𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞 (ɴꜱꜰᴡ) ₊ ˚ ˑ ― reverie. & koura

[reverie.]

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE W R I T T E N  B Y   R  E  V  E  R  I  E .   A N D   K  O  U  R  A      JAMES HAWTHORNE ❪ 38 ❫     MADDIE HAWTHORNE ❪ 32 ❫    ​ Maddie has tried to persuade her husband to get a ᴘᴜᴘᴘʏ for ages, but without any luck. So, when he tells her that he has a surprise for her on their first wedding anniversary, she's convinced that he's changed his mind about it. But what happens when James starts to show his true colors? When he puts a ᴄᴏʟʟᴀʀ around her neck and forces her down on all fours. . .​

 

[reverie.]

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madeline hawthorne  ❝ the moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win. ❞ ​

Ever since her husband told her he would have a surprise for her on their wedding anniversary, Maddie had been excited. She'd been in a good mood ever since, and nothing seemed to faze her. Why? Because she was certain he would get her a puppy. She'd been trying to convince him to get a puppy for months now—ever since Lucy and Kyle adopted one—and now it was finally happening. Of course, she could be wrong. . . but she'd seen the transaction online. James had been to the pet store in town, and by the looks of it, he had bought a lot. Their anniversary couldn't come fast enough, and when she eventually made it home Friday afternoon, she was practically glowing. "Honey, I'm home!" Maddie made her way through the hallway and followed the scent of lasagna into the kitchen. It smelled so fucking delicious. She peeked at the lasagna in the oven on her way to her husband, who was flipping meatballs in a pan at the stove. Slightly confused, she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him from behind. "It smells delicious," she said, smiling over his shoulder. ​ "And it will be done in about ten minutes, so why don't you go upstairs and put on something nice? Perhaps that new dress you bought for the book launch next month?"​ She smirked behind him, "Maybe I will." She had completely forgotten about that dress. Perhaps not so surprising, considering how distracted she'd been lately. ─────────────────​ When she came downstairs ten minutes later, she was wearing that new dress, and she looked absolutely stunning. Her dark, wavy hair hung loose around her shoulders, and she'd put on some extra eyeliner for the occasion. They might only be celebrating their first wedding anniversary, but they'd been together for almost five years. And if it was one thing she knew about her husband, it was that he was a great cook. In fact, cooking wasn't the only thing he was good at in the kitchen, but she tried not to think of that right now. The first thing she noticed when she entered the dining room was not her sexy husband or the flawless table. It wasn't even the dog bowl on the floor next to James' chair. No, it was the wrapped gift next to her plate. Maddie tried to hide her excitement as she reached for it. "Is this what I think it is?" She looked over at her husband, smiling so wide it hurt. ​ "Why don't you open it and find out?"​ He didn't have to tell her twice. Maddie was so excited and so caught up in unwrapping the gift that she barely registered that James moved closer. By the time she reached into the box and pulled out a collar, he was right next to her. "Oh my God," she whispered, letting her fingers feel the collar. Even though a part of her knew this would happen, it still surprised her. Or maybe she was just getting emotional. She looked up at her husband, her eyes starting to water with happy tears. "Thank you, baby." Maddie didn't even connect the dots when she looked down and saw the name tag on the collar. 𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑒. The only thought that came to mind was that they were getting a girl puppy. "Aww, you named her after me." Could he have been any sweeter? She cupped his cheek and raised to her tiptoes to kiss him. "Where is she?" Maddie couldn't wait to meet their new puppy. She already knew it would be adorable.​

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[Koura]

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james hawthorne  ❝ don't bite the hand that feeds you. ❞ ​

James had been preparing for the wedding anniversary for a while. He had every intention to surprise Madeline. While they had been married only for a year, they had been living together for the better part of five years. Having stumbled on Madeline's Kindle, James was keenly aware of the sort of things his wife liked to read about. Her books had given him an idea. Not that her taste for darker things had surprised him. He knew she preferred him to take the lead in the bedroom. James had never had any objections to that. He rather enjoyed toying with his wife. All things considered, he had no complaints. Maddie had always been playful in every possible right way. ​ "You are welcome, dear," James replied, leaning closer to peck a kiss on Maddie's cheek. She could smell his cologne. James had tidied his beard for the occasion. Her return kiss brought a smile to his lips, James gently prying the collar from Maddie's fingers, placing it on the table by his plate. "Please close your eyes, sweetie." His voice was mellow and full of affection. "I have a surprise for you." Mischief glimmered in his dark eyes. James knew how his wife would misinterpret his words. He was playing with her. Madeline had already made one leap of logic. Chances were she'd make another. "Could you please turn around?" Placing his hands on Maddie's shoulders, he turned her in his arms. "Trust me." "Just wait here," he murmured, running his fingers down along Maddie's spine, James marveling at how soft her skin was. "I'll be back soon." He took a few steps back, picking up the collar, fiddling with it, making sure she could hear the metallic clasp clink. He knew exactly what she expected. James was curious, wondering if his wife would play along once she realized what he had on his mind. He knew Maddie was a wicked puppy. Still, he wasn't sure she'd go along with his little plan. Pausing for a few moments, James stepped closer again, gently slipping the pink collar around Maddie's neck, the leather soft against her skin. James's long, dextrous fingers fastened the buckle before Maddie had any chance to realize what had happened. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he turned Maddie so that she faced him once more. His fingers found their way to the collar she now wore, running his thumb over the nametag. "That looks so cute on you, Maddie." When Maddie looked up to James, she could see him grinning. He spoke to Maddie the same way he spoke to her in the bedroom. "So," he said, leaning closer and never breaking eye contact. "Do you think Maddie will be an obedient puppy, or do we need to train her?" ​

 

[reverie.]

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madeline hawthorne  ❝ the moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win. ❞ ​

Madeline closed her eyes without missing a beat. She was so certain that there would be a puppy in his arms when she opened them again, and she was so fucking excited. It was finally happening. She let him turn her around, smiling the whole time. "I trust you," she muttered. And she did. She trusted her husband fully, and that was why she didn't see his mischievous plan coming from a mile away. She waited patiently while she heard him fiddle with what she could only assume was the collar. He was probably putting it around the puppy's neck. God, how excited she was. She was so excited that she didn't react right away when she suddenly felt something around her neck. But as she realized it wasn't James' fingers but a collar, her eyes flew up—in shock, disbelief? Whatever it was, she had a hard time concealing it. Even though the collar wasn't choking her in any way, it still felt alien around her throat. Confusion replaced the initial shock as he turned her around to face him. "Baby?" she whispered, sounding almost frightened. He ran his fingers over the name tag, and her heart hammered in her chest. What was going on? Her smile had faded long ago, and Maddie did not share her husband's glee. She was breathing heavily, trying to keep her composure. What the fuck was he playing at? She blinked up at him as he leaned closer, his words sending shivers down her spine. Maddie knew exactly what he was insinuating, but that didn't mean she wasn't shocked by it. Was this the surprise? It'd better not be. He'd better have a real puppy somewhere or she would be very, very disappointed. Maddie swallowed hard before she answered, her body completely frozen. "Obedient," she eventually whispered. She didn't know what game her husband was playing, but she was not going to let him win so easily, nor was she going to show him how scared she was of playing it. "An obedient puppy." Her words were soft, so. . . fragile, as if it wasn't she who spoke them. Were they even true? Was she an obedient puppy? Was she even a puppy? She had no clue what he was trying to accomplish with this. Was he testing her? Teasing her? She was still wearing the collar at least. That had to count for something. Not once had she reached up or tried to remove it. But was this all? She glared at her husband, a hint of fear reflecting in her brown eyes. Was this collar a new piece of jewellery, or did he actually expect her to act like a puppy? ​

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[Koura]

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james hawthorne  ❝ don't bite the hand that feeds you. ❞ ​

Seeing Maddie's dismay brought a smile to James's lips. He could feel her hesitation, Maddie looking like a proverbial deer in the headlights. Just as he wanted. It had taken him a few days online to find everything he needed. It had taken considerably more effort to smuggle all of the items he had ordered through the door without Maddie noticing what he was up to. Yet all the time spent preparing for their anniversary had paid off. He had managed to catch her unawares. Her dumbfounded expression left him feeling warm inside. "My little obedient puppy," James murmured, his voice soft and kind. He sounded like a man talking to his beloved dog. "You are a good little puppy, aren't you?" he asked, tilting his head to the side as his dark eyes sought out hers. James was demanding Maddie's submission. Chuckling, he scratched her chin, his touch as gentle as it was deliberate. Puppies loved to get scratched after all. "Feels nice, doesn't it? My little puppy likes getting scratched, doesn't she?" he teased her, smiling. James didn't bother to wait for her answer. Instead, he let go of Maddie's chin and reached to pick up the metallic dog bowl from the ground. Giving his wife a marked look, he walked to the stove, picking up tongs. "One, two, three, four..." James counted the meatballs, moving them one by one from the frying pan into the bowl he held. "Six should be enough, don't you think?" he murmured, glancing over his shoulder. "Oh." James smacked his lips. He had forgotten something. "Puppies can't talk." His voice was disgustingly smug. "Yes, keep your mouth shut, Maddie. Be a good girl" There was no hesitation in his voice. He expected her to obey. Walking back to the table, he placed the bowl down at Maddie's feet. "Here's your food," James told Maddie, his tone harsh and demeaning. "I thought you were hungry?" James expected her to kneel down and eat on all fours like a proper puppy. When Maddie didn't move, he nudged the bowl on his foot, metal scraping against the stone floor. "Don't let it get cold, Maddie." ​

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[reverie.]

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madeline hawthorne  ❝ the moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win. ❞ ​

Madeline struggled to read her husband's expression. He looked so smug with that grin on his face, and she did not doubt that he considered this a win. But what exactly was he winning? And was it really a fair fight when Maddie didn't know which game they were playing? No. No, it was not. But Madline played along regardless. She was not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. Seeing her shocked—and she was shocked. She had been so fucking certain that she was getting a puppy. A real puppy. Never in a million years had she expected him to put a collar around her throat and treat her like a puppy. When he scratched her chin, she just glared at him. The fear was still there, but also disbelief. Her eyes screamed 'are you fucking serious right now?', but she said nothing. Her lips formed a thin line. But when he asked her questions—rhetorical ones by the sound of them—she wasn't sure if he wanted her to respond. What did he want her to say? Yes? Maddie usually loved it when James touched her, but not now. Not like this. It felt weird. . . almost alien. He was touching her, but it didn't feel right. A false sense of relief washed over her when he let go, only to be replaced with newfound fear when he bent down to pick up a dog bowl from the ground. She followed his movements, her eyes widening when he filled the bowl with meatballs. They'd better not be for her. When he addressed the question to her—another rhetorical one—she opened her mouth to ask 'enough for what?', but when he smacked his lips, she decided against it. Madeline couldn't hide her annoyance when he told her to keep her mouth shut. Oh, he was walking on thin ice. The things she wanted to say to him—yell at him. She had half expected the meatballs to be for her, but she was still shocked when he placed the bowl down at her feet. She quickly glanced at the bowl before she met her husband's gaze. If looks could kill, he'd be dead by now. She was fucking starving, but if he wanted her to kneel down and eat on all fours, he was out of his fucking mind. She flinched at the sound of metal screeching against the wood. A million thoughts raced through her head. She was waiting for him to call it off, to say that it was all a joke and that the real puppy was on its way. But James just stood his ground, waiting. Waiting for her to get down on all fours. Waiting for her to be a good puppy. Fuck you. Maddie gave him one final look before she knelt in front of the bowl, her bare knees flushed against the hard floor. Placing her palms against the floor as well, she tilted her neck and looked up at him with a 'are you happy now?'-look. Even without speech, he could hear the mocking tone. She was not happy and it showed. Maddie was fucking pissed, but she was also a sore loser and there was no way she was going to let him win whatever this was. But if he thought for a second that she wouldn't avenge this, he had to think again. She didn't know when, she didn't know how, but she would get her revenge. One way or another, he was going to pay for this— tenfold . She took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. Bending down, she picked up a meatball with her teeth, showing it off to her husband before it disappeared into her mouth. They tasted delicious, but that didn't take away the humiliation. She was eating from a fucking dog bowl, on the floor. And one day, maybe he would too. ​

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