Page 19 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

She shivered a little. “You’ll hear me even if I’m far away? Is that magic?”

“The imprint,” he told her and she moved back to look at him, obviously wanting to ask what exactly the imprint was. But now was not the time. “I will be only a few moments. Eat any food you wish and draw up a bath.”

“Like hell am I having a bath without you,” she mumbled and delight soaked him. She tugged at his cloak until he leaned down to her level. “Be quick. No detours.”

“No detours,” he breathed as she plucked a kiss to his chin. Then he looked to the others. “Do not let her dally in the cold.”

“Of course not,” Maythra said, waving Miranda over. Miranda reluctantly joined her.

Govek nearly lost his resolve as Miranda disappeared out the door and into the night with little more than a quick wave.

Then he turned his full attention to Rogeth, searing the male through with the intensity of his glower. Rogeth flinched, stepping away, and Govek snarled.

“You got your fucking way, now take me to my father.”

Chapter

Three

GOVEK

“Icannot believe you stole that woman.”

Rogeth’s clipped tone punctured Govek’s thoughts and had him curling his claws to hide them, pulling his lower jaw higher to conceal his teeth. The ache of this effort throbbed in his jaw like an old, bitter enemy returned to mock him.

Every step he took away from Miranda made Govek want to turn back. Like a tether hooked deep in his chest, pulling him toward her, growing tauter with every step.

“Chief Ergoth is going to be furious. What about the other women? Did you abandon them somewhere? Or did you never go to fetch them at all?”

Govek maintained his silence. There was no point in arguing. No one would believe his words. It wasn’t worth the energy. He wanted to concentrate on addressing his father and then get back to Miranda as quickly as possible.

“You know how precious those women are to us. With only Oakwall for conquests, how could you not...”

Govek turned his attention away from the male’s irritating blather and looked off into the woods. He and Miranda being found changed nothing, really. Gathering supplies might be more of a challenge with the clan breathing down his neck, but he and Miranda would still leave in two days’ time. They would still go to Karthoc. He would explain this to his father now and all here would be glad to see him gone.

A breeze picked up in the autumn trees, raining leaves down onto the path before them. The trees swayed and moaned, and for one shuddering moment, Govek was struck with the gut driven urge to remain in Rove Wood. To return to the goblin mines with Miranda and take their chances weathering the winter, just so he would not have to leave this place.

He may not have been well blessed by the Fades, but he was still one of their creations. And their Great Tree beckoned him just as it did all orcs.

Govek took another deep breath and froze.

“Is Warlord Karthoc here?”

Rogeth faltered in his step.

Govek released his jaw to scent the air. The pungent odor of orc warriors wafted in on the breeze, growing thicker with every gust. Blood and sweat and thick oiled leather.

Govek turned on his heel and walked toward it.

“Govek, stop! I order you to?—”

“You what?” Govek shot the male a withering look. Although he was universally disliked among the clan, although their opinions of him were wretched and he avoided them like the blight, none of them had ever dared to order him to do something.

He was the chief’s son after all. Born from the blood of Rove Wood’s leader, Ergoth and his beloved mate, Corine.

Corine, who was blessed to carry and raise a prodigy like Tavggol for six blissful years.

Then cursed with the horror of giving birth to Govek. And that bliss ended.

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