Pup (Bratt)

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Small Strip of Leather

"We will be attending a play party on Halloween." Brian came into the room, bearing his laptop and some papers held together with a paperclip. He sat down on the couch, opening his laptop and starting to work on something.

Matt slid off the couch, setting himself down at his master's feet. "All right, Master." Matt replied, "Will we wear costumes?"

"No. It's a formal party, of sorts. We will wear suits. Although it would be a good idea for you to bring your ears, tail, knee pads, and palm guards. You might decide you want to get in your headspace."

Matt nodded, and they settled again into silence. Brian kept looking down at Matt, almost nervously, pausing to wipe sweaty palms on his pants before continuing to work.

"Is everything all right, Master?" Matt asked. "Do you need space? I can go to my room for a while-"

"No, no, pet, I want you to stay right where you are." Brian reached down, petting Matt's hair soothingly.

Brian had been acting weird over the past few days. He often looked at Matt, mouth open like there was something on the tip of his tongue, then turned away and went about his business as though nothing happened. He came home from work very late yesterday, but didn't bother offering any explanation about it to Matt. Matt had begun to wonder if he was thinking about taking on a second submissive, like Jimmy had done. He really didn't want that, he liked being his master's only pet. However, he would keep his mouth shut if Brian revealed he had been scouting out for a second sub.

That would explain the nervousness, and why he was gone for so long. Maybe he already had a second sub, and just didn't plan on telling Matt. The though hurt him, but he remembered that he had been the one to break Brian's trust. Maybe Brian couldn't trust Matt with this information because he was a lying slut.

"Matt, I still have not collared you, you know." Brian blurted, and Matt looked up to see Brian had set his work things aside. "Are you happy about that?"

Matt frowned. Of course he wasn't. He had wanted to be collared by Brian from day one. Although he knew he belonged to Brian, he still didn't feel like he was completely his because he had yet to be collared. But he didn't voice this. What he said was, "Honestly, not really, sir."

"You would like to be collared by me?" Brian tucked his finger under Matt's chin, tilting his head up to look at him.

"Yes, sir." Matt replied. "I love being collared by my masters. It's like a final sign that I'm wanted and needed and that I'm no longer a stray."

"You do understand you're not a stray right now, right?" Brian murmured, "You do understand I want you and need you right now, don't you?"

Matt nodded at this. "Yes, sir."

Brian stood abruptly. "Wait right there." He said, before leaving the room.

Matt sighed. Brian was reassuring him, no doubt. He was probably going to go collect the new submissive right now. He had probably already collared him. That's why he had brought up the whole collar business.

If that was the case, Matt didn't know what he'd do. He couldn't help but feel a little betrayed by Brian. Wasn't there something in the contract about Brian taking only one sub?

When Brian returned, however, he was not with a new submissive. He was holding something behind his back as he stood before Matt. He brought his hand around, revealing a black box made of soft velvet. He handed it to Matt. "You can open this." He said.

Matt took the box gingerly, opening it with shaky fingers. He gasped, gently grasping the leather collar, pulling it from the case. It was black, gorgeous, leather soft and smooth on his fingertips. Inscribed in silver, letters swooping and diving intricately to spell Property of: Brian Haner Jr. The buckle was smooth silver, along with the hoop for a leash. It was beautiful. It was perfect. Matt had never seen a better collar in his whole life.