The Primal's Kitten

Chapter Thirteen

I was sullen and moody when I woke up, barely leaving my room except to get myself a cup of coffee and some toast from the kitchen. I didn’t want to face myself, let alone Lish and Gavin after I had been pushed so severely the night before. Maybe I should just start eating meat again at home so I don’t upset him again. The thought made my stomach clench and I growled as I flopped onto my stomach in the middle of my bed. I knew I needed to get ready for the munch, but I was apprehensive about going, not sure if John would be happy to see me after last night. I still hadn’t taken a bath to soak my welts and bruises, did I really deserve relief after being so disobedient? I thought a good Dom was supposed to care for his submissive, but I guess that was just not something they all did. I had done some reading about some of the harsher practices, maybe he was just like that. I shrugged to myself and climbed off the bed, wincing as my tender rump was dragged across the bedding. John liked dresses, and even though it was cold as hell outside, I grabbed a sweater dress from my closet, at least it would offer me a little padding for sitting at the restaurant, and paired it with a pair of knee-high boots. I didn’t even put on eyeliner, just a little mascara and some chapstick, and then tied my hair into a low bun. Taking a deep breath, I headed down the stairs to meet up with Lish and Gavin so we could leave, thankful at least I wouldn’t have to focus on driving and sitting on the way to the munch. 

John was his usual oddly formal self during the munch, though he kept his hand on my lower back unless we were eating and he needed it. He ordered for me again, which earned a look from Lish because she knew I didn’t eat meat, neither did she. I shook my head just a little and looked back to John, that blind adoration that comes in such uneven exchanges of power written all over my face as I fawned and smiled up at him. When our food came, I went through the motions, eating a bite of meat with a fork full of something more palatable, and thankfully he had gotten me chicken, which was a little easier to stomach. I drew my meal out as long as I could, drinking plenty of Sprite since the bubbles seemed to ease my stomach a bit, but eventually, there were only a few pieces of chicken left on my plate. “You did well, my girl, get yourself dessert if you want.” I could have jumped, the level of joy that exploded within me at his words, a grin plastered over my face. He reached over and tapped my bracelet, offering me a small smile. “I knew you deserved this.” I nearly swooned, stroking my fingers over the metal for the rest of the time we were there, chattering and ordering myself a cookie for dessert. I felt like everything was right with the world at that moment, and the afternoon passed quickly in a haze of excitement and joy to the point where I almost didn’t mind the discomfort of my bruised butt. 

Lish barely waited until we got in the car to turn and stare at me. “What the hell was that? You don’t eat meat! Why didn’t you say anything?” She wasn’t yelling at me, but she seemed annoyed at best, and livid at worst. I could feel my cheeks heating as she hit me with the barrage of questions. “I told you he orders for all his girls. I know I don’t usually eat meat, but John is just looking after me. He’s my dominant, it’s not my place to argue with him about such a small thing.” I glared at her, she could be overbearing with her level of protectiveness when she was close with someone and had always been my hero growing up, chasing the bigger kids off when they would bully me. She didn’t seem to like my answer and went to say something else when Gavin finally chimed in. He had been quiet the whole ride, but I knew he was paying attention, he always did. “Lish, you know as well as I do that submissives will do some weird things for their dominants. How many habits did I change when I became yours because they were better suited to our dynamic?” The voice of reason! Lish still looked annoyed, but huffed and turned around, slumping back into her seat with a growl, falling silent for the rest of the drive. Well, the submissives won this round, it seemed. 

When we got home, we all piled out of the Jeep and went into the house where Lish and Gavin flopped on the couch to watch a movie and I headed upstairs for a good soak. Now that it seemed that John wasn’t mad at me, I felt like I could suffer a little less. I went all out again, wanting to fully relax, so I turned on the LED candles and poured a generous amount of the arnica and lavender mix into the bath along with a black glittery bath bomb. Lights off, I slipped out of my dress and into the hot water, laying back with a sigh of delight. I hadn’t realized I fell asleep until I felt Lish shaking my shoulder and realized I was cold. With a groan, I stood from the water and Lish’s mouth dropped open when she caught sight of the welts and bruises that covered my ass. “What the f**k did he do to you last night?” Lish’s voice was quiet but her hands were in fists at her sides, a warning of the temper that was flaring just under the surface. “Lish chill out, I earned those. You don’t think he’d spank me for no reason right? You’re the one who told me what a great guy he is, he’s just teaching me to be a better submissive!” I felt suddenly angry at her for being mad at John when it was my fault. I should have known he would choose meat for me and asked for more water or something bubbly so I could eat easier like I had today. “You two haven’t been together that long and it just bothers me that you always come home hurt.” She sounded almost petulant now, whining like she was trying to hold on to her anger and was failing. I wrapped the towel around myself and tucked it in over my breasts before walking up to her and giving her a huge hug. “Hey, I know you worry for me, but he really does have my best interest at heart.” Lish nodded and left my room while I let my hair down and put a t-shirt on for bed. I had planned to read when I got out of the bath, but if I was tired enough to fall asleep in the water, I figured it was best that I just get some sleep. 

I woke up to a text from John, letting me know that he was very busy with work that week and would text me Saturday morning with instructions for the play party. I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t be talking or spending any time with him before the party, but if it was for his business, I could understand that. Hell, I was certain that Lish and I were going to be rather busy with work ourselves. *No worries Sir, I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on Saturday* I added a heart at the end of the text and sent it off to him before wandering off downstairs to see what the dynamic duo was up to in the kitchen. We almost always did brunch together on Sunday’s and this one was no different, I could smell vegan breakfast sausages when I got down the stairs, and then coffee and something with cinnamon when I rounded the corner into the kitchen. My stomach rumbled to announce my arrival, making both of them turn and laugh as if they expected to see a monster standing behind them instead of just me. Without a word about it, Lish made me a cup of coffee and we stood back to watch Gavin work since he was the best cook in the house. As a fellow submissive I felt like I should be helping him, but I had learned in the first week of his living here that if he was cooking, it was best to just leave him to it unless he asks. So, Lish and I snatched sausages and sipped at our coffee while we watched the meal come together. As Gavin set the various plates on the table, I grabbed pitchers of orange and grapefruit juice to set in the middle, Lish trailing along with a freshly opened bottle of champagne. I could hardly wait to eat. 

I was thankful that neither Lish nor Gavin spoke about John during brunch, though Gavin had put an extra cushion on my chair. I wasn’t sure if he was just being a s**t, or if he really meant to make me more comfortable, but I was thankful either way for the small show of support. We chattered and ate until all the dishes were picked clean and the bottle of champagne was out and then cleaned up, refusing to let Gavin both cook and clear the table and load the dishwasher. Once everything was sorted out from our meal, we all went our separate ways for a bit, Gavin and Lish to their room, and me to my window seat even if it was a little drafty from the cold. I didn’t mind, since I had a heavy knit afghan laying at the end of the seat, which I just unfolded and laid over myself while I curled up in the corner with a favourite book. I stayed there all afternoon, wrapped in a cosy cocoon of warmth and fantasy that drew me in until I was aware of nothing else even when it began to snow and grow dark just outside the huge bay window. 

Gavin brought me back to my senses when he reached out and poked my shoulder to get my attention. “Hey, we’re gonna order from that Vegan place across town, do you want some food?” I smiled, “Sure, can you just get me a chickpea salad?” If he was concerned, he didn’t say anything, just squeezed my shoulder and walked off to make the call for delivery. I shrugged off the odd behaviour and went back to my book until dinner arrived, at which point I took my food and went back to my little nest with my blanket and book. Lish seemed to know better than to ask or bug me after it seemed we had cleared the air, but now and again I looked up to catch her staring at me from her place on the couch snuggled up to Gavin as they ate. When I finished my salad, I took my dishes to the kitchen and then headed upstairs without saying anything else to either of them. If she was going to stare, I was going to go to my room. I wasn’t sure why I was feeling so prickly, but the looks she was giving me were driving me up the wall with annoyance. I know Lish cares for me and was probably just worried, but her hovering was getting on my last nerve. Did she not think I could handle myself? She had been the one who urged me to get into the lifestyle and meet new people, to begin with. She had seen no problem with me dating John when things had started. So what was bothering her so much now? Lish was never one to be quiet, and yet she wasn’t telling me everything, of that I was certain. Maybe over the course of the week, I’d be able to get it out of her and if not, I told myself I would just ignore her until she came to me with whatever it was that was bothering her. For the time being, I shut my door and turned on some soft music, picking my book back up as I sprawled out in the middle of my bed to lose myself in a story of fantasy and love. I fell asleep sometime around midnight, the book open on my chest, blankets all pushed down toward the end of my bed, and the music still softly playing from the CD player across the room.