Page 1 of Bought and Shared
CHAPTER 1
Aurora
“Aurora Pleasant?”
The receptionist calls my name as I worry my hands together in the waiting room of the doctor’s office. Standing, I walk slowly toward the middle-aged woman whose name tag reads “Nurse Smith”.
“Come this way,” Nurse Smith says, as I stiffly follow her past the front desk and into the more private back offices.
As soon as she shuts the door, she takes my purse and hangs it on a rack in the corner of the room. “Did the nurse at reception already draw the necessary blood samples from you today?”
Too nervous to speak, I simply nod.
“Good, then we can begin with your intake form,” she says, her voice and demeanor cool but not unkind. “Have you had any interactions with the Voltan in the past?”
“No, ma’am,” I confess, never even having seen one in person before.
As sheltered as my community is, I don’t get out much. Since the Voltan’s arrival on Earth, my parents have been even more protective than usual. They despise the aliens and all that they stand for. Their only child being auctioned off to them hasn’t helped matters any. In fact, many on Earth aren’t fond of the invaders. I hear whispers of rebellion every once in a while, conversations that are quickly hushed by the menfolk whenever women enter the room.
But our community isn’t the only one that’s weary of the Voltan. When they arrived en masse three years back, our government had feared the worst. They’d trained all the weapons of man against their unknown enemies and threatened to blow them to kingdom come. That’s when the alien force had calmly explained what they were doing in our neck of the solar system. They’d spotted the destructive asteroids heading our way on their advanced computer systems. Knowing how devastating they would be to Earth, they’d offered to save our planet from total annihilation if all of the planet’s governments agreed to their conditions.
At first, the humans had balked at such heavy-handed terms. But, as the series of devastating asteroids, dubbed “The World Ender” by the media, got closer and closer, they had no other option but to cave. Without leverage, and with a looming deadline of Armageddon nipping at their heels, Earth’s leaders had grudgingly agreed to the Voltan’s demands. All of them. Without exception.
The rules were simple. At least as far as the aliens were concerned. One, turn over all governmental control whollyto the Voltan. Two, provide willing companionship known as “draftees” to their soldiers each quarter of the solar cycle.
It would seem that, despite their best efforts and all their technological advancements, fewer and fewer female children had been born to the Voltan over the last few centuries, putting their entire species in danger of extinction. In order to satisfy their society’s need for women, they’d turned to Earth, a settlement of their distant ancestors, to help provide a very familiar animal need.
Sex.
“Please remove all of your clothes,” Nurse Smith instructs, breaking into my thoughts. Her face is a placid mask of professionalism as she awaits my compliance.
Shedding my clothes, I bite my lip and try to ignore how red my cheeks get. I’m not used to being naked in front of strangers. Heck, I’m not even used to taking off my clothes for lovers! I’m an eighteen-year-old virgin who’s shy about doing anything remotely close to what I’m about to experience. The loss of all control. Total domination. Complete ownership.
If they select me at the auction tonight, I’ll be owned by the Voltan for the foreseeable future. Expected to service all their sexual demands and desires over the next calendar year, or years, depending on what contract is eventually negotiated between us.
Armed with her trusty clipboard in hand, Nurse Smith asks, “Any childhood diseases or current infections you need treated? Don’t be shy about answering this, dear. The Voltan have a cure for nearly every human ailment imaginable. If you’re suffering from anything, you needn’t bother. They can help.”
It was true. Alongside redirecting the planet-ending asteroids, the Voltan have eradicated much of human suffering with cures to most known diseases and disorders that have plagued humankind for centuries.
Shaking my head to indicate I’m completely healthy, I struggle with what to do with my hands as I stand here naked and terrified about what comes next.
Continuing down her checklist, Nurse Smith asks me for my height, weight, and date of birth. Rattling off the answers, I remind myself to stand tall, despite my vulnerable position. Having been born into a religious family, I’m not used to showcasing my body, and it’s a struggle.
“Number of sexual partners?” Nurse Smith inquires then, her brown eyes peeking curiously over her clipboard as she awaits my answer.
Clearing my throat, I croak out, “None.”
The woman’s eyes widen fractionally as she notes my response on the medical form. Breaking momentarily from her stoic professionalism, she looks directly at me. “You can tell me the truth, Ms. Pleasant. The Voltan don’t care about virginity like human men do. There are no penalties for having an active sex life in this office. It’s quite the opposite, actually.”
I sigh, hating to have to discuss something so personal with an absolute stranger. “I’m from District Six,” I say, a roundabout explanation for my rare virgin status.
Smith smiles knowingly. “Got it. This is going to be quite a change of pace for you then, I’m afraid. Please ask anything you’re curious about before you leave here today. I’ll answeryour questions to the best of my ability with honesty and candor.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, not able to meet her gaze head-on.
The Voltan have dissected the United States into smaller regions known as districts. I’m from a strict religious community of humans from what used to be called Utah who shun many modern-day amenities and prize female purity above all else. To say my life is about to change in a big way is the understatement of the century.
Sensing my rising fear, Nurse Smith begins the examination by smiling and warming her hands together. “There’s nothing to be frightened about, dear. The Voltan are very good to their lovers. While it’s true they expect complete obedience, they will also treat you like a queen while in their care. Many women even choose to extend their contracts after their time is up because they enjoy the arrangement so much.”
