Page 41 of Pet: Genesis

“Iris.” Remus’s voice pulls me out of my state and back to reality. I almost lift my eyes as well, but I remember my training and Remus’s retaliations to my disobedience in the past. The woman’s voice fills the room as she says something in their language. Whatever it is, Remus finds amusement in it, his soft chuckle filling the air, followed by his command.

“Come.”

Remus stands as I approach, placing his finger under my chin to lift my gaze. There’s a female and two male Leviathan in attendance. And there’s also a human man as well standing behind the female with his head down. His eyes raise slightly, but as soon as we make eye contact, he shifts back to his submissive position.

Remus speaks to the Leviathan in attendance, his eyes roaming over my features as a smile plays at his lips. Once he’s finished, the female begins speaking, gauging my attention. Her hair is black, flowing past her hips with a bone-straight texture that’s thick despite the silkiness of it. Her features are intimidatingly beautiful, with sharp cheekbones and full lips, making me wonder if Remus and this Leviathan have ever been intimate. The way she speaks and touches Remus to emphasize her words makes me think they have.

She’s very comfortable.

“We will be taking our meeting to the back room. You will remain here and eat, and once you are finished, wait for me to return.” Remus’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and it takes me a moment to recognize that he’s speaking English to me.

“Uh, yes,” I murmur, trying to get my brain to work.

The female Leviathan steps forward, pulling my chin between her hands as she looks deep into my eyes. I feel intimidated being this close to another Leviathan that isn’t Remus. However, it’s nowhere close to the terror I feel when looking into Remus’s eyes.

“Take care of my Jude, Iris. Don’t let him get into any trouble,” she chuckles softly.

Remus doesn’t seem to mind her teasing as he guides her away from me, making his way to the back room with his guests in tow. Silence washes over the room, and I take in the human that’s been left behind. Now that I am closer, I notice the scars that mar his body. I feel my stomach twisting in discomfort as I take in the fresh pink scar that runs up his arm.

“Mistakes are not tolerated in Zaya’s household.” I tense when Jude decides to speak, my gaze immediately shifting to the archway Remus just disappeared behind. Jude’s soft laugh pulls me away from my terror-filled watch just as he steps past me toward the bar in the kitchen.

“Wow. I can’t believe he’s broken you already. Don’t worry they won’t be coming out for a while. They’re discussing plans to finish out this hostile takeover. Among other things,” he says.

I study him in confusion. He seems confident for a human in a Leviathan’s care, especially considering his scars.

“How do you know?” I ask. He shakes his head as if it’s obvious.

“Don’t you find it odd that Remus didn’t take you with him? I’m sure he takes you everywhere,” he says.

He’s right. Remus does take me everywhere. He even took me to what seemed like an important meeting among the Leviathan.

“Even he knows that you’ll be able to figure out the direction of a conversation if there are maps and plans in front of you,” he adds as he takes a seat, turning to face me. I can finally take in the color of his eyes. They’re green, a warm and inviting green that makes you feel at home. His eyes rake over me, taking in my pristine state as he mirrors my own study.

“So you’re the mighty Leviathan ruler’spet,” he says. His mocking tone makes me think of his words when he first began this strange banter.

“I’m not broken,” I say. He raises a brow at me.

“Yes. Youweren’t. I saw what you did at the ball. When you tried to save those people, it was brave... and stupid. And I’m sure what ensued after left you shuddering at the thought of disobeying him. You played right into his trap. You gave him the perfect opportunity to teach you and any slave in the vicinity a lesson on what would happen. And judging from the way you reacted when you came in, he succeeded in breaking you,” he says.

I walk across the room with determined steps, my eyes burning with rage as I approach.

“He didnotbreak me,” I hiss.

Jude’s eyes search mine, narrowing slightly. “He’s getting there.”

Margot chooses this moment to step into the room, making her way into the kitchen to prepare something, probably per Remus’s command. I move away from Jude, but he continues speaking.

“You’re holding on even if it is by a thread. No one has ever defied Remus like that,especiallyin front of the Leviathan society. I’m shocked to see you’re alive without a scar on you... and all of your bones intact,” he says, taking in my arms and legs.

“He took me to a Leviathan that specializes in humans. She healed me,” I say softly.

Jude nods his head, his smile widening. “So the mighty Remus doesn’t like his toys damaged.”

My cheeks burn at his jab, but I don’t react. Instead, I take in his battered state. Unlike Remus, his master seems to like showing off his scars.

Jude notices the direction of my gaze, gesturing to his scars as he speaks. “I’m a fighter. Something my master loves to toy with,” he smiles.

“Why doesn’t she just put an inhibitor on you?” I ask in confusion. She seems to share similar needs to Remus.

---