Page 17 of Arrested By the Orc

“Yes.”

“You’re brave.”

I grin. “I’m the Sheriff. Also, I’m an orc.” I make my way down the hall and stop downstairs and look around, feeling proud of what I’ve accomplished. Today not only am I trying to impress my female, but her tribe too. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am, so that I can live a life with one foot in the old ways and one in the new.

The doorbell rings again.

I open the door and find a large group of possibly ten humans of various ages from senior citizens to children, on my doorstep. I recognize many of them from this morning, when I was arresting Sadie.

There are gasps of surprise and they are all quiet for a moment, I’m sure taking in the fact that I’m not in uniform. No hat and my horns are exposed, my tusks are still enlarged because of my want for Sadie. My shirt is unbuttoned and I’m not wearing any shoes. This is my normal state of dress around the house because orcs are warm-bodied.

“Sheriff Underwood,” her father says in a way that makes me realize he’s former military. “We know that Sadie is staying with you.” He is tall and still fit for his age. Both of Sadie’s parents look like active senior citizens. He crosses his arms. “We figured you might as well get used to us now before things get any more serious between the two of you.”

“You’re the first boyfriend she’s ever brought home.”

“And it’s weird for us because she didn’t bring you to our house so we could meet you, she went straight to your home.”

“And she told me she was moving in,” Lila says. “So of course we all had to come down to see what was going on.”

“We're a package deal,” Sadie’s mother says with watery eyes. “It’s just that Sadie is the youngest. You have to understand, she’s the baby of our family.”

“You mean the one who’s spoiled,” the brother says. The female standing next to him elbows him in the side. He grimaces. “Although that doesn’t mean that I don’t want what’s best for her.”

“I understand,” I tell them all. “You are here to make sure that a member of your family line is mated to a male who will treat her well and is someone you will also enjoy becoming a member of your tribe.”

They smile. “Yes.”

“Welcome.” I invite them all inside.

They come in and I’m introduced to Sadie’s parents, her brother and sister, the brother’s wife and five active, school-aged children.

Sadie comes downstairs in a top and short skirt that I instantly want to remove from her body. Her hair is down and her arousal hits my lungs. She gives me a secret smile, knowing what she’s doing to me. This female is going to be underneath me the moment all these humans leave.

Sadie and Lila and the mother decide to make breakfast for everybody. It turns out they brought a bunch of food and we’re having something they call “brunch.”

I give tours of the house and explain why I don’t have any furniture yet. Then I join the children who play a game they brought that involves balls outside on the back porch. Eventually everyone settles in the kitchen and dining area. When the food is ready and Sadie is settled next to me the questions start.

“Are you going to marry my daughter?” her father asks.

“Dad,” Sadie gasps. “Stop it. This is none of your business. It’s bad enough that all of you are here this morning, butting in like usual, but this is a private matter between Bowen and I. Besides, you’re coming on too strong and you’re going to scare him away.”

“I cannot be scared away. Sadie is my mate,” I tell them.

“Oh, good,” her mother sighs. “I like how that sounds serious.”

And then I explain the whole story about how I met her in the dark of winter, but refrained so I could behave honorably and wait for her consent. It’s now spring and we were thrown together during the charity run and the tornado which quickened everything. Sadie nods in agreement with everything I say and occasionally breaks in and adds explains that are even better than I what I’m saying.

And then I wave a hand at the large kitchen, dining and living area we all occupy with a wall of windows that offers views of the sparkling lake below. “I bought this house for her, for us.”

“You did?” Sadie’s sister-in-law sighs. “Oh, that's beautiful. This is the perfect house for you both.”

“I bought it for our family,” I clarify.

Everyone gets quiet. And then they look over at Sadie.

She throws her hands up. “I am not pregnant.”

“But she will be soon. Sadie is my bride and she will carry my sons.”

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