Hound

20

I love Wendy. I know, a shock right? So I show her my proof. I show my hand completely.

To her. Not to you. I don't love you.

She stares at me in shock.

“Really? So it's true?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“So why are you willing to give up all this power just for me?”

I sigh. “Look, I didn't mean to be the Seventh King. It kinda...happened. I just wanted to live somewhere I didn't have to pay rent. I just needed enough money to just be. And one thing led to another,”

“And you became the Colorless King," She finished dully.

“Right. But it doesn't matter to me. It's achieved my purpose. I needed money. I got money. Now I want you, and that means giving up anything that I need to, to have you.”

Everything.

“I will do anything for you," I swear. “Anything you want, anything you need, I will provide for you. And if I don't have it, I'll get it."

My heart is pounding so hard, it feels like it's gonna burst my ribcage.

What is gonna say?

“Why?” She asks lowly.

“Because...I love you. And you don't love me, and you hate everything about this situation, so I have to compensate you right?”

Those brown eyes, scan over me. I feel their appraisal making me shiver. I feel like a kid again.

“I don't understand this. Where is this coming from? Who is this person?” She asks. “I choose you because you were...an alpha male. Now you just...”

I smile. Yeah. “I'll tell you a story. How I got the name Hound. When I was ten, my father said: he's stubborn if you don't give him affection. But if you give him a little attention he's like a loyal hound. He'll do whatever you say."

I snort. “That was his pitch, when he tried to sell me.” I look away. “My mother was sickly. My father worked so hard to take care of her. And we were always hard-pressed for money. Anyway, I...”

“You're starved for affection," She finishes. “And anyone shows you a little attention, you think you fall in love with them.”

“Sort of. I guess. No. I really do love you, Wendy."

“You can't!" she screamed. “You've only known me for a few months!”

I don't argue with her. I know she doesn't believe me. It's okay, I didn't expect to. After all, I know her.

“Wendy, all I'm saying is, if you can give me a little of you time, and you stay here, and...spend time with me sometimes, than whatever you from me.. I'll give you.”

“But it's not right!” She protests.

“I...don't know any other way to be. This is me." I sigh. “You don't love me, and that's okay. I just want you stay around. And we both you won't. Not unless you an incentive to, and that's what I'm doing.”

“By making yourself my pet!”

“Yes! If that keeps here, with me, yes! I don't mind really.”

It's so odd. I spend my life alone. I'd forgotten what like. To be so desperate for someone to stay with me.

I forced my father to take me that market. I convinced it was only way to make enough money to get my mother medicine.

Because I was. And I didn't want my mother to die.

And I remember him saying he didn't want to do it. That he had no control over what people did to me, if they took me.

But I didn't mom to leave. And so I was going to do anything and everything to keep her here.

In the end, my dad couldn't do it. He took me home and he said that he was the father and I was the kid.

That I shouldn't worry.

But I did. Because I loved my parents and I knew things were bad.

My dad worked himself to death. My mother finally died.

And I was alone. Twelve years old an I was alone. I was okay though.

I'm not...I'm not weak. And I found a way to survive but I just—haven't loved anyone in so long.

I forgot what it felt like. Who I am when I'm love. People say you're a different person when you're in love someone.

I know it's true.

Because normally, I feel numb. I go about my day, I don't care for other people, and I don't care what happens to them, and I don't bow to anyone.

But I'll do anything for her. Anything.

“Hound,” She says softly.

I look up at her. “Hm?”

“If accept your terms... there's nothing you won't do?”

I shake my head.

She sighs, standing next to me. I'm taller than her of course. By about two heads.

So I bend down, she can threaten my properly.

She rolls her eyes, bringing her hand to my throat.

“You'll do anything?”

I nod.

"Even if I humiliate you,"

I nod.

“Even if I hurt you?”

I nod.

“Even though...even though I don't love you?”

I nod.

She draws me closer. “Fine. Then I accept.”

I smile. She kisses my lips, and I smile wider.

Mission accomplished. I got what I wanted.

“Can I lay in lap?” I ask her as she sits down on the couch.

“Aren't you too big for that?” She asks.

“I mean my head.” I smile.

“Oh..sure.”

I lay my head in her lap, my legs handing off the chair.

I love being in her lap. It's warm, and she smells good and she's so soft. And...I just love it.

She puts her hand on my head hesitantly.

“I thought I was the person with issues here,” She murmured.

I smile. She thought wrong.