I stopped breathing and went still. My temperature skyrocketed. My limp cock bolted back to life.

  Kur’tok’s tongue was hot and wet. My skin tingled where it touched me, sending tiny jolts of electricity sparking over my naked body. The way he licked me was domineering and confident, but also careful and thorough. By the time he was done with me, I was clean—and hard.

  My throat constricted. “Um... thanks.”

  Kur’tok grunted, which I’d come to expect by now. “What other problems do you have?” he demanded.

  It was kind of cute how he aggressively offered to tend to my needs.

  “I’m tired,” I admitted. “I’ve been walking for hours, and my feet hurt.”

  “Then sleep,” Kur’tok ordered, as if I’d pass out on command.

  I hesitated. While I would’ve loved to sleep, my recurring boner was an obstacle. I knew from experience I couldn’t drift off while hormones raged in my blood.

  “I might have to... take care of myself first,” I admitted.

  “I am already taking care of you,” Kur’tok snapped.

  Right. I forgot that I had to go easy on the euphemisms with Maeleons.

  I cleared my throat. “Let me rephrase that. I’m... aroused and I need to come before I can sleep.”

  A glassy sheen flickered across Kur’tok’s eyes. He dropped his gaze between my legs, regarding my erection with undisguised interest.

  “Hmph,” he said. “Then come.”

  Hearing him order me around turned me on harder. I swallowed, feeling my heart beating rapidly in my throat. “Unfortunately, I’m not one of those people who can do that on command.”

  Kur’tok leaned in. His voice dropped to a low, husky growl that turned me weak. “You will do it when I command.”

  The order sent a sizzling pulse across my skin. I felt dizzy with pleasure. I couldn’t think except to crave release—and I wanted it by Kur’tok’s hand.

  “Can I... touch myself?” I asked, then mustered the courage to ask for what I really wanted: “Or you could touch me instead.”

  Kur’tok huffed hot breath from his nostrils. His eyes flickered to my cock, then to my face again. I could tell he was dying from curiosity. I was a brand-new creature for him to play with, and I was completely bent to his whims.

  “Fine,” he spat, like it was a chore, although his burning eyes and excited motions betrayed him.

  I gasped as Kur’tok’s hand closed around my cock.

  “Not so rough,” I said.

  His grip eased to a comfortable hold. “You are too weak, prey-pet,” he muttered. “Every little thing hurts you.”

  “Yeah, and your hand’s on the most sensitive part of my body. Be nice to it, okay?”

  “Don’t tell me what to do, flesh-bag.”

  He said it like he didn’t care, but his cautious, gentle hand job proved otherwise. He obviously took my warning to heart. I shuddered into his touch, rocking my hips forward to chase that sizzling sensation. My breath came out in shaky puffs.

  Kur’tok suddenly stopped.

  “Why are you wriggling like that?” he asked, somehow sounding both angry and concerned. “Even this hurts?”

  “No, no,” I said, smiling. “It feels good.”

  His scaly brows knitted together. “You writhe because it feels good?”

  “Yeah,” I breathed.

  He watched my face for a moment as he committed that new fact to memory. Then he resumed his slow, steady pace. The feeling of his unusually warm scales against my cock felt divine. I hadn’t been touched by anyone else’s hand in ages, and paired with my newfound kink of being collared and dominated, it was a thousand times better.

  Plus, the hunky sexy alien doing it to me was a big plus.

  I leaned back and spread my legs, giving Kur’tok more room to work his magic. Hot pleasure thrummed in every inch of my body. I was already turned on before he started touching me, but now it was pure fireworks. Tiny moans spilled from my lips as I squirmed and bucked into Kur’tok’s hand.

  His reactions were adorable. He stared at me like a cat hunting a cornered mouse, utterly focused and bristling with excitement. His feelers floated in the air, pulsing with rings of pink. Was he turned on, too? It was impossible to tell with Maeleons until they took their junk out of their cloacas. But judging by his tense posture and sparkling eyes, signs pointed to yes.

  “It twitches in my hand,” Kur’tok said.

  I nodded, breathing hard. “I’m close.”

  “You are going to come for me.” A statement, not a question.

  Another spike of pleasure rolled down my spine. Fuck, was he trying to be sexy? If so, it was working.

  “Yeah, I am,” I murmured.

  I wanted to stave it off, savor the moment as much as I could, but it was impossible. The unintended foreplay up until now was too much to bear. My pent-up sexual frustration hit its peak.

  With Kur’tok’s collar draped around my neck and his hand wrapped around my cock, I came hard and loud. My moans echoed in the cavern as I rocked my hips furiously, seeking every last bit of ecstasy.

  Kur’tok’s mane of feelers floated higher. His eyes lost their sharp edge as they widened in fascination. Was I imagining it, or did he actually look happy?

  With a final groan, I collapsed. Kur’tok caught me with his tentacles so I didn’t fall flat.

  The prehensile limbs were both powerful and silky-soft. Being held by his tentacles felt like floating in the world’s most secure waterbed.

  “Thanks,” I said, still breathless.

  Kur’tok gave me a classic grunt in response. He held me upright for a few seconds before withdrawing his tentacles, and when he did, I was uncomfortably aware of their absence.

  “Now sleep,” he ordered.

  I nodded, already veering into unconsciousness. The warm, soft embrace of the pandar-fur blanket and the cavern’s darkness lulled me closer to sleep. It had been a long—and wacky—day. My brain desperately needed to slap the snooze button.

  Maybe in the morning I’d figure out why I liked being Kur’tok’s captive so much.

  6 / Kur’tok

  After releasing its pollen, the human curled up and slept without a care in the world. Why wasn’t Paz afraid? I could’ve eaten it before it realized what was happening.

  But though my stomach still growled, my urge to eat Paz died down. The human piqued my curiosity. It was too interesting to get rid of. Yet.

  How deep was its sleep? Could I touch Paz without waking it?

  My claws hovered over the tuft of curly fur on its head. The texture was soft with its long individual strands, but there was no undercoat. Was that why Paz got cold? I was suddenly grateful I’d kept all of Kookee’s shed fur to make that blanket.

  The biggest patch of fur was on its head. It was sparse elsewhere. Tiny insignificant hairs trailed over the human’s body, but not enough to keep it warm. The only other patch I noticed was between the legs, where Paz’s dick now lay satisfied and limp.

  I snorted in sympathy. What a poorly designed creature. Yet its pathetic nature compelled me. It felt necessary to stay close in case my prey froze to death, or spontaneously combusted. Who knew what humans were capable of?

  I didn’t realize I’d nodded off in the den until a commotion outside roused me. I snapped to attention, rising to my feet, feelers bristling as I ran to the mouth of the den. In a random flash, I thought of Paz behind me. An unusual heat sizzled in my guts—like anger, but different.

  My vigilance faded when I recognized the two approaching figures. Arr’tow and Haz’rull had finally returned.

  But I wasn’t happy to see them. They’d crawled back empty-handed, except for an armful of fruit each. There wasn’t any meat in sight.

  “What is that?” I roared, jabbing a finger at their stupid fruits. “That’s not what I ordered you to hunt!”

  Arr’tow ducked against my furious words. “Sorry, Kur’tok. We hunted all night, but couldn’t find anything except these.”

  “Unacceptable,” I snarled. “Me and Kookee are starving, and this is what you deem appropriate food? I should tear you both apart!”

  As my two underlings balked in fear, I heard a small yawn behind me.

  “Hey, what’s all the fuss about?” Paz asked. The human padded up to my side, where it looked minuscule. The top of its furry head only reached my biceps.

  Arr’tow and Haz’rull yelped, dropping their load of fruits. I didn’t want the stupid fruit, but I was annoyed that their flesh was now bruised from being bungled.

  “W-what is that?” Haz’rull asked, staring at Paz.

  My lip curled in irritation. We were no longer alone, and so my prey-pet was no longer hidden. I liked keeping Paz to myself, but now the secret was out.

  “It is my pet,” I stated.

  “Okay, first of all,” Paz interjected, “I’m not an it. I’m a he.”

  That word jogged my memory. I’d heard it before, a long time ago.

  Before I could pry deeper into my memories, Paz sighed and launched into an explanation of something called ‘pronouns.’ Apparently, humans and some other sapient creatures had a range of them. I found that I liked the same ‘he’ pronoun that Paz used. It felt familiar on my tongue.

  “Fine,” I muttered. “He is my pet.”

  My underlings exchanged a glance.

  “Don’t you already have a pet?” Haz’rull asked, tilting their blue head.

  “I can have as many pets as I want!” I roared.

  “Whoa,” Paz said, surprised. “What’s with the yelling, Kur’tok? Aren’t these guys your friends?”

  I barked a cold laugh. “These two? They’re no friends of mine. They are my underlings.”

  Paz’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? I’m sorry, am I in an alternate dimension? A Maeleon with underlings? You’re not serious, are you?”

  “Why would I not be serious?” I demanded.

  Paz gestured frantically with his hands. “Because Maeleons are like—I dunno, nice to each other all the time? Sharing food and loving consent and stuff? I’ve never met a Maeleon that acted like you.”

  “Well, I act like this,” I snapped. “And you’re mine now, so you’d better get used to it.”

  Paz slowly narrowed his eyes, then crossed his arms. “Nah. I don’t think so.”

  The human’s words were as unexpected as a random torrential rainstorm. Nobody ever dared talk back to me—until now.

  Shoving my snout into his blunt face, I roared, “What did you say?”

  Paz didn’t move as his gaze held mine. “It’s not cute to be so rude. And c’mon, referring to those two as your underlings? That’s childish. You’re better than that, Kur’tok.”

  “What do you know, human prey-pet?” I snarled.

  He put up the flat palms of his hands. “Listen, I know we just met and we don’t know each other that well, but I can tell you’re a good guy. There’s no need to act so tough.”

  I snarled louder, shooting out a hot puff of air through my fangs that brushed Paz’s head-fur aside. Still, he didn’t move. Why wasn’t he afraid? The fragile little human should’ve been cowering at my feet, not talking back.

  I noticed the rope collar loosely hanging from his neck. I snatched the end of the leash, nearly crushing it to dust in my fist, but I didn’t yank Paz around. His human flesh was so delicate, I felt like he might disintegrate if I was too rough with him.

  “Like I said, you are mine,” I growled. “Do not argue with me.”

  “Who’s arguing?” Paz asked with a smile.

  His tone shift disarmed me. What kind of magic did this human possess? I still didn’t know the full extent of his abilities. I had to be careful around him.

  I grunted, then turned back to my underlings. “Pick up that fruit and put it in the den. My pet will eat it.”

  “Right away, Kur’tok,” they said together.

  As the two cowering Maeleons scurried into the den with their loads of fruit, Paz caught up with them.

  “Hey, let me help,” he offered. “That’s a lot of fruit to carry, even for Maeleons with tentacles.”

  I sneered. “Don’t help them. They can do it on their own.”

  The real reason was that I wanted him to stay beside me, but I didn’t say that.

  “Don’t worry, it’ll only take a second,” Paz insisted. “Can you drop the leash?”

  “Hmph. I don’t want to.”

  Paz flashed another smile. “I’ll be right back, I promise. Okay?”

  He promised? I regarded his face, seeking signs of deception... and saw none. Would his promise be a lie?

  “Fine,” I said, dropping the rope.

  Paz’s brown eyes sparkled. “Thanks, Kur’tok.”

  He scampered into the den to help Arr’tow and Haz’rull. If my underlings were competent, they wouldn’t need a human’s help, but I couldn’t give them that much credit.

  I waited outside the den, flicking my tail irritably. Why did Paz care about helping those two when he should’ve been spending time with me? How annoying. If he was going to be my pet, we needed guidelines. He couldn’t go around doing whatever he wanted and getting into trouble. His fleshy human body was too fragile. I didn’t want him to get hurt.

  “I’m back!” Paz said.

  I was surprised that he’d already returned. “That was fast.”

  “I told you, didn’t I?” He bent down to pick up the leash, then handed it back to me. “Here ya go.”

  I grunted and closed my hand over the leash. It was odd he bothered returning it. If he was clever, he could’ve used the chance to escape... although he wouldn’t get far. So perhaps sticking around was the smarter choice after all.

  “Hey, Kur’tok?” Paz asked. “Why did you get mad at those two? They brought tons of food.”

  “Not meat,” I spat.

  “So, you only eat meat?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you... tried eating fruit?” Paz suggested.

  “No,” I snapped. “Stop asking.”

  “Okey doke. Then what you’re saying is, you’re still hungry.”

  “Yes,” I grumbled. “But I’m more concerned about Kookee.”

  Sympathy flashed in Paz’s eyes. “Oh. Are pandar carnivorous?”

  “Probably.”

  Paz paused, then asked, “You don’t know?”

  I glared at him.

  He was unaffected. “You’ve never tried feeding Kookee fruit?” he asked.

  “No. It will make Kookee weak, like the rest of those fruit-eaters,” I explained. “I want my pets to be strong and healthy. Including you.”

  He smiled. “I’m pretty healthy, as far as humans go. Although the strength of my species can never rival a Maeleon.”

  “That is fine. I will take care of you,” I asserted.

  Paz’s cheeks changed color. “You will?” he asked, his voice rising.

  “Is it not obvious?” I growled. “Look how well I treat Kookee. If you are my pet, I will also treat you well. Unless one day I tire of you, and decide to eat you.”

  The threat was meaningless. In my private mind, I already knew I liked Paz enough to keep him alive.

  In any case, he wasn’t intimidated by my words. “Aw, that’s nice of you, Kur’tok. I’m pretty low maintenance, I think. I just need food, sleep, and...” He coughed, then mumbled, “Sex once in a while.” His voice rose to its usual volume. “Although, I guess I need companionship, too.”

  I whirled on him. “Is my companionship not enough?”

  He blinked, like my words shocked him. “Well... sure, I like you, Kur’tok. But you can’t be my only friend.”

  “Why not?” I demanded.

  His smile turned slightly sad. “I’ve got friends back home. I miss them,” he admitted.

  An uncomfortable feeling swirled in my chest, like an inescapable pool of sticky sap. I didn’t want Paz to be sad, but I didn’t want him to go back home, wherever that was. The thought of him leaving chilled my blood and filled me with dread.

  I clutched the leash tighter. “Your home is with me now. Get used to it.”

  He sighed. “Sure, all right.”

  “Don’t do that thing with your face.”

  “Do what?”

  “Your smile is facing the wrong way,” I grumbled.

  “That’s called a frown,” Paz said. “And I appreciate the sentiment, but you can’t go around telling people how to feel, Kur’tok.”

  “Why not?”

  “Well, for one thing, people can’t control their feelings on command,” Paz explained. “Like, if I snapped my fingers and ordered you to be happy, could you?”

  I squinted suspiciously at his small, twig-like fingers. “Does snapping your fingers hold some mystical power?”

  He snorted in amusement. “No.”

  I mulled over his thought experiment. If anybody else on Eukaria ordered me to do anything, I’d rip their head off. But if Paz did it, maybe I wouldn’t mind so much.

  I puffed out my chest. “Yes, I could do it,” I declared.

  “Really?” Paz asked, then raised his hand and performed a loud, rapid click with his fingers. In an emphatic voice, he said, “Kur’tok, I order you to be happy right now.”

  A growl rumbled in my throat. I liked Paz, but no, I did not like being commanded how to feel.

  “All right, fine, I see your point,” I conceded. “Then I will... persuade your emotions instead.”

  He flashed a bright grin. “Sure, you can try.”

  It relieved me that his frown disappeared. I preferred his smile, and he smiled when I admitted defeat. That should’ve been troubling. Kur’tok did not admit defeat—except to small flesh-bag humans, apparently.

  And yet, I wasn’t perturbed. For some reason, I didn’t mind bending my iron will for Paz’s sake.

  But only a little bit. In the end, he was my pet and I was his master. If he was going to live under my collar, it was time he learned the rules of my domain.

  7 / Paz

  After eating a fruit breakfast that Kur’tok declined to join, my captor gave me a tour of his territory. Unlike the Maeleon village, Kur’tok took his residence by a cozy waterfall beneath a thicket of exotic trees. He lived alone, except for the two other Maeleons he called “underlings” and his pets, Kookee and now me.