Kayla

Charity Ball

Written by S. M. Wolf

Copyright © 2002-2003 by S. M. Wolf, all rights reserved. Based on characters and situations created by Kittiara. Master David Wolf © S. M. Wolf. Characters Kayla, Marla, and Trouble © Kittiara. Character Zassa © her player. Reproduction and distribution of this work by any means without the expressed written permission of the author, or hotlinking from another website without the expressed written permission of the author and BondoFox, is expressly forbidden. Similarity to any person, living or dead, or similarity to any LARPing character who may think her character is the same but really isn't, is coincidental.

This work was inspired by Troubles Tales by Kittaria and the artwork of Iron Badger, who have given their kind permission to use their works. With many thanks as well to Baillie for her portrayal of Kayla.

Kayla spent the entire weekend with Master David. She had expected him to become distant or even cruel following her escape attempt. Instead, she was surprised at how affectionate he was towards her. He was still very gentlefurly towards her, but he would take her paw or stroke her fur and hair when the opportunity presented itself. He also found reasons to snuggle beside her several times. Kayla rather enjoyed his attention once she got over her initial nervousness.

Monday morning Master David left for work as normal. He asked Kayla if she was fully recovered from her punishment, and she truthfully replied she felt well.

Just before noon Kayla heard the private elevator doors open. Kayla jumped up in surprise as Mater David walked into the penthouse. Normally he told her when he planned to work at home or would be arriving home early so she would be ready for him. Apprehensively she adopted a submissive pose and bowed her head.

Master David walked over to Kayla and lifted her muzzle with his right paw. She looked up into his grinning muzzle. His enthusiasm and happiness was so infectious she could not help but tentatively smile back at him.

"Have you eaten yet?" he asked her.

"Not yet, Master David." Kayla responded.

"Good! I have a reservation at a local restaurant, and then you have a special appointment later this afternoon."

Kayla was nervous as Master David took her upstairs and had her change into a nice dress. He held her arm all the way down to the limousine. They made small talk during the ride and lunch.

The Academy had forced Kayla to learn to be very aware of the emotions and attitudes of others as part of her training. Master David was exhibiting a combination of excitement and nervousness that made her uneasy. She could not help but remember what she had done a few days ago and wonder if further punishment awaited her.

After lunch they got back into the limousine. It headed to a slightly run down industrial portion of the city.

"Are we going to one of your production facilities?" Kayla asked her master.

Master David seemed a bit surprised at her question.

"No, I don't have anything in this part of town," he replied. "Why do you ask, Kayla?"

Kayla vacillated by replying, "No real reason. I was just curious where we are going."

Master David leaned forward and gave her a grin and a wink.

"It's a surprise!" he said in a conspiratorial tone.

His answer did little to reassure Kayla. She turned to stare out the window. The blank building facades passed by outside the windows.

They continued on for another five minutes in silence before the limousine stopped in front of a large nondescript light gray concrete building. There was a single dark gray door centered in the front. There were no windows visible, and there were no furs to be seen anywhere.

Anything could lurk behind the door.

"We're here!" Master David exclaimed.

He helped her out of the limousine and took her to the door. Beside the door was a small speaker and a button marked TALK. Beneath the speaker was a small plaque proclaiming VALENTIA'S in red letters edged with gold gilding.

Master David pushed the button and waited. A pleasant female voice came over the speaker and lightly told them to come in. The door buzzed, and Master David pulled Kayla into the building by her right arm. She had prepared herself for many possibilities, but not what greeted her inside.

The door lead down a short hallway to a two story high room at least sixty feet wide and almost one hundred feet deep. The floor was covered in deep blue carpeting, and the walls painted an off-white. Bright spotlights shown down from the ceiling and cast cones of light throughout the large room. Inside each pool of light was a wonderful clothing creation.

Rather than a center for punishing rebellious slaves, Valentia's was a high fashion design shop.

"Wolfie! It's so good to see you again!"

A female canine about Master David's age came towards them from the back of the room with her arms opened wide. At first Kayla thought she was a coyote from her size and coloration, but a closer examination proved her wrong.

The canine had long, graceful legs and arms. Her muzzle was slender and slightly elongated, but very elegant. Her wide grin revealed small, bright white teeth. Her fur was short and glowed with a healthy sheen. Her back fur and outer portions of her legs and arms were a bright tawny color while her front and inner portions of her arms and legs were a brilliant white color. Both her paws and feet were white.

Her head was also mostly tawny with several striking exceptions. The front of her neck, two circles about her eyes and lower jaw were a white color as well. Her neck was also notable because her fur coloration gave her a natural tawny fur collar. Like Kayla, she had long straight brown hair flowing down her back. Hers stopped just below her shoulder blades. Her tail was short but bushy with a black lower half and a single brown stripe between two white patches for the upper half.

Master David smiled widely and walked quickly to meet the strange female. They embraced when they met. Neither seemed anxious to let go of the other. They stood in each other's arms in the center of the showroom while Master David asked how Valentia was doing, and she told him of the shows she had gone to and the commissions she was receiving.

Kayla stood beside the doorway and waited. Outwardly she was calm, but internally she was unsettled. For some reason seeing her master standing there with the other female fur in his arms was disturbing.

Her reaction surprised Kayla. She had seen furs that were her close friends publicly used at the Academy and, because of her conditioning, it had not bothered her in the least. Her Academy training had removed her ability to be jealous or upset at dominant furs coupling with her or anyone else they chose.

Or had it?

Fifteen minutes later Valentia smiled and asked with a knowing wink, "But what about you, David? Anything interesting happening with you?"

Master David just smiled broadly in reply and gestured for Kayla to join them. She walked over and stood before them with her arms at her side, legs spread wide and her head bowed as was proper for a slave being displayed by her master.

Master David put his left arm around Kayla's shoulders and pulled her close to him. He said warmly, "Valentia, this is Kayla. She's the one I told you about this morning. She needs a complete wardrobe. Can you help her out?"

Valentia took Kayla's paws and pulled her away from Master David. She lifted Kayla's muzzle and made Kayla look her in the eyes. Kayla saw a laughing canine face smiling at her.

"I think I might be able to do a little something for her," Valentia replied kindly before giving Kayla a impudent wink.

Kayla tentatively smiled back. The playful mood and exuberance of the older female was too highly contagious not to do so. For the first time in several days Kayla felt her spirits starting to lift. The vestiges of resentment from seeing this female with her master were totally dispersed by her friendly spirit.

Valentia took Kayla's left paw in her right and lead her back through the showroom and down a short corridor.

Kayla still could not place the canine's species even upon closer inspection.

"Mistress Valentia--" Kayla began.

Valentia looked back over her right shoulder and interrupted, "Call me Valentia or Val. Everyone else does."

"--I cannot place you. What species are you?" Kayla continued.

Valentia smiled back at Kayla.

"I am an Ethiopian wolf from the Bale Mountains. I immigrated here from Africa to escape the corruption and poverty of my native land and ended up becoming a fashion designer with David's help."

The three furs entered a brightly lit fitting room with many mirrors.

Master David started to say, "She needs -- "

Valentia turned around, placed her left paw in the center of Master David's chest and stopped him dead in his tracks.

"What she needs," Valentia said with mock severity, "is for you to go back out front, sit down, and wait for her to finish."

"But--"

Valentia's left paw shot up and gently tapped Master David on the top of his muzzle.

"Bad, Wolfie! Now shoo!"

Master David looked at Kayla. He said, "Do whatever Valentia says. She's actually very good at her craft."

Master David gave a sly sideways look at Valentia and grinned mischievously.

"When she remembers which end of the needle to use!"

Valentia gave a startled yelp and chased Master David to the door. He was laughing uproariously as she delivered a swat to his rear to send him out of the room and back down the corridor to the showroom.

Tears of laughter were streaming down Valentia's cheeks when she turned back to Kayla. She wiped her eyes with the back of her paws. She had to pause and lean against the door frame clutching her ribs for a moment to recover.

Kayla was aware of the wolfess looking her over as she stood in the center of the room. She was mindful of a change in the wolfess' demeanor now that Master David was gone. Unconsciously she bowed her head and assumed a submissive position while she waited for her to speak.

Valentia moved from the doorway and stood in front of Kayla. She cocked her head and said in a low voice, "So, you are the unknown otteress that has captured the heart of my Wolfie."

Kayla's head snapped up. She tried to stammer out an explanation or an apology, but Valentia placed a forefinger on her muzzle and stopped her.

Valentia's manner softened. She smiled and said, "I'm so happy he finally found someone to love."

Kayla's face dissolved into a look of total astonishment. Master David in love with her? A mere slave? His property?

Obviously Valentia had no idea what she was talking about.

Valentia could tell what she had said had caught the young otteress by total surprise. She cocked her head and frowned slightly.

"You didn't know, did you, Kayla?" Valentia asked softly.

Kayla shook her head no and desperately tried to regain some of her composure.

Kayla protested, "I'm sorry, but I think there is some mistake. I am not Master David's love. I'm just -- "

Valentia placed her paw on Kayla's muzzle to stop her again. She stroked Kayla's face and calmly but firmly said, "Kayla, take it from someone who has been around a few times including a couple with your David. He's fallen for you like the proverbial lead balloon. I can see it in his eyes. I tried to hook him myself. We had a good time, but we quickly learned we were never going to go beyond an occasional roll in the sack. We still see each other frequently."

Valentia took a deep breath and sighed.

"When I listen to him talk about you or look at you with his eyes or reach out to hold you I see the same thing I have seen in hundreds of lovers, young and old. Trust me, he wants you with all his heart. Give him a chance, and he will make you incredibly happy for the rest of your life."

Valentia sounded just like Kayla's mother when they had discussed various boys. Her mother had even been right about the one that had helped kidnap her. She seemed so sure of herself when she told Kayla of Master David's interest in her.

Could she be right?

Valentia saw a quizzical look appear on Kayla's face. She smiled at the younger fur and took Kayla's paws in hers.

"At least try to consider the possibility, Kayla," Valentia implored Kayla.

Valentia's demeanor brightened, and she became a wound up ball of energy again.

"Now!" she said briskly, "Wolfie wants some clothes for you. Let's get started with some measurements."

Valentia pointed at a small platform in the center of the room.

"Please stand there."

Kayla got up on the platform. It raised her up about a foot and put her entire body within easy reach of Valentia who promptly moved her into position with her paws. She remembered being on similar platforms being shoved around by instructors at the Academy. There she had been used as an example for some lesson in sex, humiliated by one of the guards or instructors, or forced to serve some fur's pleasure. The unpleasant memories sent a small shiver through her body.

Valentia paused.

"Nervous, Kayla?" Valentia asked. "A lot of furs don't like to take their clothes off in front of a stranger for a fitting."

Kayla shook her head no and replied quietly, "The Academy got rid of all our inhibitions against public nudity when they trained us to be pleasure slaves. I was just remembering some of the unpleasant times when the instructors and guards put me on a platform."

Valentia went absolutely still. All expression drained from her face and her body slumped. Silence reigned in the room for several seconds.

Finally Valentia broke the silence. In a subdued voice she asked Kayla, "You were at the Academy?"

Kayla replied in a dead voice, "They kidnapped me. They used various methods to break my will. Then they taught me to be a sex slave to pleasure any fur, male or female, that desired me. They tried to take away my identity and leave a willing automaton ready to serve every perverse whim of my master. For some reason I never liked sex, and they were never able to change that totally."

Kayla paused.

"Then I was bought, but the buyer turned out to have forged the credit stick. The police arrested him before he even got out of the courtyard at the Academy. I was sent back to the slave pens. They considered me 'damaged goods' and were planning to wipe my mind and put a new personality in my body, a more willing one. The day before I was to be 'retrained', Master David bought me. He had seen me at one of the Academy affairs the night before. He overheard what was to happen to me. He decided to buy me 'as is' instead." Kayla finished.

Valentia's eyes watered. She reached out and grabbed the young otteress in a fierce bear hug. Kayla could feel Valentia crying against her. For some reason tears came to her own eyes. She returned Valentia's hug and placed her muzzle on the top of Valentia's head.

The two female furs stood in the center of the room quietly crying for several minutes. Valentia repeatedly stroked Kayla's back and murmured soft reassurances. Eventually she broke her hug but still retained a firm grip on Kayla's paws.

"Kayla, I'm sorry. I didn't know. David has had several slaves over the years that I know of. They were all waifs caught by the system and sold into slavery. He rescued them and gave them a good start to life. I presumed you were his latest find. I have no idea why he would even be at that hellhole called the 'Academy', but I'm glad he was there and rescued you."

Kayla looked down at the visibly shaken wolfess and replied, "One of Master David's business acquaintances took him to the Academy for a night of 'entertainment'."

Kayla cocked her head and continued in a bemused voice, "Master David once told me he is still trying to figure out if he should kill the fur for taking him there or make him a rich fur for introducing me to him."

Valentia looked startled and then burst out laughing.

"That's Wolfie!"

Kayla joined Valentia in her laughter. The mood in the room rapidly brightened as they exchanged ideas on how to ruin and reward the fur.

Eventually, though, Valentia drew a deep breath and sighed.

"I bet Wolfie is wondering what's keeping us. I had better get to work. Do you mind undressing for me and my apprentice? I want to take your measurements, and it helps me to do it manually so I can not only learn your measurements but also feel how your body is built."

Valentia grinned evilly at Kayla.

"And my assistant needs some help getting over his nervousness at the mere sight of a naked female fur."

Kayla's natural otter sense of humor surfaced. She gave a deep chuckle in the base of her throat and started undoing the fastenings of her dress.

Valentia walked to the doorway and yelled towards the back of the building, "Todd! Get up here!"

Kayla handed Valentia her clothing and stood naked except for her collar on the platform awaiting the arrival of Valentia's apprentice. Valentia took Kayla's clothes and placed them on a table to one side. She turned and watched the doorway.

A few moments later a young male fox ran into the room. He was panting hard from the run from the back of the building.

"Yes, Miss Valentia?" he asked.

Todd stopped dead and stared at the naked beauty with slightly spread legs standing before him. The bright overhead lights accentuated her bright white belly fur and every curve of her ample breasts and sultry hips. Kayla used some of her Academy taught skills on the youngster. She flung back her head, lifted her muzzle and shook out her long brown hair.

Todd's jaw dropped wide open.

Valentia doubled over laughing. Kayla smiled down warmly at the young fox to show him she took no offense. Todd closed his jaw and swallowed loudly. Kayla could not help but smile and giggle a bit at his reaction as he continued to stare at her.

Valentia regained her composure enough to make introductions.

"Kayla, this is my apprentice Todd. Todd, this is Kayla, She's living with David for now."

Todd's eyes opened even further, and he squeaked out, "THE Mysterious Otteress?"

Kayla frowned and looked at Valentia. Valentia was nodding her head yes in Todd's direction. She pushed off from the table she was leaning against and walked over to Kayla.

"Let's talk while I work or we'll never get you and Wolfie out of here today." Valentia told Kayla.

Valentia took out a cloth tape measure and began to take measurements. Todd brought out a pocket computer and entered the measurements and various notations given to him by Valentia. As she worked, Valentia talked with Kayla.

"Has David told you much about himself?" Valentia asked Kayla as she measured the otteress' left arm.

"No, nothing at all. I know he is rich. You don't live in that penthouse or buy pleasure slaves like me unless you are."

Todd's head snapped up at Kayla's statement, but he kept his muzzle shut. He spent the rest of the measuring staring intently at the display in his paw.

Valentia rolled ehr eyes and replied, "You got the rich part right. He is easily the richest fur on Elysium. With his good looks and pleasant personality, he is also the most eligible bachelor out there. That makes him a prime target of the paparazzi."

Valentia started to measure her upper torso.

"When you showed up, they went wild. Your photo has been in everyone's gossip columns and on all the celebrity Web pages. No one knows who you are or where you came from, so they all call you 'The Mysterious Otteress'. Everyone wants to know everything about you, but so far David has been very successful in keeping your background and current status very quiet. Not too hard to do when you have his connections. I imagine the Academy is licking its collective lips, though, at the thought of blackmailing him. Not that it would work. It would just give him the excuse he wants to crush them."

Kayla interrupted, "Why would he want to crush them?"

Valentia paused and looked up at Kayla. She pursed her lips and appeared to be in deep thought.

"Kayla, what I'm about to tell you is not common knowledge. It's why David has bought young slaves over the years and probably has a lot to do why he bought you. If he didn't obviously love you so much, I wouldn't tell you this."

Valentia returned to measuring Kayla.

"Kayla, have you ever been in an office building when a construction company is running cables?"

Valentia's question surprised Kayla, but she replied, "I used to work in an older office building. It seemed like we had new electrical and communication cables run through our offices every few months."

"And what types of furs did they have running them?" Valentia asked.

Kayla considered briefly.

"Otters...," she replied remembering one handsome muscled male that she and the rest of the young female furs had dreamed about for months after he had completed a job at their office. "Ferrets, weasels, some rabbits, mice, other burrowing species mainly. Why?"

"One of the things they all share in common is they tend to be small. Right?"

Kayla remembered how her hunk had only come up to about her chin.

"Yes..." she replied tentatively.

"That's because it is a lot easier to get through cramped crawl spaces and into tight areas if you are small and have a supple backbone. Now take that to the extreme. Who are the smallest furs?" Valentia asked Kayla.

Kayla thought. Mice? Shrews?

Suddenly she realized who Valentia was talking about. Her stomach did a slow roll.

"Cubs," she replied.

Valentia shook her head yes. She bent over and started to measure Kayla's legs and tail.

"David's mother died very early in his life, probably when she was birthing him. His pack was small and could not support him. So they sold him into slavery. He grew up in one of the cable running crews along with several otters and ferrets. He was their 'heavy lift' fur. He got all the hard jobs that the other cubs couldn't handle."

Valentia worked her way back up to Kayla's hips.

"That went on until he was six. He had grown almost too big to work. The boss beat him repeatedly for getting stuck or not moving fast enough to satisfy him.

"One day they were running a set of major cables. It went through some of the executive suites, so they wanted to get the job done as quickly as they could.

"They put David in the crawl way and handed him several dozen fiber optic cables to pull from one side of the building to the other. It was not too bad to begin with, but after the first twenty yards the weight of all those cables and the friction as they snaked through the chase started to add up. By the time he got halfway through the crawlway, he could barely drag them along. Three quarters to the other end he was bracing his feet on the sides of the crawlway and pulling as hard as he could to move them a few inches."

Valentia called off several measurements from Kayla's hips and stomach.

"That's when it happened."

Valentia brought out a foot measurer to determine Kayla's shoe size. Kayla bit her lower lip and waited for Valentia to continue.

"There was a bad spot in the floor of the crawlspace. David planted one of his feet there and pushed hard. Half the crawl space came down in the middle of the CEO's desk along with David. He landed on his back and was knocked out when his head hit the desk. When he came to an old otteress was bending over him and giving his owner a royal tongue-lashing. It turned out she was not mad at David but furious at his owner. She ended up buying all the cubs that day and firing the construction company the next."

Valentia looked up at Kayla.

"The otteress found homes for the other cubs, but she could not find one for David. She was unmated except to her work and had no children of her own. So she made him her son. I understand she was an unexpectedly loving, caring mother who did very well raising David. When she died a few years later she left him as her sole heir. He took a small company and over the course of the next three decades turned it into the largest corporation in the quadrant."

Valentia stood up and helped Kayla off the platform.

"Not bad for an ex-slave. Eh, Kayla?

Kayla could only nod yes.

"Now, let's try a few fabrics on you!" Valentia exclaimed.

Valentia spent the next hour or so holding up samples of various cloths up to Kayla's fur. She frequently asked Todd his opinion, and they got into sometimes heated discussions about textures and colors. Kayla rapidly grew to appreciate the skill and craft of both canines.

Valentia and Todd finally agreed on a set of fabrics and patterns for Kayla's wardrobe. Valentia had her try on several dresses and business suits. She used pins to alter them to fit Kayla and then sent her out to display them to Master David. The first time she came out Kayla found him half dozing in one of the comfortable overstuffed sofas in the showroom. He jumped up when she appeared in front of him and pirouetted to show off the dress. His big grin showed his obvious approval of the dress and her.

Late in the afternoon Valentia was done fitting Kayla. All four furs gathered in the front showroom.

"So, when do you want the dresses delivered?" Valentia asked Master David.

"There is a ball on Saturday night. I will be attending with Kayla. She will need one of your extra special gowns for then," Master David replied.

Valentia gave the wolf a crooked grin.

"You don't leave an old wolf much time to work, do you?"

Master David closed the gap with her and wrapped Valentia in a bear hug.

"I know how much better you work under pressure, Val!" he playfully told her.

Master David and Kayla soon took their leave and returned to the penthouse.

Saturday came slowly for Kayla. She was looking forward to getting a new dress from the outrageous wolfess. She was certain it would be something intriguing.

Early Saturday afternoon Master David went out to have his hair cut for the ball. Late in the afternoon two deliveryfurs showed up. They had the correct passcode, so Kayla let them come up. She had expected a single deliveryfur with a garment bag, so she was totally unprepared for the plethora of boxes and bags they brought. She had them place them in her bedroom before escorting them back to the elevator.

A purple envelope had been taped on the outside one of the garment bags. Kayla took it off and opened the envelope. Inside written in purple ink was a message from Valentia.

Kayla,

I hope you enjoy the new clothes. This one is a very special outfit for you to wear tonight. Trust me, David will love you in it.

I envy you, Kayla. You have got one of the finest males around. I and everyone else can see how much he loves you. I hope you come to love him back as much as he loves you.

And if you're not humping him, why the hell not?!

Love,
Valentia

Kayla had to laugh a bit at Valentia's message. She took the garment bag and carefully unzipped it to see what was within. As soon as she saw the dress, Kayla knew Valentia had outdone herself.

Kayla took the dress out to look at it more closely. The fabric was a brilliant crimson red that accentuated the browns of Kayla's fur and hair. It was a strapless gown with layer after layer of fabric piled under her cleavage. Each layer had a slightly different coloration that together highlighted her natural white breasts. The cut of the front was daringly deep while the rear of the dress dropped far down her back.

Kayla hung up the dress carefully and opened the other boxes and bags. When she was done she had a complete outfit from her undergarments to a bejeweled flower broach to wear between her breasts.

Kayla spent nearly an hour running her paws over the fine fabrics and looking at the jewelry Valentia had included. She also sniffed a perfume Valentia sent along with the clothing. It smelled fantastic to her. Valentia had truly thought of everything.

Kayla looked at the clock. It was starting to get late, and she needed to get cleaned up. Reluctantly she set down the bottle of perfume. She removed her clothes and dove into the bath. She was working the fur shampoo into her pelt when she heard Master David call out from the door of her bedroom.

"Kayla, I'm back. Are you getting ready?" Master David inquired.

"I'm just getting washed, Master David, "Kayla replied.

"Our ride will be here in an hour and a half. Don't be late."

Kayla quickly and efficiently finished cleaning her fur and hair. The fur drier made short work of drying both. She sat down at her make-up table. She had left her hair just a little damp. She ran brush and comb through it until the slightly unruly mess flowed straight down her back to the base of her tail. The dark brown mass shimmered in the light. She was very proud of how well it looked tonight.

Satisfied with her hair, Kayla went to work on her fur. She carefully groomed out all of the mats and tangles before running a brush over her entire body. Mascara lengthened and thickened her eyelashes. She applied a small amount of clear lip gloss to her muzzle to help accentuate her lips and muzzle. Looking at herself in the mirror, she was satisfied with the results.

As she had been taught at the Academy, Kayla dabbed the perfume at several strategic spots on her body. She picked up the undergarments Valentia had made. They were made from a lacy red material and looked like something straight out of Vixen's Secrets' naughtiest collection. The panties and half cup bra contrasted nicely with the white of her belly fur. A red garter belt went around Kayla's waist. The sheer red nylons were barely noticeable on her legs. She clipped the tops on to the garter belt.

The dress was next. Reverently she removed the dress from its hanger and slid into it being careful not to disturb her hair. She reached around and closed the zipper. She removed the white gloves that matched her belly fur from their box and slid them on over her paws. She placed the two ruby rings Valentia had sent on the ring finger of each hand. A pair of large earrings clipped onto the lower edge of her ears. Each had a medium-sized ruby surrounded with small diamonds set in a sunburst pattern. The gold, diamond, emerald and ruby rose-shaped broach clipped onto the front of the dress between her breasts. The brilliant reflections of her jewelry made her simple gold slave collar look plain.

Kayla slid her feet into a pair of low heel shoes. She had preferred sandals before being taken to the Academy and had not worn dress shoes since well before her abduction except as part of a sex costume. She had hated the confining high heeled boots favored by the Academy for her. The highly polished red shoes fitted her feet comfortably without the normal problems she had experienced in the past with closed toe shoes. In fact, Valentia had managed to give her shoes that felt like she was wearing nothing.

Kayla picked up the white fabric stole and slid it over her shoulders. The matching white clutch purse held a small compact and other make-up. She added the perfume to it for later that night if needed. She held the purse in her right paw and went to the full length mirror. She closed her eyes and stood in front of it. Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened her eyes and gazed in the mirror.

The dress fit Kayla like a glove. It showed off her graceful curves, thin waist and curvaceous hips. The fabric folds underneath her breasts seemed to raise and display her breasts. The deep front showed off her cleavage while still remaining barely restrained enough for a high society function. The low back showed off her shoulders and back. Somehow Valentia had managed to accentuate each part of her body without detracting from the whole or overwhelming the viewer with any one portion.

Kayla sighed as she slowly turned back and forth in front of the mirror. As young girls she, her sisters and friends had dreamed of growing up and wearing clothes like this. Tonight Kayla was making her childhood dreams come true.

Kayla descended to the living room area to await her master.

Kayla was standing by the windows when Master David entered the room. She was bathed in the light of the setting sun. It almost seemed to engulf her in a golden halo. He stopped dead at the sight of the gorgeous beauty staring out the windows that awaited him. He must have made some small sound because she turned to face him. She smiled warmly and came to meet him. Her gently swaying body accentuated by the motion of the dress sent shivers up and down his spine.

"You," Master David told Kayla with a deep sigh, "are absolutely gorgeous, Kayla."

Kayla smiled up at her master.

"You don't look so bad yourself, Master David," she told him.

Master David was dressed in a stunning black and white tuxedo. His large diamond cuff links glittered in the last of the sunlight. A red cummerbund matching the color of her dress wrapped around his waist. A black tophat rested on his head, and he held a black cane with a large diamond globe on the head in his right paw.

Master David leaned forward and gave Kayla a quick peck on the cheek.

"Wait here a minute," he told her.

Master David disappeared into this office for a moment. He returned carrying a box. The top was about twelve inches by twelve inches, but it was only about an inch thick. The entire box was wrapped in rich black velvet, and Kayla could see a bronze clasp and hinges.

Master David held up the box in front of Kayla.

"Valentia sent this over earlier. At the time I thought it was overkill, but now I see it is perfect," he told Kayla.

Master David opened the box. As soon as Kayla saw what was inside, she gasped and her left paw came up to her throat.

Inside was a slave collar. It was made from elaborate gold chain links. Each link was encrusted with small diamonds. From the front of the collar hung a series of larger links. Inside each link a ruby hung like a small pendant. Dead center was a simple gold plate. Into the plate a series of small emeralds matching the color of Kayla's eyes had been set to spell out her name. Bending close, Kayla saw that each of the large link was inscribed with both her and Master David's names intertwined about each other.

It was the most beautiful slave collar Kayla had ever seen and possibly the most expensive one ever created.

Master David set down the box on a nearby table. He reached behind the speechless Kayla and undid her collar. He left it lying on the table and lifted the new collar out the box. He made a small circular motion with his right forefinger. She turned around and presented her back to him. She saw the jewels flash in the final rays of the setting sun as he slid the collar over her head and clipped it shut.

Master David took Kayla's left paw and lead her over to the foyer. She looked at herself in the mirror and could not help but wonder at the beautiful young female and the handsome older male standing beside her. They seemed like something out of one of the modern fairy tales.

Instead, though, it was Master David who leaned over and asked her, "Do you need to do anything else before we leave?"

"No, Master David."

"Then let's go to the ball, Kayla."

They descended to street level in the elevator. When they exited the front doors it was Kayla's turn to stop and stare.

Sitting at the curbside was a precise reproduction of a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Town Car. Every original detail had been lovingly incorporated into the vehicle. The only concession to modern times was the use of an electric motor instead of a gasoline internal combustion engine.

The immaculately dressed chauffeur in a gold trimmed blue uniform got out of the front and opened the passenger-side rear door. At first she did not recognize the young wolf, but as he held her paw to help her into the car Kayla paused and tentatively asked, "Mike?"

Mike grinned at Kayla.

"Good evening, Miss Kayla."

"I didn't recognize you!"

"My mother says I clean up nicely."

"I'll say. What are you doing playing chauffeur instead of parking cars?"

Master David interrupted.

"I hire Mike as a chauffeur whenever I have the need. He is an excellent driver and very discrete. And the extra money helps his pack."

Mike turned to Master David and nodded.

"That it does, Sir. That it does. My pack elders and parents send you their greetings by the way."

Without any further ado Kayla slid into the car being careful not to muss her dress. Valentia would kill her if she so much as wrinkled it before the ball. Mike closed her door and walked around the car. The door on the other side opened, and Master David joined her. He slid a paw into hers for the ride to the ball.

Mike pulled the car out into traffic. Kayla watched the heads of furs on the sidewalk turn to watch the car as it drove through the streets. She turned back to Master David only to find him staring at her. She realized several minutes had gone by without her paying attention to her master. In consternation she dropped her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Master. I was paying attention to others when I should have been attending to your needs."

Kayla felt Master David squeeze her paw.

"Kayla, I was merely watching the most beautiful otteress I have ever seen enjoy herself. That was more than enough for me," he told her.

Kayla looked up at her master. Master David smiled at her, and suddenly for some reason Kayla was happy again. She smiled back up at him and asked, "What are we going to tonight, Master David?"

"I am active with several charities. This one happens to be for orphans. The funds go to a foundation that helps get youngsters into good families quickly before others can get their paws on them."

"Others?" Kayla asked.

"The Academy is not the only ones that buy furs for slavery, sexual and otherwise. They, at least, will not touch any underage furs. There are others who are not so 'picky'. The foundation has managed to get quite a few cubs out of the paws of the official beauracracy before they could be sold into slavery," Master David informed Kayla.

Kayla shuddered at the implications of Master David's words. Her muzzle dropped down. She had plenty of young cousins; one accident and any of them could be gobbled up by the system. The Academy had been hell for adult furs. What would it have been like for one of her prepubescent or teenage cousins? She shuddered at the thought.

Valentia's explanation of Master David's past also made it easy to understand his involvement tonight. He obviously never wanted another cub to go through what he had endured.

Master David lay his right arm on Kayla's shoulders. She looked back up at him.

"Don't worry too much. The foundation is making progress at getting the laws changed. Interestingly at least some of the space pirates are working against the system as well. We can hope that slavery ends sometime soon," he told her.

They proceeded in silence for several more minutes. Kayla pondered her master's words while he contemplated the heady smell of her perfume.

They arrived at the ball to find the front mobbed with furs come to catch a glimpse of the many celebrities attending. As Mike assisted her from the car and handed her paw to Master David, Kayla was very aware of the many eyes upon her. She remembered what Valentia had told her about the gossip columns and paparazzi. The flashes going off made it look like a war zone. Master David seemed inordinately pleased for some reason as every eye tracked their progress down the red carpet and into the building.

They stopped by the coat room before proceeding upstairs to a private reception. Kayla stayed attached to Master David's left arm as they mingled with a wide variety of stars, industry leaders and politicians. She had never met any of them in person, but she knew almost all of them from the news media. Kayla was surprised when several made light conversation with her. She could not understand why many of the female furs seemed angry at her, though.

After an hour of socializing two ferrets appeared at the door. They were dressed like footmen at a formal ball in the days of King Louis XIV. They blew two straight horns in unison to announce an elegant badger dressed as a royal herald from the same period.

"Ladies and gentlefurs, dinner awaits you!" he intoned in a loud deep voice.

Master David and Kayla joined the slow but steady stream of furs moving out the door. From the far end of the corridor she could hear more horns being blown followed by the calling out of names. As they walked through the door, a series of horns sounded and a large dark gray badger roared out, "Master David and Lady Kayla!"

The couple stopped for a moment. Kayla was stunned both by the bright lights and hearing her name being spoken with the honorific "Lady" instead of "Slave".

For his part Master David paused to make sure all the furs in the room got a good look at Kayla. In his eyes she outshone all other females there tonight, and he wanted to share his rare gem with the other furs in the crowd.

After a second he gave her a small push in the small of her back to get her moving. Together they descended a short flight of steps and rejoined the crowd. Other, lesser contributors had joined those from the private reception. They filtered through the elegant lobby into the dining room. Master David lead Kayla to a table near the front. He dismissed the young panda ready to assist Kayla with her seat and claimed the honor of seating her for himself.

They were joined by several other males during the next several minutes. They were uniformly wealthy and at least as old and often older than Master David. Some of the males had mates their own age while others were accompanied by much younger, very beautiful females. The males quickly monopolized the conversation with talk of business while awaiting their salad.

Kayla ate her dinner in silence. She was aware of the many stares she was getting from the rest of the table. Some were open looks of interest in her as a fur. Others made her skin crawl. They reminded her too much of the looks she often received as a visitor to the Academy looked her over before forcing her to serve his or her pleasure. Several of the young female furs looks were so cold that they reminded her of icicles.

Fortunately her master neatly deflected the conversation away from her and onto the reason they were there that night. As he wove his masterful sales pitch, Kayla could well understand why he was so successful as a businessfur. Seemingly without even trying he managed to get another million credits of support from the furs at the table. If Kayla had any credits to her name she would have likely contributed as well.

Dinner passed and a distinguished chimpanzee took the podium. He welcomed the contributors and their guests to the annual fund raising ball and announced the major and minor contributors. As he read off a long list of names Kayla did not hear Master David's name called out. After the chimpanzee sat back down, she gave her master a quizzical look. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "I don't like to have my contributions publicized, so I use a trust fund to filter the money to this foundation. The Olive Stokes Trust Fund is named after my mother. I think she would have liked what they do."

Finally the dinner was over. Master David assisted Kayla out of her chair.

"Time to freshen up. Then the ball proper begins," he told her in an undertone.

Master David escorted Kayla to the Female Lounge and left her at the door.

"I'll meet you here when you are done," he told her.

Inside the room was controlled bedlam as female furs fixed their hair and make-up in the outer room. Kayla was making her way towards the back to use the toilet when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Kayla!"

Kayla turned and got caught up in a gentle hug from Valentia. She pushed Kayla back to get a good look at her. Kayla also got a good look at Valentia for the first time.

Valentia had on a dress nearly identical to Kayla's but done in a rich golden yellow shade that matched exceptionally well with Valentia's tawny fur. A single yellow Hessonite gemstone shown in the broach nestled between her breasts. Matched yellow diamond earrings dangled from Valentia's ears. A matching clutch purse was in her right paw.

"Well, I'd say that dress looks absolutely stunning on you," Valentia said as she looked over the younger otteress.

"Valentia, it is the most beautiful piece of clothing I have ever worn," Kayla told Valentia appreciatively.

Valentia grinned back at Kayla and said "Of course! I designed it just for you!"

Just then three wolves joined them. They had obviously been drinking more than their fair share of the wine served with dinner. Their leader stood slightly in front of the other two. She lifted an unsteady paw and pointed at Kayla.

"You are not worthy to be here, especially with David," she told Kayla in a slurred voice.

Kayla's smile disappeared. She opened her mouth to try to respond, but Valentia beat her to it.

Valentia took a half step forward. She looked the three wolves up and down with contempt before raising her muzzle high into the air.

"Just because you three are bitches doesn't mean you have to act like ones."

Valentia grabbed Kayla's right arm and lead her to the toilet area. Kayla could hear a chorus of startled gasps from the three wolves. Kayla chanced a glance back at the three wolves. They stood spluttering where the wolfess and otteress had left them. Kayla saw several other female furs hiding smiles and giggles behind hastily raised paws. Valentia did not even attempt to hide the wicked grin on her muzzle.

Once the door closed behind them Valentia broke out laughing loudly.

"I've been wanting to take the great young debutante Jennifer Childs down for months. Thanks for providing me with the opportunity, Kayla."

Kayla did not understand what was happening.

"Valentia, what was that all about? Since I got here there have been female furs giving me dirty looks."

Valentia took the younger fur and turned her towards her. She placed her paws on Kayla's shoulders and gently explained.

"Kayla, remember how I said all the gossip columnist were calling you "The Mysterious Otteress'?"

"Yes," Kayla replied.

"And remember how I said Wolfie loved you?"

"Yes..." Kayla replied again.

"Well, this is the first time most of the females have had a chance to see you in person. You are more beautiful than they ever thought you would be. You move with style and grace. Worse, in their view, David only has eyes for you. They know you have won the most eligible bachelor in the Elysium system, and they, and their trust funds, are jealous of you for it."

Kayla's jaw dropped. Rich furs jealous of her?

Kayla managed to splutter out "Valentia, you can't be serious. I'm nothing but -- "

"--David's love. Everyone here except you can see it every time he looks at you." Valentia smiled kindly at the flustered otteress. "I'm afraid you are going to have to start to learn to live with success, Kayla."

The two females quickly freshened up. Valentia ran screen between any jealous fur and Kayla while letting several older mated furs through to talk with Kayla. By the time they were ready to leave, Kayla was feeling a lot better. Just inside the door, Kayla paused and asked Valentia one question.

"Valentia, why are you so nice to me? You told me yourself that you were after David."

Valentia smiled at the young fur.

"I'm one of the loyal vanquished. I had my shot at David. We were a hot item for three years. I got the same treatment you are getting, so I know what it is like firsthand. I lost him, but I still love my Wolfie. You can bring him happiness and won't shut me out of his life like most of the other females you've had the displeasure of meeting here tonight. Plus you are rapidly turning into a good friend. That's good enough for me. I'll do everything I can to make sure you two succeed."

Kayla tried to digest what Valentia had told her as they returned to the lobby. She did not have time as almost immediately they found Master David. He was engaged in conversation with Todd, but as soon as he saw her he excused himself and came to take Kayla's paws. He silently looked down into her eyes. She smiled up at him, and he returned her smile with a wide grin.

"Are you ready to dance, Kayla?" he asked her as he presented his crooked left arm to her.

"Certainly!" she replied as she slipped her right paw onto his arm.

Kayla and Master David followed Valentia and Todd into the Main Ballroom. The floor was covered in hardwoods imported from distant Earth. Three walls were lined with mirrors, fine artwork, and elaborate decorative fixtures. The far wall had a good sized stage upon which a band was tuning up. Overhead huge gold and cut crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Above the chandeliers was a detailed mural depicting the clear night sky outside during the dead of winter.

The two couples moved to one of the several punch bowls located around the perimeter of the dance floor. The males ladled up drinks for their dates. Kayla was surprised how Master David treated Todd as an equal even though he was merely an apprentice to Valentia. But in fact he had always treated her and everyone else well. It was one of the reasons she liked him so much.

The band began playing a fast techno-pop tune. Kayla looked at her master, and he nodded his head negatively.

"Not yet. I prefer the danceable tunes," he told her.

He went on, "Each sponsor gets to select one or more tunes depending on how much they contributed. The younger ones tend to make some very 'different' selections."

Master David smiled down at Kayla and winked.

"Old farts like me like the slower tunes where we can hold our dates close while we dance."

Valentia chimed in, "Heck, you just like any chance to grope a female fur!"

All four furs laughed at Valentia's quip.

As Kayla watched, she realized the only dancers were those her own age or younger. The other furs were tolerantly waiting on the edges for the tempo to change.

When the set was done another band took the stage. They struck up a slow classical dance tune with a repetitive melody. The name of the song escaped Kayla, but she remembered hearing it many times. Mater David took her paw and lead her out onto the dance floor. Valentia and Todd followed them.

Master David turned to Kayla and bowed. She returned as deep a curtsy as her dress allowed. He took her in his left arm and intertwined the fingers of his right paw with her left. Kayla slipped her right arm around Master David's waist. Together they began to slowly dance around the floor.

For the first time Kayla was grateful that the instructors at the Academy had forced her to learn to dance well. The instruction had been painful for her and the other less adept furs, but the end result was she was able to dance well in several styles. Master David was a good partner, leading her about the dance floor with subtle clues and nuances.

They spent the next several hours dancing. Valentia and Todd were frequently near them. Kayla paired off with Todd for a couple of the faster sets while Master David took Valentia onto the dance floor for some ancient set pieces.

Master David surprised Kayla by taking her onto the floor for a tango. They moved close together and made the first and second turns before the music suddenly changed. Master David looked down at Kayla with a surprised look on his face. She just shrugged her shoulders. They laughed together and did their best to tango to Shakira's Objection (Tango).

They acquitted themselves quite well. Kayla could not help but laugh, though, when Master David whispered in her ear that he was sorry she did not have a rose in her mouth for the dance.

After five hours the crowd began to thin as the night became early morning. The master of ceremonies for the night announced the last set. Kayla was disappointed that the night was drawing to an end. She had enjoyed herself immensely. It was great to see Valentia and Todd again. Both treated her so well she could almost forget she was a lowly slave. As the last strains of the music faded, she sighed.

Master David frowned and asked her "Something wrong, Kayla?"

"No, not really. I was just sorry the night has come to an end. It was so nice being out with everyone."

"Even jealous wolf bitches?"

Kayla looked up at Master David in surprise.

"Valentia told me what happened. Don't worry about it. I took care of it at one of the breaks. Those three will not bother you again, and I doubt any others will now."

Kayla was surprised at the steel in her master's voice. He was genuinely upset that three high class ladies had accosted her, a mere slave. It warmed her to know he would protect her.

"Thank you, Master."

"No problem, Kayla. Now, though, let's find a place to wait out the crowds. Mike will not be back for another half hour or so anyway."

Valentia and Todd joined them. They found a small table with four chairs. Valentia and Kayla slipped away to find some punch for the group.

As she was filling the glasses Kayla was holding, Valentia asked Kayla, "Did you enjoy yourself?"

Kayla smiled. "Yes, but then I always seem to when Master David takes me somewhere."

"I had a long talk with David during some of the dances. So, youngster, why the heck aren't you sleeping with Wolfie? It can't be that you are all that shy about sex coming out of the Academy."

Kayla dropped her head. In a soft voice she replied, "I know I am a sex slave, but I've never really enjoyed sex. Even at the Academy something was always missing. It just never seemed 'right' for some reason. Not even the Academy completely changed that, and they tried their best. Master David has thus far allowed me the freedom to control my own body. I doubt many if any other master would allow me that freedom, and I may be taking advantage of him."

Kayla looked up at Valentia again.

"For some reason, as much as I like Master David, it still has never felt like the proper time to mate with him."

"Kayla, do you know how stupid you are being?" Valentia asked her.

Kayla gave Valentia a wan smile.

"Oh, probably yes."

"Listen, youngster, Wolfie wants you, not as a slave, but as a mate. He's the best male this planet has to offer. I know him. He's probably been treating you like a queen. I'll give you a little bit of advice. Grab hold of him as quickly as you can. And trust me, you won't find any better mate."

Kayla had to laugh out loud.

"Valentia, Master David owns me. I'm his pleasure slave, not a potential mate!" she protested to the older canine.

Valentia snorted and said a dirty word under her breath.

"Do me one favor, Kayla. Consider going all the way with Wolfie. I'm willing to bet your freedom that you will never regret it if you give yourself totally and completely to him."

"Valentia, I will not make any promises about what I will do, but I will think about what you've said."

The glasses were filled with punch. Together the two female furs returned to the table and served their respective males. Todd seemed embarrassed to have Valentia serving him. His white face fur turned a distinct red, though, when, after he protested, Valentia boldly proclaimed, "Drink up, Todd. You are going to need all your strength for the rest of the night!"

The four furs chatted as the other guests left. Soon the staff was turning out the lights. The foursome rose and headed for the rest rooms. Valentia had Kayla take the time to freshen her makeup and run a brush through her hair.

Master David and Todd were waiting for Kayla and Valentia in the darkened lobby. Todd seemed a bit fretful, but Master David was waiting patiently for the two female furs to return. They presented their crooked left arms, and the two females inserted their paws again. They started walking towards the front exit and their waiting rides.

"Wait one second," Master David said. He rummaged around his pockets.

"Blast! I left something back in the ballroom. We'll have to go back for it. Sorry," he said.

Kayla and Todd missed Valentia's hastily covered smile. Together the foursome returned to the ballroom.

Most of the ballroom was in darkness. The stage was still brightly illuminated, and a set of spotlights formed a radiant pool on the dance floor just in front of the stage. The ballroom was still and dark as the four furs walked to the front of the ballroom.

When they were almost to the stage Kayla was surprised to see two raccoons and a coati come out onto the stage and pick up instruments. Kayla could hear them quickly tuning them.

Master David turned to Kayla and said, "One of the advantages of being the largest contributor to an event like this is you can get a few perks."

Master David bowed deeply to Kayla.

"Kayla, would you join me for a final dance set? I've selected three songs especially for you."

Kayla was shocked. Glancing at Valentia she could tell that the wolfess had been in on the surprise. The older female gestured for Kayla to get going.

Kayla curtsied back to Master David and truthfully replied, "Master David, I would be honored to dance with you one more time tonight."

Kayla took Master David's arm again and allowed him to lead her out into the spotlights. She was thrilled that this very special night would last just a little longer. Valentia and Todd followed them onto the dance floor.

Kayla could see the band watching them. When the dancers were ready, the musicians bowed to them. The dance floor lights lowered until they were only a bit brighter than candlelight.

Kayla heard the initial strains of the first song start. It was a slow rock ballad currently near the top of the charts. As soon as the lead raccoon began singing, Kayla realized the band was not some cover group but the original band.

Kayla leaned into Master David and let the words and melody run over and through her.

"I'm finding my way back to sanity again
though I don't really know what
I am going to do when I get there.
Take a breath and hold on tight ... "

Kayla and Master David slowly danced around the dance floor together. They lightly held onto each other as they made small circles in front of the stage. Kayla was surprised when Master David added his clear bass to the chorus.

"I am hanging on every word you say
and even if you don't want to speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me.
'Cause I want nothing more than to sit
outside heaven's door and listen to you breathing
is where I want to be ... "

Kayla continued dancing with her master as the band played on. She could here the latent laughter hiding in the back of his voice when he sang along with the band on another part of the song.

"I don't want a thing from you.
Bet you're tired of me waiting
for the scraps to fall
off your table to the ground.
I just want to be here now ... "

The two couples moved closer to each other. Kayla could hear Todd's youthful baritone joining Master David's mature bass for the final choruses.

"I am hanging on every word you say
and even if you don't want to speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me.
'Cause I want nothing more than to sit
outside heaven's door and listen to you breathing
is where I want to be."

The band finished the song. The four dancers clapped enthusiastically in appreciation for the fine performance. The band members took their instruments and left the stage. While another band made up of various felines filed out onto the stage, Kayla could not help but realize the hidden import of the lyrics of the last song. She snuck several quick glances at her master. Each time he caught her and smiled down at her.

The stage lights dimmed. The dancers took each other in their arms and waited for the music to begin again. As the opening chords echoed through the near empty ballroom, a single spotlight stabbed out of the darkness to fall on the steps leading up to the stage. A jet black leopard sat on the steps. He raised a saxophone to his lips and began to play.

Kayla was amazed as the sax player filled the ballroom with the beautiful, soulful jazz tune. Kayla pulled Master David close as they slow danced to the music. It felt so right to mold her body to his. She lay her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Her nose drank in his scent. As the music continued, she could not believe how good it sounded and how happy she felt.

Kayla sighed as the last notes from the sax faded into memory. Master David took her paw and lead her over to the leopard.

"Kirk, this is Kayla. Kayla, this is Kirk Whalum, one of the finest sax players to ever live."

Kirk smiled broadly at the accolade. He bowed deeply to Kayla and said, "Don't believe everything David tells you, Kayla."

Kayla could see him giving her a quick once over.

The ebony leopard continued, "It is a pleasure to meet 'The Mysterious Otteress' in person at last. I hope we get a chance to meet again at one of David's justifiably famous penthouse parties, but, if I don't get off the stage right now, the next band will castrate me."

Kirk gave Kayla another toothy grin and left her standing slightly breathless as he jogged off the stage.

Master David leaned over and whispered into Kayla's left ear, "The title of the song is My All. I think it is one of his best personally."

Kayla nodded her head in assent. She had never heard such good jazz before.

The third band took the stage. Their lead singer was a spotted skunk. His backing band was a mixture of beavers and weasels. They tuned their instruments quickly. The stage lights dimmed down again.

The couples formed for their final dance of the night. Master David took Kayla in his arms and placed his muzzle beside hers. The band began to play the opening of the song. Kayla recognized the song immediately. She was stunned when Master David sang along with the skunk.

"I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
Looking for a little romance
Given half a chance
I have never seen that dress you're wearing
Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes
I have been blind"

Master David drew Kayla closer to him and held her tight as he sang the chorus.

"The Lady In Red
Is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I want to be
And I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight ... "

Kayla almost stopped dancing in shock; She was the Lady in Red her master was singing about! Only many hours of training at the Academy allowed her to continue some semblance of a dance as her master continued singing.

"I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
You were amazing
I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled,
It took my breath away
I have never had such a feeling
Such a feeling of complete and utter love as I do tonight."

Master David stopped dancing and stood hugging Kayla while slowly swaying back and forth.

"The Lady In Red
Is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I want to be
And I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight
I never will forget the way you look tonight
The Lady In Red
The Lady In Red
The Lady In Red
My Lady In Red ... "

Master David lifted his muzzle slightly and clearly whispered into Kayla's right ear, "I love you."

Kayla melted in her master's arms. It was almost too much for her. As she lay with her head resting against her master's strong chest, she could see Valentia watching her, and she finally realized Valentia was right.

So what was she waiting for?

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