Page 121 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

Govek paused, watching as his father, a male in constant control, gulped a large sum of the mind addling drink. There were dark bags under his father’s eyes. His cheeks were slightly hollow and the wrinkles on his brow were a little more prominent.

Chief Ergoth rose from his throne. “The woman you brought looks well with the others. You should allow her to come here more often.”

Govek’s chest tightened and his fists balled as he gazed at Miranda. “It was her choice to stay away.”

His father shot him a skeptical look before straightening his robes. His gaze turned scrutinizing.

“She is attractive, isn’t she?” Ergoth said, and to his shame, Govek’s claws slunk out against his will and a rumble threatened to burst from his lips. “The Fades must smile on us to have such a lovely new member join our clan.”

The growl escaped.

“Govek, this is a happy night,” Ergoth said too loudly. “Why bring anger here?”

Many eyes turned and Govek balled his fists tighter. Thankfully, it seemed Miranda had not heard. She remained unaware of how horrible her mate was at controlling his vile nature.

“Easy there, tough guy.” That’s what she would say. And she would take his hands and rub them, soothing him into releasing his fists. He forced them to unclench on his own. She would be upset if he cut himself.

Sufficiently calmed, Govek looked to his father only to find him watching Govek with a flat expression, but the odd tension was wiped clean in a flash. “I am glad you finally relented your grip. She looks happy there, mingling with the others. You’ll drive her to resent you if you keep her isolated.”

“As I said, she was the one who chose to stay away.”

His father only scoffed and before Govek could refute him he continued. “She should come to the trade with the other women tomorrow. It would be good for her to have some time with the others and I’m certain she has many needs to be fulfilled.”

Govek’s urge to keep his mate to himself roared ugly in his mind even as logic fought him. “I agree. In fact, I am?—”

“Chief.”

The interruption came from Wolvc and, judging from Agol’s harsh look, he had no idea why his son was cutting in.

Ergoth did, though. He took to his feet, nodding to the young guard. Wolvc hurried off toward the exit even as Agol’s confusion deepened.

His father began toward the back of the stage. “We should not be muddying the meal with our conversation. Come, my son.”

Sharp dismay closed around Govek’s gut as his father waited for him at the entry into the deeper parts of the tree. The chief’s private study—where Govek had never been. He paused to look at Miranda, finding her addressing the youngest woman in the clan. He could only see her back and could not make out her words, but the tension in the tone strung him up. It made the imprint ache and burn in his chest.

“Govek,” his father snapped. “Come. Now.”

Govek’s spine straightened at his father’s harsh tone and Govek forced himself to look away, convincing himself that his mate would be well. What could happen within the Rove Tree? Surrounded by the other human mates?

So, against all better judgment, Govek ignored his violent impulses and followed his father into the dark.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

MIRANDA

Miranda’s stomach dropped at Hilva’s wild accusation.

Govek tortured animals? What was she saying?

Why did no one at any of the tables say anything to refute the woman’s mad claims? In fact, all of them looked... Miranda’s stomach twisted.

They looked at her with pity.

“Calm down, Hilva,” Beleda demanded, gesturing for the woman to sit. “Let’s not make a scene.”

Too late for that. The room had already hushed, listening in. Some even blatantly turned to watch.

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