His Lovely Pet

Cole

I found myself observing Brayden as he strolled away with Olivia. She was the epitome of innocence, her eyes perpetually brimming with curiosity and astonishment.

The concept of owning a human pet had never appealed to me. It seemed more like a hassle than a pleasure. I suppose to the average vampire, the thrill of taming a new pet could be enticing.

But I was always swamped with work and didn’t have the luxury of time to train and discipline a rebellious little shit. So, when I stumbled upon my little dove, I couldn’t resist the opportunity.

She was not only utterly obedient but also extraordinary. She was oblivious to her uniqueness. Hell, I don’t think anyone was aware of it.

I needed to keep it that way because once the word got out, everyone would covet her, and I wasn’t one to share.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. I rolled my eyes as I glanced over at Annabelle.

This woman, I thought to myself, sighing in her direction.

“Are you ready to go see my father now?” she inquired.

“Not particularly, but I want to get this shit over with already.” I didn’t even allow her a chance to respond before I began walking towards the estate.

The estate was essentially a modernized castle. It towered ten stories high and housed about fifty vampires, not including the guards and servants.

Given my father’s status and my workload, I was granted a wing on the third floor to myself.

Annabelle seemed to believe that her father’s position as the Lord of this region entitled her to anything she desired. Normally, I wouldn’t give a fuck, but now she was attempting to claim what was mine, and I wasn’t having any of it.

I ascended the stairs to the third floor. Besides my wing, there were also offices, one of which belonged to Lord Marcus.

Annabelle was skipping cheerfully ahead of me. I chuckled to myself, not because she was endearing, but because I knew how this meeting was going to unfold.

We finally reached his office, guarded by two sentinels at the door.

“State your business, Lord Vallen,” one of them commanded.

I simply gestured towards Annabelle. The other guard exhaled and swung open the double doors.

Does she frequent this place?

As we entered, she darted towards him at his desk. “Daddy!” she squealed, causing him to jerk his head up.

“Belle…what brings you here? And with Cole?” he shot a smirk in my direction.

He had been attempting to pair us up for years, but it was a lost cause. I’d rather be staked.

He gestured for us to sit in front of his grand wooden desk. I settled down and began texting Brayden to bring Olivia to my location. I knew Marcus would be curious about the commotion.

“Daddy. Cole stole my human pet from me. I request—no, demand—that he return her to me.”

She put on a show with her big sad eyes and pouty lips. I merely rolled my eyes.

“Cole, would you care to explain?” he asked me, raising an eyebrow.

“There’s not much to explain, Marcus. I purchased a human as a pet, and I just arrived with her. Annabelle here seems to think the girl is hers.” I shrugged at them.

“I went to the pet store two days ago to purchase her, and Martin said she didn’t have her papers. I told him to take care of her until I could return!” she blurted out.

I reached into my briefcase and handed him the papers that Martin supposedly didn’t have. They were health certificates and my sales receipt showing that I had already purchased Olivia four days earlier.

He scrutinized them before speaking. “Cole, if you bought her four days ago, why are you just now bringing the human here?”

“Because Marcus, I wasn’t entirely prepared for her arrival, and I was wrapping up work for my father. Martin agreed to house her for a few days for an additional fee.

“I also instructed him not to tell anyone—” Before I could finish, the doors swung open revealing my assistant Brayden and my lovely pet.

She looked absolutely breathtaking. The dress was perfect against her pale complexion. Her white hair was neatly braided, and her grey eyes seemed to sparkle when she spotted me.

Her joy was short-lived when she noticed Annabelle grinning at her. Brayden had to nudge her a bit to keep her moving towards me.

“Hello, pet.” I hated sounding stern and cold, but I couldn’t let these two vultures discern my true feelings for my little dove.

“Hello, Sir. Thank you for the dress,” she murmured.

I knew she was nervous so I lifted her onto my lap and positioned her so she was facing Brayden, who was leaning against the wall.

“Why isn’t the bitch wearing a leash?” Annabelle sneered at Brayden.

I could feel Olivia flinch against me.

“Well, it wasn’t necessary. The walk wasn’t long, plus she wouldn’t run. It’d be pointless, her words not mine.” He spoke calmly, but I knew he was seething. Brayden despised Annabelle and her father more than anyone.

“I believe this meeting is over now. I’ve proven my ownership. Annabelle can visit the pet store and purchase yet another human if she so wishes.”

I sighed, preparing to leave with Olivia still in my arms.

“Wait, Cole.” Marcus finally spoke up.

Oh, here we go.

“What did you mean by yet another human?”

I could feel my lips curve into a smile. “Oh, you weren’t aware? Annabelle visits the pet store once, sometimes twice a month to acquire a new pet.”

The look on Annabelle’s face was worth enduring this tedious meeting. “Daddy. He’s lying!” she shrieked in her high-pitched voice.

“Actually, I’m not mistaken. My pet informed me, and I’m confident we can confirm this with Martin’s records.” I responded with a nonchalant shrug.

I could feel Olivia attempting to slide off my lap, her body shrinking in discomfort. But I held her there, my nails digging into her hip just enough to keep her in place.

Marcus’ eyes narrowed in my direction, a silent challenge. He picked up his phone and dialed Martin’s number, placing the call on speaker for everyone to hear.

“Martin’s Pet Shop, how may I assist you?”

“Martin, I need some information regarding one of your clients,” Marcus’ voice was cool and authoritative.

“Of course, Lord Cain! Who is the client and what information do you need?”

“It’s my daughter, Annabelle Cain. I need to know how many times she visited your store and left with a human.”

“Certainly, sir, please hold.”

The room fell into a tense silence as we waited. I could only hope my little dove wouldn’t make me look like a fool.

“Lord Cain, according to my records, Miss Annabelle has purchased 19 pets in the past twelve months.”

Marcus’ eyes widened in disbelief, so much so that I thought they might pop out of his head.

“Nineteen? Nineteen?! That can’t be right. I want you to fax me those records immediately.” He ended the call before Martin could respond, his voice echoing in the silent room.

It took about five minutes for Marcus’ assistant to walk through the doors, a stack of papers clutched in her hands.