Out of the Bag, Out of the Hat

DISCLAIMER – Please do not skip this! (=^ェ^=)

Please be aware that this story is in the Non-consensual/Reluctant category. This story includes scenes of graphic non-consensual sex that some readers may find unsettling. The last thing I want is to upset a reader or trigger a trauma with my content. I do not condone rape in any form. This is merely a fantasy of mine. I want to make sure every reader feels safe. This is my first story so all criticism is appreciated but please be nice.

Thanks to my amazing editor majicman21 for assistance with this story. (✿ꈍ◡ꈍ)

– – – – – – – – – –

Macan left the room, storming out after Kedi’s confusing behaviour. She was alone but he had warned her not to move. The bedroom had high security for protection purposes but could also serve as an interrogation room or confinement depending on who was in it. There was no way she could escape unless he opened the door anyway.

It had felt like an awfully long day just to arrive and settle her in. He had not wanted to leave her alone for the moment and after confirming with some basic inspection that she was not a physical threat, he had lied down next to her and fallen asleep. The evening after she woke up had been eventful.

Macan lied down on the couch in his office, watching her briefly on the room camera feed. He needed some time to think, to put things together. There had been a rumour about the Ond Molai, a feline spotted on the other side, Earth. No one from Threa was able to live on the other side unless they were exiled and only one of them did not remember their past.

It was a well-known tale in the realm of Xoolaha. The Ond Molai had killed many, inflicting much pain and suffering on the common folk. She would even sleep with her male victims before the act. There was no motive or explanation for her madness. Honest men, good women and innocent children, all murdered and tortured.

Why? Because she enjoyed their wails and screams, the thrill of it all. She is pure evil…

After many years of evil, she had been caught by King Taika and held in the dungeons. She had been too dangerous to keep alive but had threatened that she would come back from death if executed and haunt those who were responsible.

Not even a week had passed before she had seduced a guard and escaped. The ruthless killer then had murdered the king and queen, along with the little princess. After the king’s death, his younger half-brother, Prince Lionel, had taken the throne and had swiftly exiled the Ond Molai. But after taking the throne, he had slipped into a great depression for many years, traumatised to the point where he still had not taken a queen nor fathered children to this day.

The Ond Molai had been caught again shortly after, stripped of her memories and sent to the other side, Earth. Without her memories, she would be no threat to anyone. It had been twenty-five years ago but she was still in her early twenties for she did not age according to the legend. She was alive and well, living cluelessly on the other side, free and happy without consequences.

And now Macan had found her. She was still much like a human but she would develop her traits slowly here. He would take revenge for all she had done. He had trained as a detective, a secret spy just to find people like her. He was not afraid to be haunted and would suffer the most painful death if it meant killing her. But her death would not come without suffering first.

She doesn’t get to have an easy way out.

He had known it was her the moment he had gotten a glimpse of her. She fit the description perfectly. Petite, pretty, great hips and breasts, ringlets of chocolate brown hair, an Ailouran from Threa but no knowledge of it… He had caught her scent from miles away, sweet and sensual, tempting a primal part in him. Even as a detective, he had barely been able to control himself when he had smelled it closer to her. It was not normal. It must have been her temptress nature, the lure she had used for her crimes.

The house was also surrounded by cameras, the window and front door by iron bars that barred only her kind, allowing others to enter and exit at will. Macan was prepared and had taken the proper precautions. He had installed the DNA of the Ailouran kind in the system and had tested it multiple times before she had even come here. An alarm would go off too if she touched it.

I will not let her go, he thought resolutely.

Not remembering the past was one thing but changing personalities entirely was another. She had been scared and weak, maintaining her innocence the whole time, even telling him she was a virgin. She was either acting innocent or she was truly not the Ond Molai. The latter was rather unconvincing but he had to confirm it either way. For now, he would have to sleep on it.

***

Macan paced in his office, running his hand through his hair and clasping it in a fist. Sleep had not come quickly or easily last night, with thoughts of Kedi running through his head. Having her so close but with no clear idea what to do with her had made him restless. He would never forgive himself if there was even the slightest chance of her innocence but he knew it was her, she was the Ond Molai. She had to remember to act that way. He just had to make her confess.

He looked at the screen again. She was still sleeping, wearing the shirt he had left behind in the room.

This can’t wait any longer… I must get to the bottom of this!

He rushed to the room he had trapped her inside and stormed in.

She had woken up when he entered, apparent from the small jump she made, but she was pretending to be still asleep. Her eyes were scrunched shut, tense fists tucked and resting beside her cheek, her body shaking almost unnoticeably in the foetal position.

She’s either a terrible actress or the best I’ve ever seen.

“Stand up,” he demanded.

She did not move. Macan sighed and cleared his throat before raising his voice.

“I know you’r-”

Kedi bolted upright immediately, looking down and not meeting his eyes, her legs tucked to her side.

“Did you want to play, little girl?” he mocked her.

“I was just scared,” she said softly.

“Do you know why you’re in here?”

Kedi shook her head spitefully.

“I guess you didn’t listen last time. No use of that pretty little head of yours, huh?” he snarked as he strode up to her.

Kedi flinched, watching him from the corners of her eyes.

“Please don’t hurt me!” she exclaimed timidly, her shoulders drawn in.

Macan slowed his pace, and sat in front of her, hooking a finger under her chin, just grazing her skin, encouraging her to look up.

“What makes you think I want to hurt you?” he asked calmly, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Kedi looked up, surprised.

“You don’t?” she asked, her voice full of hope.

“Oh sweetheart, I didn’t say I wouldn’t, did I?”

“No…”

Macan stood up and went to the drawers in the other corner of the room, pulling out some leather strings and rope.

“I’m going to ask you questions and you will answer them truthfully,” he commanded, turning back around.

Kedi’s eyes grew big staring at his hands as he approached her, goosebumps rising on her skin, her heart beating hard.

“Y-yes, I will,” she stammered, drawing back from him.

“Every time you don’t answer me correctly, I will tie you down until you can’t move, understood?”

Kedi nodded.

Macan grabbed her left wrist, bringing the rope closer and letting it touch her skin.

“But-”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m sorry. Yes, yes, I understand,” she pleaded, pulling her arm back lightly.

Macan let go of her wrist, laughing loudly, a light but deep growl in his voice.

“You know, if you had acted with these skills just a minute ago, I would’ve believed you were sleeping.”

Kedi looked confused, her head slightly turned to the side, as if she wanted to say something but was holding back.

“Your name?”

“Kedi Lapin.”

“Age?”

“Twenty-four.”

“Who is your king?”

Kedi blinked a few times, thinking.

“I know of some countries with a queen… But we have a president.”

Macan grabbed the same wrist, tying the rope around it slowly as Kedi watched in confusion. He tied the other end to the bed frame as she sat still.

“King Lionel is your king,” Macan said aggressively through his teeth. “Now, what kind are you?”

Kedi stared blankly at him, confused.

“What species?” he repeated, agitated.

“I… I’m human?” she answered, guessing his meaning.

Macan pulled on her other wrist and spoke while swiftly tying another rope around it.

“You’re no human,” he corrected. “You’re an Ailouran, from the feline kind.”

“Enough!” Kedi protested, pulling her arm away. “Stop with your games and just let me go.”

Macan pushed on her stomach to make her fall back on the bed. He got on top of her, tying the other end of the rope to the bed frame while she squirmed underneath him. He paused, sighing deeply, and leaned down to get closer to her face.

“Listen you little bitch, you’re going to tell me exactly what you know!” he roared, pulling her further down along the bed so her arms stretched above her.

Kedi was startled, looking at him with big eyes.

“How are you doing that? That- that sound.”

“I’m a Keioba, also from the feline kind,” he told, her face puzzled as always. “Let me show you what you are.”

Macan grabbed the back of her neck and nuzzled into her throat, taking a big whiff before putting his lips on her soft skin. She smelled absolutely delicious, nothing like he had smelled before, a sweet earthy musk. He had smelled it before on her, but it was much stronger when he was this close and focused. It was light, and warm, reminding him of sweet spice.

Savouring the pleasant scent, he placed slow kisses on her throat, his other hand massaging her upper back slowly as he slightly lifted her toward him. He could feel the small, quick breaths escaping her lips as he nibbled along the sensitive skin. Macan kissed her neck more passionately, her sensual reactions and scent driving him crazy, the tingles in his lower belly making him ache.

Her skin flushed hotly as she breathed deeper, body squirming unconsciously. Macan felt the vibration in her throat as she began releasing a soft humming sound, but not from her mouth. The calming, inhuman buzz came from within her body, strongest around her throat. She gasped in surprise, eyes flying wide open as soon as she noticed it herself.

Macan released Kedi from his hungry lips and sat up, staring at her puzzled face. He could read the question in her eyes, her pupils dilated. It definitely seemed like this was the first time she had felt it.

“You’re purring again, little cat,” he explained with an amused smirk.

“No… it can’t be. How is that possible?”

“You tell me,” he said nonchalantly.

“I- I don’t know,” Kedi stammered, flustered.

“Wrong answer.”

Macan suddenly got off of her, grabbing her right foot and tying the leather straps to it. Kedi tried to pull herself up but he did not bother stopping her. Although her efforts were slightly annoying, she was too weak to make much difference against his strength. He gave the strap a little pull, making her stumble before tying it down to the right end of the bed. Once finished, he stood up from the bed and watched.

Kedi quickly drew her left leg up, closing it tightly against her right leg now stretched with the strap. The t-shirt was driven up to her upper thighs from the struggle, the end just under her mound.

“Have you slept with anyone before?” he tested her memory again.

“No, I haven’t. I’m telling the truth. Please, don’t do this.”

“Shh… Don’t worry, I know you used to like this. Very much in fact.”

Macan grabbed her left ankle and pulled her legs apart, tying it down to the left end of the bed so she was stretched out. He watched her struggle against the bonds once again, growling and pulling on them as they dug into her skin. Every little movement and sound she made was sensual and erotic, revealing her hidden sexual nature.

After a while she gave up, stilling and loosening her tense body, accepting that she could not escape. She quickly looked at him to watch his next move, making herself ready, chest rising and falling quickly. Her eyes fixed on his muscled chest before they travelled down to his abs and the hard lines under that formed a V before the apparent erection in his pants. She quickly redirected her gaze to the ceiling, face flushed.

Macan climbed back on top of her. It was an erotic scene, a beautiful girl tied down to his bed. She was arousing him with her temptress nature, the Ond Molai’s lure. Tied down helplessly, she could not hurt him. But he would not take her… yet. This was an interrogation after all and she was his prisoner, nothing more, nothing less. Sadly, she was innocent until proven guilty. But he would get this out of her and then, he would show her a good time.

Memories could be erased but instinctive behaviour to sensation definitely could not be altered. He had to see her in her most weak and vulnerable state. If her mind did not cooperate in revealing the truth, her body would. Macan had to make her weak, make her snap to see if she was the Ond Molai. He wanted to see her raw reactions in case she was truly acting. He had to get an answer.

His hand took a fistful of his shirt, overlarge on her petite frame.

“You owe me a shirt,” he said playfully as he tore it down the middle and leaned closer.

Her breasts were perky and plump, nipples too little and cute for her big breasts. Her chest rose up and down timidly, looking inviting and so delicate. He put his thumb on her alluring breast, drawing slow circles towards the pink of her areola. As he got closer to her little peak, he licked his thumb and returned to her nipple, massaging in circles and then up and down, feeling it swell under his thumb as it flushed with blood and changed into a darker red.

Kedi arched her back immediately as he gave her sweet taut peak a little pinch, pulling on it. Her breathing deepened as he played with her nipple before he switched to her other breast, drawing teasing circles and stroking her up and down again, pinching and pulling. He could see her arousal developing, body shivering.

Oh yeah… She likes that.

“Why were you on Earth?” he asked, still grazing her nipples.

“I don’t understand your question,” she said softly, her breath sharp and quick.

“Where are you now?”

Her mind was obviously hazy, so she had to think for a second.

“Zoomah- No uhm.. in Xoolaha, the reign of-”

“We’re in Manu, in the Reign of Xoolaha,” he corrected her.

Kedi was shivering hard under him. Her face was flushed but showed no emotion. She was trying to hide her rising arousal while making few movements with her body, nevertheless moving excitedly but not intentionally. Her body was extremely sensitive and responsive to him.

Seems like her nipples have never been played with before.

Macan leaned in close to her skin, brushing the swollen nub with his bottom lip before taking it in his mouth, sucking on her sweet skin as she squirmed, her back arching, pressing her into his mouth. He licked her, alternating between circles and strokes, rubbing her other nipple in between his rough but gentle fingers. Little whimpers escaped her pressed-together lips as he bullied her sweet reddened nub, her head drawn back and body shivering from pleasure. She let out a sharp sound as he grazed her nipple with his teeth before switching sides to her other breast.

He could smell her arousal, her juices flowing, making his lower belly ache. He left her breasts and travelled down her front with his tongue still on her, tasting the hot sweetness of her skin, first gliding over the delicate waves of her ribcage, then towards the middle to her belly button and down past it. He stilled as he brushed his nose on her mound, close to her lips. She was bare, her lips a delicate pink, like rose petals hiding her channel. His erection pushed against his pants and he grunted.

Fuck… I want her.

“I’m going to make you come for lying,” he said, his voice low.

“Will it hurt?” she asked anxiously.

Macan bit his lower lip to contain his laughter.

Now she has never come before? Unbelievable…

“Oh yes,” he misled her.

—

Kedi was scared. He was going to hurt her and all she could do was brace herself. She was trembling but did not know if it was from the cold, the fear, or the anticipation.

I don’t understand why he’s doing this to me. I’ve told him the truth but he won’t believe me!

The way his mouth trailed along her body was undeniably pleasurable. The cold air blowing on the wet streaks along her burning-hot skin excited her. But she did not want it, did not want it to feel good, not with him and not in this way.

She felt his hand massaging her tense inner thighs. For a second, she relaxed and controlled her breathing. It did not last long as he spread her lips to examine her. He massaged the entrance of her channel slowly with his thumb and she felt the wetness coming from her own body. She was embarrassed, and already thought him cruel for making her feel good. But he was going to hurt her now.

She had felt it yesterday. It had been enjoyable at first but it had developed into a sensation so intense she had not been able to control her body. She had felt the white-hot, sharp pain approach, so close to bursting when he had stopped. She knew she would not survive if he finished what he started this time. Kedi bit her lip, hoping the pain there would distract her from his torture.

—

Macan loosened the straps on her ankles ever so slightly so he could put his hands on her hips from under her, pushing her closer to his face. She took a sharp breath as he licked her slit, slick from arousal. Her taste was the same as her scent, a sweet, musky spice, almost vanilla. He tried to contain his lust as another jolt shot through him.

Fuck… I want more.

She jerked as he pushed his tongue inside her, letting it dance in her tight channel, those walls slick with heaven. The growing pain in his jeans almost made him lose it. She was breathing hard, her skin flushing hot and her body weakening. He grunted as she strained, trying to fight against the growing heat his intrusion caused. He found himself suddenly wishing she were squirming on his cock instead, clenching her channel on him while her eyes begged him to fuck her harder.

Why do I want her so bad?

He shook his head to shove away those thoughts and focused on which part of her he would taste next. Her cute little clit was swollen and dark pink, peeking out from its hood, screaming for attention. He was like a sugar-deprived kid in a candy store. A sudden hunger struck him, and he rolled his tongue over her clit before wrapping his lips around it, his fingers digging into her soft thighs. Her breath deepened, the sound so sensual, her hips grinding against his mouth as he sucked lightly on her sensitive nub. He flicked his tongue before continuing to suck and she quivered on his tongue, a soft moan escaping her mouth.

“You like that?” he asked, his voice husky and low. “Are you going to tell me who you are now?”

“Kedi,” she panted, her voice weak and high pitched.

Macan grunted, displeased. He pushed a finger into her channel, little by little, slowly spreading her inner folds. Her little pussy was slippery, soaking wet. Despite his lust, he was gentle and patient, massaging her channel, searching for the spot. He tried to introduce a second finger. His top knuckle barely fit and she winced, so fucking tight. He felt the thin film straining.

Dark magic really has no limits, huh? It can even restore virginity.

He gave up and continued with one finger, massaging her sweet insides. She pulsed against him, shaking and straining with every stroke. Her head was tilted backwards, quick, sharp breaths spilling from her lips. She shook harder and her hips rose as she whimpered. He found the spot and waited, knowing she was almost there.

“Last chance, Kedi.”

—

Kedi could not think, could not answer. The sensation drilling through her body was intense. Her hips moved on their own as her body sought release. The only sound she was able to make was a pleading whimper. She quivered as he moved on her again and licked her slit in a long stroke, just grazing her clit. But he did not continue. Her body ached for release. She needed him to either finish it or she would lose her mind.

Please… Hahh… Please… she begged in her head.

She heard him sigh in defeat. Macan tightened his grip and ravished her clit, licking and pulling while he massaged the ridged area deep inside her. Instantly, she felt the sharp, white-hot sensation travelling from her finger and toes, waves of pleasure rushing to that one place. She prepared herself for the pain, for the explosion of agony she had been promised. She could feel it building up, her nails digging into her palms as she clenched hard. Her voice filled with despair as she moaned softly, trembling, arching her back.

“It’s okay, I got you.” Macan encouraged her.

And she exploded.

Moans of pleasure filled the room, her voice shaking through hard breaths. It was a pain indeed, but the delightful pain of ecstasy tore through her body. Fireworks of bliss travelled every inch as she writhed against him.

—

Macan did not stop, eagerly licking her sweet nectar as she came hard, those exquisite juices gushing out. Her soft, mewling cries of pleasure made him jerk in excitement. Her moans drove him on and on, his mouth hungry for her reddened, delicious skin. He lapped eagerly until she calmed, and then winced, trying to pull away, now too sensitive. Macan let go of her hips, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, and started untying her, watching her face.

Her eyes hung heavy, her weakened, quick breaths the only remaining sound. Her face was tense, the expression overwhelmed and panicked yet relieved. She was cold, goosebumps obvious on her flushed skin as she rolled into a little ball, still shivering from the remainder of her orgasm. He put a blanket over her and sighed disappointedly. It had not worked. It was clear that she did not remember her past or even an orgasm. She remained a mystery. He rolled over on the bed next to her and watched her as she fell asleep.

She looks so innocent. So soft.

Her mouth was small, upper lip a delicate, soft, peaking wave above a full bottom lip. The upturned corners of her mouth extended slightly beyond her lips, giving her a natural smile. Her face was delicate and captivating, eyelashes like beautiful drapes. He reached out to touch her cheeks, rosy from the lingering glow of her recent orgasm.

Her stomach growled in her sleep then and Macan stopped his hand just shy of her face. He remembered then that she had not eaten since he had brought her here, and neither had he. He had been too invested in getting to the truth that he had basically starved her. She needed nourishment. She really did not remember anything, and until she did, he would try to be more civil towards her.

He slipped from the bed and went downstairs to the kitchen. The fridge was almost empty, however. He decided to make a grocery list. She was going to be here for a while from what he could tell. He took out pen and paper from the drawer, and leaned over on the counter.

What does her kind eat again?

He began scribbling.

Tuna,

Cheese,

Milk, of course.

Eggs… I think.

Does she eat yoghurt?

Oh, kittens love watermelon.

Macan paused.

What am I doing? She’s a prisoner, not a fucking guest.

He sighed and contemplated the list. The fridge was empty anyways. He did not want to spend any more energy on her. If she did not eat it, he would, he figured. He sent the grocery list through the little slot on the fridge. Five minutes passed before the receipt came through the slot he had put the note in. He opened the fridge and took out the carton of eggs and some cheese.

He tried to wrap his mind around how she even could have lived on Earth like those savages. The underdeveloped, muddy disgraces who treated ancestors of his kind like toys, locked in cages for amusement. ‘Zoo’ they called it. Her kind was not better off either, imprisoned in the houses of their masters and shitting in a plate of sand. All while the savages thought so highly of themselves with their newly discovered little devices they called smartphones. He chuckled.

“Smart, my ass…”

—

Kedi woke up tired. Her muscles were tense. She looked under the blanket and was naked, as suspected. She sat up to study herself. The bruises on her hips where Macan had held her tight were faint but her wrist and ankles looked as painful as they felt. She massaged them softly as she studied the room. The light coming through the window suggested it was late midday.

The modern canopy bed she was on was huge. The height of the mattress came to around her upper thighs, she guessed. At the ends were the leather straps, still attached. She blushed and looked away. Her heart skipped a beat, but she ignored the memory that surfaced. The room was also huge. The walls were painted a light beige, decorated with cosy brown and black furniture, cream sheets and beautiful rich green plants throughout the room. It looked so peaceful.

Kedi got up and headed to the closet. Several luxurious suits were inside, made of expensive fabrics but much too large for her to wear. She turned to the drawer and picked out the first shirt she saw. His comment about owing him a t-shirt rose in her mind. She shook her head to dismiss the memory and put it on.

Make it two.

She checked for a pair of pants, finding only jeans twice her size and one pair of sweatpants. The latter slumped on her hips due to a missing drawstring.

Once dressed, she glanced over to the two doors in the room. One led to a bathroom, so she padded inside and headed over to the toilet.

The seat was cold. She emptied her bladder and reached down to clean herself. It felt slippery. She looked at her hand and to her horror saw the glistening moisture from this morning. The reminder of what had happened suddenly invaded her mind. The vivid image of Macan’s hand and mouth on her shot an unwelcome little jolt to her centre. She finished cleaning and awkwardly got up to wash her hands.

He tricked me…

It did not change the fact that she had not wanted it but it had been so immensely pleasurable. She had never felt so helpless, her body had lost its control, lost in the wonderful agony between her legs. A part of her deep down had enjoyed it, enjoyed his touch and she felt awful for it.

The beautifully decorated mirror reflected a mess. Her hair was a warzone, eyes bright and starry despite her exhaustion. Her skin was glowing, a little sweaty. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her body smelled like him, the sweetness of his scent drilling into her nose. She decided to hop in the shower and washed her body quickly.

There was a towel draped over a big tub. She took it to dry off, still holding her messy hair up. She went back into the room to find her ribbon and saw that the main door was slightly open. She looked around quickly but Macan luckily was not there. It was an invitation. The pleasant smell of cooked eggs and melted cheese danced around her nostrils. Her stomach growled and she felt the hunger kick in.

—

Macan had watched her peek into his drawers on his phone. She had chosen a shirt and his only pyjama pants. He went upstairs to get her but she had gone to the bathroom before he entered to take a shower. He left the door unlocked and went down to plate the food. She would come down to eat if she felt like it.

Macan frowned at the plates, his full to the brim. It was a little different than his usual steak. A cheesy omelette with some roasted tomatoes and mushrooms on the side would be waiting for her too.

If I’m going to eat tiny cat food, it might as well taste good.

The Ailouran opened the door timidly, peeking through the opening to study her surroundings before she came down the stairs. She moved slowly, making sure he saw her as she walked towards the island in the kitchen. Her hair was in a bouncy ponytail. She had abandoned the pants. The white shirt was too big on her, the ends reaching just above her knees. He could care less. She would not need clothes anyways.

She sat down across from him and stared at her plate.

“Eat.”

“Thank you…” she mumbled, digging in.

She ate quickly, scarfing down the omelette in big bites. Macan handed her a glass of milk.

She must have been very hungry.

“You’ll upset your stomach.”

“Why do you care?” she snarked.

Macan cleared his throat. She had a point but he did not want to admit it.

—

The omelette covered in cheese was as heavenly as the roasted vegetables coated in butter. He was a good cook. It melted in her mouth, the taste so incredible. She was almost thankful for the meal. He offered her a small plate of avocado and she finally looked up.

“I’m allergic.”

“Well, aren’t you a stereotype?” Macan sneered, entertained, his smile as arrogant as ever.

“Of what?” Kedi sighed, annoyed.

This man spoke in puzzles only. No concept whatsoever to his nonsense.

“Now, you listen to me because I will only explain it once,” he began. “You’re an Ailouran. Which means you’re a descendent of the feline kind. In your case, similar to the little domesticated ones where you lived.”

“A cat… I’m a cat?” Kedi queried, almost bursting out laughing.

“No,” he replied, his expression serious, as if she was the one who had said the more ridiculous thing, “an Ailouran.”

“What are you then, a Keioba, ‘where I live’?”

“A Keioba is not much different, from the same family, similar to ‘Tiger’ in your world,” he explained.

Kedi nodded in amazement.

Yeah. He’s crazy.

—

Macan knew she didn’t believe him. She would need more convincing. He waited till she finished her food and stood up, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her to the couch by the living room. She followed him quietly. He sat her down next to him and she huddled herself up, eyes wide again.

The chafing on her wrists caught his eyes. He took her hands. Her palms were marked with little half-moons of her nails. She watched him in fright, her body tense. She hissed as he grazed his thumbs over the red, bruised wound. She was so brittle. He would have to be gentler if he wanted her to listen and understand.

“Don’t be afraid, little one. I’m just going to show you,” he murmured to calm her down.

He lowered his head closer to her face and placed her hands on top of his hair for her to feel. Their eyes met and she blushed, having to face him so closely. Slowly, Macan let his ears rise from under his scalp. She felt them grow in her hands, unsure what she was feeling. Macan let go of her hands and she gasped at the sight of his ears. Her eyes widened as she stared in amazement. Macan could tell she wanted to look closer.

“Go on, touch them,” he encouraged her.

She put her hands carefully on his head and gently guided him lower to her lap, unintentionally close to her delicious breasts. He felt a little jolt to his lower belly. Her smell was still strong from that morning and he inhaled sharply as she stroked her fingers at the base of his scalp. It was relaxing, so he let her study. He would never say no to a free head massage from a pretty lady, not even an innocently evil one.

—

Kedi could not believe what she was seeing. She made sure to confirm the ears were not fake or glued on somehow. They were real, cat-like but rounded at the tip, just like that of tigers, about five centimetres, not that big. She looked inside, the tiny canal orange red. She massaged the base, and then upwards to the tip, feeling the warmth of its flesh underneath its fur, forgetting everything else. Macan made an approving sound, only making her more curious. She softly pushed at the inside of his earflap with her index finger and it twitched. Kedi giggled in surprise, finding it truly unbelievable.

Macan lifted his head, now close to her face, and she quickly took her hands back, her smile disappearing. Although his face had not changed, something clicked and seeing his face now, she saw he did resemble a tiger. The top half of the ears were peaking from his hair. It was as amazing as it was disturbing. The whole world crashed in for a moment, leaving her in utter shock.

He is an alien… Or a mutant. Or maybe he somehow sewed ears to his head.

Kedi tried but could not convince herself that it was fake. She had felt them emerge from under his scalp. It was flesh, its veins flushed with warm blood, responsive and with no scarring. They were undeniably real. Her heart started beating hard, her mind racing at the possibility.

Am I really… an Ailouran? But I- I don’t have ears. I would have known!

“What about me?” she asked in distress.

“You haven’t been here in a long while. Your body needs to adjust to the atmosphere. They will grow back.”

He always talked as if he knew her or like she had been here before. She wanted to question him but was sure he was lying anyway. She remembered her whole life and not for one second had she been she on another planet or seen him. Kedi glanced at his ears sticking out again, too curious.

“But you didn’t have them before either.”

“Outside of Threa, they are hidden instinctively due to our biology and the atmosphere. Like I said, they take a little while to bounce back,” Macan explained.

“What about your ears? …your other ears, I mean,” she said, trying to make sense.

“We hear with our Sapien ears like humans. The other set we mostly use as identity and for focusing, sensing, or nothing else, depending on our species.”

“Do you have a tail?”

Macan made a face, looking at her suspiciously.

“That’s inappropriate, we only show it to our mates.”

Ohh, I’m the inappropriate one?

“So you hide it?”

“Yes.”

“And why don’t you hide your ears?”

Macan looked unsettled at the thought.

“Although it’s voluntary to keep them hidden on Threa, it’s a weird thing to do. Nobody does that. You feel… naked.”

Kedi blushed as he finished his sentence. He had seen her naked twice now. She felt a tingle to that sensitive place with him being so close again. The things he did to her body kept lingering in her mind, reawakening the sensations. He had an undeniable effect on her. She looked down, escaping his gaze and leaning back as much as possible to distance herself from him.

—

Macan saw her discomfort.

Enough explanation for now, playtime is over.

He pulled out some rope from underneath the couch. Kedi offered her wrists, knowing its purpose, and he began tying them. She winced as the roughness of it touched her bruised skin. Although he was doing the right thing, her innocence chewed on his heart. Macan frowned and gave up on the ties. She was no threat to him, the bars would keep her in. No Ailouran was leaving his house.

“Come with me, Kedi.”

Macan gently lifted her by the hand and led her to the front door.

“You see these bars?” Macan asked, pointing at the crisp white door and windows surrounding it, “Every bit of this house is covered in them. You cannot escape so you’d better work with me. Don’t piss me off, sweetheart.”

“Okay,” Kedi responded softly.

“Now be a good girl and sit,” he turned her around by the shoulders and pointed at the couch. “No snooping around.”

She reluctantly walked over to the couch. Ever since she had come here, he had expected a feisty monster would reveal itself eventually. But there was not a single struggle on her part, at least not one he could not handle. She was so obedient, so much so that he had thought it was fake. She should have been a predator in nature, not this prey she made herself to be.

What is wrong with her?

He wanted to be harsh, to be rough, to hurt her like he wanted to, but he was fighting his own need to lash out on her. She was too fragile and he could not afford to break her early on. He needed answers.

She sat down on the couch. Her springy hair and doll face were captivating, her posture so elegant. She studied her surroundings, swinging her legs lightly and pouting like she was in time out.

Does she have be so… whatever she is…

Macan headed back to the kitchen to clean up. He had to come up with a new plan after this.

—

Kedi looked around the room. It was pure white, big and captivating. The windows were big and she imagined they would look stunning without the bars. Every corner of the house looked like sculpted art. Decorative and modern, yet cosy, with hints of beige décor and green plants. Attached to the left side of the living room was the kitchen. On the right side was a cosy reading room with a huge collection of books, a fireplace and two single couches around a coffee table. The front wall in the library was a big window, showing the outside, the couches snug beside it. She had never seen a house so beautiful. Maybe her captor would let her read so she could escape the reality of her situation.

She had always enjoyed reading on the weekends with a warm mug filled with a hot beverage. How a nibble of chocolate would melt and coat her mouth after a sip of tea or coffee as she sat on her chair on her small balcony, the sun kissing her face from time to time. On hot summer days she would opt out for some homemade strawberry lemonade. As the evening approached, she would get her blankets out, not wanting to part with this part of the week.

Occasionally she would crochet or paint when she felt a bit more adventurous. On those days she would explore a new dessert in her small kitchen. The exquisite smell coming from the oven would cover the whole house on those days. She would play some old classics on her little speaker, appreciating the simplicity of the joyous day, swaying her hips and singing along the fine music as she whipped up yet another delight. But on rainy days, it was always piano music.

It had been a weekly habit of hers since moving abroad for her studies. She had been unsuccessful in making new friends but had learned to enjoy her own company too. The pleasant sound of wind brushing the leaves on the trees interrupted by children playing nearby had been comforting, reminding her of home. She longed for it more than anything now.

“Can I please sit in the library?” she asked nicely.

Macan thought about it.

“Yes, for now.”

She walked towards the single couch and sat down, directing her attention to the bars by the window. She kept looking outside for a while, studying the path into the forest. It was a long walk but there was a chance if she ran hard enough. The self-defence classes she had taken had not prepared her for fighting against a freaking tiger, but she had always been good at running.

She had a quiet life but her guilty pleasure were the trips she made twice a year. She would get a sudden rush of adrenaline and want for adventure. She would crave anything that raised her heartbeat in those moments. She had tried skydiving, cliff jumping, roller coasters, even though she normally was afraid of heights, just not right then. It was as if she were another person in those moments. But most in handy now, she had run with the bulls in Spain. She was fast, faster than anyone she knew.