Page 128 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“Most things have not come easy for you, Govek. I know this better than anyone. I am your father,” Ergoth said with a shake of his head. “That is why you must let me help you when Karthoc forces you to be chief. You must allow me to guide your hand. Promise me this.”

Govek’s jaw twitched. “I vow it.”

“Good,” Ergoth said, moving swiftly across the room to a cabinet next to the stairs. He threw open the doors and pulled out a new jug of mead.

“Govek, I have always worked in your best interests. Even the order to Estwill was done out of my care. I know how badly you wanted a woman. How badly all the orcs do. Think of your youngest cousin. Poor Brovdir has fallen to the plot of preying on a woman in need many times. Karthoc said he has attempted with over a dozen conquests. Some abused, some half starved. None of them fulfilled their duty in the end.”

Govek ached for his cousin.

“And who could blame them? I certainly do not,” Ergoth said without even a sliver of sympathy. The mead jug glugged loudly as he poured it into his glass. “Why, as soon as the threat of death is gone, one opens their eyes, don’t they? It makes sense that these women would leave once the cloud of trauma has lifted.”

The working of Govek’s heart grew louder in his ears as his father’s truths simmered in his veins.

Would Miranda leave him if she was presented other options? Once her need for constant support was eased, would she abandon his side for a more pleasant male?

The idea made his muscles bunch. He wanted to tear apart every male that glanced Miranda’s way, to remove every threat that might try to lure her from his grasp.

“Govek,” his father said slowly. “Calm down. I’m not insinuating that Miranda will leave you for another male.”

“No other orc will come near my woman.”

His father shot him a darkly amused look. “Govek, they already are. You left her in the hall, remember? But I’m sure it will be fine. The males here in the Rove Woods aren’t beasts. Well, I suppose Karthoc’s warriors might be considered as such. Why those males are so frantic for women, they even threatened to storm Oakwall. Blessedly, I was able to convince them to keep their distance. Our clan would be devastated if our peace with Oakwall was ruined by their single-minded lust.”

Govek gnashed his teeth, took deep breaths. Calm. He had to remain calm.

“You’ve been with Miranda long enough now. She must be carrying your babe.” Ergoth took a long gulp. The sweet scent of the brew was making Govek ill. Fermented honey. Ergoth lowered his glass. “She is carrying, isn’t she?”

“Miranda has been through a trial. She is not ready yet.”

“As have we all,” Ergoth said, slow and sweet as the drink tainted his lips. “But we still fulfill our duties, don’t we? We still find a way to persevere even in the face of tragedy. Tell me, Govek, does Miranda simply not want to have children or is there a good reason for her to refuse you?”

“It was—” Govek swallowed thickly. “It was a mutual choice to abstain.”

“I see.” Ergoth took another sip, his eyes shimmering above the cup as he continued to watch Govek. “Well, since it was mutual, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.”

Govek gulped, clenching his hands. Miranda had given him no reason to worry. She’d been adamant she wanted no one else.

And yet, after his confession the night before about imagining her with his child, she had avoided the topic. She’d not mentioned it once. For all he knew, she wasn’t thinking about it at all.

Fuck, why did the idea that she wasn’t considering it hurt so blasted much? He’d never wanted children before now. He still shouldn’t.

“Hmm, seems that Karthoc’s chaos has slowed early tonight. That means they might be on their way to the hall to eat,” Ergoth said. “I tried banning them, but Karthoc overruled it. We’re fortunate our sons are away at the seasonal communion. These warriors are so desperate for a child, I wouldn’t put it past them to steal one of our own.”

Govek jolted at the horrid accusation. He couldn’t even fathom that any orc might do something so vile. Especially one of the warriors under Karthoc’s direct command. They were the best and bravest of their kind.

“Disgusting,” Govek’s father said under his breath and Govek swallowed at the malice in the chief’s eyes as they looked upon Karthoc’s camp. “You know, perhaps you do have reason to worry. Who knows what level Karthoc’s warriors would stoop to gain a woman?”

Govek blinked, prepared for the surge of jealousy to heat his chest and burst Fades light behind his eyes.

And... it didn’t come. Instead, he saw Miranda’s smile again. Miranda pouting with jealousy over Viravia. Miranda furious that he would think she’d been flirting with Karthoc. Miranda telling him over and over in both her actions and deeds that he was her choice. The only one she wanted. His tension eased.

And she called. He felt her speak his name. The spiderweb like strands of the imprint that connected her to him thrummed and prickled in his mind.

“You know, I believe I heard Miranda’s name spoken by them once or twice. I can’t be certain since they quieted when I drew near.”

Govek barely heard his father as he strained his senses toward Miranda. Why had she said his name? She should be fine. Eating in the hall with the other women?—

The tiny, muffled pang of Miranda calling once again blistered through him and his heart stopped in his chest.

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