Mine,My Bunny

The rain came down in the streets like silver needles, merciless and cold. Leah sat curled against the brick wall of an alley, arms wrapped around her knees, clothes clinging to her frail frame. Her hair was plastered to her face, her lips pale, trembling. She had gone two days without food.....three without real sleep. The city didn’t care. People passed her by without a glance. She was invisible. Disposable. Until she appeared. A pair of sharp heels clicked on the wet pavement, each step steady, deliberate. Leah barely raised her head, expecting another stranger to ignore her existence. But the footsteps stopped directly in front of her. “Little bunny,” a low voice murmured. Leah blinked. Through the veil of rain, she saw her,tall, elegant, draped in a black coat that clung perfectly to her hourglass shape. Dark hair swept back, crimson lips unmoving except for that small curl.....half-smirk, half-promise. “Cold, aren’t you?” the woman continued, crouching down, her eyes like polished obsidian. “Shivering like a drenched rabbit.” Leah’s throat tightened. No one had spoken to her in days. “I… I’m fine.” “You’re lying,” the woman said smoothly. A leather-gloved hand reached out, brushing a wet strand of hair from Leah’s cheek. “You’re half-frozen. Hungry. Lost.” The touch was intimate, invasive, but Leah didn’t flinch. She was too weak, too tired. “I can give you shelter.” The woman’s voice was velvet over steel. “Food. Warmth. A bed.” Her lips curved. “Safety. All you have to do is follow me, little bunny.” Leah’s chest ached with a confusing mixture of fear and hope. She swallowed. “Why… why would you help me?” The woman’s smile deepened, but her eyes hardened, sharp with something unspoken. “Because you belong to me now. My sweetpie." The words pressed against Leah’s ribs like chains. Yet.....chains that glittered, promising comfort she hadn’t felt in years. "My name is Leah......"she looked up and uttered softly.She had noticed this fine woman was constantly using pet names to address her and they made her feel small.She didn't like it. "Mmmh Leah,Leah is a sweet name but......I prefer little bunny,suits you better,don't you think?"the woman said with a sweet smile that could melt the coldest hearts. " It's time to go home bunny,follow me."She said and held out her hand to help Leah up . She hesitated only a moment. Then she let the woman lift her to her feet. The car was sleek, black, and silent inside, smelling faintly of leather and perfume. Leah sat awkwardly, her damp clothes soaking into the seat, while the woman.....Arielle, she introduced herself with a single commanding syllable....watched her closely. “You’re trembling,” Arielle observed, then draped her coat around Leah’s shoulders. The scent was intoxicating: expensive, heady, suffocating. Leah whispered, “Thank you.” “No, my little bunny,” Arielle corrected softly, fingertips brushing Leah’s knee. “You don’t thank me. You serve me. Gratitude is shown in obedience. Do you understand?” Leah’s breath caught. The words were dangerous, but her exhaustion left no room for protest. She nodded. “Good girl.” Arielle’s smile was slow, indulgent. “My sweetpie learns quickly.” She had to get used to the numerous names that the woman, Arielle,was giving her.She seemed to like pet names,Leah was in for an unknown new life. The mansion loomed like a shadow at the edge of the city. Inside, everything glowed: chandeliers, polished marble, velvet drapes. It was too much, too overwhelming, and Leah felt small, dirty, unworthy. Arielle led her through the halls, her hand firmly at Leah’s back, guiding, claiming. “This is your home now. You’ll cook, clean, keep the place alive. But most importantly”.......she turned, cupping Leah’s chin.....“you’ll be mine. My comfort, my warmth, my little bunny to hold whenever I desire.” Leah’s lips parted, but no words came. Arielle’s gaze left no room for refusal. "Don't part your lips like that,are you deliberately trying to seduce me?" Arielle teased the already afraid girl. “You agree, don’t you, my gal?” Arielle’s tone was gentle, but beneath it was the iron weight of command. Leah’s chest heaved. Alone on the streets, she had been nothing. Here, at least, she was wanted. Even if it was dangerous. Even if it felt like a trap. “…Yes,” Leah whispered. Arielle’s smile widened. “Good. Very good.” She leaned down, pressing a kiss to Leah’s forehead, lingering, possessive. And the next minute,she claimed Leah's lips roughly, demanding even,she had wanted to do that since she saw her sitting by the road on the streets three days ago. And Leah didn't disappoint,her lips were soft.....tasted like caramel and mints.....Ariel wanted more but looking at the scared little bunny,she decided to spare her that night....until she was settled and ready for her. “You’re safe now. But safety has a price. Remember that, my little bunny.” Leah closed her eyes. She should have felt relief. Instead, she felt the bars of a gilded cage closing around her. And a strange, frightening part of her didn’t want to run.