The reward
The reward
The next few days were mainly the same. I stayed in the room, watching the shadows on the walls stretch and shrink as the day passed, with nothing but the sound of distant footsteps and the occasional hum of silence to keep me company. They occasionally came in to hang out with me, fed me, and left, always leaving behind a strange warmth that lingered longer each time. I have learned a lot in the time I have been staying here, some being as simple as to how I learned if I gave them puppy eyes I would get anything I wanted, just about, or others being their daily schedule and when they came in to teach me from right or wrong. Their routines became etched into my mind like clockwork, and I found myself waiting for their arrival without even realizing it. I didn’t hate being here as much as I did at first, and I slowly began to forget about my old life. It was as if my memories were slipping through cracks in the floor, dissolving into the air I now breathed. I was beginning to lose myself.
It was now the time for when they both came in and sat with me, talking to me about many things. Their voices filled the room, soothing yet firm, teaching me how to think, how to feel, how to respond. My wolf still didn't like them, which was okay, they will grow on him too. He was restless and growling within me, his presence prickly and suspicious, but even he was starting to listen more than he used to.
The door opened, taking me out of my thoughts as I quickly sat up from my restless sleep. My muscles ached from lying still too long, and my eyes darted to the sound before I even fully registered I was awake. For some reason I wasn't able to sleep because I had a feeling something new would happen today, and I was right. The tension had been thick in the air all day, clinging to my skin, whispering warnings my conscious mind couldn’t translate. Both Winston and Xavier walked through the door, each holding something in their hands. My head tilted as they came closer to me, my curiosity warring with caution. I then was able to clearly see what they were holding. In Xavier’s hands he had both a chained object which looked like a leash, and in the other was my remote which was usually in his pocket. The sight of it made my breath catch, my chest tightening with anticipation and unease. I looked over and Winston was holding a bag of something which smelt very delicious, and a muzzle. The scent curled into my nose like a lure, warm and savory. I growled when I noticed it but that was stopped rather quickly when there was a tiny shock in my neck, but it wasn't as bad as it usually was. It was a soft warning, almost like a tap on the shoulder, reminding me who was in control. I then leaned over and smelt the bag that Winston was holding, receiving a gentle push from him. The scent was stronger now, thick and mouthwatering, making my stomach tighten in response. I looked up.
"We have decided to do a few things differently, so I expect you to behave like the good boy you are." Xavier spoke to me gently, but he always had that firm and strict tone in his voice at the same time. That tone had become familiar, a strange mix of comfort and control, soft enough to coax but hard enough to command. My head tilted at him as he attached the chain leash to my collar, making sure it was nice and steady. The cold metal links clicked with finality, and I felt the tug as he tested the grip. I could tell the collar was expensive because it didn't move, and seemed also like a training collar that would not allow pulling or tugging. It hugged my neck in a way that was both reassuring and restricting.
Winston set down the bag he was holding and brought the muzzle closer to my face. My instincts flared for a moment, a flicker of rebellion rising, but before I jumped back, I felt his hand brush against my head, petting me and calming me down before I even showed I was in distress. His touch was slow and careful, fingers sliding through my hair like he was soothing a frightened animal.
"You will be okay, my sweet little kitten. This is not a punishment nor will it be again." His words calmed me down a lot, and I believed every word he said, allowing him to pull the muzzle closer to my face until it was now touching me. I blinked slowly, surrendering to the moment, feeling oddly safe even as the leather pressed against my skin. He pulled his hands behind my head and buckled it up so it would stay on. The straps tightened securely, fitting snug around my muzzle like it was made just for me. Once it was finished, he reached down in the bag which immediately gained my attention as he pulled out a small smelly piece of food. It was a treat. A real one, rich with the promise of flavor, and my mouth watered without permission.
He took the treat between his fingers and brought it up to the hole in the muzzle, allowing me access to grab it which I did. I took it eagerly, the taste lighting up my senses. Both of their hands pet my head right after. Their fingers moved gently, slowly, offering praise that made my chest warm with something I didn’t want to name. I now understood that the treats would be for rewards, and Xavier’s words came back through my mind without him having to repeat them. Good boys always get rewarded! I internally giggled due to remembering his exact words. His voice echoed like a melody, and it made something flutter in my chest.