Destined to Dominate

  “Seeing you again is like getting an extra birthday present, Candy. I’ve wondered what happened to you after you finished training,” Brie shares.

  I blush, looking over at Captain. “My first auction, I was introduced to Captain, and I have been captivated ever since.”

  Captain pats the chair beside him, wanting me to sit beside him while he explains to Brie, “If you remember the night you and I shared together, Miss Bennett, then you may recall how I said your blonde classmate was better suited to me.”

  Brie nods. “I remember the night well, Captain, but not for that reason.”

  He chuckles. “That is kind of you to say, but I was rather blunt with you. I want you to know you were correct. The outer shell of a woman does not matter. It is the heart that defines her.”

  He looks at me with such admiration, my heart feels like it’s about to burst. “I have never encountered such a loyal or tenderhearted creature.” Petting my hair lightly, he adds, “She also happens to be a comely little thing, as well.”

  I close my eyes, trying to hold back my teary emotions as I lean into his caress.

  I am so thoroughly and utterly in love with this man…

  “To be honest, Candy,” Brie tells me, “when I saw you scening with Tono at The Haven a while back, I thought you two might make the perfect couple. I never suspected that Captain would be the one to capture your heart.”

  You can tell by the look on her face that she realizes how rude that may sound and immediately adds, “But he’s a most wonderful choice!”

  I’m not offended in the least and tell her, “Captain wanted me to be certain, and he scheduled sessions with several notable Doms before agreeing to collar me.”

  “Youth should not be wasted on one as old as I,” Captain laughs.

  I shake my head as I smile at my Master. “Fortunately, he came to the same conclusion I did.” I caress his scarred cheek as we lock gazes. “You see, I was born to be his pet.”

  Brie suddenly looks distraught. “Did I miss the formal collaring ceremony? I’m sorry. We’ve been so busy—”

  Captain answers for me. “No, Miss Bennett. I have no need for such pomp and circumstance. The commitment we made in private is just as binding as any communal ceremony.”

  “I quite agree,” Sir Davis states.

  Brie looks at me again, grinning. “You know, you don’t even look like the same girl I met on the bus. Not even a little.”

  I nod in agreement. “I’m not. My whole life has changed since my training.” I look at Captain and smile. “To be honest, I never dreamed a Dom could love or care for me so well.”

  He lifts my chin, gazing into my eyes, and proudly tells everyone in the room, “I enjoy spoiling my pet.”

  Ena looks at them with a tender look before asking Mr. Gallant, “Should I get the girls now, Husband?”

  By the shocked look on Brie’s face, it appears she has no idea they have children. While Ena goes to call the girls down, Gallant explains to her, “Our girls are the reason we keep to an informal protocol in our home. What may look informal to an outsider is actually formal between the two of us. We have transformed everyday phrases, titles, and actions so they have personal significance to us.”

  “That’s ingenious,” Brie says, glancing at Sir Davis. That prolonged glance makes me wonder if she’s hoping they have children in their future.

  “It was born out of necessity,” Mr. Gallant explains. “Raising two girls, it was important to us to keep our D/s life separate from them.”

  “Why?” she asks.

  “Miss Bennett, we both believe that someone who chooses this lifestyle should do it because it is an inner calling, not simply because they were exposed to it as children. I will be fine if my girls grow up and do not venture into this lifestyle. As long as they find mates who treat them with love and respect, I will be satisfied.”

  Brie’s next question furthers my suspicion about her wanting children. “Is it difficult, living this lifestyle with a young family, Mr. Gallant?”

  “It takes careful planning and constant communication. Just like in any marriage, children are a huge commitment. At times, their needs must supersede your own. However, that cannot be allowed to consume the marriage itself. For a D/s relationship—for any relationship, really—the partners must cut out time to care for and support one another. It’s essential.”

  Captain put his arm around me. “Luckily, that is not something the two of us must worry about. Is it, my pet?”

  There was a time when knowing I was barren hurt me deeply, but now that no longer holds any power over me. Not with Captain. I grin at my handsome Master, playing with my collar as I answer, “Yes, we have many years to play.”

  I notice Brie lovingly touching her own collar, and I’m reminded of that day she saved me by giving me a business card on the bus.

  “Oh, wait!” I blurt out in front of everyone at the dinner table.

  Naturally, that causes all of them to look straight at me.

  Embarrassed, I mutter to Sir Davis, “I have something for Miss Bennett.”

  I slide the well-used business card over to Brie—it isn’t easy giving it up. This simple card is responsible for changing the course of my life.

  Holding my breath, I watch as Brie picks it up with trembling fingers. The look of surprise on her face confirms I’ve done the right thing.

  I apologize. “I know it isn’t in the same shape it was when you gave it to me, Brie. You see, I held it many times during my training.”

  Brie looks down, reading the words out loud:

  The Submissive Training Center

  25 Years of Excellence

  Brie closes her eyes, pressing the business card to her heart. Based on that reaction alone, I couldn’t be happier.

  “Yeah,” I said. “I suspected by the wear on the card when I got it from you that you might want it back.”

  Brie opens her honey-colored eyes and smiles at me. “It was yours to keep, but I’ll admit I’m thrilled to have it in my hands again.”

  Sir Davis chuckles. “All this sentimentality over a simple business card?”

  “This is the one you gave me, Sir.”

  “Is it now?” he says, taking it from her and looking at it with new interest. “Well, if that’s the case, maybe we should frame it.”

  Brie readily agrees. “That would be lovely, Sir.”

  He laughs, but when Sir Davis realizes that Brie is serious, he gives her a tender look. Kissing the top of her head, he tells Brie, “If it means that much to you, I’ll frame it myself.”

  As Sir Davis tucks the card away in his wallet, I notice the private wink he gives her. Even though he is more intimidating as a Dom, it is easy to tell his feelings for Brie are as equally strong as Captain’s are for me.

  I slide my hand under the table and onto Captain’s thigh, happy to have returned the card to its original and rightful owner.

  Echo

  Captain

  Echo’s decline comes rapidly. One day she is chasing a feisty squirrel that runs in front of her path, and the next, she is curled up in her dog bed, her chin resting on her favorite stuffed animal.

  I’ve known this moment was coming at some point, but this is harder than I thought, and poor Candy is devastated.

  “Isn’t there something more we can do?” she begs.

  “I’m sorry, my pet.”

  Candy gets on the floor to hug Echo. “I’m not ready to say goodbye…”

  “Our one consolation is that she will be reunited with her original master. I’m certain it will be a glorious reunion.”

  We make her as comfortable as we can, but I know that soon we will have to make the difficult decision of putting her down. Thankfully, however, Echo spares us that.

  Early Sunday morning, I head to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. I hear Echo’s heavy breathing and walk over to check on her. Her breath is unusually rapid, and she doesn’t move when I call to her.

  “
Candy, come out here,” I say with urgency.

  She stumbles out of our bedroom, wiping the sleep from her eyes. “What’s up?”

  As soon as she sees me kneeling beside Echo, she knows what’s wrong. Joining me on the floor, Candy pets her, murmuring, “We love you, Echo.”

  She wags her tail weakly.

  “You’ve served us well, old pup. It’s okay to stop fighting now. You have your master waiting for you,” I tell her.

  Echo looks up at me longingly as if she has something she wants to say.

  I smile as I gather her in my arms. “It was always supposed to end like this. You are well loved, and you will never be forgotten, Echo.”

  She wags her tail a couple of more times, then her breathing suddenly becomes more labored.

  “Should we take her to the vet?” Candy whimpers, tears streaming down her face.

  “No, it’s too late for that. It happened like this for Troup, too,” I explain. “Echo’s ready to go home.”

  We both continue to pet her, sharing our favorite memories, all the while telling her that she’s a good dog. There comes a point when the breathing stops for several moments before it starts up again.

  I know her body is heroically fighting to continue even as it systematically shuts down.

  Echo lifts her head as if she sees someone in the distance and starts wagging her tail.

  “Go to him,” I tell her.

  She slowly lowers her head, her gaze never leaving that exact spot as her breathing comes slower and slower until it stops for the last time.

  Candy looks at me questioningly, her eyes swollen and red.

  I nod, confirming what she already knows in her heart.

  Echo is gone…

  I pick her limp body up and head out to the car. “Get a blanket,” I tell Candy.

  Together, we drive her to the vet, where we arrange for her body to be cremated.

  “Would you like us to take a paw print to remember her by?”

  I start to say no, but suddenly think back to that note scribbled on Echo’s papers at the shelter. “Yes, actually, I would. Thank you.”

  After several days of research, I discover the address of the couple who surrendered her to the shelter. I want them to know their wishes were honored, and that Echo died well cared for and loved.

  I put the paw print plaque, a picture of her with her favorite toy, and a short note into a small shoebox.

  Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ryan,

  I want you to know that Echo died a peaceful death in my arms. Candy and I enjoyed the time we were given with her and, as you can see from the photo, she was well cared for.

  Echo died wagging her tail as if she was happy to move on.

  I hope this brings you comfort after the tragic loss of your son.

  Sincerely,

  Charles

  I send the package without a return address, never expecting to hear another word, until Candy notices a short article in the local online news about an old couple who wanted to thank a mystery man named Charles. The article features a message from the parents to him:

  You will never know the gift you’ve given us by taking care of sweet Echo. Our son and Echo were inseparable from the very first day we got her as a pup. When he went off to serve in Afghanistan, she sat by the front door day after day waiting for his return.

  You can imagine her joy when he finally came home to us. Unfortunately, he suffered from severe PTSD and Echo was his only comfort. There came a point, however, when even she wasn’t enough.

  Losing a child is something you never recover from, but you have brought us a sense of closure and peace by caring for Echo in her final days. She will always be connected to our son, so knowing that she passed on wagging her tail has filled us with joy.

  Thank you.

  Brian and Lori

  Proud parents of Second Lieutenant Joseph Ryan

  Knowing that Echo’s master was not only in the military, but had committed suicide, hits me hard. I remember that first day when I saw her curled up in the kennel…Now, I understand the depths of her sorrow.

  I realize what I must do.

  Candy and I go to the military cemetery where Joseph is buried. In the dark of night, I open the urn with Echo’s ashes and spread it over his grave. I know with certainty this is where she would want to be.

  After arriving home, I take out my long list of those who should be remembered. I get out my pen and begin carefully writing his name.

  I add Joseph to the list and, alongside his name, I add my personal note.

  Second Lieutenant Joseph Kaleb Ryan, age twenty-seven. Rightfully earned the devotion of Echo, his loyal dog and companion.

  Candy comes up behind me. “What is this?”

  I look over the numerous pages of my notebook with a profound sense of sorrow. “This is everyone who died under my command. Although Ryan was not one of them, I feel we are connected because of Echo, and I think it’s important that he be remembered.”

  She picks up the notebook and reads through one of the pages, tears coming to her eyes when she reaches the end. “I’m so sorry, Captain.”

  I take it back from her, looking over their names. Beside each one, I have written a special characteristic or memory associated with the person. I explain to Candy, “After losing so many, I decided none should be forgotten, so I wrote down their name, rank, and the age that they died. But, it was vital they not become just a name. Each of these men had a full life ahead of them. Each one was unique and loved by somebody. I couldn’t let their sacrifice be marginalized.”

  Candy nods, looking back down at the list in reverence.

  “After returning to the States, I found the Fourth of July extremely difficult to endure. It was impossible to get any sleep, being tormented by the visions the fireworks incited. For the first two years, I tried to ignore the holiday by going to bed early, hoping to block out the sounds. But the quick fire-bursts and loud explosions mocked the sound of war too closely, and I suffered from panic attacks. Hiding in the dark only invoked hellish nightmares as I listened to the dull thuds and explosions…

  “I came to dread the day.”

  Candy wraps her arms around me. “I can’t even imagine.”

  “When they finally found Grapes’ remains and brought him home, I started to feel differently about it. His parents were so quick to forget him, and it made me rage inside. He was a highly respected serviceman and loyal friend who died protecting this great country.

  “Although the Fourth still triggers memories I want to forget, it is the one day of the year that I see a physical representation of my countrymen banding together in pride as they honor our nation as one.

  “I decided then that, rather than fight it, I would embrace the holiday. I found that as long as I could see the fireworks, my mind didn’t play tricks on me. So, I would sit on my porch, watching the neighbors shoot off their ground fireworks while the cities surrounding LA shot off their professional displays.” I snort. “That’s not to say it’s easy on me. Far from it. As soon as I hear those firecrackers going off a full week before the holiday, the anxiety starts building. And, I know that the night of the Fourth, when I’m finally able to fall asleep, I am going to relive the nightmare of that day over and over again.”

  I hold up the journal to Candy. “But, as the colorful explosions fill the night sky, I read off my list of those who should be remembered. Over the years, my neighbors began dropping by on the day. Some giving me homemade food to celebrate the holiday.” I smile thinking back on it. “One family would even pick out a special firework each year to honor my men, while others insisted on dropping off donations to me in support of wounded soldiers returning home.

  “All of it matters to me. Every. Single. Act. Of. Kindness.

  “The Fourth has gone from being something I dread, to becoming the one time each year that I feel connected with my entire community.”

  Candy’s eyes soften, and I can see she understands how significant it i
s to me. She looks down at my list again, running her finger over the last entry. “Now, Joseph Ryan and Echo will be a part of that remembrance.”

  The hole left in our lives from Echo’s passing takes a toll on both Candy and I. It was surprising, the presence that dog had in our household.

  But, that hole is quickly replaced by someone in desperate need the day I get the call from Gallant while I’m at work. Since he has never called me there, I immediately pick up the phone.

  “Is something wrong, Gallant?’

  “The Submissive Training Center has an emergency situation pertaining to one of our prior graduates. I personally feel you and Candy would be the safest environment for her while she gets the counseling she needs.”

  “Who are we talking about?”

  “Mary Wilson.”

  I remember the blonde submissive who trained at the same time as Brie Bennett. I’ve always had a sense she was deeply wounded—even back then.

  “Why us?”

  “Based on your strict but encouraging guidance as an officer, as well as Candy’s experience with violence at the hands of an abuser, I feel you both will provide her with the help and understanding she needs.”

  “What’s happened? What kind of help are we talking about?”

  “Mary has been banned from the commune she’s been a part of with Todd Wallace. I won’t lie, Captain, it’s serious. Lately, she’s been gravitating toward a Dom there who closely resembles her abusive father. She’s been begging him for increasingly intense impact play. Todd Wallace understands the violence in her past and has forbidden her from continuing, but she refuses to obey him, so he left the commune. Since then, she’s completely spiraled out of control, so they felt their only option was to kick her out for her sake and those of the other members.”

  Even though we have never formally met, I have felt a connection with the girl since the beginning. I have always found her beauty an interesting contrast to my scarred appearance. Despite our drastic physical differences, I have recognized that, like me, she carries a wealth of hidden pain.

  “This is not something I will consider until I’ve talked extensively with Candy.”