Chapter Four- Start of Training

The sound of knocking woke master and pet the following morning. Jack spoke to someone at the door before going into the bathroom. While Jack was in there, Yusei yawned and stretched as he got out of bed. He sat beside his bed and uttered his first words since taking wolf form for good. "This is not the life I would have chosen," he muttered. "No werewolf should be someone's pet. I would prefer to live in Satellite or a forest."

The bathroom door opening prompted Yusei to cease speaking. He wasn't sure why he didn't speak when Jack or Mina was around, but felt it was a smart move. Jack combed his hair before opening the door to reveal Mina holding a brush, a comb, and nail clippers. He nodded in approval before turning to Yusei. "Come, boy." He trotted over and Jack added, "Mina is going to groom you and then bring you down for breakfast. I expect you to listen to her and don't even think of trying to escape." The teen vampire left.

Mina gestured for Yusei to sit and once he had, she knelt down, nail clippers in hand. She began to cut, trim, and file his claws explaining, "You don't need sharp claws to live here and they won't snag on the carpet."

"Makes sense," he agreed and then yelped when Mina hit his head with the clippers.

"No talking," she snapped. "Only canine sounds are allowed."

"What?"

She hit him again. "Canine sounds only."

Yusei's ears folded back, closed his eyes, and he bowed his head while Mina set about brushing and combing his fur. He was so lost in thought, he failed to notice that the collar had been removed and thus stayed in wolf form. I was right in not speaking. I'm only allowed to make canine sounds.

"Now you look more presentable," Mina said. Yusei opened his eyes and stared at himself in the mirror they had been sitting in front of. His fur had been brushed and combed, making it gleam and smoother. I do look better, he thought and nuzzled Mina's hand in thanks. She smiled before leaving with Yusei following. Her first foray into training had gone well. She only had to discipline him twice before he caught on to no talking. It shouldn't take long to make him loyal, obedient, and faithful to Jack.

Yusei followed Mina, still lost in thought. He disliked the idea of not talking and didn't know why he should follow it. After all, I'm a werewolf, not a regular wolf. Werewolves talk and I will not stop talking just because she says so. I may belong to Jack, but that's all I'll accept.

Jack watched as Mina and his pet headed into the kitchen. The wolf's fur had been nicely brushed and he looked more like a pet than someone he picked up off the streets. Mina soon returned and once seated, Jack clapped his hands to have Mina's food and his blood brought out.

"Jack, I have begun your pet's training," Mina said as their orders were put in front of them.

"Already?" Jack asked, surprised.

"He dared to talk while I was shortening his claws, twice. I disciplined him both times."

"He spoke? Did you understand him?"

"Loud and clear. Why?"

"Rumors say their ability to talk is rough and guttural, impossible to understand."

"Looks like the rumors were false."

"It would seem so. Now, I will be busy getting the paperwork for my pet filled out and you will be training him."

Mina nodded, biting back the question of why Jack couldn't have someone else fill out the paperwork. She wasn't allowed to question his decisions. If he wanted to do something himself, he would.

Soon breakfast was over and Mina followed the cooks to retrieve Yusei while Jack called for a limo to meet him up front before heading for the door. The young woman led Yusei to a room that was empty save for the various weapons hanging on the walls as well as ropes, chains, and straps of leather. The door clicked closed and Yusei's tail twitched nervously. Is this the training room?

"Your training will now officially begin," Mina said as she slid a one-piece suit over her clothes and attached a few items to the belt loops in the suit. "I have about three weeks to train you to be loyal, obedient, and faithful to Jack."

Yusei eyed the items around Mina's waist before saying, "Only three weeks? What if you haven't trained me before the three-?" Yusei leaped to one side to avoid the whip that came swinging his way.

"Only canine sounds, remember?"

"I remember, but I disagree. I'm a werewolf, not a normal wolf."

"That may be, but Jack made it clear for you to not talk."

Yusei growled. "I accept that I belong to him, but that's all. I refuse to be treated like an animal."

Suddenly two men grabbed him while another chained his legs to the floor. A leather strap was wrapped around his muzzle, preventing him from talking or biting anyone. Mina smiled grimly as she held the whip. "You will learn your place; if I must beat it into you, so be it. You will learn not to talk." She cracked the whip and brought it down on the black wolf.

Yusei whined with each crack that came down and he inwardly cursed. He had thought Mina was a nice human, but that attitude was only for Jack. Absent the vampire, she was hard and ruthless. He had no idea how long the beating was but when it stopped, he was nearly unconscious from the pain.

"Well, let's see if you've changed your mind," Mina said, removing the strap. "Speak, boy." Yusei gave a soft bark and Mina nodded. "Good. I expect nothing but canine sounds from now on. Understand?" Yusei barked again.

Bowls of water and raw meat were presented and Mina said, "Eat and we'll resume training after lunch." She left the room with Yusei still chained.

Lunchtime already? he thought as he lapped up the water and ate his food. I've been beaten all morning? He wondered what else he would be expected to do and what punishment he would receive if he disobeyed. They may have gotten me to comply with no talking, but I will not give in so easily with the rest of the training.

Mina chewed her salad as she reflected on the morning. She hadn't expected him to talk again and had to spend the morning re-enforcing it. The two barks he gave convinced her that he wouldn't talk again. Now that I've insured that, it's on to the next step. Jack had left a list of things he wants his pet to learn. I wonder how compliant he'll be with them. My guess is he won't which is fine with me. I actually look forward to being brutal with him. I've seen Jack be cruel to some people and I've emulated that when it comes to those who work under me. The wolf will be the pet Jack's dreamed of, I will make sure of that.

Yusei had been dozing lightly when he heard the door open. He woke up to see his bowls taken away and as he sat up, Mina crouched down in front of him with a cold stare.

"I did not appreciate having to remind you not to talk. It's clear that you have a good deal of pride and I will have to punish you most severely to get you to obey. I had expected some resistance, but I now see it will take longer than I anticipated.

"Now, Jack made a list of what he expects from you. He wants, first and foremost, total obedience to every command he gives you. We will train you on commands Jack is likely to give every day and then ones he will give almost as often. We will also train you to protect Jack. There are humans who would try to kill Jack and it will be up to you to insure that they fail. If you have to kill them, that will be fine. No one will hold it against you."

Yusei listened with horror. They expected him to kill? I've never killed in my life. I could never and I won't.