Closing my eyes, I force my breathing to even. I have no clue what these guys are capable of, but I don’t want the mean one to hear just how hard my pulse is pounding. I turn my face into Vrokjan’s chest and drink in his scent.

It’s calming, somehow, allowing me to go limp in his arms. There’s something oddly familiar about his scent. It reminds me of home, of late nights out with my mom while we looked up at the stars.

How many times did we visit my grandparents and just look up at the night sky, wondering just what was beyond our vision? If I had known then that we weren’t just alone, but that intelligent beings wanted to harvest us, I’d say you were crazy.

I was so innocent then, naïve. And yet, when I smell Vrokjan, it’s as if I’m transported back to that place and time, where there’s no meaning beyond dipping my toes in a creek and coming home in time for dinner. How I wish I could go back there.

His strong, steady gait nearly lulls me to sleep. For the first time since being wheeled out into the hallway, I feel safe, comforted, and protected. The only thing keeping me from drifting off is the constant ache in my breasts.

What Enook did earlier took the edge off, but now, the pain is back. Whines claw at my throat as I twist and turn in his arms, desperate to find comfort. Exhaustion beats at me, but I find no relief.

“Shhh, my pretty little cow,” he murmurs, shifting me in his arms. “I’ll take care of you. Don’t you worry about it.”

Unfortunately, all I can do is worry as the pain steadily grows worse. Clutching at his suit, I grip it tightly in my fists, hoping to mitigate the pain. After a few moments, he sets my feet on the ground and pulls out an odd device.

It looks similar to a phone, but it’s paper-thin and nearly see-through. Wires and things I don’t have words for crisscross, sending lights racing across the back. So much about this world I still don’t know.

“Yeah,” he barks into the contraption. “I have her now. Meet me at the milking barn.”

There’s an urgency to this voice, an odd tone that sets me on edge. He looks me over, his lips turning down into a frown. Reaching out, he runs the pad of his finger across my nipple, sending shards of both pleasure and pain ricocheting through me.

I nearly collapse under the onslaught, but Vrokjan catches me, standing me back up. “Why are you so weak,” he murmurs, kneeling to study my legs.

The way he touches me is clinical, perfunctory, but it doesn’t stop the flare of arousal as his fingers skim my inner thighs, coming so achingly close to where I need him the most. He pinches and massages, moving my joints as he studies me. The stupid gag stifles my moans of relief as he digs his thumbs into my ass.

Panting, nearly out of breath, Nagán races up toward us, a satchel dangling at his side. “What seems to be the problem?”

“You tell me,” Vrokjan barks out, turning me toward the mean doctor.

He looks me over for a moment before pulling out that odd wand again. With a sweep of his hand, he runs it over before pausing at my breasts. His lips turn down into a frown.

“I’ve never seen anything like this. Her breast tissue has grown exponentially. Far more than other cows we’ve had. She is nearly bursting with how much milk she’s produced. You might have to milk her three times a day instead of two. I worry any deviation might cause extreme pain for her.”

He reaches up and squeezes my breast, dragging a scream from my throat. Vrokjan snarls at his brother and pulls me back into his arms.

“Couldn’t you be more gentle?”

With a puzzled look, he reaches over and pinches my Rancher’s arm. “That’s the pressure I used. It shouldn’t have caused that much pain. Milk her, then I’ll examine her.”

With a nod, Vrokjan pulls me away and into a room off to the side. Despite the pain radiating through my chest, I stop at the door, not wishing to go in any further. A strange metallic contraption sits in the middle with tubes running off to the side.

There’s an odd bench coming off it that looks just as uncomfortable. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I stay planted as he fiddles with some knobs and makes adjustments. When he motions for me to come forward, I shake my head, not wanting anywhere near that thing.

With an exasperated sigh, he strides over to me, his face set in a firm frown. “You’re still far too weak to fight me. I will win if you choose to be obstinate. Obey me. Be my good little cow, and I will reward you. Refuse, and you’ll not know any pleasure tonight.”

The way he says the word pleasure courses through my body as if he’s touching me. Fear and desperation war as he picks up the lead. He doesn’t tug on it, though. Oh, no. He waits for me to make the choice.

With a groan, I walk over to him, despising the way his bright smile makes my insides flip. All of this is wrong, and I shouldn’t be finding any sort of pleasure in it. But honestly, I can’t fight anymore. I don’t have the strength or willpower.

Vrokjan positions me on the bench. The front cups my breasts, taking the weight off of me. Sagging in relief, I lean against the smooth, leathery texture and breathe.

“I’m going to take the gag out now, so I suppose it’s time we go over the rules.”

At this point, I don’t care what he says or does. Just being able to breathe and not have each inhale laced with pain is enough for me to hang on to his every word. His fingers work at the latch on the back of my head, and within moments, he slips the object out and hangs it on a piece of metal in front of me.

It dangles there, menacing, a threat. Unfortunately, I can’t help the groan that rumbles past my lips. I’m not sure if it’s against the rules or not, but it feels so damn good to not have my mouth stretched out and my tongue imprisoned.

With an indulgent smile, he slides his knuckle under my chin and holds my face still. “These rules are important. I don’t wish to hurt you, but I will if you leave me no choice.”

My ass throbs as his words slither into my brain. Leaning over, he grabs what looks like a canteen and holds it to my lips. When I reach for it, he swats my hands away.

“I’m tending to you now. Allow me.”

Unbidden, my mind goes back to Enook. “Allow me to attend.” It ripples through my body, making my pussy spasm again. Nothing is stopping Vrokjan from attending to every single need, including sexual.

Pushing those thoughts out, I gulp down the water, moaning as the cool, sweet liquid streams down my throat. He indulges me, allowing me to drink my fill until I cannot take any more. As he draws the canteen away, he holds his fingers in front of my lips, keeping me from speaking.

“While you are outside of my home, you are not allowed to speak. No cow is. Those who go out to pasture may speak to each other in soft tones but must stop the instant a Rancher is in earshot. If you have a need or must get my attention, you will make a mooing sound. Now then, let me hear it. Let me hear your sweet moo.”

My face screws up as revulsion settles like lead in my gut. It’s bad enough I’ve been transformed into this lactation device, existing for their pleasure, but I have to moo now, too? I’d rather stay silent the rest of my life than to let such a sound pass from my lips.

“No? You wish to be a stubborn heifer? No matter. You’ll moo for me soon enough.”

Pulling up a stool, he sits across from me. Though he’s tall, the bench has my breasts at his face. His hot breath fans over my poor nipples, sending a ripple of desperation through me.

He locks eyes with mine as he lowers his face. I’m helpless as his tongue snakes out, full of sensual promise. He laps at my nipple, moaning as he tastes my milk for the first time.

“Celestials,” he grinds out. “Your milk is even sweeter than I could imagine.” His voice is like a growl against my tender skin, sending a shiver down my spine.