Chapter Three- Life's New Role

Yusei trotted along in Jack's wake. He now belonged to a vampire and would remain in wolf form for life. He could never return to his pack who would briefly search for him before deducing that he had been caught and sold.

I could try to run and get home. I can still talk and get someone to remove the collar. He had stopped and was about to take off when Jack sped over to stand over him.

"Don't even try to leave," he said and leaned down to attach a leash. "Should have done this earlier. Now, you belong to me and I expect you to obey me. I think you'll eventually like living with me; surely it'll be better than where you came from." He straightened and continued on home, tugging the leash. "Come along, wolf."

Yusei had no choice but to follow. I have no doubt that his place is plush and comfortable, but it won't be for me. It's clear that he won't ask for my name. He'll call me pet or wolf. What will he be wanting me to do? What kind of training will he put me through?

Jack smiled as he headed home. Yes, he could have ridden home given his social status, but he chose to walk. It would give him and his pet some time to bond as master and pet and the opportunity to show the public that he had a pet. I wonder what his name is. I doubt I would understand it. The way Akiza tells it, werewolves talk in wolf form but they do so with a kind of guttural sound to their words, even in human form. But with training their words could become clear. I think my pet had some education as the one word he spoke was clear. Then again, he doesn't need to talk beyond wolf sounds.

"Hello, Mina. I'm home," Jack called as he opened the door.

Mina came into the living room here Jack now sat and saw a lean muscular jet-black wolf with blue eyes sitting beside the couch. "Welcome back. I see you got your pet. He's quite a good-looking werewolf. Or is it a she?"

"It's a he."

"What's his name?"

"I didn't ask and frankly it doesn't matter. All I want is for him to be loyal, obedient, and faithful to me. As I said last night, that is your job."

"Of course. Do you want me to start now?"

"No. I think after breakfast tomorrow would be better. I'm sure my pet would like some dinner and be shown where he will sleep. I could use some blood myself."

"Of course, Jack." Mina led the way to the kitchen, not aware that Yusei was watching her and taking in her scent. Hmm, she's human. Seems some humans serve vampires as servants. Jack seems to treat her well and if she's my trainer, it seems training won't be so bad.

They entered a dining room and Jack handed the leash to Mina before sitting. "You will eat in the kitchen, wolf," he said before Mina led him away. Once in the kitchen, the woman crouched down, removed the leash, and fixed Yusei with a stern look. "I know training starts tomorrow, but let me give you some advice: Jack is the master of the house and everyone here serves him in some capacity. I am his number one aide and you are his pet werewolf. Our job is to make him happy and that means doing as we're told. Those that do are treated well. Think about that while you eat." Mina then put a raw steak on a plate in front of him before leaving with a tall glass of blood in her hand.

Yusei sniffed the steak before lying down, put his forepaws on the steak, and began to eat. The rawness of the steak appealed to his wolf side and knew that in his current form, his stomach could handle the uncooked meat. He swallowed a bite and licked his muzzle. Hmm, this is really good; high quality no doubt. Maybe I was hasty about being Jack's pet. I wouldn't mind remaining here if I get food like this every day. His tail swished as he seized the meat with his teeth again.

Jack took a long drink of blood before lowering the glass. He sighed contently. He always felt content after a good drink. Mina sat on his right and she had a small glass of wine in front of her. He never understood why humans drank wine but then again, his body only accepted blood. He had never eaten or drank anything else, unlike other living beings. Ah, but I am not exactly alive. My heart does not beat and doesn't circulate my blood which is why my skin is pale and I must drink blood every day. Yet, I do enjoy the parties and other big events I attend regularly. I occasionally host parties myself. I hope to hold one after the full moon so that I can show off my obedient werewolf pet.

"Jack, I spoke to your pet while in the kitchen," Mina said after sipping her wine. "I told him that you are the master of the house and that we serve to make you happy. I hope he thinks on that as it would make training go smoothly."

"That would be preferable, but it may not happen. He may be trapped in his wolf form, but he still has his human mind, reasoning, and traits. I know from observation that human nature usually resists being enslaved. They balk at being ordered when they are against it and werewolves are both human and wolf. He may think of obeying tonight but by morning, he may change his mind and fight back against the training. Speaking of which, you may wish to start with training him to not speak save for canine sounds."

"Only canine sounds," Mina repeated as Jack drained his glass.

"Now, take the glass back and bring my pet so we can all sleep as you and he have a big day tomorrow."

"Yes, Jack." Mina took both glasses to the kitchen sink seeing Yusei sitting there in front of an empty plate and seemed to be in deep thought. She got his attention when she picked up the plate. "Jack says it is time to sleep for you and I have a big day tomorrow. Come. You will sleep in Jack's room." She left the room with Yusei behind her.

Jack now stood by the table as they entered and he snapped his fingers. "Here, boy," he said, pointing beside him. Yusei hesitated for a moment before going to Jack's side. The vampire nodded approvingly as he left for the stairs with Yusei beside him and Mina bringing up the rear.

Yusei couldn't help looking around as they walked. The place, despite it being a penthouse, looked more like a palace. There were elaborately woven tapestries, expensive vases, and paintings or holo-pictures on the walls. The carpet beneath his paws was soft and plush and the doors they passed were solid dark wood.

Mina entered one of those rooms and he continued to follow Jack down the end to a set of double doors made of marble and lined with pure gold. Jack threw open both doors with a flourish and entered. Yusei followed beside him, but then stopped, and he stared slack-jawed. The room was enormous! More holo-pictures hung on the walls. One side of the room held a large walk-in closet with a balcony on the opposite wall across the room. A bed large enough for a dozen people dominated most of the room and a glance showed an ornate bathroom across from the foot of the bed.

Jack cleared his throat and the wolf looked to see an amused look on his pale face. "I had debated on whether you were to sleep on the floor or not and decided to get this." He pointed at a spot between the bed and the wall that led to the balcony. Yusei padded across the plush carpet to see a smaller, but still large bed. It was shaped like a human bed, but was clearly designed for a dog. He climbed into it while Jack went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and change his clothes. Yusei used his tongue to wash his paws which he used to clean his face. He then sat there, unsure of whether he should lie down and sleep or wait up for Jack. It was clear to him that, as his pet, he pretty much couldn't make his own decisions anymore.

Jack emerged from the bathroom and saw Yusei still awake. This pleased him as he enjoyed ordering the black wolf around. It's got to be a bit disconcerting for him. This morning, he was a free wolf living in the slums and now he is a pet living in luxury. He climbed into bed and rolled over so he could reach down and stroke the wolf's head. "Good night, my pet." He rolled onto his back and was asleep instantly.

Yusei sighed as he curled up and closed his eyes, preferring to be home in the Satellite instead of living in the city in luxury.