Page 7 of In Bellamira's Chains

Elera

There was so much to tell her, and I didn’t know where to start. Besides that, I wanted her to eat and get some rest. Hazelle had been through so much and needed a fresh start. The bath was step one.

I made sure the temperature was perfect, hot enough to relax in but not so hot that it would hurt her fragile body. I kept the water clear of bubbles or oils but lit a few lilac and chamomile candles to help ease some of her anxiety.

Hazelle was so thin and light. It was easy enough to help her undress and maneuver her into the tub. Her soft sigh eased the tension in my jaw.

I was never one to hold onto anger or feel it really, but Hazelle barely made it into the suite. What her last Alpha did to her…I took a deep breath. There was nothing I could do to change her past, but I could ensure her present and future were exceptional. I’d teach her how to be the best pet for our mistress, and we would all be happy and cared for.

Taking one last moment to calm myself, I sat on the edge of the tub and spun myself around so everything below my knees dangled into the water on either side of Hazelle.

“I’m going to wash your hair and tell you all about our mistress and your role here. I know you want to fall asleep, but please, stay awake long enough to get through this and have some food. We will cover more tomorrow.” Her head slowly nodded in front of me, and I began undoing her braid before squirting some vanilla-scented shampoo into my hand. It was a lucky coincidence that it matched part of her scent.

She sunk low enough to wet her hair, then sat forward so I could reach the full length of it. I lathered her roots and worked my way down before grabbing the nozzled hose and rinsing it all out.

Next, I grabbed the matching conditioner and got to work. This would take some time, so I began my explanation as I massaged her head and ran my fingers through her hair.

“As My Mistress said before, there are different expectations, depending on who we are around. When it’s the three of us here around the staff, we have more freedom. We can banter a little with My Mistress and speak freely unless something has been expressly forbidden. When there are visitors, we are to stay quiet and out of the way unless My Mistress requests our presence. Usually, this is because the visitor is here for a business meeting and she doesn’t want any distractions.” I was only halfway through her hair and knew brushing it would take extra time as well. My short curls were already annoying. I couldn’t imagine having this much hair.

“Sometimes she has parties, but it’s rare. Others throw them on a schedule, and we attend, which is what she was referring to for tomorrow night. Those have special rules. We will be collared the entire time and chained for most of it unless My Mistress agrees to someone’s request to use us.”

Hazelle sucked in a breath and pulled away, turning to look up at me with fear in her eyes.

“She is always in the room and doesn’t allow any harm to come to me. My Mistress only allows certain people to touch me, and sometimes, she asks if I even want to…” I nibbled on my lip, remembering all the times she had allowed others to have sex with me. Not one was a bad memory in my eyes. They were all enjoyable in their own right. “She will do the same for you. We are hers to do with as she pleases, and that includes allowing others access to us.”

I didn’t want to scare her, but Hazelle had to understand that this wasn’t an option. She had to be okay with this in the end. I doubted My Mistress would allow access to Hazelle tomorrow night, but that would be the end of it.

“Oros…” I filed the name away to tell My Mistress. I had heard of him, but I didn’t think we had had any contact with him previously. “He let others use me however they wanted. They weren’t…” A tear ran down her cheek, and her head hung low.

“That won’t happen with My Mistress. You saw what she did with Vernon.” I cupped her cheek, raising her head. “Now turn back around so I can finish washing your pretty long hair.”

Her nose crinkled, but she fixed it the moment the action registered.

“What? Do you not like your hair?” Hazelle glanced at me, then averted her gaze.

“No, I don’t. Oros said I only looked pretty with long hair and had to keep it this way.” Gaining some strength, she faced me. “I hate it.” Her face was red, and her breathing increased, but I was so proud of her for telling me how she really felt.

“Well then.” I beamed down at her. “How short would you want it?”

“Oh,” Hazelle stammered. “I don’t know.”

“Shorter or longer than mine?” My hair was curly, but it fell to just above my shoulders in a styled bob.

“Shorter.”

I nodded and motioned for her to spin back around so I could finish conditioning her hair.

“When we are done, I will ask My Mistress about getting you a haircut. I chose mine as well. I like it long enough that I can put it up but no longer than that. Of course, My Mistress likes hers longer. Although, I have seen pictures of her in the past with all sorts of styles.”

I kept talking as I finished conditioning and rinsing out her hair. The bath drained, and I did a final rinse of her entire body to make sure the soap was gone, then I wrapped Hazelle in the biggest and fluffiest towel I could find. Her dripping hair was tied up in a towel as well.

“Let’s go to my room. We can get you something to wear while we wait for food.” I glanced at the clock as we walked through My Mistress’ suite, and it was ten PM. I didn’t want to keep her up past midnight, so I would make this all as quick as possible.

Thankfully, my room was next door, so it was a short walk. I led her to the closet and pushed open the door.

“How about some silky pajamas for tonight? Did you have a color in mind?” I was hoping she’d feel comfortable enough to tell me now that she was getting settled here and seemed to understand that speaking her mind in my presence alone wasn’t going to bring any harm to her.

“Green, please.” Hazelle sat on the bench while I rummaged through some drawers. I knew I had a set somewhere.