Page 126 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“Govek, this is what is best for you too. All your past atrocities could be wiped clean with this. I can help you wipe them all clean. Give you a fresh slate. All you have to do is follow my directives as you lead the clan, and I will ensure you are forgiven.”

Pain jolted through Govek’s whole frame. Rattling his bones. Twisting up his guts.

How many nights had he laid awake in his bed, on the outskirts, alone and hungry with the agonizing burn of a magical binding blistering his veins, wishing his father would extend his hand like this? That the great Chief Ergoth might offer aid and help Govek find his place within the clan? That he could find a way to be forgiven?

Miranda’s smiling face flooded his mind’s eye. The harsh memories of the burning faded.

Did he . . . need to be forgiven?

Did he even want that?

What would forgiveness from his clan even offer? Why did it matter?

He had Miranda now.

“And think of your woman,” Ergoth said. “How would she fair in such war-torn lands? To say nothing of the perilous journey there. In the dead of winter.”

Govek agreed with that wholeheartedly. That was the reason he did not want her to leave here, even to find other humans from Earth.

“And I’m certain her head is turned by the idea of becoming matriarch of this clan. She must be thrilled at the prospect of the power she’ll have being the chief’s woman.”

Govek snorted in amusement at the thought. Miranda completely supported his decision not to become chief. She’d never once indicated that becoming matriarch was something she wanted. All she wanted was to live a peaceful, secure life. Away from war. With a family.

With him.

Words slipped out before he could think better of it. “She has suggested to me she’d rather live separately from the clan.”

“You cannot be serious.”

Govek went cold with regret and jerked his gaze up to his father’s blazing eyes as Ergoth raged. “She cannot possibly be so foolish as to support your decision not to take lead of this clan.”

Anger blazed in Govek’s spine at the insult toward Miranda. “It is a decision we have made together.”

“Well, her decision to keep you from taking on the role of chief is supremely ignorant,” Ergoth spat. “She must know that there is no place more comfortable or peaceful than the Rove Woods. She must know that there is no better clan than this. I will speak with her. I guarantee that with a few moments alone, I will have her mind changed?—”

“You will not be alone with her.” Govek almost snarled.

Ergoth’s eyes went wide as he examined Govek from top to bottom. “So, this is your plan, then? You will forsake the only family you have ever known for a woman you’ve barely met? You would betray us for someone who could very well be deceiving you?”

“Miranda is not?—”

“How could you know? How do you know anything about a woman you found wandering in the middle of the woods? Wandering about days away from any human settlements.”

“I know, I’ve?—”

“You cannot know. It is not possible for you to know. Don’t try to skew things in your favor. Cast aside your selfish needs. This woman is clearly not good for you. Can you not see how our clan will fall if you do not do exactly as I tell you?”

“I will not give Miranda up,” Govek raged, his control slipping.

“Even if it means saving your kin?” Ergoth raged back, flattening out some of Govek’s anger as shock took its place. “I raised you. I gave you everything. I could have cast you out and left you to starve, but instead I kept you. And this is how you thank me? By ruining everything I have worked so hard to achieve? All for some blasted human who will only betray you in the end?”

There was a wildness to Ergoth’s tone, a craze to his eyes. The wind caught in his hair and tangled it up, disheveling him.

Govek had never seen the like in his father’s face before. Never.

“I have worked too fucking hard to have everything crumble because some ill-faded woman has turned your head.” Ergoth’s voice was cold as ice.

Shock closed in around Govek’s chest and smothered out the anger. Ergoth’s heavy breathing was the only sound in his ears. His father did not trust Miranda. This should not have been surprising. And yet, it sparked a flame of terror in the dark pit where Govek’s fury dwelled.

---