Page 82 of The Orc Outcast's Conquest

His hand reached through the brush, claws barely extended, magic thrumming behind his eyes. He moved by scent rather than sight. He could smell each rapid breath the tiny creature took. Hear its heart beating in his mind.

Hunting was the only time he ever felt his magic was truly useful.

If the Fades were well with him, he could keep Miranda’s existence hidden too. He only needed to gather some supplies, tinctures, and furs for warmth.

The rabbit, sensing danger, thumped its foot in warning, and Govek froze, heart thundering, his claws a hair’s breadth from the creature.

He could keep Miranda in his home for a day, perhaps two, and then they could leave Rove Wood together.

It could work. The orcs of Rove Wood wouldn’t notice a few meager supplies missing.

They wouldn’t expect him to return so soon.

They likely all thought he was dead.

Govek shot his hand forward and snatched up the rabbit so violently it had no chance to even scream. He snapped its neck in a smooth, practiced motion, ending its life swiftly, painlessly.

He looked down at the tiny creature, at how little meat there was. It was the only animal he could scent, and it had only come out of its burrow because he dropped a tree on it. Such luck would likely never touch him again.

Rove Wood was brimming with creatures. The blight wasn’t nearly so harsh there. Govek knew where all the best game liked to dwell and where all the best fishing spots were hidden.

How many hunts had he slaved over, only to have his mighty kills scorned and mutilated by novice butchers? How many white rabbits had he caught for Yerina? Dozens? Hundreds? All for the foolish hope that the lavish gown she created with the furs would please her. Earn him her favor.

He’d worked so blasted hard for that woman. For his clan. For hisfather.

A few days, Govek could hunt enough meat and swipe enough supplies from the storeroom. He would have to be quick if he didn’t want to be caught. He’d need to mask his scent somehow, but he could handle it.

He would have to. If they got caught... if his brethren discovered he was back in Rove Wood with a female...

They might take her from him.

His stomach twisted and bile rose in the back of his throat. He could do this. He had to. For Miranda.

She called.

He felt her voice rather than heard it. The tangle of it on the wind, like walking through a spider’s web. It tingled across his skin each time she spoke, shaking from the imprint’s invisible thread which connected them.

Gathering himself, Govek struck out through the woods and back to his mate. His steps were steady but heavy. The rabbit would not be enough for her. His own stomach ached, but he ignored it.

She was still calling when he arrived at the cave. Her frantic tone caused him to hesitate at the vines, trembling as he forced himself to pull them back. He was prepared for her rejection. He’d faced it before with Yerina.

But as he entered the cave, he saw Miranda’s expression go from tense to slack with relief at the sight of him. His chest squeezed sharply.

“Where did you go? You should have woken me up I would have gone with you,” she said, sitting up on her knees by the fire. She held his cloak tight around her chest for warmth. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Her care for his wellbeing made him ready to collapse into a grateful flood of praise to the Fades. “I am well, Miranda.”

“I had a bad nightmare. There was an explosion…”

An explosion? “There is nothing near here that can explode, Miranda. You need not worry.” He’d heard of mountains erupting, but it was rare.

But her world had exploded.

Her face was pale, her lip caught in her teeth, her hands wrung. He swallowed hard and could not come up with a way to distract her from her fear. Pull logic back into it. “I knocked down a tree. Perhaps the sound of it worked its way into your dream.”

She blinked. “You what?” He saw no reason to repeat himself when he was certain she’d heard him. “You did what? Why?How?”

His only response to her peppered questions was to lift his claws to her view.

---