Page 78 of I'm Not Your Pet

The stars looked like they were barely a hundred feet away, floating in the sky like fairy lights as Ushuu and Mala led me from the ship and through the rows of spaceships that lined the dock. I’d been silent, taking everything in, wishing like hell I had a new journal to take notes.

In the back of my mind, I logged the details for later.

Sha’hPihn, as Ushuu had called it was a consumer hub for this side of the galaxy. Larger than F’ukYuu, and full of high-end buildings that resembled the larger cities of Earth. It was one of the more developed planets when it came to technology—as evidenced by the floating neon signs that pointed down the walkway, and the shuttles that flew overhead.

I’d never seen anything like this.

It was…god. So fuckingcool!

I’d often wondered what Roark’s planet was like—where we were headed. And when I’d asked Ushuu the other day he’d told me it was similar in infrastructure to Sha’hPihn, but friendlier. I wasn’t sure what he meant by “friendlier” but I couldn’t wait to find out.

There were so many different species of aliens here. They went about their days, barely sparing us a single glance as they anchored their ships and hauled cargo down ramps to the pier below. The variety of species present were more varied than what I’d seen on F’ukYuu. Which was quite an amazing feat. I could’ve sworn in my three years enslaved, I’d seen every alien on this side of the galaxy.

I’d been wrong.

I had to move fast to match Mala’s pace and he slowed when he noticed, smiling in a way I guessed was apologetic. His spots were blue—calm and confident—and when I glanced at Ushuu, he was grinning down at me like he knew something that I didn’t.

He was a crafty bastard.

I’d become quite fond of him over the last few weeks, especially when he’d regale me with tales of Roark’s youth, and what a stalwart little soldier he’d been. I’d thought I was a goody two-shoes till I learned about what Roark had been like as a kid.

When I saw a tall man with three heads I stumbled to a stop to get a better look. Hands, hands—let me see his?—

“Four thumbs!” I cheered under my breath, stoked to see another of the strange aliens I’d encountered previously. I wondered if this guy was an accountant too, like the one I’d serviced before.

Seeing a familiar organism was soothing in a way.

All the new species and the foreign-looking sky had put me on edge—even if I didn’t like to admit it. I was a scientist at heart, but I was also only twenty-one. And some of these creatures reminded me a little too much of how ignorant I actually was when it came to what was out here in the galaxy. Plus, Roark wasn’t here to protect me from getting snatched up again, which I thought made it fair for me to be a little on edge—even considering how badass this planet was.

Stop being a little bitch, Hugo. You have Mala and Ushuu with you. You’re fine. If Roark didn’t think you were safe, he wouldn’t have let you leave.

Sure there’re tons of aliens, but who gives a fuck?

You don’t have to dance for any of them.

No one is going to take you away.

Your only job is to take it all in.

I wished Roark was here, but Ushuu had explained he would be busy for the next few days with preparations for the last leg of the journey home. I knew that meant a lot more alone time with him later, so I was happy he’d planned this outing for me.

I’d started to feel like I was going crazy we’d been stuck on board so long.

Exploring his cocks and their very different personalities had helped. In my head I liked to call the first one “PushyPush” and the second “PoliteyPants,” though I’d never admit that to Roark’s face. He was a fascinating creature for certain, and I knew I could spend the rest of my life observing him and never grow bored.

Even after he’d shown me the sparring room and the pool—and all the other cool little nooks and crannies on board The Dreamer—bless you Ushuu for telling me the ship’s name—it was still only a matter of time before I needed solid ground to reset.

Not that I was sure the moving sidewalk beneath our feet counted as solid ground. Below us, I could see another docking bay through the glass. And below that there was another. An almost infinite number of them going low, low, low.

Stop looking down.

Or you’ll throw up.

“Four thumbs,” I repeated again, amazed as the alien I was staring at passed by our little group, his three heads swiveling.He barked out what I could only assume was a reprimand to one of his crewmates, and I flinched.

“What?” Ushuu blinked down at me, looking amused. I just shook my head, because I didn’t know how to explain. It was weird acknowledging where I’d been before Roark had given me a home—and I wasn’t sure I was ready to talk to anyone but Roark about it.

“Where are we heading?” I asked instead.

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