Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

Antroli

M y little heifer is upset. That much is clear. Luckily for her, she keeps her thoughts to herself. Those who haven't spent any time with her might only think she's distressed like the other cows.

But I know differently. We've only been together for a fraction of time, and yet, I find it easier to tell her shifting moods as we grow closer. Perhaps it's because I have an affinity for her I've never experienced with other cows. Or maybe it's because, to me at least, her face is so expressive.

Try as she might, she cannot seem to keep her thoughts off of her face. It's refreshing, really, not having to guess as much. But then, it wouldn't take a Medical Rancher to know any cow who's used to eating meat will find the shift abhorrent.

A smile teases my lips as I let down the ramp so Fiona and Jessica can climb inside and ride up to the main house. She spears me one of her hot glares as she crawls forward. Such impertinence, such insolence, such a delicious demand for me to take her in hand.

Next to her, however, Jessica strains for each step. She seems far too occupied with keeping herself upright to even care about things such as meat and grass toilets. A wave of concern washes over me as I watch her struggle.

Her breasts sway low to the ground, round and swollen, as if already engorged with milk again. But that's impossible. She was milked at the same time as Fiona, and I know my cow is not ready for milking again.

For a moment, Fiona pauses and bumps into Jessica before giving her an encouraging grin. They stare at each other, silently communicating somehow. I do so envy humans and their almost telepathic way of getting their thoughts across. It creates a bond that we Icorians can never seem to replicate.

After several pained moments, my lovely heifer slides in front of her. Fiona trots up the ramp as if it's as natural as breathing. The pride burning in my chest nearly chokes me, but is soon doused when Jessica goes to make the trek. She stands there, staring at the thing as if it's the highest peak on the planet.

The agonizing moo she lets out rips my heart from my chest. I have no clue what's going on with Vrokjan's cow, but it can't be good. No cow has ever had this much difficulty with the basic tasks commanded of them.

Without so much as a word, my boss scoops her up and takes her to the front of the transport. Questions burn in Fiona's eyes as we watch them leave. No doubt they are the same that churns my gut. It would kill Vrokjan to lose this cow.

I've never seen him so worked up over a new member to the herd. There's an excitement there that defies everything I know about the stern, grumpy Ranch Owner. For him to lose her this soon… No. I cannot even contemplate that.

Instead, I close Fiona in the back and head up to join them. As I go to wrench the door open, Vrokjan is there, heifer back in his arms. "I'll be taking her back on foot. I wish to show her the wonders of her new home."

I hide a snort as I wink at the poor cow. Wonders indeed. It will be a wonder if she comes back home without his ‘protein' all over her, her hair in an unkempt, tousled, and unruly mess. Still though, he doesn't seem as concerned as earlier, so perhaps all is well?

Climbing in, I angle the camera so I can watch Fiona. She looks so sad and alone in the back with no others to keep her company. It's not only for Vrokjan's sake that I hope his cow remains well. My heifer seems to thrive on their friendship.

I grit my teeth as I tighten my fingers around the wheel. She has to be okay. There is no other choice. Planting my foot on the peddle, I race us to the main house. Once Vrokjan is done pleasuring his cow, it will be time for work again. By the time that happens, I want Fiona fully sated and filled with my cum.

My cock pulses behind the confines of my suit, driving out all thoughts of Vrokjan and his cow. He's certainly equipped to handle her without me. I should be pouring all my thoughts out onto my own little prize.

When we arrive, I yank the door open to the back, nearly tearing it off the hinges. Fiona gasps as she stares at me, her chocolate eyes turning molten as they drift down my body to where the outline of my cock presses against the stretchy fabric. Though her lips say nothing, her expression says it all.

With a demure smile, she gets on all fours and lowers herself, putting her ass high in the air. Celestials, she's a vision. Snatching up the lead, I yank her toward me, precum pearling at my tip as her hips sway with each movement forward.

Some unknown expression glints in her eyes, and I cannot wait to get to the bottom of it. Leading her into the house, I pause long enough to acknowledge Nagán. He sits in the main foyer as he studies his nails, his brows pulled down into a bored pout.

"Where's Vrokjan? I thought there was an emergency?"

"He's tending to Jessica at the moment. I'm sure he'll be along shortly."

"And your cow? How does she fare?"

Next to me, Fiona's lips twist into a scowl, but she remains silent.

"As far as I know, she's well. Thank you for inquiring."

He waves his hand, motioning for us to leave. It's obvious he's done with this conversation. "Do not thank me. It's not as if I actually care. I just want to make sure my services are not needed outside of Vrokjan's ‘emergency'."

When he does those stupid quotation marks in the air, the urge to punch him nearly overrides my rational thought. If not for Fiona by my side, watching the interaction with a hint of fear tightening her features, I would tell him which orifice he can shove his assumptions up.

As it is, we clearly need him. If Vrokjan thought it was important enough to call his brother away from the clinic, then he's here for a purpose. Pissing him off won't aid in that endeavor.

Tugging on Fiona's lead, I take her down the hall and into my bedroom. With a sigh, I drop the length of rope to the floor and walk over to the side wall. "Do you need to use the bathroom?"

She leans back, nearly sitting on her tail. "Yes, Master."

"Come." I motion for her to crawl to me.

In this house, she can walk as one of us if she likes, but there's just something so erotic about watching her ass move back and forth as she does my bidding. Once she's closer, I unhook the lead and hang it from a small hook.

"The rules in the house are a little different from the rules out in the field. Here, you do not have to wear your hooves. Only your tail."

"And the ears?"

My lips widen into a grin. "Those are for me. You are to wear them unless I take them off."

Again, she slides backward, the motion lifting her breasts high in the air. "And this?" her slim fingers dance up her sternum to slide under the collar around her neck.

Her actions highlight the curve of her breasts as she twitches back and forth, making them sway. Celestials, but this little heifer will be the death of me. My balls clench as I watch this little show she puts on, my mind churning.

Until now, she's never been this forward. Well, except that moment where she kissed me. Is it because we're away from the others and she thinks she's free to do whatever she pleases? Crossing my arms, I look her up and down, drinking in her curves.

"That won't come off until you choose to leave me."

Her actions still. "I- can leave?"

Pain drills into my heart at her breathless words. "Wishing to be free of me so quickly?" Acid drips from my lips as I turn from her to walk inside the bathroom.

I should have known this was too good to be true. My perfect cow only thinks of going back to her home planet. But then, wouldn't I if the roles were reversed? The idea of her not being in my life, even after only being with her for a few hours, cuts like a knife slicing through my gut.

"You misunderstand, Master," she murmurs, sliding her hand over my arm in a caress so soft I almost don't feel it. "It's not a wish to go home right now. I just didn't realize I had the option."

"You weren't told?" My brow furrows as I turn to look at her, desperate to find the lie in her words. "All cows brought on board are supposed to be made aware that all modifications done to your body are reverted back at the end of three hundred and sixty-five Earth solar rotations. That is, if you choose to go home."

"Damn," she mutters under her breath. "I wonder if any of the changes are negotiable. I'd love to continue seeing without the need of glasses."

My lips twitch as I look at her face, imagining what she looks like with them on. Adorable, most likely. But then, I'm sure anything she'd wear would look that way to me.

Shrugging, I look away from her, wishing to end this line of inquiry. "That, I don't know. When cows choose to leave at the end of their cycle, they are no longer in our control."

"Sorry," she murmurs, running her finger over the collar with absent strokes. "If something was said to me, then I did not comprehend it. A lot happened on that ship. It could have been said in passing, and my brain never processed it."

"That does seem a bit more likely. As I understand it, those who attend the cows before the auction are tasked with explaining how the world works."

"Ah. Yes. I remember the… attending." Her face flushes as she looks away. "They were poking, prodding, touching, and massaging me. Between that and the effects of the serum, I definitely wasn't paying any attention to what they were saying."

Though I know the attendants are clinical in their performance, I cannot help the flash of jealousy that spears through me. Grabbing Fiona by the arms, I pull her close to me. "How did they touch you? Was it like this?" I cup her breast, nearly moaning at the feel of her soft skin beneath my fingers.

"No, Master." Her voice is harsh with need as she leans into my touch. "It was far more detached. More like an examination."

"I see. And what about this? Did they touch you like this?" I lower my hand to slide against her pussy lips. "Celestials, but you're soaking wet. Did you get wet for them too?"

"I- I cannot say, Master," she moans, grinding against my fingers. "I was too delirious and trying to figure out if this was a hoax or not. But they didn't turn me on, if that's what you're asking. Not like you."

I straighten my shoulders, a smile hovering on my lips. It's not in my nature to preen, but knowing she prefers my touch to theirs makes my stomach clench and my mouth water with need. If only it were closer to dinner time.

The need to taste her milk thrums through me with every pulse of my heartbeat. If I drank from her now, there won't be enough to serve the others. As much as I wish to indulge myself, the needs of the many will always outweigh the needs of me.

Pulling myself away, I lead her over to a side wall. "I have much I wish to do to you before dinner. Best you go to the bathroom so I can pleasure myself with your body."

"About that," she hedges, running her hands over her breasts. "I was hoping we could make a deal?"

Again, I cross my arms and stare her down. The nerve of this human to think she has any say in what happens to her. However, since I must be obviously high on whatever hormone bonds Icorians to their cows, I decide to entertain it.

"I will humor you. What is it you want?"

"Well… I know we can't have meat."

"Out of the question. Nothing you do or say will have me break that rule. It is forbidden on Icora.

"Then you're in luck," she quips, her face brightening. "I'm not looking for you to slip me meat on the side. That is, unless it's your meat."

When she bats her eyes at me, I find myself even more confused. "I just said you will not receive any meat. Not mine, not Vrokjan's, nor any of the Ranch Hands. It's not as if meat is rationed out and no one will miss it. I'll know with just one taste of your milk. Everyone will know."

Her burst of laughter grates on my nerves. It's as if I'm some joke to her. "You will cease this sound," I growl, sliding my hand around her throat. "I have been lenient with you. Far too lenient. If you think-"

"No, Master," she wheezes out, tears of mirth wetting her eyes. "You misunderstand!"

I release her and step away, giving her space to explain. "Then make it clear and make it fast. My patience is wearing thin, and my cock yearns for your mouth. The longer this takes, the rougher it will be for you."

"On Earth," she chuckles, "Meat can be slang for cock. So no, I'm not asking for illicit meat, but I'm certainly open to having your dick."

"Good," I growl. "Because your timeline to me shoving it into your mouth draws nigh." Shaking my head, I allow a small bark of laughter. "You humans and your turn of phrases. Even with the translator in place, I feel as if I have no hope to ever fully understand your species. Now tell me, sweet cow. What is it you want?"

The End For Now