Page 113 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“Come here. Now. We can protect you.”

“Govek protects me just fine.” Miranda took Govek’s hand, and her touch eased the sharpest stings of his blooming anger.

And besides, he had no right to be angry with Maythra. Her fear for his mate was valid, and her reasons for despising him were sound.

But Miranda’s continued refusal caused the woman’s face to contort. Her nose scrunched as if she smelled something foul and her body puffed up like a hen readying to fight.

“Fades mercy, you were meant to come alone. But of course, this male could never let a woman he’s imprinted on out of his sight for a moment. You realize how dangerous he is? What must I do to convince you?”

Viravia stepped in front of the woman and herded her back toward the stoop. “Maythra, you invited her to my house?”

“I did what I had to.” Maythra tried to resist but the threat of getting soup sloshed onto her had her backing back out the door. “Look at her. She’s completely beguiled.”

“Govek would never hurt a woman, Maythra,” Viravia said sternly. “Certainly not one he feels strongly for.”

Maythra’s eyes flashed between them all for a moment before a vicious gleam settled and she planted her feet, refusing to go down the steps. “Is that why you’ve always trusted him? Because you knew his feelings for you would prevent him from doing you harm?”

“What?”

The tone of Miranda’s single word spiked a torrent of shivers down Govek’s spine.

“Maythra,” Viravia gasped. “That is not true.”

“Of course, it is true. And you must reciprocate, since you were the one that suggested he take you on as his mate.”

Viravia stammered. “Th-that—that was for the good of the clan. For my son to have a father figure in his life and to stop Govek from dying at Estwill. It was not due to anything between Govek and me.”

Maythra snorted. “A father figure like him? There are far better models in Rove Wood. You could have had your pick, you know.”

Tightness gripped Govek’s chest.

Maythra stared hard at Miranda. “As could you, and you should choose another. Or do you truly want to be with a male that is so vile he?—”

“Leave, Maythra!” Viravia yelled, causing them all to jump at her volume. “Now. And take your wicked tongue and disgusting slop with you.”

“I won’t go. Not until I can ensure this new dear is safe.”

Viravia took the bowl Maythra had given her and shoved it into the woman’s chest. Stew splattered all over her dress and coated the stoop. Maythra staggered back, screeching as if she’d been burned though the meal was clearly cold. Her foot slid in the muck and she toppled, ass hitting the top step hard before she bumped her way down to the ground, shrieking with indignation but clearly unharmed as she got back to her feet.

“How dare you!” Maythra screamed, wiping the brown stew off the front of her gown. “You may be carrying the next heir, but I am the matriarch of this clan, and our chief will hear of this.”

Govek took this moment to quickly haul Miranda down the steps, intent on carrying her home. Thankfully Maythra was too busy wiping herself to notice as he passed her.

Fuck, he’d known coming into the clan might be a bad idea, but he hadn’t expected this.

Viravia laughed. “Oh Fades, are you actually calling yourself the matriarch out loud now? I thought you were delusional, and this proves it. Chief Ergoth doesn’t even acknowledge that you are together, let alone mated.”

“I will be the matriarch,” Maythra spat. “Chief Ergoth will announce it soon.”

“Chief Ergoth has lost his power, Maythra. He’s in no position to be creating imaginary titles. And if he truly intended to give you one, he would have done so a long time ago.”

“He will. You’ll see! He wants to atone for the wrong that was done to me and my poor Zayvor! To atone for the atrocity his own son caused!”

Govek’s gut twisted at the mention of Maythra’s lost mate.

Viravia stepped forward, careful not to slip in the stew, looming over Maythra with gleaming eyes. “If Ergoth wanted you for his mate, he would have taken you long ago. But he’s nowhere near foolish enough to make such a ghastly choice. Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

“Holy shit.”

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