past his own bedroom. He was heading for Dawn’s room.

“Shouldn’t we make breakfast first?” Noah asked, wriggling in Eli’s arms.

“I figured we’d all eat together today,” Eli replied.

Dawn had been awake for hours, restless after the previous day. When Eli entered the room, he was already out of bed and at the front of his cage.

“Good morning, Dawn.”

“Good morning, Master!” Dawn called.

After collecting Dawn, who followed just after Eli, exchanging news with Noah over their owner’s shoulder, they headed back to Melody’s room.

She was pulling herself out of bed, exhausted after being unable to sleep last night. But she still stood up tall when Eli entered.

“Good morning, Melody. How are you feeling?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Melody replied.

Noah didn’t believe her. She still had a dark look in her eyes, and there was a very slight sway in her stance, like she was about to fall over.

But Eli didn’t seem to notice. Or he was ignoring it. “Good. You wouldn’t happen to know how to make pancakes, would you?”

Melody brightened a little. “I do, Master.”

“Excellent. Mind teling me your recipe real quick? So I know I have all the ingredients.” Eli leaned down and placed Noah on the ground. “Go ahead and take Dawn to the kitchen,” he ordered.

Noah whined. “But it’s so far away.”

“Take your time. We’ll only be a minute.”

Noah huffed, annoyed. He didn’t want to walk all the way there. Worse, he didn’t want to be apart from Eli. But he glanced toward Melody, exhausted and dissociated, and realized Eli’s true intentions.

“Let’s go, Dawn,” he called, leading the way out of the room and toward the stairs.

Eli ushered Dawn out of the room, then closed the door behind him. Dawn didn’t notice, eagerly following Noah.

“Um…Noah?” Dawn began, a bit awkwardly. “I’m sorry for snapping at you the other day.”

Noah slowed at the top of the stairs. He turned to look up at Dawn and blinked. “It’s fine. I deserved it, really. You were right.”

Dawn still seemed guilty. “I…I felt so bad. I was so harsh.”

Noah couldn’t help but laugh. “Harsh? Not at all. I’m surprised you didn’t cuss me out, honestly.”

“I could never do that! I can’t swear.”

“You totally can. It helps get all your feelings out in a single word.”

“Oh, no. No, I couldn’t,” Dawn insisted. “It’s just not me. I don’t even know any swear words.”

Noah’s tail flicked mischievously. “If you want, I can teach you some.”

Dawn’s eyes widened. “I-I don’t know…why would I ever use them?”

“In case you need to cuss me out after doing something stupid,” Noah replied. “If you want to learn some new vocabulary, just ask.”

Dawn stepped down the stairs. “Well, maybe. You could at least tell me them. No harm in knowing.”

Noah stayed at the top of the stairs for a moment, staring at her with deep fondness and amusement. Despite her pain, Dawn had lived a very sheltered life. Noah supposed it was usually seen as…unbecoming for a pet to swear. But if Noah was anything, he was unbecoming. And he loved to see other pets be granted that.

He glanced over his shoulder. Eli and Melody were far behind, standing outside Melody’s door and talking in hushed voices.

“Help me down the stairs and I’ll whisper some to you,” he said with a sly grin.

Dawn looked back at their dominants, hesitating. But his tail was thrashing with excitement. He jogged down a few more stairs, then knelt to start guiding Noah down. “Oh gosh…okay, okay. Go on.”

Noah took it slow doing down the stairs, using Dawn as a fall-break if he slipped. “Okay,” he began in a hushed voice, “You already know fuck or fucking. You can use it for like…anything. But it’s a bit stronger and Master doesn’t like it much outside the bedroom. One of my personal favorites, though. There’s also shit, damn, dick, bastard, asshole. Oh, but do you want to know my favorite one? The biggest one?”

Dawn nodded eagerly.

“Okay, but you have to promise to only use it sparingly. Most people can’t handle its power. It’s a compliment, actually.” He flicked his tail snidely. “You use it when you want to tell someone you like them a lot.”

“Just tell me what it is!” Dawn whined.

“Alright, alright.” Noah glanced over his shoulder again, but he couldn’t even see Eli now. Sneakily, he leaned close to whisper in Dawn’s ear.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Are you okay?” Eli asked, his voice soft. “You seem distant.”

“I’m okay,” Melody said. “Just…still thinking about yesterday.” Her gaze went to Noah, already down the hallway with his tail swishing back and forth. “I really messed up.”

“Messed up?” Eli echoed, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I’m so sorry, Master. I put myself and Noah in danger yesterday. I thought it was safe to check on Dawn, but then…” She shook her head sadly. “Is it all true? Was that man going to give Noah to…to Mallory?”

Eli’s eyes widened. “You heard all that? Oh, Melody, I’m sorry…I didn’t want you to know about that.”

“No, I want to. It put in perspective how much I messed up.”

“You didn’t, though. You did fine, given the circumstances,” Eli assured her.

“Fine isn’t enough,” Melody argued. “I could have lost my eyes. Noah…something horrible could have happened to Noah. And it would have been my fault for leaving the cage!”

“Melody, none of that could have possibly been your fault,” Eli said. “I saw everything on the cameras, you know. You realized there was danger, took control of the situation, and made sure everyone was safe. Then you were even ready to sacrifice yourself to keep Noah hidden. That wasn’t a mess up. It was incredibly brave.”

Melody didn’t feel brave. Noah had been brave. Despite his predicament and the danger, he’d attacked that man without hesitation. Melody had done nothing but buy time and get herself captured.

“Then why is it still bothering me?” she murmured. “I could hardly sleep last night. And it still feels like my heart is about to pound out of my chest.”

Eli gave her a sympathetic smile. “Why don’t you talk to Noah about this? Let him know how you feel. He might have wiser words than I can give right now.”

Melody blinked at him, stunned. She’d never seen her Master admit he couldn’t do something, let alone direct her questions to another pet of all things- especially if that pet was Noah.

“Alright, Master.”

“Good girl.” Eli put a hand on the square of her back, leading her toward the stairs. “So, pancakes…flour, eggs, milk…I’ve got all that. I’d love some chocolate chips, and I should have some toppings. Fruit, lemon juice, whipped cream. What do you like?”

Melody recognized Eli’s attempts to cheer her up. It wasn’t working, but she’d humor him. “Whipped cream, for sure. Whipped cream and strawberries. And banana slices.”

“Great choices. Not sure if I have any strawberries, but I can pick those up next…actually, I might do online shopping for a while,” Eli decided. “Anyway, I’ll make sure to get a good selection of fresh fruit.”

He looked ahead and couldn’t help smiling. Dawn was in front of Noah on the stairs, helping him descend. He was glad there didn’t seem to be any bad blood between them. In fact, they were getting along like nothing had happened. Eli supposed he should have figured Noah wouldn’t mind be yelled at, even by another pet.

“Anything is fine, really,” Melody replied. “Pancakes are good no matter what you put on them. Oh, but can Noah eat them through that mask?”

“Just make his smaller,” Eli said. “And we’ll give him plenty of whipped cream. It’ll be adorable.”

Melody giggled. “You’re having way too much fun messing with him. Have some sympathy.”

“He got himself into this situation. I can make fun of him all I want.”

For a moment, Melody was distracted from her own inner thoughts. For all they bickered and fought, Eli and Noah had grown quite fond of each other.

“Oh- Noah!” Eli suddenly called. “Not that fast. You’ll fall.” He sped up to get to the stairs.

Noah and Dawn were half way down the stairs, and seemed to have finished whatever conversation they were having. Noah was trying to hop down the stairs. Before he got much farther, Eli scooped him up to carry him the rest of the way.

Melody quickened her pace to catch up with them, her gaze fond.

“I was fine, Master,” Noah complained. “I’m getting the hang of this suit.”

Eli grinned teasingly. “I knew you’d start to love it.”

“That is not what I said,” Noah growled. “I still want out of this tomorrow.”

“Right, kitten. The new collar will be here tomorrow. But for now…how do you feel about whipped cream?”

“Love it. Why?”

“On pancakes?”

Melody had just caught up, and noticed the confused look on Noah’s face. “We’re having cake for breakfast?”

“Why not? Pancakes are the perfect breakfast food.”

Noah just stared at him. “Don’t…don’t all cakes come out of a pan…?”

“Noah, have you never had pancakes before?” Melody asked. “They’re round…sort of golden in color. You put things like butter and syrup on them.”

Noah shrugged.

“You’ll love them,” Eli said. “We’re putting bananas and whipped cream on them.”

“They’re the best!” Dawn agreed. “But I didn’t know you could put things on them.”

“Here, you can have anything you want on them,” Eli promised. “And if I don’t have it now, I can certainly get it later.”

Chapter 47: Plans For The Day

“I’d have to say…lemon,” Melody replied. She was busy at the stove, making breakfast. Dawn stood beside her to watch. It was his first time in the kitchen.

“Lemon?” Dawn gasped. “That’s the worst one! So sour and nasty.”

Melody giggled. “You must have a sweet tooth, then. I like sour and tangy flavors.

Dawn shook his head. “I can’t handle sour things. It makes my stomach hurt.”

“You’re probably sensitive to it, then,” Melody said. “But that’s okay. Now, what’s your favorite flavor?”

“Carrot!” Dawn answered immediately.

“Obviously,” Melody teased. “What’s your second favorite?”

Dawn hesitated. “Um…what others are there?”

“So many you can’t count them,” Melody replied. “We’ll experiment.”

Behind them, Eli was fighting to get Noah to stay still while he hooked up the shock collar. He sat on the floor with Noah in his lap. The cat boy was desperately trying to squirm out of his grasp.

“Come on, Noah,” Eli grunted. “We have to or your limbs will lock up.”

“But it hurts!” Noah complained. Even bound like this, he was slippery, worming his way out of Eli’s arms. He finally stopped when Eli grabbed the base of his tail.

“It’ll hurt worse unless we get your muscles stimulated.”

With Noah momentarily stunned, he grabbed the back of his collar and shoved one of the adaptors into it. Noah whined in defeat, and allowed Eli to pick him up and set him back in his lap.

“Breath in,” Eli ordered, and waited for Noah to obey. “And out.”

He felt Noah seize up as the electrical current started. He only kept it going for second before turning it back off. He had the current set to the lowest setting, so it would only cause minor discomfort and no lasting damage. He hated having to put Noah through this, but it was for the greater good.

After a few shocks, Elli pulled out the adaptor. “There. All done. It’s not so bad is it?”

“Yes!” Noah whined. Still, he leaned back against Eli’s chest, seeking comfort in his touch.

“Awh, you poor thing,” Eli cooed, petting Noah’s head. “Are you mad because I don’t want you to be in horrible pain if your limbs cramp up? Poor baby.”

“Stop it!” Noah turned, trying to shove Eli away.

Eli held fast, wrestling Noah back to the ground and pinning him. The cat boy, despite his struggles, was laughing, trying to writhe from beneath him.

Both were distracted by the sound of porcelain on the counter. Melody had finished and was plating up each pancake.

“Those look gorgeous, Melody.” Eli stood himself up, slightly blushing. He’d forgotten about the other pets in the room. “Give Noah a bowl, and start on the toppings.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody agreed. She’d brightened up since coming downstairs, distracted from her thoughts by Dawn’s persistent questions. They didn’t get to interact as much as either talked with Noah, and had a lot to catch up on.

When Melody pressed down the nozzle of the whipped cream can, Noah jumped, surprised by the sound. Eli leaned down to pick him up. “Relax.”

Dawn was overexcited, transferring her weight from one leg to the other. His tail thrashed wildly behind him. “It looks so good…”

“Thanks, Dawn,” Melody said, handing her a plate with a fork. The bunny boy took it, but seemed confused by what he was meant to do with it.

“Hey!” Noah whined. “How come he gets a plate and I still have to eat out of a bowl?”

“You don’t have hands right now,” Eli pointed out. “Besides, you look adorable eating out of a bowl.”
With Noah in his arms, he walked to the counter to grab the bowl, then knelt and placed it on the floor. Melody had filled it to the brim with whipped cream, much to Eli’s delight.

He tried not to be too obvious as he watched Noah open the muzzle and scoop up a mouthful of cream.

“Oh my gosh…” Melody breathed out, catching sight of Noah. She quickly turned away before he could pick up that he was being stared at.

Grabbing his own food, Eli retreated to the island bar, gesturing for Melody and Dawn to join him. Dawn was quick to set down his place and grab one of the stools, but still seemed confused what she was supposed to do. Melody was helpful, grabbing her own fork and using it to slice off a bit of pancake before bringing it to her mouth.

In the beginning of understanding, Dawn tried to mimic her.

Noah shook himself out, trying to get whipped cream off the muzzle. “This isn’t fair! You chose the one week I’m stuck in a bitch suit to give everyone table privileges?” he complained.

“It wasn’t intentional,” Eli protested. “You just got stuck in a bitch suit the week I was planning to give everyone table privileges.”

“Likely story,” Noah growled.

“Noah, eat your food,” Melody chided. “You’re grumpy because you’re hungry.”

“Am not!”

“How about this?” Eli suggested. “You can sit on my lap and eat from my hand.”

Noah’s tail bristled. He tucked back into his breakfast. Eli leaned back, satisfied.

A few moments later, Eli heard him begin to purr. When he looked down again, Noah had relaxed, eating happily.

Eli took another bite. “Alright, let’s talk training. Dawn, I know you’re anxious to get back into it, but I think I’ll give you one more day.”

Dawn couldn’t help whining in disappointment.

“Only because I need to focus on Noah today,” Eli went on. “Melody is still setting up her new room, so I’d like you to help her. Melody, this is an exercise for you, too. Get Dawn to stay behaved and have him help whenever you need.”

Melody raised her head when she was addressed. “Yes, Master.”

Dawn glanced at her, brightening a little. At least he’d have something to do.

“Noah, we’ll be working on anal training today.”

“What?” Noah whined. “Can’t we go outside?”

“In a bitch suit? Absolutely not. You’ll exhaust yourself,” Eli said. “Besides, it’s supposed to storm today.”

Melody stifled a sigh of relief. The idea of Noah being outside suddenly made her heart pound. Surely the walls of the house kept them at least a little more safe?

Was anywhere safe anymore? They’d been attacked within their own home. If someone had gotten past the gates, they could do it again. And what if the next person wasn’t so merciful? What if they decided it was easier to simply kill the others Pets rather than question them?
Or what if they couldn’t get into the house, and decided it was best to lay low right outside? The moment any of them stepped out of the lawn, they were dead.

“Melody?”

Eli’s voice grabbed her attention. She slowly turned toward him.

“Did you hear me?”

“Um…sorry, Master. I was distracted.”

“Take Dawn up to your room and get started,” Eli ordered. “I’ll check on you later.”

“Yes, Master.” Melody stood and grabbed her plate, bringing it to the sink. Dawn was already up, waiting for her eagerly.

“I’m so excited to see your room!” Dawn squeaked. “I want to decorate my room, too. I like it, but it could really use some color. Don’t you think?”

“A nice splash of color is good for the soul,” Melody agreed. She grabbed Dawn’s plate as well to put it away- the bunny had eaten quicker than anyone.

Eli’s gaze followed them out of the room, a bit distressed. Melody still seemed lost, moving slowly like she was on auto pilot. He knew that it would take her a while to be back to her old self, but he couldn’t help wanting to speed up the process. He needed her at her best.

When Dawn’s twitching tail disappeared around the corner, Eli’s attention returned to Noah. he couldn’t help chuckling at the cat boy, who was shuffling through the cream trying to find more pancakes.

Noah raised his head. A dollop of cream was stuck on the end of the muzzle. “What?”

Eli reached across the counter and ripped off a paper towel from the roll. He slid off his chair to kneel in front of Noah, wiping off the muzzle. “You. Being a mess.”

Noah batted him away. “I’m not a mess! I’m just stuck.”

“In a prison of your own making,” Eli reminded him.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

“Lighten up.” Eli grabbed him beneath the arms, picking him up. Noah was getting more used to the gesture, leaning his head on Eli’s shoulder with a purr. “Other pets would kill to be in your position. And by other pets I mean specifically Dawn.”

“Then put Dawn in a bitch suit,” Noah grumbled.

“I have. But I don’t like to leave him in them too long. He’ll get bored.”

“Me, too.”

“You’re not bored. If you were bored you would have bit me by now.”

“Very true,” Noah said. “However, I think you’ll find-” He opened his mouth as wide as he could, then snapped the jaws of the muzzle around Eli’s shoulder.

Eli felt a strange tingle in his spine, feeling soft teeth graze his skin.

“-I can’t,” Noah finished, his words clear despite the muzzle around Eli’s neck.

Eli shrugged him off. “You should give bitch suits more of a chance. You were enjoying it before you got stuck.” He began moving around the room, cleaning up. Noah was light enough he could hold him comfortably in one arm against his hip. “You should have seen Dawn the first time I got her in one. Set her up with a blindfold and two fucking machines…it was the first time she entered subspace.”

Noah shuddered. “I don’t do subspace.”

“Because you’re always so tense,” Eli teased. “I bet I can get you there.”

Noah shook his head. “Nope. It doesn’t happen to me.”

Eli didn’t believe that. Noah had the capacity to let go and be loud. He was sure he also had the ability to relax and slip away.

“You’ve never done it? I suppose not, if you weren’t supposed to be a pleasure pet.”

“I’ve done it,” Noah growled, almost defensively. “I just don’t anymore.”

“What?” Eli was confused. “When?”

Noah dropped his gaze.

At first, Eli felt amused, wondering if Noah was lying. Then, he realized there was a much more likely truth.

“With Beau, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t do it anymore,” Noah repeated.

Eli’s grip on him tightened. “Well, maybe we can change that.”

Noah didn’t look convinced, but Eli had a plan. Subspace was a glorious thing for any dominant to see- it meant they’d done their job flawlessly. It meant a submissive was so comfortable, so pleasured, and so happy, they could slip into an almost dream-like state.

“I’d like to try something with you,” Eli said. “Knowing you, you’ll try to struggle a lot while we do anal training today. And since we need dildos on the bigger side, you’d be at risk of hurting yourself. So we need you completely immobilized.”

Noah looked nervous. “What do you have in mind?”

“Have you ever been in a vac bed?”

“No!” Noah’s eyes widened. “Those things? No! They’re scary and loud and dark-”

“Have you been in one?”

“No, and I don’t want to be! I’ve seen them used. They’re terrible!”

“They’re not as bad as they look,” Eli assured him in a softer tone. “Trust me. It would only be for an hour or two. I’ll be right beside you the whole time.”

“How will I know?”

“You’ll still be able to hear a bit,” Eli replied. “And I’ll make sure to touch you every so often. You can still feel through the latex.”

Noah still seemed unsure. Eli didn’t want to push him too hard. But he believed having experiences like this- ones that were actually pleasurable- could get him over a lot of past fears. And Eli hadn’t been lying about needing Noah immobilized for training like this. The cat boy had a bad habit of struggling, even when he was in a comfortable position, which could be dangerous with training like this.

“How about three minutes to start?” Eli negotiated. “Just three minutes in the vac bed. No dildo. Just so you’re used to the sensation. Can you at least try for me?”

Noah hesitated. “Only three minutes?”

“I promise. You can watch me set the timer.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Eli knelt down, showing his phone to Noah so he could watch him pull up a timer and set it to three minutes.

Eli had taken him up to one of the gear rooms. Noah had sat in the corner, his tail bristling, while Eli set up the vac bed. It looked like a table of sorts, sitting low to the ground, and being rectangular in size. Sheets of latex were stretched between a metal frame. A hose-like tube led beneath the table to a large tank.
Noah had seen vac beds before, but none this high tech.

Eli really needed a better hobby.

His owner stood back up. “There’s an air mask inside the bed,” he explained. “It should fit through the muzzle.”

He pocketed his phone for a moment and reached into a slit at the bottom of the bed. He drew out a nozzle with an oxygen mask on the end.

Noah padded forward cautiously. “Is it going to be loud?” he asked.

“When it first starts up, then it’ll just make a whirling sound,” Eli replied. “You’ll hardly be able to hear it from inside.” Noah still looked distrusting, so Eli went on. “It’s quite comfortable inside. The bottom is padded.”

“Comfort isn’t what I’m worried about.” He eyed the oxygen tank beneath the bed.

“Noah, I’ll be right here the entire time,” Eli said. Even if Noah wasn’t nervous, he’d never leave a pet in such a predicament all alone.

He sighed, trying to think of a compromise. Noah was the only pet he’d ever went back on his word with. Usually, what he said was how it went, and no pet could talk him into doing something differently. But he’d found that Noah responded best when he felt like he had control, even if it was just a little bit. And compromises helped.

“How about this- I’ll turn it on now so you can see and hear what it’s like,” Eli offered.

Noah hesitated, but then nodded. “Okay.”

“Good boy.” With a soft smile, Eli bent to pick Noah up so he had a better vantage point. “Okay, this is the remote that controls it.” He picked up a remote similar to one that would be attached to a hospital bed. It was thin, with buttons going down the entire length. “This is the on and off switch.” Eli used his thumb to point to each button. “And these buttons control the oxygen. Some pets are into breath play, so you can limit the oxygen or turn it off entirely.”

Noah’s tail bristled.

“But we won’t do that,” Eli quickly answered. “Not unless you want to.”

“I don’t.”

“I know. Now, this button at the bottom is for programming the oxygen levels. So if I wanted to sit back and watch, I could program it to switch off oxygen every few seconds, then turned it back on for a few more seconds. See how both values are set to zero? That means that feature is off, and the oxygen will keep going continuously. Now, I’m going to turn it on. It’ll be loud at first.”

Eli pressed the on button and Noah’s ears pinned back, trying to block out the sound of the bed whirling to life. He watched as the latex sheet on top was sucked against the bottom one, making the entire bed completely flat. The air mask and the tube was outlined, each detail on display as the latex squeezed it tightly. Once all the air was out of the bed, the oxygen tank got significantly quieter.

Noah’s ears perked up, watching the bed. It was much smoother sounding than others he’d seen. He wondered how much this must have cost.

Eli switched it off again. “See? It’s not so scary, is it.”

Noah nodded. He’d never had an owner explain a piece of gear or tech to him before. And seeing the vac bed in action before getting into it himself lessened his anxiety. He took a breath.

“I think I’m ready, Master.”

Chapter 48: Tight And Getting Tighter

As soon as Noah had gotten inside the vac bed, he’d curled up to get comfortable, just as Eli figured he would. That bed was made to be as comfortable as possible for long time use.

While Noah got used to being inside the bed- without it on first as Eli didn’t want to overwhelm him- Eli was busy setting up the fucking machine. The dildo he’d chosen had been hidden out of sight, as Eli was afraid Noah would take one look at it and run. He had to start pushing the cat boy or they’d never meet quota.

Once the fucking machine was assembling, Eli stood back up. “Noah,” he called, then continued when the cat boy purred in acknowledgement. “Come out. Let’s get the air mask on.”

Noah popped his head out from the top sheet. “It’s comfy in here.”

“It’s supposed to be.” Eli reached past him to draw out the oxygen mask again. “This bed is made for long time use. A sub can stay in it for up to twelve hours.”

“I’ll give you an hour and then I’ll start ripping it apart from the inside out.”

Eli barked a laugh. “I expect nothing less. Now open wide.”

Noah stretched his jaw, opening the muzzle as wide as it would go. Eli stuffed the oxygen mask through the teeth top first, then adjusted it to sit inside the muzzle just over Noah’s mouth and nose.

“This muzzle is actually being a big help,” Eli said. “You’ll still look cute and sleek inside the bed once it’s on. It’ll hardly look like you’ve got a mask.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “I get out of it tomorrow.”

“Don’t remind me. You’ll have me up at the crack of dawn waiting for it.”

“Then you’d better get to sleep early.”

Eli gave Noah a pet between the ears. His cat boy was being very brave agreeing to something like this. He was honestly shocked it hadn’t taken more convincing. But he wouldn’t question it.

“Alright, crawl back inside and lay in your back. Make sure your head is turned to the side,” Eli directed. “And get comfortable.”

Noah took a deep breath, then padded a few steps back to disappear into the latex sheets. Eli could see it shifting as he got into the right position.

“Ready?” he asked.

A few more moments passed as Noah situated himself. “Ready.”

“Good boy. Okay, no dildo for now,” he said. “Three minutes just to get used to it.”

“Yes, Master.”

Eli adjusted the bottom of the latex bed, fully closing it around Noah’s figure. “Alright…three, two, one…”

He pressed the on button. Noah gave a little start, still surprised by the suddenly loud noise and the feeling of compression. He took a deep breath, but even as his vision was left in darkness and his limbs were pinned, he could still breath easily through the mask.

On the other side, Eli leaned over the bed, making sure everything was in line. He hadn’t used this equipment in a while, and was a bit apprehensive. This was a good test before they went all in.

“You feeling okay?” Eli asked.

Noah’s answer was mumbly and muffled, but sounded affirmative. Eli laid a hand on his chest, and heard a faint purr through the latex.

He moved away, checking on the oxygen tank and the latex. Everything seemed to be in working order. And Noah wasn’t panicking, which was extremely good progress. Eli was sure he’d at least be struggling by now. But he laid still beneath the latex, which occasionally rose as he took in a breath.

Eli was a little worried. It wasn’t like Noah to meet a new piece of equipment without a bit of struggle. Not even to protest, but just to test the equipment’s limits and how much he could struggle before breaking it. Eli knew the bed was strong, but any struggling would at least translate into quick jerks.

Although Noah still had a little less than a minute less, Eli turned off the bed. As the latex gave away again, he could see Noah’s figure shift to stand up, shaking itself out.

“That wasn’t bad,” Noah reported, sticking his head out from the bottom of the bed.

“Really?” Eli asked. “I thought you were falling asleep in there.”

“It’s…strangely comfortable. Like being back in the womb.”

Eli scoffed, amused. “You remember what it was like before being born?”

“I have a perfect memory,” Noah stated.

“Oh, whatever.” Eli rolled his eyes. “Get back in there.”

Noah hesitated. “What dildo are you using?”

“You’ll feel it later.”

The cat boy’s eyes narrowed. “Why don’t you ever just tell me things?”

“Because I don’t have to. Now get in there.”

Noah didn’t argue further, but he huffed in frustration. And when he turned to enter the vac bed again, his tail flicked out with a lash.

Eli didn’t react. He knew the moment Noah spotted the dildo he’d picked, he’d back out of this. Besides, Eli was still in charge. He didn’t have to tell Noah every detail of his plans.

He gave Noah a moment to get back into position. Then, he reached into the vac bed and grabbed Noah’s hips, pulling him toward the bottom of the bed.

“Master!” Noah yelped, caught off guard.

“Relax,” Eli said softly. He adjusted Noah to lay just over a small hole in the bottom of the latex bed. After a few more moments, he had Noah just where he needed to be, at the bottom of the bed with the plug he still wore lined up at the hole. “There. Did you think you’d get fucked through the latex, cat?”

“No.” Noah’s voice was slightly muffled. “But you could have warned me.”

“But that’s not as fun,” Eli shot back. A bit more seriously, he continued. “I’m going to step away to set up the fucking machine. I’ll still be close by.”

“Yes, Master,” Noah called.

Eli gave him a rub on the stomach through the top layer of latex.

Inside the vac bed, Noah was trying to get comfortable again. He was plunged into darkness, but able to hear the sounds of metal hitting metal outside. Eli must be setting up the fucking machine.

Noah took a deep breath. He could hardly believe he’d agreed to this. Every part of him screamed that this was a stupid idea. Something bad would happen. It was a set up. Every worse scenario ran through his mind. But a louder part of him didn’t care. Whether out of trust for Eli or simple exhaustion with his constant inner turmoil, he just wanted to lay down for a while.

He heard footsteps retreating, and his heart began to pound. But then Eli seemed to be returning. He heard more shuffling, and figured Eli must be attaching the dildo to the fucking machine. Then, he heard wheels squeaking as it was moved closer.

“Almost ready,” Eli said.

Noah moaned softly, feeling a hand grip the plug in his ass. He felt Eli gently tugging it out, his hole tensing.

A moment later, something much larger was settling against his ass. He tensed, feeling the lube-slick tip of the dildo slip inside him.

“Deep breath,” Eli said. “Just relax. You’re safe. I’m about to turn the bed back on. Ready?”

“Yes, Master.”

Noah startled when the vacuum whirled to life. He soon relaxed, the latex squeezing his body and keeping him in place. His heart beat picked up again, but not to a dangerous degree. He felt entirely helpless like this, immobile and double encased in the bitch suit.

He was embarrassed by how exciting this was. He tried to remain still, repressing the urge to rut his hips into the top of the latex. Eli would surely realize what he was trying to do and take advantage of it.

Once all the air was out, the vacuum went quiet, Noah was plunged into muffling darkness.

“I’m starting the fucking machine,” Eli warned. “In three…two…one.”

Despite the warning, Noah still let out a squeak when the head of the dildo pressed into his hole. He let out a small moan, feeling a ridge just below it. The fucking machine was set to a slow pace, but it was ruthless and constant, pressing inside Noah before pulling right back out. Each time it pressed in, Noah kept expecting it to end, or to feel the base of the dildo against this ass. But it seemed to drive deep inside him, unending, before suddenly pulling out.

He shuddered when fingers began delicately running up and down his leg. He was surprised by how well he could feel it through the latex.

His heart slowed. The latex was so thin, Eli could easily touch him. He could speak if he wanted to and call for help. And the latex was surely thin enough to be ripped if something got stuck. Noah felt safe and relaxed. He let out a deep breath, finding it hard to expand his chest from beneath the latex.

But then, he felt the hand moving down his leg, toward his groin. “No!” he protested. He was not letting Eli keep him stuck in here and helpless while he was played with.

He whimpered, a shiver going up his spine as soft fingers brushed the tip of his cock.

“Master, no!”

“Safe word is fire, kitten,” Eli replied calmly. “Keep me updated on how you feel.”

“Too good! Stop touching!”

He felt a hand on his chest. “Just relax. Don’t think about your cage. Focus on the fucking machine. Learn when to go lax and when to tense up. Use the ridges to feel how deep its going. There’s one every inch.”

Noah groaned softly. Every inch? He could swear there were a dozen ridges on this thing. He did as Eli said, focusing on the dildo, paying attention to when it pulled out and how many ridges popped through his hole. He let out another moan. If he could roll his head, he would.

Nine ridges. Nine inches. The deepest he’d ever taken anything. And it felt like it, too. He could feel a pressure in his chest, like all his organs were being compacted, the dildo pushing them out of the way.

“Relax.” Eli’s voice sounded far away, but there was still a hand on his leg. “Let yourself feel good. I’m about to turn up the speed a few notches. Ready?”

“Yes, Master.”

The cat boy squeaked, feeling the dildo speed up inside him. Each rim managed to catch his prostate, sending shocks of pleasure through him. Once he grew used to it again, he relaxed. Each thrust pulled a moan from him, slightly muffled by the encapsulating latex.

“Good boy,” Eli praised. “You’re doing so well. Sing for me.”

Noah let out a soft groan. No other owner had ever made him loosen up like this. He’d learned a long time ago that owners responded to sound. Whether it be punishment or pleasure, they wanted a pet to be vocal. It gave them satisfaction. And because of that, Noah had learned how to be silent during the one time owners didn’t want him to be.

But Eli didn’t warrant that response in him. He felt safe enough to let his guard down.

Or maybe he was just tired of fighting.

He suddenly shrieked, high pitched and pleasured. Eli let out a chuckle.

“Getting sensitive, kitten?”

Noah felt his hand wandering back to his caged cock again. He took a deep breath, swallowing heavily. “D-don’t you dare.” His words were hardly audible. He wanted to ignore his cock, for once. It felt good just focusing on the dildo, ruthlessly pumping into him.

But suddenly, the hand on his leg was gone. He let out a high pitched whine, and relaxed when it settled again.

“I’m still here, kitten,” Eli reassured him. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Noah sighed in relief, slipping back into his own little world. He was safe and comfortable. It was dark, and the space was small and cozy. His favorite person was right beside him. By all means, this was his ideal session.

On the other side of the bed, Eli was staring at his phone. He’d set it to vibrate only, as he always did during training sessions. Only a moment ago he’d felt it go off in his pocket, and pulled it out to see someone was calling him.

He stared at the screen for a long moment, waiting for it to go to voice mail. But when he slipped it back into his pocket, he felt it immediately go off again.

This time, Eli ignored it. Noah was his top priority right now. Besides, he didn’t want to talk.

Then he got a text that he couldn’t help read.

Pick up the phone E!

Then a moment later: You had a break in??

Eli sighed heavily. He reached down to turn up the fucking machine, then heard Noah squeak in pleasure. He’d be occupied for a while.

When his phone rang again, he clicked answer and brought it to his ear.

“I’m in the middle of something, Keanu,” he grumbled softly. But Noah didn’t seem to hear him. Or be paying attention. “I still have a job to do, you know.”

The voice on the other end was a mixture of shrill anxiety and gruff annoyance. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a break in?”

“It was fine,” Eli replied. “No one got hurt. I have it handled.”

“Dude!” Keanu snapped. “You’re on the news. Nothing good ever ends up on the news.”

Eli stifled another sigh. “Yes, I had a break in. Everyone is safe and nothing was stolen. I can handle it, Keanu.”

“They didn’t even catch the guy. I’m reading it all right now. What was he even after?”

Eli hesitated. But he had already told Keanu about Mallory, and asked him for help. Keanu should know.

Besides, he was a lot smarter than JJ. He might be of use.

“He wanted Noah,” Eli admitted, his voice hardly above a whisper.

At the sound of his own name, Noah let out a soft moan. Eli recognized his attempt to struggle against the tight latex and moved his hand to his chest, gently drawing circles on it with his finger. Noah relaxed again.

“Oh, shit.” Keanu’s tone dropped. “You probably should have expected it, then. Rare colors and all that.”

“I did expect it. You know how secure my place is,” Eli argued. “It just happened at the worst possible time.”

“You better be more careful, then. You don’t want something bad happening right before the contest.”

“I’m aware, Keanu.” Eli was getting irritated. Keanu was always like this- butting into his business and trying to control it. Eli supposed it was partially his fault for allowing him to do it so often when they were in school. But now that they were adults, it was just annoying.

“I know a guy who can install a new security program for a pretty cheap price,” Keanu continued. “It’s the same one we use for our vaults. Why don’t you try it? I bet I can get him to agree to a free thirty day trial.”

Eli hesitated, about to protest. He didn’t want Keanu interfering, or a stranger in the house while the Pets were still on edge. But maybe a new security system wasn’t a bad idea.

“Okay,” he agreed at last. “When’s he available?”

“Oh, I’ll have to ask. What’s a good time for you?”

“Uh…” Eli had to think a moment.

There were a few things outside the house he needed to get done. And he could take the Pets with him. In fact, he needed to take the Pets with him. Noah was supposed to get piercings for his contest costume. And a medical check up for all the Pets was probably a good idea.

“This weekend will do,” he decided. “I have some errands to run and I’m taking Noah with me.”

“Master…?”

Eli winced. He’d forgotten to keep his voice low. He gently rubbed Noah’s chest.

“Right here, kitten. You’re okay.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see what I can do. You know I’ve always got your back, E.”

“Yeah.”

“Talk to you later.”

With that, Keanu hung up. Eli slipped his phone back into his pocket, trying to decide if he was annoyed or flattered. Keanu had always been a trusted confidant, even if Eli didn’t like him all that much. But did he have to be so nosy?

Below him, Noah’s whines of desperation grew more pleasurable, relaxing into his predicament. He was at peaceful, in the silent darkness. Eli’s constant, muffled voice was a comfort. His owner was nearby, keeping him safe, relishing in his pleasure. Every time the dildo reached deep inside him, he let out a choked, strained moan. Then shuddered when it began to pull out again. His hole was growing sore beneath the constant stimulation, but it was tingling of pleasure, rather than the sharp aching he usually experienced.

He couldn’t do anything to stop this. He didn’t want to. So he elected to simply lay back and take it. Besides, he couldn’t help but be proud of himself. He was taking a monster of a dildo, and it felt good! Eli was going to be so impressed.

“Ready for a little faster, kitten?” Eli asked. “This is as fast as it’ll go.”

Noah’s moan was unintelligible, but affirmative. Eli turned up the fucking machine another few notches.
The bed jolted as Noah attempted to struggle. The dildo pistoned in and out of him, pulling at his hole and pummeling his prostate. His moans grew wild and desperate once more.

Eli smiled down at him. He had told a little white lie. Looking at the settings, the machine could go quite a lot faster. But this was a good pace for Noah’s first time with a dildo like this. Besides, those ridges could cause damage if he wasn’t careful. Noah had trusted him enough to crawl into a vac bed and let him choose a dildo without being able to see it. Eli didn’t want to break that trust by putting him through pain.

He’d promised Noah he’d be alright, and he planned to keep that promise. It was the responsible thing to do.

Noah’s struggles lessened, over the initial shock of the speed. He felt like he was floating through space, in the dark. But there was a tether around him, pulling him along while he followed after Eli. He wasn’t abandoned or lost, simply relaxing. Resting, while Eli handled everything.

He was completely still beneath the latex, only his little moans and his rising chest signaling he was okay. Eli checked his phone again. They’d have to be done soon.

He couldn’t help thinking about to nearly two weeks ago. Noah had wanted him dead, or at least to see him fail. And Eli had wanted nothing more than to put the brat in his place. But he felt completely different now. His pleasure was Noah’s, and Noah’s was his.

They’d have to take it easy after this. And Noah wouldn’t be doing anything vigorous. He needed his rest. But that was alright. Eli had some plans for Melody today, and he’d feel more at peace if Noah was too exhausted for mischief.

“Alright, kitten, I think that’s enough for today.” Eli leaned over the machine and gradually turned it down to a stop, not wanting it to drive all the way inside Noah and halt. Gently, he moved the machine away, letting it pull itself from the exhausted cat boy.

Noah only moaned in reply. He let out a small squeak when the dildo popped out of his hole. Eli couldn’t help but spend a moment admiring it, stretched and red.

He broke himself from his daze and switched off the air pump. Slowly, air began working its way back into the bed. He didn’t open it right away, giving Noah a moment to rest.

He opened the bottom of the bed and grabbed Noah’s legs, sliding him off the latex. He unclipped the oxygen mask around his head and gently removed it from the muzzle.

Noah was totally out of it, remaining still. His tail came to wrap affectionately around Eli’s arm.

Eli gave him a quick check over. He wasn’t injured, just tired. “How do you feel?”

Noah purred lightly, letting his head fall forward to lay on Eli’s chest. His answer was mumbled and incoherent. Eli gave him a few more minutes.

It was quite peaceful, just sitting there for a moment. There weren’t many instances in his life where Eli could just sit in silence. No pets nagging for his attention, no television to distract him, no phone ringing and interrupting his train of thought. He could just sit here with his precious cat, waiting for him to wake back up.

He felt Noah began to stir and gently rubbed his head. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

“Master…?” Noah’s voice was soft.

“You’re okay, kitten. I’m right here,” Eli said. “You really enjoyed yourself, huh? Do you remember anything that just happened?”

Noah shuffled, getting more comfortable. “Did I…go to space?”

“Just about,” Eli replied, amused. “You did fantastic. That was a nine inch dildo you just took, and you made it look easy. I’m so proud.”

Noah blinked wearily, starting to come back around. “I did…? Yeah, I did! Deep, too. And it felt…so good.”

Eli adjusted Noah to sit in his lap. “You didn’t even have to safe word. You did brilliantly.”

Noah purred, pressing his face to Eli’s chest.

“Comfortable in there, wasn’t it?” Eli asked, rubbing Noah’s back. “So how are you feeling about encasement now?”

Noah huffed. “I’m warming up to it. But we can’t let this become a daily occurrence.”

“Of course not. Only if you want to. And I’ll always be right by your side.”

Chapter 49: It Starts With A C And Ends With A T

Noah shuddered, then let out a sigh, as the butt plug settled inside him. Eli was insistent on keeping him stretched. Immediately, he turned back to his owner, pawing at his leg.

Eli chuckled softly, and bent to pick him up. “You’re clingy, you know that?”

Noah let out a scandalized yelp. “You’re the one who’s clingy! I’m not clingy.”

“Uh huh. Let’s get you something to drink. You must be parched,” Eli said. He’d leave the room set up for now. It might be good to get Noah back in here tomorrow.

“Yes, Master.” Noah calmed down, excited by the promise of water. He leaned his chin on Eli’s shoulder, feeling himself start to bounce lightly as Eli walked out of the room. He winced, the plug shifting in him with each step. He’d be sensitive all day.

Eli began down the hallway, headed for the stairs. When they passed a window, Noah’s ears perked up, wondering if Eli would give him a reward in the form of a walk. But when they passed the window, he saw the sky was a dark gray, and rain was pummeling the ground.

He dropped his head again with a huff.

In the kitchen, Eli found some plastic water bottle at the back of his fridge. He dropped Noah to the ground, then knelt down to hold it for him.

Noah took a step back, then raised his arms. “I can do it!”

“No, you can’t,” Eli said, not even trying to humor him. He didn’t want to clean up water from the floor. “Come here.”

“Master,” Noah whined. “I can do it myself! I don’t need you to treat me like a baby.”

“I’m not,” Eli said, half amused and half sympathetic. “It’s just the one time.” He tried to keep his tone soft. “I know you must be thirsty. Just let me give you some water. Please?”

Noah sighed, then took a few steps to climb into Eli’s lap. “Fine.” He tipped his head back.

“Thank you.” Eli uncapped the water bottle and pressed the tip between the teeth of the muzzle. He knew it was starting to hit Noah’s lips when the cat boy jolted. When the bottle was a quarter empty, Eli pulled it back to give Noah a break.

Noah swallowed. “Thanks, Master.”

“Your welcome. Now I’ll give a moment to rest, then we’ll get the girls. I think today I’ll explain to you some proper etiquette for the contest.”

Noah grumbled, resting his head on Eli’s lap. “We still have stuff to do? I thought we were taking it easy.”

“This is taking it easy. Did you really think you’d have an hour of anal than be done for the day? You know me better than that, cat.”

Noah whined, rolling onto his back. “But I’m still tired. And sore.”

“We only have a few more weeks until the contest. We have to squeeze in as much training as possible.”

“But I did good today, didn’t I? I think that deserves the day off.”

Eli looked down at him. “If you’re so tired, maybe I’ll just put you back in the bed and try a twelve inch dildo.”

Noah scrambled to a standing position.

Eli let him. “You did well with just nine inches, though,” he said. “But there will be bigger ones in stage. So I think we’ll keep you plugged every day going forward, and dildo train as much as we can. Plus, we need to work on noise control. Moaning on stage gets points taken off.”

Noah’s heart sank. “Every day?” he whined. “Even at night?”

“Little ones at night, then back to the big ones during the day,” Eli decided. “Prince is probably wearing one twenty four seven by now.”

Noah grumbled, his tail bristling. “And cheating with numbing lube.”

“Unlikely,” Eli said. “If any owner is found using performance enhancers, it’s a disqualification and a ban. Every pet there will have just as many advantages as you. Prince takes big dildos because Prince trains every day and doesn’t argue with his owner.”

Noah huffed. “Well, maybe he should. It would make him more interesting.”

“Probably,” Eli agreed. “Let’s go get the others. I have an exercised plan for you.”

“Can you please tell me what it is?”

“Just simple rules for the contest.”

Noah groaned.

~~~~~~~~~~

Thirty minutes later, Eli stood in front of all three pets.

“We’re going over rules and etiquette that will be expected at the contest,” he began. “Noah will be learning how to properly hold his tail and head. And we’ll explain proper walks and commands. Melody, I want you to supervise with me.”

The owl girl nodded to signal her understanding.

“Dawn…will be getting Noah’s leash.”

The cat and bunny exchanged a glance, confused. Out of all the pets, wouldn’t Melody be walking him?

But Eli had a plan. The arena would be loud and filled with distractions. It wasn’t much, but Dawn was basically a watching distraction. His excitement and constant twitching would grab Noah’s attention. If he could keep professional, even with an inexperienced, hyper active walker, he was on his way to completely shutting out any other distractions.

He produced a leash from his back pocket, and knelt to attach it to Noah’s collar. When he stood back up and handed the end to Dawn, the bunny boy was staring at it in awe. His sparkling eyes raised to Eli, lost for words. Carefully, as though the leash itself was precious and fragile, he took it into his hands, gripping it with two fists.

“Alright. Dawn, walk forward. You know how.”

Dawn straightened her back. With the leash in hand, she stepped forward purposefully, walking like a Pet would be expected to behind their master. The only different was the leash in her hand.

Noah scrambled to follow.

“Tail up, Noah,” Eli noted. “All the way up. And straight. Head up.”

Noah adjusted accordingly, already feeling a strain on his tail. He didn’t like keeping it still.

At the edge of the room, Dawn turned awkwardly, accidentally wrapping the leash around her own legs. He quickly unraveled himself, stepping out of the leash. His ears drooped, a bit embarrassed.

But Eli didn’t notice. His attention was on Noah, who took the turn easily.

“And back,” Eli called.

Now that he was facing Eli, Noah was extra careful to keep his eyes forward and tail up. But the plug inside him was causing problems. He gritted his teeth beneath the muzzle, trying to ignore it.

“Concentrate, Noah,” Eli chided.

Noah grumbled. “It would be easier if you’d shut up.”

Eli hadn’t caught exactly what he’d said, but his narrowed eyes showed he knew Noah had just mumbled something. The cat boy kept his eyes forward.

Each step had the plug rubbing against his insides. He took a deep, sharp breath, still sore after the pounding from earlier.

He was already panting by the time they returned. “Master, can’t you take this thing out? It’s distracting.”

Eli shook his head. “You’ll have to learn to ignore it. Dawn, take him onto the stage. We’re going to revise some rules for the contest.”

Noah began trudging toward the stage, then jumped when Eli continued.

“Perfect posture all the way there. I’ll tell you when to relax.”

Noah’s tail bristled, annoyed, but he raised his head.

Melody glanced at Eli nervously. It seemed he was starting to get more strict about this. She was curious to see how Noah would react. He’d been mostly tolerating Eli’s training only because the man had been lenient with him.

Now, Eli’s eyes were glued to Noah, judging ever step he took. “Speed up a bit,” he commented. “Back straight and tail up. Up, Noah! As in straight up in the air. Don’t bristle at me.”

Noah shuddered, trying to push down his frustration. He was trying! It was this stupid distracting him. He picked up the pace to keep up with Dawn, who was leading him up the stairs and onto the stage. He focused on keeping his tail up high and straight, but couldn’t help it kinking slightly at the end.

Once they were on the stage, Eli raised his hand. “Relax,” he ordered, and Noah practically deflating.

He shook himself out, trying to work the tension out of his limbs. His tail fell into a more natural curve.

Eli looked thoughtful. “Noah, quick question. Does your tail naturally curl at the end, or is it hard to keep it straight because of the break in it?”

The question caught Noah off guard. “Oh. Um…” He sat back. “I guess so.”

He looked over his shoulder, raising his tail and trying to straight it as much as possible. But the end still curled just slightly. When he focused on keeping it straight, he couldn’t hold it for long. He’d never noticed before, but past the kink he had less feeling.

“I can’t control the end as well.” Nervously, he added, “is that going to dock me points?”

“Possibly,” Eli admitted. “The rules say pets with long tails need to keep them straight and controlled at all times. I suspect you broke it all those years ago, and it healed crooked. So now it curls naturally.” He had hoped to avoid this, but every point mattered. “I might need to get you in to see a chiropractor.”

Noah blinked at him, confused. “A what?”

“Chiropractor,” Melody echoed. “It’s a doctor who specializes in the spine. They might be able to fix your tail.”

Noah’s tail bushed up. He took a step back, as though retreating away from Eli. But Dawn’s hold on the leash kept him toward the front of the stage. “A doctor?”

“I’ll take you to see Angela,” Eli said. “I take all the pets I train to her. She’s a pet specialist, and she should be able to fix your tail.” When Noah still looked horrified, Eli continued. “It may help improve your balance and control. I’ll admit, it’ll probably hurt, but the long tern benefits are worth it.”

Noah was already shaking his head. He didn’t do doctors. He didn’t like being touched by strangers. He hadn’t been to one in years. The shop owner had tried to take him a few times, but gotten fed up with his fits and simply stopped.

“You did fine with the paramedic, remember?” Melody asked. “It’ll be similar.”

Noah shook his head.

“What if we made a deal?” Eli offered. “This saturday, we’ll take you to the doctor, then to get your ears pierced. Then, for being good, I’ll take you to the bakery in town for some catnip cookies. A whole bag, and you can eat as many as you want.”

Eli noticed Noah’s ears flick forward, as though considering it. He knew doing so much in one day would be a lot, but it would be worth it. Not just for the contest, but for Noah’s overall health.

When Noah still seemed uncertain, Eli decided to sweeten the deal. “We can go to the park afterwards. Or maybe you’d like to come home for an orgasm?”

Noah’s tail was flicking back and forth. “You’ll be there the whole time, right? You won’t leave me?”

“Of course,” Eli said. “The whole time. I’ll make sure nothing happens.”

“Well…that doesn’t sound so bad,” Noah murmured. “Yeah. Okay.”

“Good boy,” Eli said, relieved. “Now, let’s do some basic obedience. Noah, sit.”

Noah obeyed, tucking his legs beneath himself.

“Good boy.” Eli nodded in approval. “During the contest, you’ll have little time to sit around. Any time not on the field will be spent in a pen or waiting to go on stage. But if you end up with any downtime, I expect perfect posture and composure. Back straight, head up, eyes forward. Got it?”

“Yes, Master,” Noah agreed.

“No slouching. No fidgeting. No tail flicking. No ear flicking No..”

Noah was already zoning out. Eli was usually a lot more concise with his orders. Why did the contest have to have so many rules? He’d never remember all of this.

“Now, when you stand up, it has to be one smooth motion. No jerking or wobbling. So- Noah.” Eli snapped his fingers. “Pay attention. I’ll quiz all three of you on this later and if either Dawn or Melody get a higher score than you we’re doing a punishment.”

“But it’s boring,” Noah whined. “You’re just talking at me. I’ll never remember all this.”

Eli crossed his arms, about to argue, but Melody beat him too it.

“What if you had Dawn demonstrate?” she suggested. “So he can at least have a visual idea.”

Eli glanced at her, then nodded. “Good idea, Melody. Dawn, do you remember everything I just said?”
Dawn was already dropping Noah’s leash and taking a few steps away. In a fluid, graceful motion, she sat down on the stage, crossing her legs. Her ears and head were both up and attentive, her back straight.

“Excellent. Now stand.”

The bunny put one leg beneath himself, then used it to lift himself up, still gracefully.

Eli was nodding. “See, Noah? It’s easy.”

Noah still looked a little unsure. He was a hands on learner. But this would have to do.

“Now, whenever you go on stage to perform, you’ll be expected to bow to the judges, then walk to the edge of the stage and wait to start. Dawn, go to the stairs and walk over while you’re about to perform. Show me how you bow. Noah, follow her to get the path down.”

Dawn picked up the leash again and led the way to the stairs. Once they were both ready, she started forward again, walking with her head up high. She actually quite enjoyed this, being on show and on display. She was almost jealous of Noah, getting to do the contest.

Meanwhile, Noah was jealous Dawn would get to spend that day lounging in the house while he had to perform for a bunch of highbrows. Still, he trailed after him, his head high and tail as straight as it would go.

Dawn led him to the center of the stage. He’d been taught all this formality ages ago, and bowed at the waist, moving his hands to lay against his chest. Noah watched closely. It was different from how he’d been taught to bow. Wanting to still participate, he lowered his head, splaying out his arms to bow as well as he could in a bitch suit.

“Excellent,” Eli praised. “Now, you’ll be expected to wait for your que to start. Dawn, you know Show Rest, don’t you?”

“Yes, Master!” Dawn spread her legs shoulder width apart, then put her hands behind her back and dropped her head. It was a combination of the Present and Inspection poses Eli had taught them before.

“Great. Noah, hold your bow.” Eli took a few steps forward and climbed onto the stage, “Melody, what do you think so far?”

Melody was nodding. “It would be wise to redo this session tomorrow once Noah’s out of the suit.” She caught Eli wincing when she mentioned the next day, but didn’t give it attention. “So he can properly feel these for himself.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Eli agreed. “For now, let’s work on noise reduction. Of course, there’s no noise allowed during the pleasure part of the show. But for the entire show, you’re not to say a word unless prompted, or let out any sounds. No moans, groans, grunting, what have you.”

He leaned over Noah, and a moment later the cat boy gasped. A buzzing had started, coming from the plug. He took a few deep breaths. “No, no, no!” He turned, trying to bat Eli away before he could turn the vibrating butt plug up anymore. “Master, I’m still sensitive!”

“Which makes this a perfect learning opportunity,” Eli said, standing. “If you can stay quiet under these circumstances, you’ll do just fine for the actual contest. Now, walk for me.”

Noah clamped his mouth tightly shut, holding his breath. He’d used this tactic before, hoding in all his reactions to make past owners frustrated.

He let out a breath, then tugged the leash, ready to go. Each step sent a pulse of pleasure through him. He tried to put himself back in that old stubborn mindset. The judges were just rich pompous assholes hoping to get a rise out of him, and he wouldn’t allow it.

With a scarily blank expression, he headed for the end of the stage once more, his head and tail up. But there was a bristling at the end of his tail, the only tell that something was wrong.

Melody had moved closer to the stage, and watched him with narrowed eyes. She wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or shocked by Noah’s sudden silence. But Eli just seemed pleased.

Dawn kept glancing down at Noah, also surprised by how quiet he could be. But instead of concerned, he admired it. Dawn himself was always so loud during training. He wished he could shut it off so easily.

“Fantastic!” Eli praised when they arrived in the center of the stage again.

Noah’s ear flicked, earring Eli’s voice. He finally paused, letting out a loud moan. “Great! Can you turn it off now, please?” he whined, completely dropping the act.

Eli hadn’t left the stage, and started forward, as though ready to fulfill the request. But then, he stopped, and Noah wanted to bite him when he saw a cheeky glint in Eli’s eyes.

“In a minute,” he decided. “There’s one more rule; no cumming. And furthermore, no pre cum. Not a single drop is to come out of your cage. Now, roll over.”

Noah whined, knowing where Eli was going with this. “No…” he whimpered. He’d already endured too much today. This wasn’t fair.

Still, after a moment of hesitation, he obeyed. He dropped one side, then rolled onto his back, presenting his belly and his caged cock to Eli.

Eli immediately knelt over him, pushing his legs to the floor. He put one hand on Noah’s stomach, slowing running it down his body. “I’ll excuse some noise for now. But absolutely no leaking, got it?”

“This is stupid,” Noah murmured, at the end of his patience. He tried to pull his legs back together, but Eli planting his knees over them, keeping him spread.

Noah turned on his head to the side, feeling helpless and frustratingly turned on. He stared off at the far wall, trying to pretend Eli was there. But his breath hitched when he felt a hand on his thigh.

Eli’s fingers gently brushed his latex-covered skin, edging closer and closer to the cage. He circled one finger, using his other hand to cup Noah’s ball.

“You have to learn when it’s appropriate to let loose, and when to hold back. You’ll be fucking some large dildos on that stage. But you have to hold back.”

Noah couldn’t help letting out a small moan, feeling Eli roll his balls in his hand. He tried again to close his legs, but Eli was persistent. It was easier to keep himself under control with two other pets watching, but Eli’s constant chattering was not helping. His hole clenched around the plug, drawing it in further.

Eli’s other hand moved to Noah’s cage, tugging and teasing it. “Stay in control and resist. If you want to win, if you want to please me, if you have to stay in control.”

“Master…” Noah moaned. It was almost too much for him. He closed his eyes, trying to block out Eli’s voice. This was just another owner he’d be rid of within a day. He felt no pleasure here. He didn’t want to feel pleasure.

He took a deep breath to relax, giving up on struggling. But his cock still ached with each tug of the cage. He could feel his body warming.

Eli moved his hand off Noah’s cage and too the plug, gripping the base and pulling it out only a few centimeters, then letting it slide back in. “You won’t have me on stage to remind you to concentrate.”

Noah groaned, distracted by Eli’s voice. “Stop…talking!” he growled. He hated this. He hated that Eli made him want to let loose and enjoy this. He might even have an easier time concentrating if Eli wasn’t here.

He took a few deep breaths, getting himself back under control. But his legs were still trembling and a tiny squeak escaped every so often.

Eli moved the plug out again, then back in. “You have to get used to distractions. All those dildos, the crowd, the cheering. All eyes will be on you.”

“And you won’t be…talking to me,” Noah panted. “Like a dick!” His concentration broken, he writhed, letting out a load moan. It took a second for him to get himself under control, falling back into angry silence. But the damage was already done and precum leaked from the tip of his cage.

“Your voice is too fucking sexy,” he growled, like it was an insult. “Shut up!”

Eli chuckled. Finally, he turned off the plug, and Noah went limp. He’d gotten what he wanted. He just needed to see how far Noah could be pushed before cracking. Now that he had the groundwork, he could figure out how where to take it next.

“I think that’s enough for now,” he announced. “You did well. We’ll work on this more in the future.”
He stood, letting Noah scramble up. The cat boy was panting, his tail lashing back and forth with frustration.

Eli hopped off the stage again, grinning at Melody. “Did you hear that? I have a sexy voice?”

“Asshole…” Noah grumbled after him. He was turned on and angry.

Melody just nodded. “Let’s hope he doesn’t use foul language during the actual show.”

Eli just shrugged. He didn’t like how comfortable Noah was getting with his language around the other pets, but he couldn’t be mad about it. He had been pushing him.

Dawn had knelt to pick up Noah’s leash again, her legs squeezed tightly together. This was the first time she’d watched Eli and Noah at work. And they were good at it.

“You did well,” she praised. “I never could have last that long.”

Noah sighed, exasperated. “I would have lasted longer if someone hadn’t been talking about nonsense!”

“Oh, he’s just getting you used to distractions.”

“Unrealistic distractions,” Noah growled, raising his voice so Eli could hear. “It’ll probably be easier on the actual stage, where I won’t have to listen to his stupid ramblings!”

Eli smirked at him. “That’s the point of this. If you can handle direct stimulation with me, you can handle a dildo on stage. I’m showing you the worst to make the real thing easier. You should know by now not to question my methods.”

Noah rolled his eyes. He was tired, pent up, and getting impatient. But he wouldn’t have a full out fight with Eli in front of the other pets. “Are we done yet?”

“Give us a bow, then head down the stairs,” Eli agreed. “We’re done for the day.”

Noah glared at him. With a sweep of his tail, he took a bow, and Dawn did the same.

“Thank you, Master,” Noah said daintily, then lowered his voice. “Punk ass bitch,” he murmured. WIth the muzzle in place, only Dawn was aware he’d said anything. With a huff, he stood back up and trudged for the stairs, tugging at the leash.

Dawn grinned. “Thank you, Master, you cunt!” she called with a smile, then scurried after Noah with his leash.

But the cat boy had frozen, one arm still raised in the beginning of a step. He slowly turned to face the front of the stage, his tail bristling when he saw Eli’s jaw drop and Melody’s hands flying to her mouth.

“Dawn!” she squeaked, flabbergasted. Then, her gaze hardened and she turned on Noah with a nasty glare. “Noah!”

Dawn bounced down the stairs, only to pause when she caught the horrified looks on the doms’ faces.

Eli’s shock morphed into anger. “Noah, get your ass over here right now,” he snarled, pointing to the floor in front of him.

“Oh, no,” Noah whimpered. He glanced nervously at Dawn, who just seemed confused, then dragged himself over to Eli, his tail drooping and his head down. He had never expected Dawn to actually use the words he’d taught her.

And why, of all the ones she could have chose, had it been that one?

He glanced up when he reached Eli, who stood with both hands on his hips.

“I don’t understand,” Dawn said. “What’s wrong?”

Eli shook his head. “Dawn, you can’t say that word. It’s a really bad word. And I’m guessing Noah told you something different.”

Noah winced, cowering at Eli’s feet. “W-well…if you think about it, words can change with time…!” he squeaked out. “I uh…I might have told him it was a compliment. But how can you be mad at me for trying to turn a bad word a little more positive?”

Eli sighed heavily. “Melody, take Dawn outside. I need to speak with Noah.”

Dawn looked frightened. He walked over to join Melody, who gently took her her hand. “Come on. Let’s step outside for a nice chat,” she said pleasantly. But when she walked past Noah, her glare could have set him on fire.

As soon as Melody was out the door, clicking it shut behind her, Noah raised his head. “Look, I didn’t think he’d actually use it.”

“God dammit, Noah,” Eli growled. “What possessed you to teach Dawn how to swear? And especially with that word?”

“It was funny at the time,” Noah whined.

“It’s not funny. You can’t do that to Dawn. You know how sheltered she is. You’re so lucky this happened at home and not while we’re in public.”

“W-well I offered to teach him and he agreed to it, so it’s not entirely my fault.”

Eli was tapping his foot, trying to contain his anger. He had hoped Noah would be a little more mature than this, but he supposed he should have expected it. “Noah, you know how impressionable Dawn is. If you offer to teach her something, she’ll always say yes to it. You’re like a big brother to him. He idolizes you.”

Noah raised his gaze, surprised. He’d never had someone looking up to him before. Then, his ears drooped with guilt. “Please don’t punish Dawn for this. I’ll take whatever punishment you want, just leave her out of it.”

Eli’s gaze softened. “Dawn’s not in trouble. And luckily, I think karma has already given you a punishment. I was going to wait to tell you but…the storm delayed the deliver for your new collar. It won’t arrive until the day after tomorrow now.”

“What?” Noah whined, his eyes wide.

“You’ve got another day in the suit. And during that day, you’d better be at your best behavior, or when the collar arrives I’m tightening it.”

“Okay, okay,” Noah agreed. “I’ll be good. I promise!”

“Good. For now, you’d better go apologize to Dawn. And please promise you won’t teach her any more curses.”

“I promise.”

Chapter 50: Love Language

“But why would he lie to me?” Dawn rasped. “He said that word was good.”

“Noah likes to joke around,” Melody said, trying to stay light hearted. “He was messing with you.”

“Oh.” Dawn sat back. She was kneeling in front of Melody, who sat against the wall. “Well then shouldn’t we all be laughing? If it was just a joke.”

“Well, it wasn’t a funny joke.”

Dawn’s ears drooped sadly. “Do you think Master’s mad at me? I didn’t know!”

“Um…” Melody didn’t want to make an empty promise, but she was sure Eli’s anger was directly entirely towards Noah. He wouldn’t punish Dawn over this, surely. “At least you’re not getting yelled at like Noah is right now.”

Melody winced when Dawn’s guilt seemed to worsen. “I probably should be punished,” he said. “I did something bad.”

“But it wasn’t your fault,” Melody reasoned. “Noah tricked you. I’m sure Master will understand.”

Dawn’s jaw was set, her throat tight with emotion. “Master’s probably so mad at me.”

Melody moved toward him, then stopped when the door creaked out. Eli stepped out first, looking more calm. Behind him, Noah was trailing out of the door, his head down and his tail just above the floor.

Eli cleared his throat, giving Noah a stern look. The cat boy looked awkward, unused to actually apologizing for bad behavior. But when he glanced up and caught tears in Dawn’s eyes, his tail began to bristle.

“I’m so sorry!” he blurted out. “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble. It was just a joke. I’m really sorry, Dawn.”

Dawn wiped one eye. “Am I being punished, Master?” she squeaked.

“No, sweetheart, of course not,” Eli said gently. “You’re not in trouble. I know you didn’t mean to do anything bad.”

Noah dodged around Eli’s legs when he stepped toward Dawn, gently holding the bunny to murmur to him. Melody joined Noah’s side, kneeling.

“Are you being punished?” she asked.

Noah grumbled. “The collar got delayed. Master’s treating an extra day in the suit as punishment.”

Melody just nodded curtly. “Well, then he let you off easy.”

Noah sighed. He still didn’t seem happy about it, but he wouldn’t argue.

With Dawn calmed down a bit, Eli stepped back. “Tell you what. You did fantastic taking Noah’s leash for our little exercise. You deserve a treat. Ever had hot chocolate?”

“Hot…chocolate?” Dawn echoed, her eyes wide.

“That sounds gross,” Noah grumbled, his ears pinned back.

“It’s like chocolate milk that was heated up,” Melody explained. “You’ll like it.”

“I won’t.”

“We can put whipped cream on it.”

Noah took a moment to consider. “Okay.”

Eli barked a laugh. “You’ve never had pancakes, you don’t know what hot chocolate is…anyone would think you’ve been fed nothing but pellets your whole life.”

“Even I know what hot chocolate is!” Dawn teased. “Do you even know what a marshmallow is?”

“Yes, I know what a marshmallow is!” Noah growled playfully. Getting in trouble had already been forgotten. “I’m not entirely clueless.”

“Could have fooled me,” Eli murmured.

Noah spun around. “What was that?”

“Nothing, kitten.” Eli bent down, grabbing Noah’s hips to pull him back. The cat boy growled, then relaxed when he realized Eli was trying to pick him up.

Dawn jogged a few steps ahead to catch up with Melody. “I love hot chocolate! We got it during winter time at the mill. But only sometimes. I love the marshmallows you put on top. I could eat thousands of them!”

“Thousands?” Melody teased. “All the sugar? You’d be bouncing off the walls.” She playfully shoved Dawn’s shoulder. “More than usual.”

Dawn laughed. “And the ceiling, too! I can bounce really high.”

“No sugar rushes tonight,” Eli called. “Maybe another time.” Lowly, he added to Noah, “I can hardly handle you without all that extra energy.”

Noah huffed, snapping his teeth beside Eli’s face. “That’s the point. I don’t want you to handle me.”

Eli gave him a cheeky smirk. “Is that why you’re always mad at me? Because I can handle you now?”

“I’m not always mad at you. I just am currently.”

“About what?” Eli asked, confused.

“Teasing me just now! And…” Noah thought for a moment. A long moment, as though he was purposefully trying to find something to be mad about. “Grabbing my tail in a way I didn’t like earlier. And also getting me stuck in his bitchsuit. And…”

“Do they ever stop bickering?” Melody whispered as Noah continued. Dawn giggled.

~~~~~~~~~~

“I still can’t believe you said my voice was sexy.”

Noah’s ears were pinned back. He glared up at Eli, who sat on one of the stools at the island. “Would you forget about that already?” he growled.

Eli looked down at him, smirking. He let his voice deepen, sounding sultry. “Don’t be cold, kitten. You need some nice hot chocolate to warm you up. With those soft, sweet, marshmallows.”

“Stop it!” Noah snapped, flicking his tail to smack Eli’s leg.

“What’s wrong? Come here and tell daddy what’s the matter. I’ll hold you in my big, strong arms.”

“If you call yourself ‘daddy’ ever again, I’m biting your dick off,” Noah threatened.

“Oh, lighten up,” Eli teased, letting his voice return to its normal pitch. “I thought you’d have that attitude fucked out by now.”

Noah scoffed. “Can’t fuck anything out of me.”

Eli would beg to differ, and thought about it for a moment. He didn’t want to give Noah the impression he was challenging him to get in trouble. But he also wouldn’t let Noah have the last word.

“I think you can,” he finally replied. “I think you already have. But you keep getting yourself in trouble because you like the outcome.”

Noah glared at him.

“Yeah, I know you’re whole deal,” Eli teased. “You act up so I’ll give you attention. You’re obsessed with me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself! You’re the one who always wants me in the bed. I think you love having a little kitten to tie up and snuggle with.”

“I keep you in bed with me because if I leave you anywhere else, you’ll cause havoc,” Eli argued. “And I know you’ll complain if I leave you in your cage too often.”

“And you sleep in all the time,” Noah added. “You know it’s neglectful to leave a pet locked up for so long. What if I died during the night because you need ten hours of sleep?”

Melody was watching them from the stove. She gently stirred a large pot of hot chocolate. Dawn had been standing beside her, enjoying just the smell of the treat.

“I’m glad you’re mature enough we don’t have to constantly argue,” Melody whispered.

“Me? Mature?” Dawn seemed shocked. “No one’s ever called me that before.” She glanced toward Eli and Noah. “I could never argue with someone. I can’t think quick enough to have a comeback.”

“You’re more mature than those two.” Melody watched as Noah lunged for Eli’s leg. Their owner pulled his feet up, then laughed at Noah when he stumbled against the stool. “You can say what you mean. Those two have to hide it with immature little fights. Then one or both of them ends up hurt.”

“Do they even like each other?” Dawn asked. “I don’t argue with people I like.”

“Um.” Melody thought for a moment. She understood Noah and Eli's...tactics. But she wasn't sure how to explain it to Dawn. “I think they just have different ways of showing that they like someone.”

Noah was balancing against the stool, his elbows propped against it. “Master, I’m tired,” he whined.

“So?” Eli teased. “You’ve got a perfectly good bed in the corner. Go lay down.”

“I don’t want to go all the way over there. It takes too long,” Noah whined. “Then I’ll have to come all the way back here.”

Eli rolled his eyes. “It’s all in strength training. You need some muscle on your body if you want to do well at the show.”

Although Melody was usually entertained by their squabbling, Dawn seemed uncomfortable. She didn’t like seeing people fight.

“Can’t they choose a different way to show they like each other?” Dawn whispered.

Noah sank onto the floor, whimpering. “But I’m tired!”

Melody was starting to agree. She could only enjoy Noah and Eli’s pointless back and forth for so long. But Noah was starting to get to the point where his voice raised and squeaked, knowing a tone like that was more likely to get a rise from Eli.

“Come on, you’re fine,” Eli said. “You didn’t even do anything physical today.”

Noah flopped onto his side, looking miserable and sad. “But riding that machine really took it out of me. And this floor is so cold…”

Melody was ready for them to stop. Besides, the hot chocolate was done. “Noah, just ask to be picked up.”

Noah scrambled to his feet. “What? B-but that’s not…I-I didn’t…”

Melody put her hands on her hips. “He’s whining because he wants picked up but doesn’t want to beg for it,” she told Eli. Although Eli was often fooled by Noah’s fits, Melody saw right through it.

Eli stared at her for a long moment, lost for words for a moment. Then, he glanced down at Noah. “Go on, kitten. Just ask.”

Noah cowered against the floor, embarrassed. “Can you pick me up…please, Master? I want to sit with you,” he mumbled bashfully.

With a smile, Eli leaned down to pick him up, pulling him onto his lap.

With a curt nod, Melody turned back to her pot. Only to hear Noah and Eli immediately start up another argument behind her. She paid less attention to this one, just glad one of their issues had been settled.

Dawn was staring at her with glimmering eyes. “How’d you do that?”

Melody glanced at him. “Noah’s problem is that he doesn’t know how to ask for things he wants. And Master’s problem is he can sometimes take it too far with the teasing. Noah’s gotta learn he can make requests and Master needs to figure out when he wants to.”

“Wow,” Dawn cooed. “You’re so smart, Melody. You’re going to make an excellent power pet.”

“Thanks,” Melody said, with a soft smile. “I just know how to pay attention to people around me. It’s an important skill to have.”

“How do you do it?” Dawn asked. “I can never pay that much attention.”

“It’s just a matter of keeping your mouth shut and eyes open,” Melody explained, then dropped her voice a bit. “But don’t worry about those two. Their problems shouldn’t be yours. Just focus on being a cute little bunny. That’s helpful in and of itself.”

Dawn beamed. “Well, good thing I’m great at that! It’s my specialty!”

Melody moved to the cupboard, pulling out a bag of mini marshmallows she’d spotted before. With the hot chocolate nearly done, she poured a generous amount into the batch. The mixture she’d used had just been simple milk and some hot chocolate mix packets Eli had lying around.

Their owner was starting to make lists of foods and treats to buy for them. Melody had noticed him typing it into his phone before reaching the kitchen.

She glanced at Dawn, who was peering into the pot, their eyes glittering with excitement. Behind them, Eli and Noah were teasing each other with smirks across their faces. Melody felt her heart swell with fondness. She hadn’t felt so…at home in so long. She was needed here. And admired. She had a name she loved, surprised by people she was falling in love with.

“I hope this comes out right,” she fretted out loud. “I’d love to do it again sometime.”

“Every night!” Dawn agreed.

Melody giggled. “Not every night. Remember what we said about sugar rushes?”

“Oh.” Dawn relaxed. “How about every other night?”

“How about one night a week?”

Dawn touched his hand to his chin, as thought thinking. After a moment, he nodded. “Okay. Okay. I can see that.”

Melody couldn’t help but laugh. But then, a sudden worry came to her head. “Oh. Master?”

Eli and Noah were nose to nose, glaring at each other. But the mischief in Noah’s smile and the looseness in Eli’s shoulders showed it was only a playful squabble. Eli looked away first, and Noah flicked his tail as their “argument” was interrupted.

“Yes, Melody?”

“How is Noah going to drink through that muzzle?” Melody asked. “It is hot chocolate after all. We can’t just pour it through the mask. He’ll get scalded.”

“And you can’t have hot chocolate that’s not hot!” Dawn squeaked. “Then it’s just…chocolate. Actually, chocolate by itself is pretty good.”

Noah’s tail was drooping with disappointment. But then, it bushed up as Eli spoke.

“I should have a few baby bottles in the cabinets.”

“No!” Noah protested immediately. “No. Nope. No. Absolutely not.”

Melody wasn’t as opposed, but very confused. “Why do you have baby bottles?”

Eli glanced away awkwardly. “Few months ago I custom trained a mouse boy who’s owner was really into baby fetish things. It’s not my style, but money is money.”

“Oh, absolutely fucking not.” Noah wrestled in Eli’s grasp, trying to turn to hop from his lap. Knowing that would be a stupid idea, Eli lowered him to the ground. The cat boy paced a few steps away. “I am not drinking from a baby bottle. Especially not one used for that. I hate that stuff. It’s demeaning.”

“Oh, please, you’ve been through worse in this very house,” Melody said. She turned off the stove, moving the pot off the burner so it could cool off a bit.

“Yeah, but not that,” Noah whined. “I’ve had owners who are into that stuff before. It’s so patronizing.”

“We won’t be using it like that, though,” Eli promised. “They’re just the safe option.”

Noah shook his head.

Eli sighed. “Alright, I’ll give you a choice. You can either have hot chocolate now, out of a bottle, or you’ll have to wait two days for the collar to get here. You can have it then.”

Noah whined sadly. He didn’t want to miss out, but he was not about to let Eli- or worse, Melody- feed him with a baby bottle.

“I’ll wait,” he sighed, then trudged back to Eli’s stool.

Eli leaned down to pet his head. “Two more days. You did this to yourself, you know.”

“Shut up.”

“Hey, don’t get snappy with me,” Eli said, a mischievous spark in his eye. “Don’t be cranky. We might have to put you down for a nap.”

“I will eat you and your offspring,” Noah snarled.

Melody joined in. “We should baby proof the whole house. Maybe then he’ll stop getting himself hurt.”

“And a little play pen for him and Dawn,” Eli agreed. “Oh, that would be so cute.”

“I thought you said you weren’t into this!” Noah whined.

“I’m not,” Eli replied, leaning down. “But I am into seeing you blush, kitten.”

“You are the worst and I hate you and I hope you die slow and painfully,” Noah snapped.

“Hey, don’t talk like that,” Eli chided. “We’ll have to put you in time out.”

“Stop it!”

“Corner time wouldn’t work,” Melody said. “We should have a designated time out cage.”

Noah turned on her. “Don’t give him ideas!”

Eli ignored him. “We’ll put him in a strict bitch suit. With lots of straps, chains, and padlocks. Then into a solitary confinement box, with more straps and locks. And then in a padded cage. That might keep him out of trouble.”

“That would be so hot,” Melody and Dawn murmured at the same time. Melody looked straight ahead, trying to pretend she hadn’t said it, while Dawn squeaked in embarrassed, surprised he’d said that out loud.

Eli thought for a moment. “You know, I have been looking into plushie bitchsuits.”

“What the fuck is that?” Noah growled.

“Language,” Eli chided sternly before continuing. “It’s a bitch suit with like…a plush animal exterior. Makes you into one big plushie. They’re adorable.”

“That sounds amazing!” Dawn said. “I want one! I-I mean…” he dropped his head, blushing. “I’d…like to try one. Master.”

Eli shot her a kind smile, showing he wasn’t upset by her request. “I think I can arrange that. Noah?”

“No.”

“We’ll try again later.”

Noah gave him an irritated glare. But he didn’t want to have a serious argument in front of the other Pets. So for now, he sat down beside the stool and waited for Melody to start filling mugs.

“Can I at least have some marshmallows?” he asked.

“Of course, kitten,” Eli said, more sympathetically. “Anything for you.”

Chapter 51: Traded

“By the way, I’d like to get you in my pool at some point,” Eli rambled, walking toward his bedroom. “It’s in my indoor gym. There’s usually water obstacles during the physical portion of the contest. We need to get you used to it.”

“Eli, I am so fucking tired right now,” Noah rasped. “Please stop saying stupid shit.”

Eli was carrying him again. Noah wondered if, even out of the suit, he could get Eli to do this. He was quite enjoying not having to walk himself. Although he did wish Eli could go a little faster.

“Noah, I’m serious about your language,” Eli replied, matching his tone. “I don’t care if we’re not in front of the other pets. Stop talking like that.”

Noah was too tired to argue, leaning his forehead into the crook of Eli’s neck. “Please don’t make me swim. I hate water.”

“Do you even know how to swim?”

“I am a cat.”

“Cats can swim.”

“None I’ve seen.”

“It’s a good skill to learn, regardless.”

“Well, it’s a skill I don’t want,” Noah growled. “When would I ever need it? If the shower floods? The lake’s too far away to ever reach the yard. And I’d never go near a pool.”

“Don’t be a baby.” Eli pressed his hip to his bedroom door, pushing it open. “Is my pretty kitty afraid of some water?”

Noah’s ears pinned back. “Don’t call me that! And no. I just don’t like getting wet.”

“Are you sure?” Eli let the teasing leave his tone. “Or is this like the vac bed again? You seemed to enjoy that once you weren’t scared of it anymore.”

“That’s different. I didn’t know what it would feel like. I know what being wet feels like and I don’t like it.”

“Oh.” Eli held out the syllable, understanding. “This is like the sunscreen.” He set Noah down on their bed, then stepped back to start undressing. He didn’t feel as tired as he normally did after a long day of work. Today had been mellow. Enjoyable, even.

“What?”

“It’s a sensory issue,” Eli said. “Do you know what that is?”

“I am a trained psychiatrist,” Noah said. “Yes, I know what a sensory issue is. Asshole.”

Eli sat on the side of the bed. “I think you’re sensitive to wet or sticky textures on your skin.”

“No kidding.”

“Noah, enough with the attitude,” Eli growled. “I’m trying to have a conversation with you and you’re just snapping at me.”

Noah tucked his limbs beneath himself to lay down. “I do not want to learn to swim.”

“I’m not going to make you,” Eli rasped. “But I still want you to know how. It’s for safety.”

Noah huffed, about to argue, but Eli beat him to it.

“We’ll start slow. There’s a shallow and deep end to the pool. So you can stay on the stairs for a few sessions, then move around in the shallow end. Then we’ll move to the deep end. Would that be okay?”

“Um…” Noah heaved himself up and dragged himself closer to Eli. “You won’t rush me? We can do it at my pace?’

“Sure.”

“And you’ll be there the whole time?”

“Of course, kitten, you know that.”

“I know.” Noah leaned his head against Eli’s shoulder. “But it’s nice to hear you say it. That way, if you don’t do it, I can yell at you for breaking a promise.”

Eli laid his hand on Noah’s back, gently rubbing up and down his spine. Although he had enjoyed his cat boy stuck in a bitch suit for the last few days, he was looking forward to feeling Noah again. And he was sure Noah was living an absolute touch deprivation nightmare right now.

He’d give Noah a day of rest tomorrow. He’d put him through enough.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Wake up, already.” Noah prodded Eli in the side with one elbow. His ears were pinned to the back of his head, trying to drown out Eli’s phone loudly ringing on the bedside table. “Master…wake up!”

Eli grunted, awoken by something slamming into his stomach. He sat bolt upright, shoving Noah off.

“Noah? What the-”

“Would you please turn off that stupid phone?” Noah growled, taking a few steps back so Eli could sit up.

Still dazed, the sound of his own ringtone didn’t reach Eli at first. He blinked a few times to wake himself up, then reached over to grab his phone off the charger.

He was wide awake when he saw the caller ID.

“Dimitri!” Eli greeted. “You’re calling late.”

Noah, who had laid back down to sleep, was at Eli’s side in a flash. He leaned his chin against Eli’s shoulder, trying to listen.

“Mr. Leyton. Sorry if I woke you. But I got some information I thought you’d like.”

“It’s fine. Do you mind if I put you on speaker?”

“Who else is there?”

“Just Noah.”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

Eli took the phone from his ear and pressed the button to put it on speaker. Detective Dimitri Sinclair’s voice rang through the bedroom.

“What’s the news?”

“Well, after combing through the security footage you sent, we managed to find someone who matches the face. Noah, do you recognize the name Aaron Archer?”

“No,” Noah replied immediately.

“He was a past owner of yours. One of the earliest, it seems. I managed to dig up some files from about three to two years ago, before most of your papers were lost. I’ve got the names of all your owners number two through eighty nine.”

“Wait, so it was a random previous owner who wanted to steal Noah?” Eli asked. “Not Mallory?”

“Well, we can’t rule out-”

“That’s great news!” Eli interrupted, excited. “That’s relieving news.”

Then, he turned to Noah, only to see the cat boy bristling.

“But what does he want with me?” Noah asked. “I don’t even remember him.”

“We’ll know in a few hours,” Dimitri called. “I’ve already got a team heading for the guy’s house. We should have him in our custody by morning.”

“Thank you,” Eli breathed. He was so relieved. This could all be over now. His pets were safe, his home was safe, and he was safe. Now, he could give all his attention to the contest.

“I’ll call you again in the morning,” Dimitri said. “And let you know how it’s going.”

“You got it, Dimitri. Thanks.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Leyton.”

With that, the line went dead. Eli looked toward Noah with a smile, then frowned when he saw the concerned look on his cat boy’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“You interrupted him,” Noah said. “He was going to say we can’t rule out this having something to do with Mallory.”

Eli’s heart sank. “I mean…what are the odds they even know each other? Here’s what I think happened: somehow, word got out that I’m your new owner. And when Archer realized I’d kept you over a week, he figured you were retrained properly and could be taken to resell.”

“But how did it even get out?” Noah whined.

“JJ, probably,” Eli reasoned. “He likes to run his mouth.”

“You didn’t tell anyone else about me?”

“I told my other friend, Keanu. But I think JJ is more likely the culprit.”

Noah stared at him for a long moment. “Why are you so relaxed about this?”

“Why are you so uptight? Aren’t you glad it’s over?”

“Is it over?”

Eli gave Noah a long look. He was trying to understand the anxiety Noah was feeling. After all, he was one who’d been attacked. But Eli couldn’t figure out if Noah was overthinking it, or if he wasn’t thinking enough.

“Noah, the cops are on their way to his house as we speak. You heard Dimitri- they’ll have him in custody soon. How is that not the end?”

“It just…It feels too easy,” Noah fretted. “Is this really as simple as a past owner trying to take what he thinks is his? And one I hardly remember, at that.”

“You’re overthinking it,” Eli said gently, but with confidence. “And this was a good learning experience. By the end of the week, I’ll have an entirely new, better, security system. And nothing like this will ever happen again.”

He patted the space beside him. After a moment, Noah dragged himself over to lay on it. “Okay.”

~~~~~~~~~~

The entire morning was filled with tension while Eli awaited the next phone call. He’d woken early enough Noah couldn’t have complained. But after waiting about an hour in his bedroom for Dimitri to call, he decided to just get the day started. After a quick shower, feeding the other Pets, and using the shock collar on Noah, he was eating his own breakfast in the living room.

Noah paced in front of him. Really, it was more like waddling, his usual speed dampened by the tight bitch suit. Eli still had hope that he was right, and with this next phone call, they could move past this. But the clock was ticking towards noon, and there was still no news.

Eli tried to stay hopeful. This could be a great start to the week. Aaron Archer would be behind bars. And tomorrow, Noah’s new collar would arrive. They could put all their attention into the contest.

Eli nearly choked on a mouthful of scrambled eggs when his phone finally went off. He fumbled with his plate, setting it on the coffee table in front of him, then pulling his phone from his pocket.

Noah teetered over to join his side, leaning against his leg.

Eli answered, put the phone on speaker, then placed it on the coffee table.

“Hello, Mr. Leyton. Anyone else with you?”

“Just Noah.”

“Good. Okay, well, good news first- Aaron Archer is in custody and being held for interrogation.”

“That is good news!” Eli said, relieved.

But Noah was frowning. “What’s the bad news?”

“Bad news is- he’s not talking,” Dimitri reported. “Not even trying to deny what he did, really. Just…being totally silent.”

“But he’s in custody,” Eli reminded him. “So that’s good. That’s safe.”

“I don’t want to alarm you, Mr. Leyton, but until we figure out a precise motive, you should still be cautious. You’ve got a rare color to protect. There’s a thousand reasons Archer could have targeted your cat boy, one of those being a ring.”

“A ring? Like a trafficking ring?” Eli asked, feeling his heart sink to his stomach. Noah’s tail wrapped around his leg, but Eli could feel it bristling.

“We don’t have him talking, but we did get into his computer. And he’s got a lot of chat logs about rare pets. Contacts for less than ethical breeders, underground pet parties, lists of owners in the area with rare colors, those sorts of things. And a lot of contacts for what seem to be other owners.”

“But…but you have all those names now, right?” Eli asked. “So the ring is shut down.”

“Maybe. So long as all these names aren’t just aliases for the same small group of people.”

Eli and Noah exchanged a glance. Eli’s hope was waning.

“Is that…common?” Eli asked.

“With trafficking rings? It’s commonplace. Usually, they consist of six to ten owners, all communicating with each other. They think of hundreds of aliases, forge documents- everything to make themselves completely untraceable. Then they use those documents to buy pets and make it look like they’ve never bought a pet before. So even good breeders won’t be able to track them. Then they trade.”

“Trade?” Eli echoed.

“Trade pets. They bounce around a few rares between them for a few weeks, dumb them, then find some more.”

“So…you found a lead on a trafficking ring,” Eli said. “That’s good, right?”

“Absolutely,” Dimitri said. “But that’s not the information I wanted to give you. See, one of the aliases we found was Beau Mallory.”

“No…” Noah pressed his face against Eli’s leg.

Eli’s last shred of hope snapped. He moved one hand to Noah’s head, gently petting him between the ears. The horror of the situation set in again. He’d been trying to block it out the last few days. But it was all coming back down. Noah could have been taken- could have suffered a fate worse than death. And holding out hope that this was the only attempt, that Mallory would give up, was foolish.

It wasn’t over. And Dimitri was still talking.

“I’ve got one of my men searching through every single time Archer mentions Mallory in a chat, and if that name correlates with any other identity. But there are a few other names that caught my eye. Some of them are the aliases past owners used when dropping Noah off at that pet shop.”

“What?” Noah snapped.

Dimitri was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was gentle and sympathetic. “Noah, I don’t think Mallory ever really abandoned you. I think…I think you ended up in one of these rings. All of these names are your first few owners after arriving at the pet shop.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Eli said. “Why wouldn’t Mallory just keep him?”

“I don’t know yet,” Dimitri admitted. “But it can’t be a coincidence that all these names are Noah’s owners number one through eight. My current theory is that Mallory always had a deal with these other men that they could…” he cleared his throat. “‘Use’ Noah at some point. And when dumping him cut off the deal, they took matters into their own hands. But since Noah was so unruly, I’m guessing they used the pet shop as a sort of holding area where they wouldn’t have to deal with him until the next one wanted him. Now, owner number nine’s name isn’t on here. So at some point, one of the men didn’t act fast enough to grab him before a complete stranger did, and Noah escaped the loop. They lost track of him and just moved on.”

“If they gave up, why are they after him again now?” Eli rasped.

“You’ll be the first to know when I find the answer,” Dimitri replied. “For now, you should consider yourself and your pets on lockdown. Mr. Leyton, I’d like to station a permanent guard at your house until all this is sorted out. Would you be alright with that?”

Eli glanced at Noah. “Anything that helps.”

“Good. We’ll get that implemented right away. I’m sending Sabrina Todd to take the first watch. I understand you know her?”

“Yes,” Eli said. “Sabrina is perfect. Thank you.”

“Of course, Mr. Leyton. That’s all I had to tell you. I’ll talk to you again soon.”

The line went dead.

For a moment, they sat in silence, just trying to absorb the information they’d been giving. Eli took a deep breath, putting his head in his hands.

“Noah, I’m so sorry,” he murmured. “I had no idea.”

Noah remained silent, staring at Eli’s phone on the coffee table. He could remember it now. He could see Aaron Archer’s face, no longer shrouded in shadow, but clear as he stared into the bars of the pet shop cage.

He could see the ones before him. The ones after. That look they gave him…like they already knew what they wanted to do to him. That glint in their eyes and that evil smirk…he’d come to expect it after the first eight owners. He’d come to expect being thrown into the back of a car, spending a night or two at the mercy of someone who saw him as a toy, then being brought back to the pet shop. Only for it to repeat again the next day.

But he’d never noticed when it had stopped. He could recall now, how different those first eight had felt compared to all that came after. But he’d reacted in the same way. Despite the middle being different, the beginning and end was always the same.

He could even recall Eli giving him that look. But the more he thought about it, the more it…hadn’t happened. He had always felt like, on their first meeting, Eli had looked at him like he was a juicy piece of meat to take a bite out of. But he’d only felt it. Truly, that look Eli had given him had been one of curiosity. Amusement. Maybe even sympathy. But not intentional evil.

“Noah? Noah?”

Eli’s voice came from far away. Noah blinked a few times, then raised his gaze to his owner.

Sympathy. Worry. Fear.

Eli’s gaze was soft and his frown deep. “Come here, baby.”

Noah just kept staring at him silently. He felt Eli lift him onto his lap, situating him against his chest. He felt a hand on his back, rubbing up and down.

Noah placed his chin on Eli’s shoulder, trying to ignore the stinging in his eyes. He felt so many things at once and he wasn’t sure which to focus on.

"Eli." His voice was husky. "I want to go back to bed."

Chapter 52: Handling It

Melody covered her mouth with one hand, listening to the phone call just around the corner.

She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. After finishing breakfast, she’d taken her plate down to the kitchen. Eli didn’t lock her door anymore, and she assumed she was allowed free roam of the mansion. So it was only natural for her to clean up after herself. But on her way back to her room, she’d heard a half-familiar voice, and felt the need to investigate.

Now, she was wishing she hadn’t. She’d just been getting back into the swing of things, and now she felt like everything was crashing down again. That feeling of anxious hopelessness had returned.

She felt frozen, trying to comprehend this new information. What the fuck had Eli stumbled into when he’d bought Noah? What cruel twist of fate had brought Melody to this exact point in time?

She was so lost in thought she didn’t notice the footsteps approaching. A shadow towered over her.

For a moment, she was in the upstairs hallway with a knife to her cheek. She closed her eyes, bracing, only to hear Eli’s bewildered voice.

“Melody? What are you doing down here?”

Melody opened her eyes, looking up at Eli. He didn’t look angry, just confused. He held Noah in his arms. The cat boy was silent, not even looking at Melody. His gaze was far away.

“I…” Although she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong, Melody stumbled over her words. “I was just taking my dish down. I’ll go back to my room now.”

“Stay,” Eli said. Not as a command, but as an invitation. “Did you…you heard all that, didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry, Master. I didn’t mean to! I was just-”

“No, it’s okay,” Eli said quickly. “I wish you hadn’t had to hear that. But you’re not in trouble. Why don’t you come with me, actually. I wanted to speak with you today anyway.”

Melody’s heart sank. Although Eli had assured her she wasn’t in trouble, why else would he need to speak with her?

Eli gestured for Melody to follow, then led the way down the hall. Melody recognized this path. He was either heading for his office, or the dungeons just past it. Melody wasn’t sure which one she’d prefer.

Surely it couldn’t be the dungeons. Not with Noah. Not after what they’d just learned. Eli wouldn’t do that to him.

“Master, where are we going?” Melody asked.

“Just to my office,” Eli assured her, lessoning some of Melody’s worries. “You can calm down. You’re not in trouble, I promise.”

“Then…what are we going to talk about?” Melody asked.

“Well, you’re role here has changed a lot in the last week,” Eli said. “And that dinky little room isn’t good enough for such a talented Mistress like yourself. So I want you to pick out a few accessories for it.”

“Like…decorations?” Melody had never been allowed to decorate her own room before. Her den at her breeder’s had consisted of a simple cot and a desk. And the one at her original owner’s house wasn’t much better.

“Yeah,” Eli said. “Anything you want.”

“Oh.” Melody lowered her gaze for a moment. “Thank you, Master.”

Eli adjusted Noah in his arms, then grabbed the doorknob of his office and pushed it open. Once inside, he went straight to his desk, gesturing for Melody to follow.

The owl girl had never been in here before. She looked around curiously. Like most of the house, the walls of the office were almost entirely barren, without a single decoration. No frames, no posters, no plaques. Just blank beige walls. In the center was a circular desk, littered in pens and papers. Two wide monitors were also present, both screens dark and in sleep mode. There was a chair behind the desk, but also a more comfortable one out in front of it. Everything looked absolutely pristine. Nothing was out of place. It looked more like a painting of an office than one that a person used.

But there were a few signs of life. Ones Melody thought might not have been here a few weeks ago.

There was a fluffy pet bed beneath the desk. Inside it, just poking out, Melody stopped a chewable toy fish. A feather on a string was sitting in the corner of the office, along with a few other toys.

Melody could already picture the sort of scenario that would lead to someone like Eli filling his work space with cat toys. It would take Noah complaining about boredom once for Eli to go grab the toy basket and bring it back. It would take one complaint about being tired for Eli to drag an extra bed under his desk. Anything to keep his cat boy close.

Eli knelt down, letting Noah find his way out of his arms. Seemingly on auto pilot, the cat boy crawled into the pet bed and settled down. He laid his chin on the side, but his eyes were still wide open, staring off at something no one else could see.

Eli grabbed the extra chair and dragged it around the desk. After taking a seat in his own desk chair, he patted the one beside him. “So, what do you think would help make your room feel more homely?”

Melody sat down, leaning closer to the desk. “Decorations, to start. It’s so bare in there, like a hotel room. Maybe some house plants?”

Eli wriggled the computer mouse, bringing one of the screens to life. He opened a program to type some notes into. “Plants are easy to sort out. I’m also going to get a wardrobe for your room. It’ll be easier for both of us if you can get yourself dressed in the morning.”

“Sounds good,” Melody agreed. “That’ll be a time saver, too.”

Eli minimized the notepad and pulled up a web browser.

“Something I also want you to start doing is exercises in your room,” Eli said. “A while ago, I started Dawn on some small dildos to use in the morning as a warm up. I’d like to do something similar with you. So I think I’ll get you a display rack for your wall that we can put impact toys on. I’ll teach you how to do warm ups later on.”

“Okay, Master,” Melody said enthusiastically.

“Now, let’s find something to fill your wardrobe with.” Eli opened a tab for a clothes shop, then passed the mouse to Melody. “Take a look. Dresses, corsets, shoes…they’ve got it all. Just pick out what you want.”

Eagerly, Melody began clicking through the site. Her first stop was corsets She found tight ones, glittery ones, black ones, red ones…and they were all catching her eye.

He glanced at Eli awkwardly.

“If you like something, put it in the cart,” Eli assured her. “No budget on this.”

“Are you sure?”

“Honey, I have all the money in the world. I can sacrifice thousands if you’d like,” Eli said. “You’re my right hand. I want you to feel comfortable.”

“I-I don’t think I’d need thousands,” Melody protested. “That seems like a lot to start off with.”

“Well, however, you want to start, I don’t mind.”

Melody nodded in gratitude, but she was still cautious about spending her owner’s money. So she picked out a few outfits.

“I think that’s enough for now,” she decided.

Eli didn’t argue. “Lots of sparkles. That’s good. It keeps our subs’ attention. Right, Noah?”

The cat boy flicked his ear, but didn’t respond. Eli gave him another moment to reply, then brought his gaze back to the screen.

“I also think I want to bring you into their training sessions,” Eli continued. “Not just to see what a training session should look like, but also as an extra set of hands.”

“I’d be happy to,” Melody said. “Honestly, I can’t believe you’ve been training all three of us separately. That must be exhausting.”

“Oh, I’m used to it,” Eli said. “I’ve been doing this a long time. I was had…fifteen pets in here at once. One in every room. It was only a couple weeks with all of them, and one was just waiting to be sold, but fuck, that was a hard couple weeks. Pure chaos every day. I promised myself I’d stick to five pets at the max from them on.”

“Fifteen!” Melody echoed, shocked. “It’s good you know your limits now, Master. I get nervous sitting in on training sessions with just Noah. I can’t imagine fifteen pets at once.”

“Well, Noah is like having fifteen pets at once, so you’re just about there,” Eli joked. “Anyway, I don’t regret that time. It was an important lesson I needed to learn. As dominants, we should be learning just as much as our subs are. We’re going to make mistakes, but so long as we learn from them, we’re doing our jobs right.”

Melody nodded in agreement. “Right. But, if you don’t mind meme saying, you really needed a vacation. Ten years of training without a single day off plus…everything happening now. I’m surprised you haven’t collapsed.”

“Why do people keep telling me I need a vacation?” Eli rasped. “I’m the best trainer in the state. Maybe in the country.”

Both of them startled when a voice came from beneath the desk.

“You promised,” Noah mumbled. “You said you’d take a break after the contest.”

“I know,” Eli replied. “I will. We’ll take a vacation. I promise.”

His voice changed, and Melody noticed it. He grew softer, and quieter, his smile small but meaningful. If Noah noticed, he didn’t comment. Melody was able to see him shift in the pet bed, adjusting himself to lay on his side before nuzzling into the bed again.

“You know, you don’t have to completely stop,” Melody said. “By the time the contest is over, I’ll have learned a lot about being a dom. Let me take care of Noah and Dawn while you rest.”

“Are you sure? Can you handle both of them?”

“I’m sure Noah will be exhausted by then as well. And Dawn goes out of her way to impress me. I can handle it.”

Eli thought for a moment. “Maybe. We’ll see where you are in your training by then. But thanks for the offer.”

He took the mouse back and began the process to order everything they’d picked out.

“It should all arrive by the contest. So you’ll have something nice to wear when you go with me.”

Melody blinked. “I’m going to the contest?”

“You and Dawn both. I’d rather not leave you home alone since I’ll be gone quite literally from dawn to dusk. So you can come with me to cheer Noah on.”

He stood up to stretch while Melody took in his words. She hadn’t expected to be invited to BAPS. She’d heard of it before, of course. And gotten to watch it on tv. But she’d never dreamed of going herself. It was for the best of the best, the top percentage of pets. Which she wasn’t one of.

But now she was. She hadn’t realized exactly what being Eli’s pet meant. She was now part of a wealthy household- one of the most wealthy in the entire city. Maybe the entire state. Maybe even the country. She could have anything he wanted, go anywhere she wanted.

“That…that sounds great, Master. I’m so excited.”

“Good to hear,” Eli said. “Alright, Melody, that’s all I needed from you. Head back to your room now.”

Melody stood. “Okay, Master. Thank you.”

He flashed her a smile, watching her head for the office door. Only when she reached it did he remember what else he wanted to say.

“Oh, and Melody? Don’t worry about what you heard. Everything’s under control.”

Melody glanced back at him. Her expression was blank, not realizing her feelings. “Yes, Master,” she replied, then exited the office, closing the door behind her.

Eli took a deep breath, then exhaled, leaning back in his chair. He glanced down towards Noah, who faced away from him.

“Kitten? You awake?”

Noah lashed his tail in response.

“Want to go back up to bed now?”

The cat boy remained silent. After a moment, he heaved himself up, and turned to Eli with a glare so fierce it made the man flinch back.

“Don’t lie to her,” he growled, his tail bristling.

“What?” Eli asked, confused.

“Don’t tell Melody everything’s under control. It’s not!”

Eli stared at him. “Noah, it is under control. I promise. Everything’s okay-”

“It’s not okay!” Noah rasped, his voice strained with emotion. “Someone was after me and they broke into the house and Melody got hurt and you’re just pretending it didn’t happen!”

“I’m not,” Eli argued. “I’m just trying to stay calm. Getting all worked up doesn’t help anything.”

“Neither does shopping for dresses!” Noah snapped.

Eli knelt down, getting closer to Noah’s eye level. “I’m not letting this stop me from doing my job. Everyone here has a life to live, and I want them to continue doing that.” He tried to keep his voice soft, not wanting this to devolve into an argument. “Come here.”

Noah didn’t move, standing up in the bed and glaring up at Eli. “This isn’t a game, Eli! This isn’t something you can pay to win. People are going to get hurt. And you hardly care!"

“I am literally paying a man to track down Beau and end all of this,” Eli reasoned. “I don’t understand why you’re so upset. You’re safe here. I thought you knew that.”

“I’m not safe anywhere!” Noah rasped, his eyes wide. “I thought I was safe at the pet shop- Beau was sending his friends after me. I thought I was safe here- Beau knows where I am and wants me back. I’m not safe until one of us is dead, and even then I can’t be sure!”

He was shaking. Eli got onto his knees to crawl beneath the desk. This time, Noah padded up to crawl into his lap. Eli could feel him trembling.

“There’s nothing we can do right now,” Eli said softly. “We just have to wait for Dimitri. He knows what he’s doing.”

Noah didn’t reply, but Eli knew his words had done nothing to calm him. He felt the moment the cat boy seemed to deflate, defeated and exhausted by his own fear.

“You just don’t get it…” Noah mumbled, laying his head against Eli’s thigh. “You couldn’t.”

Eli ran a hand through his white hair. He was trying to, he really was. But what would panicking get him? The more scared he seemed, the worse the pets would think it was. He had to be collected and strong.

He tried to push any fear from his mind. Dimitri had it under control. By the time BAPS came around, all this would be over. His pets would be safe and they could return to their lives.

It was fine.
He was fine. Noah was fine. The others were fine. Everything was going to be okay. It had to be. It always was.
He leaned back, dropping his head onto the seat of his desk chair. In his lap, Noah had gone silent, but his tail was still spiked and his ears were pinned back. Eli just sat there, petting down his hair and hoping it was enough to calm him.

Chapter 53: Hard To Say No

Eli woke with a groan. His back felt sore. And when he sat up, he yelped, smacking his head into the underside of his desk.

When had he fallen asleep?

His legs were completely numb. When he looked down, he found Noah sleeping in his lap, but not peacefully. The cat boy had a tension in his body, curled up in a protective position that made Eli’s heart ache. Usually when they cuddled, Noah felt comfortable enough to splay out. Knowing even in sleep, Noah couldn’t relax made Eli feel even worse.

He slightly jumped, hearing something buzz overhead. His phone must have went off. He sighed, thinking it was probably Keanu trying to call him again. But then he remembered what day it was.

“Noah,” he said softly. “Wake up. I think you’re new collar is here.”

Noah didn’t respond, curling up tighter. He waved his tail dismissively.

Eli opened his mouth, ready to try again, then thought better of it. Noah was still mad at him for unknown reasons. Maybe he’d be a little more chipper once he was out of that suit.

So, Eli carefully removed Noah from his arms, laying him back down in the bed. The cat boy grumbled, not appreciating being disturbed, then settled back into a light doze. Eli moved from beneath the desk and stood up to stretch. He should not have allowed himself to fall asleep. His shoulder was going to be bothering him all day.

He glanced down at Noah, then exited the room.

He didn’t want to be away for long. He couldn’t imagine what Noah would feel if he woke and found Eli completely gone. Although it would be wise to grab Melody and get her started on breakfast, he whisked past the stairs to head for the front door. With a quick check of his phone, he confirmed the package had been delivered there.

He hated the sudden paranoia that hit him when he opened the door. His post office had a special pass code to his front gates that allowed them to get closer to the house each morning. It was easier for them to come right to the door rather than Eli trekking down to the gate.

What if someone had slipped in this morning?

Eli nearly jumped out of his skin when he found Sabrina Todd outside his front door.

“Chill out, Eli,” Sabrina chided. She was dressed in her cop gear. But in her arms, she held a small box. “I thought Sinclair told you I’d be here today.”

“He did. I just forgot.”

She handed him the box. “Are you alright? You look tired.”

He didn’t want to explain his day yesterday. Or that he’d foolishly decided to sleep under a desk instead of in his own bed. “I didn’t sleep well.”

Sabrina’s gaze softened. “Anxious?”

“Yeah,” Eli replied. “But I’m sure I’ll start feeling better now that your here. Do you want a tour?”

“That would be a good idea. But I’m actually supposed to do a quick sweep of the outside boundary first. I just grabbed your mail for you.”

Eli sighed in relief. If Sabrina had been the one to take the mail up, she would have been there when the gate opened. “Thanks. I should probably get the pets up, anyway. So just come in when you’re done.”

With a quick farewell, he closed the door and immediately headed back to his office. Noah was exactly where he’d left him, slipping into a deeper sleep. He was curled up as best he could in the bed, the end of his tail flicking.

Eli set the box on the desk and used a pen stab through the tape.

“Be quiet,” he heard Noah groan when he ripped off the tape. Eli glanced down at him, but didn’t reply, knowing he’d only be met with more attitude. As quietly as he could, he took the new collar from the box. It had been surrounded by packing peanuts, and laid in a plastic bag.

Eli easily ripped through the bag. Inside, he found a slim black ring. It was a lot smaller than the other collar, and since all the tech was inside, Noah would have a harder time breaking it. Eli had already downloaded the app for it onto his phone. So now all he had to do was attach it to the suit.
Eli fell to his knees and reached under the desk to latch it around Noah’s neck. There was a small connector on the inside that he had to maneuver over the suit’s port. But he knew it was connected when a pale blue light lit up on the collar.

Going to his phone, it was just a matter of pressing the release button.

Noah woke with a jolt. For the first time in days, the suit sagged around him. Suddenly energy made his entire body shudder.

“Hang on, hang on.” Eli reached beneath the desk to grab him as Noah began to writhe, struggling out of the suit. But all he managed to do was hold it still while Noah crawled out.

“Yes!” Noah cried, finally getting out of the suit. He made to hop up, then yelped, smashing the top of his head into the underside of the desk. “Ow! Why am I under a desk?”

“I tried to make you move,” Eli said, holding out a hand to help Noah out in the open.

The cat boy joined him. Standing made the joints in his legs crack.

“Fuck. I am not getting in one of those ever again,” he declared.

“Yeah, we’ll definitely be taking a break.” Eli’s voice was light, taking a moment to just look at Noah. He hadn’t realized just how much he’d miss him. Even if he was there the whole time, it wasn’t the same. They could hardly touch.

Even after four days, Noah’s skin was still so soft. Eli moved his hand from Noah’s, up his arm, just feeling him. Noah didn’t seem to mind. He shuddered under the touch. He also hadn’t realized just how much he missed the contact.

Although Noah was mad at him, he couldn’t ignore the shudders that ran up his body. He felt suddenly…alive. Free to move and speak and touch and do whatever he wanted. He took a deep breath, feeling his chest expand around the air, then breathed it out without discomfort. For a while, just to hold onto this feeling, he was willing to put his exasperation aside and slide his arms around Eli’s waist.

Eli welcomed him, his hands settling onto the cat boy’s hips. For a moment, they just stood in each other’s company. Noah felt like they’d been apart for weeks, even if they’d been closer than ever these past few days.

He laid his head against Eli’s chest. He could pull away if he wanted to. God, that suit was like torture, and he hadn’t even realized.

Noah’s fingers curled into Eli’s skin. His heart was being lifted by anger again- not towards Eli, but towards every face he could possibly remember. Every harsh slap, every pull on his hair, every forcible push.

“If someone breaks into this house again,” he growled, “I will fucking kill them.”

He relished in the way Eli’s chest stuttered. “There’s my boy.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“This is Officer Todd,” Eli introduced. “She’s going to take the day shift here as our security guard. So if you see anything out of the ordinary, hear something you shouldn’t be hearing, or feel unsafe, you can go to her.”

“Hi, Officer Todd,” Melody greeted. Noah and Dawn murmured the same.

“You can call me Sabrina,” the officer replied. “Your master and I go way back.”

“Sabrina, this is Melody, my second hand,” Eli introduced, gesturing to the owl girl.

Melody, gracefully, bowed at the waist, her back straight, before coming back up. She was the only one standing, as Dawn had chosen to sit just in front of the couch and Noah took his usual spot lounging beneath the coffee table.

Eli kept glancing at him. Out of the suit, Noah had a notable looseness about him that hadn’t been present the last few days. He no longer flopped to the ground, miserable and contained. And he seemed to be taking advantage of being able to stretch out his limbs, splaying.

“The cute bunny is Dawn,” Eli continued, hearing Dawn giggled. “And you know Noah.”

“Right,” Sabrina said. “You’re the one who left those teeth marks in Archer’s leg.”

“Who?” Noah scoffed. “I leave teeth marks in a lot of things.”

The corner of Sabrina’s mouth quirked into a smile, but there was confusion in her eyes. Eli knew why. He was known for his strict training practices. Noah was probably the first pet he’d ever had that could lounge beneath a coffee table and mouth off to a police officer.

“So how long are all of them here for?” Sabrina asked.

“Noah’s a permanent,” Eli replied. “I don’t think I could resell him if I tried. Melody’s a bit newer, so she’ll sell in the fourth quarter. And I’m actually planning on advertising Dawn at BAPS.”

He glanced at Melody, urging her to keep quiet. She didn’t react to his lie, which Eli was grateful for. He didn’t want to explain his fear of announcing his retirement, and how the general public would take it. Or his friends.

“So, Sabrina, do you have everything you need to get started?” Eli asked. He’d already given her a brief tour of the mansion, sending Melody to get the other Pets dressed.

Sabrina nodded. “Just go about your day. You’ll hardly notice I’m here.”

“Sounds good,” Eli said. “Alright! Noah, you’re with me the paddock. We’ve got a lot to catch up on. Dawn, you need to start learning how to follow after an owner. So you’re going to help Melody today with chores. Follow everything she says.”

“Yes, Master,” Melody and Dawn agreed. When Eli gave a nod, Melody gestured for Dawn to follow her from the room.

Eli turned to Sabrina. “If you need anything, I’ll be in the yard. Noah, come.”

He gestured to the cat boy, who slid out from beneath the table and stretched. Noah’s tail bristled as he did, relishing being able to stretch out his limbs like this. He took in a deep breath.

“Alright, let’s get this over with.”

Eli rolled his eyes fondly. He held out one hand, and Noah took it. Together, they exited the room.

Sabrina stared after them for a moment. “Oh, bless their hearts,” she murmured, then started in the other direction. She wanted to do a quick sweep of the house, then work her way back outside.

~~~~~~~~~~

“You’re room is so cute! Are these flowers real? They are! And your bed is so big and looks so comfy. But don’t you get bored in here without any toys?”

Melody glanced over her shoulder. Dawn was standing beside the bed, his tail fidgeting. “You can sit down, if you’d like. Beds can be remade.”

Dawn gasped. He glanced down at the bed, then at Melody. After a moment of hesitation, they flopped onto the mattress with a happy thrill.

“You didn’t answer my question,” they said. “Do you have toys?”

“Not yet,” Melody replied. Dawn had begged to see how her room was coming along, and Melody just couldn’t say no. Besides, it could use a quick touch up before she moved on to the kitchen. “Master ordered me a few more decorations. And he wants to get a few impact toys in here for me to practice with.”

“Like my practice toys!” Dawn rolled onto his stomach, watching Melody while she wiped off the vanity mirror. “That’ll be so fun! I hope we get to train together at some point. Noah says you’re great with a flogger!”

“Did he?” Melody cooed, amused. He didn’t think Noah would want to admit he’d gotten in trouble and been flogged by another pet. But it was hard to keep things from Dawn. “Doesn’t that scare you?”

“A little,” Dawn admitted, sitting up. “But it’s also exciting! Master had to stop using impact toys as a punishment on me because I enjoyed it too much. He said it wasn’t a punishment anymore.”

Melody giggled. “There’s a word for that- masochism. It means you like being hurt.”

“I love it.” Dawn flopped onto his side again to roll onto his back. “It’s just…I don’t know! The hit from a whip hurts, then there’s this pleasant sting afterward. And Master’s gruff voice telling me what to do.”

“You give all new meaning to the term rope bunny,” Melody commented. Dawn gave her a confused but cheery look. “It’s a sub who enjoys being tied up and dominated.”

“Oh. Well, that’s me!” Dawn said. “I love everything about being a sub. And I didn’t even know it was a thing until like six months ago! Master has given me so much and I couldn’t be happier.”

“Me, too,” Melody agreed. She bit her tongue. It took a lot of energy to keep from telling Dawn the good news. But it wasn’t her place. If Dawn knew Eli planned to keep him, Noah would find out by tonight.

“Oh, right! You didn’t come from a pleasure background, either,” Dawn recalled. “You never did tell me what our old home was like. Did you like your handlers? Did you have siblings?”

“I had a breeder who took care of me,” Melody replied. “And siblings. But that was a while ago. I actually had an owner before Master.”

“Really? What were they like?”

“Well, he was nice. Just like Master. Interesting. Intelligent. He liked to tell me stories of his kids and his youth,” Melody explained, staying vague. Although he was no longer her owner, she still felt inclined to keep his situation confidential. It wasn’t Dawn’s to worry about.

“I hope I get a nice owner,” Dawn said, laying down again. “It would be great if I could just stay here forever, but I know that’s not possible. Master has to make money somehow.”

Melody’s jaw tightened. “What kind of owner are you hoping for?” she asked, trying to change the subject without making it too obvious.

“If I could have one just like Master, I would,” Dawn answered. “Someone nice. And thoughtful. But strict. And maybe a little mean. And who likes to tie me up and do awful things to me.” She sat up, pulling her legs together. “I don’t want to sound shallow, but I wish I could switch places with Noah. He gets to sleep in Master’s room. With Master! He’s so lucky.”

Melody gave him a warm glance, understanding where he was coming from. “I bet I could talk to Master about giving you more attention. He’s been so busy with Noah lately, we haven’t been getting as much training.”

“I know, right?” Dawn complained. “I haven’t said anything because I know Noah’s getting ready for BAPS and it’s really important to Master. But I miss doing training.”

It didn’t escape Melody when Dawn moved his hands between his legs. She tried to keep her suspicious of her face, but she believed Dawn missed training for a reason other than Eli’s attention.

“Me, too,” Melody agreed. “Those marks on Noah’s back are already faded. And I’m sure he’s done something warranting putting them back.”

Dawn swallowed. “I hope Master lets you ‘punish’ me sometime. You seem like you’d be really good at it. Would you make pretty marks on my back?”

“Absolutely, if Master ever let me,” Melody agreed. When she’d tried to change the subject, this isn’t what she’d planned. But she couldn’t ignore the heat gathering in her stomach. She took a deep breath. “Come on, Dawn. I want to get started on dishes.”

Immediately, a blush spread over Dawn’s face. “Already? Don’t you have more to do in here?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Melody replied, genuinely bemused. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m fine!” Dawn said, a bit too loudly. “I uh…” She glanced down. “Just got a bit too excited…thinking about punishments. And you. And you punishing me. And getting back into training.” With each word, more blood seemed to rush to their face.

“Oh.” Melody already knew that. But she hadn’t realized Dawn would be so embarrassed by it. “Well, I can help.”

“What?” Dawn squeaked.

“Master taught me about prostate stimulation,” Melody replied. “It’ll help alleviate that pressure, then we can get to work.”

“Oh, no,” Dawn said. “No, no, no. I couldn’t. I can’t! Master will surely be upset. There’s cameras in every room in this house.”

“Yeah, but Master’s busy with Noah right now,” she said, a bit amused. “He’ll keep him busy, I’m sure.”

Dawn whimpered, considering it. “Are you even allowed to do that?”

“I am a dominant,” Melody pointed out. “And Master put me in charge of you today.” She dropped what she was doing and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Well…” Dawn still seemed unsure. He didn’t want to get in trouble. But how could he pass up an opportunity like this? Every time he so much as glanced at Melody, he felt a pulsing in his caged cock. “Wh-what about my cage?”

“You can cum through it,” Melody said. “Noah did it before.”

“Didn’t he get in trouble for that?”

“Yeah, but that was because he went behind his dominant’s back and lied about it. If Master questions us, we’ll be honest and I’ll simply explain that it was affecting your focus, and I took it upon myself to fix that. Besides, there’s a camera right there.” Melody pointed to the corner of the bedroom, where a camera was protected by a black dome on the ceiling. “It’s not like we’re even trying to hide it.”

Dawn was running out of excuses. Besides, how could she say no to a free orgasm? “Okay! Okay! Let’s do it.”

Melody smiled. “Alright. Lay down on your back.”

Dawn obeyed instantly, falling gracefully onto the bed.

“Keep still,” Melody ordered. She put one hand on Dawn’s stomach, then slowly trailed it down her torso and past her cage. She felt Dawn shudder as she moved closer to his hole. For a moment, Melody twirled her finger around Dawn’s entrance, then plugged in, working her open slowly.

Dawn gulped, feeling nervous. But as soon as he felt his hole stretching for the first time in days, he let out a small squeak, letting their head fall back.

Melody giggled lightly. “You’re so cute.” She hooked her finger, searching for Dawn’s prostate. She’d never felt it herself, using a toy when playing with Noah. But soon, she felt the small bundle of nerves and softly stroked it with one finger.

Dawn squirmed, sensitive. “Oh, that feels so good…” he moaned. He closed his legs, feeling his cage growing tighter.

Melody placed her other hand on their inner thigh, coaxing them to keep their legs open. She rubbed gently against Dawn’s prostate, careful not to overstimulate him too quickly. With Dawn now warmed up, she inserted another finger, stretching Dawn until she could squeeze his prostate between both.

Dawn gasped. Despite her best efforts to stay still, the task was proving difficult. She wasn’t used to having so much freedom while being touched. Whenever Eli did this, he strapped her down tight until only her tail could flick around wildly. She brought her hands to her chest, squeezing them together in an effort to keep still. Warmth was growing in her stomach.

Melody stroked her prostate, using both fingers. One after the other to give her that constant pressure. “I’m starting to see why Master always puts you in restrictive bondage. If I was him, I wouldn’t be able to resist fucking a cute little bunny who won’t stop squirming.”

Dawn let out a loud moan, unable to contain himself. From this angle, Melody could see his tail furiously flicking back and forth. He bit his lip, muffling a whimper. “I-I can’t help it! I’m so sensitive.”

“I know, bunny, I know,” Melody replied reply. But there was amusement in her tone. She curled her fingers against Dawn’s prostate, reaching deeper. Wanting to push him, she carefully worked a third finger inside.

Dawn groaned. She could handle the stretch without issue, but so many fingertips against her prostate was too much. He began to pant, the warmth in her stomach rising. “I feels so warm. Mistress, it feels so good.”

Melody let out a shuddering breath. “I know.” She squeezed Dawn’s prostate between two fingers. “Cum for me, bunny.”

Dawn’s ears perked, hearing the command. “Yes, mistress!” he moaned loudly. His whole body rocked, his hole clenching around Melody’s fingers.

Melody winced back, out of the way as a load of cum shot from Dawn’s cage.

“Good girl,” Melody praised. “Good bunny. You did beautifully.”

She was impressed by how much cum such a small thing could produce. After a few more spurts, Dawn was spent, and relaxed onto the bed. Cum dripped around his thighs.

“Thank you, Mistress,” Dawn mumbled.

“Let me get you a towel,” Melody said. She gently pulled her fingers from Dawn’s hole. “Then we can get to work. I assume you’re feeling better now?”

“Yes, Mistress.”