Their Pet

Chapter 14

Willow

I didn't get any sleep last night. I was too excited and I was also scared I'd have another nightmare. I can't believe I'm leaving New York. I spent all night packing my bags. I made sure to pack shorts, tank tops, dresses, and short-sleeved shirts as Cassius said.

I put a lot of thought into what swimsuit I should bring. Sadly, there was no one-piece and I have a feeling they did that on purpose. The thought of being in a bikini in front of Cassius makes me nervous and insecure. But ultimately I decided on a pale pink one with tiny white flowers on it with lace trim along the top. It was the cutest and least revealing, but that's not saying much. The bottoms are still cheeky and the top shows cleavage. The fact that my breasts are only a B cup does give me a bit of comfort since there's not much to show off. They probably prefer women with bigger chests. Why does that thought make me feel so self-conscious and jealous?

Before I can dwell on that thought too much, Nick suddenly bursts into my room without warning, making me flinch and drop my bag on the floor.

"Nick you almost gave me a heart attack." I huff, my breathing a bit uneven from the slight scare. I try to throw a pillow at his chest but it doesn't even make it halfway across my room and falls pathetically on the floor.

Nick looks down at the pillow, an amused smile on his lips. "You need to work on your throwing skills."

I narrow my eyes at him, an embarrassed flush creeping up my neck. "Well excuse me, I didn't get much time to perfect throwing objects when I was locked in a cage for a year."

His smile widens and he picks up the pillow, throwing it at my face.

"Haha, you're hilarious." I say dryly, "Did you come in here just to bother me or do you have something important to say?"

"Yes, I do. Your husband-to-be is impatiently waiting for you downstairs." Nick says in a matter-of-fact tone, picking up the duffel bag I dropped on the floor.

My eyes bulge and dart over to the clock, there's no way I'm late. I've been watching that clock like a hawk! I slightly relax when I see that the time is 7:45am. He said 8am sharp right? right?? Suddenly, I'm not so sure.

"Oh, god. Let's go, hurry!" I say in slight panic as I take Nick's hand and drag him with me. He mumbles a protest that I don't catch under his breath. I run down the halls and staircases faster than I ever have. Is Cassius even grumpier in the mornings? Or is he a morning person? I'm hoping for the ladder but I doubt it.

By the time I reach the foyer, I'm a panting and sweaty mess. I grimace as I unclasp my sweaty hand from Nick's equally sweaty hand. I wipe my damp hand on my thigh and focus on catching my breath.

I startle when I hear Cassius clear his throat, my big brown eyes darting up to him. His lips look like they're repressing an amused grin as he takes in my sorry state, I'm sure I look like a mess. I feel my cheeks heat and the fact that my embarrassment is visible makes me even more embarrassed which makes my cheeks flush darker, its just an endless cycle really.

"Good morning Willow." Cassius says in that smooth and sensual voice of his. His eyes flit over to Nicks face then glance down at his hand that was previously entwined with mine and I notice that his jaw slightly clenches. My heart slightly spikes, did I break a rule?

"Nicholas, don't you have duties to be preforming rather than playing around with my pet?" Cassius asks, his voice sharper than when he greeted me.

I look over to Nick who seems pretty much unaffected by Cassius's harsh tone and irritated expression. I don't know if he's good at hiding it or if he's genuinely unbothered. Either way, I wish I could be more like him. It's horrible wearing your heart on your sleeve, unable to hide how you're feeling from anyone. You're constantly vulnerable, anyone can find your weaknesses and exploit them.

"Yes, Lord Cassius. My apologies." Nick says in an oddly formal tone and vocabulary. It doesn't feel right to hear him talk like that when I know he's the complete opposite. Nick is improper and goofy. It's sad to see him put up a mask and hide himself but I know it's necessary, people like us don't have the privilege of being ourselves. I've been trying to play my part but I'm not as good at it as Nick is.

I look back to Cassius, remembering Nicks words from earlier. Apparently Cassius has been waiting for me, impatiently might I add. That makes my anxiety double since from what I gathered, Cassius does not like waiting, like at all.

"Master I um...Nick told me that you were waiting on me and...and I'm really sorry. Maybe I got the time wrong? I was sure you said 8am but i uh...i guess i should've been paying more attention or wrote it down or something. Anyway...I'm just...I'm sorry, I'll do better next time." I say, stumbling and stuttering over my words like an idiot. I wring my fingers together and fidget with the hem of my skirt, forcing myself to maintain eye contact with him.

Cassius looks down at me, making me feel even more small and stupid. I can't gauge how he's feeling, which isn't unusual. I think his resting face is just angry looking, even when he's calm.

"I thought that I wouldn't have to tell you to come down for breakfast, but clearly i overestimated your common sense. I thought Lucian made it clear that skipping meals is unacceptable? Are you incapable of following rules or listening to orders?" Cassius says, proving that he was angry, or at the very least irritated.

I gulp, twisting and pulling at the silky fabric of the white skirt I'm wearing. I genuinely didn't think of eating breakfast, It isn't much of a routine for me. When I lived with my parents, It wasn't uncommon for me to skip it and when I was in the pet shop we only got one meal a day.

"W-well I j-just...I didn't...it didn't come to mind. I know...I know that I should know better, Its a rule that I was just reminded of and I...I should be more responsible, be more obedient. But it won't happen again, I promise Master. I'll be better, I'll do better." My voice sounds pleading and desperate, which has become too common ever since I got taken. I've always been shy and anxious but its just gotten worse after this past year.

Cassius considers my words, not speaking for a few moments. I hate it, it seems like he's doing it on purpose, trying to build the suspense. I chew on my bottom lip, trying to keep myself from rambling and begging for his forgiveness.

"Very well then. This is your last warning, pet. I feel like we have been fair and patient. No more reminders, no more leniency. From here on out, I want you to be a good girl. I don't enjoy repeating myself." Cassius says, giving me a stern look. He's always so stern and so serious, it has me wondering if he ever smiles. And if he does smile, what would it look like? It would definitely make him infinitely more handsome, if thats even possible. I want to make him smile, I want to see a genuine smile on his face, not a cruel smirk, a smile that expresses joy and happiness and...

I blink, bringing myself back to reality and out of my stupid head. Those are pointless thoughts, they're not worth entertaining. That will never happen, it's a delusional fantasy.

"I'll be good, Master." I say, nodding rapidly. No more fumbling and forgetting like an idiot. I need to be smarter and more strategic, I need to please my Masters.

Cassius nods and grabs my bag off the floor, wordlessly motioning for me to follow him with his free hand.

•••

i'm so sorry i took forever to update, i explained why on my profile. hopefully i will be updating more frequently from here on out, but i can't guarantee that. i'm not sure if this chapter is any good or not, it's been awhile since i wrote anything for this book and i wrote this chapter while i was drunk so it might not be the best.