Page 127 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“I will not betray you, Father,” Govek said slowly, his skin prickling with the need to remove the target from his lovely mate’s back. He chose his words carefully. “I have no intention of leaving these woods.”

Ergoth’s face went flat, but he was still breathing hard.

“I will stay out of the way, as I always have,” he said carefully, working to placate. “I will follow your judgment.”

His father’s eyes flashed with triumph before shifting to something dark, something that made Govek’s blood chill and his gut quiver. His instincts to hide away in his home, or better yet, run into the forest rang out.

He could not fight his father. The great Chief Ergoth was too cunning and wise for the likes of Govek. The best he could do was give Ergoth what he wanted and retreat.

“Good.” His father went over to his cup, still sitting on the railing, and downed the thing in a single swig. “Good. I am glad we are on the same page about this.”

Ergoth’s motions were jerky as he swirled the empty goblet in his hand. His dark eyes were calculating. “Tell me, my son, where does this woman of yours come from? You seem so certain it is not a settlement of the Waking Order.”

“She comes from a place far from here,” Govek said, wanting to swing the conversation back to the trade so he could leave. “Father, I came to talk to you about?—”

“What of family, then? She must have kin.”

“She has no family. She was an orphan.”

Ergoth snorted. “Even orphans have people who cared for them in their childhood, Govek. Even the most unworthy.”

“She had no one person set to the task,” Govek said, forcing down the heat rising in his throat and instead thinking on the many tales Miranda had told him of her life growing up. Of s’mores, and camping trips, and birthday parties with streamers and cakes. Most of them were happy memories, even without parents to care for her. They often left him overthinking on his own childhood, trying to find similarities. He always came up short. “She was raised in a group of likened young.”

“Ah,” Ergoth said knowingly, looking back out over the dazzling view. “That makes sense then.”

A chill at his father’s unsettling perceptiveness shivered down Govek’s spine. “What makes sense?”

“Children who are abandoned cleave to the first being who gives them any attention.” Ergoth slid his gaze to Govek. “Even if that source isn’t a fit choice.”

Govek clenched his teeth, anger burning in his gut and forcing a growl from his throat at his father’s implication. Miranda had not chosen to stay with him only because he was the first male to want her. His chest puffed slightly as he forced in a breath.

“Control yourself, Govek. For the sake of the Fades, must you defile every sanctuary with your anger? You cannot even set it aside in this holy place?”

Govek swallowed thickly. “I apologize.”

“Apologies only have worth if actions follow them,” Ergoth said. “I have always aspired to aid you in this. Ever since you were a small child, I have tried endlessly. You’re a grown male now, Govek. How is it possible that you still prick to anger so easily? Even when you know how dangerous your anger is. Do you feel no shame?”

Govek gnashed his teeth.

Ergoth sighed as if the fate of Faeda were on his back. “What I say about the ways of orcs and women isn’t anything new, even if it is vile. Many warrior orcs have manipulated their partner’s desperation in order to win themselves conquests. Most must resort to playing upon the human’s dire circumstances to coerce the woman into their beds.”

“I have not coerced Miranda,” Govek said so low and threatening the words felt like blades in his throat

“Of course not, Govek. You are misconstruing my words,” Ergoth said with a frustrated shake of his head. “I speak generally. Of the warrior kind. It works quite well for them. The woman is so blinded by her need to be wanted or saved she can overlook anything. At least, for a time.”

“Miranda is not going to?—”

“I am not speaking of you, Govek. Can you not see past your own selfishness?” Ergoth snapped. “Why do you constantly misinterpret what I tell you? Do you want us to be at odds? I try so hard to understand you, to help you, and you constantly battle with me, despite my efforts.”

Govek bowed his head to hide the fury blazing behind his eyes. He just needed to find a way out of here. An opening to leave. Fuck asking his father about Oakwall. They’d just sneak over or show up late, like Miranda suggested they should.

“And here you are again withdrawing, refusing my advice. It truly is impossible with you, Govek. I do not know why I continue to try.”

“I have always listened to your advice, Father.”

“And never taken it.”

“It... it does not come easy for me,” he began slowly, picturing Miranda’s open and accepting face in his mind’s eye. “I?—”

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