Page 20 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

Because of him.

His body shuddered and his fists clenched until his claws cut deep and his guts churned up as he pushed that pressing truth to the back of his mind.

Being born was his first crime, and there was nothing he could do to undo it.

He was an outcast before anything else. Had always been an outcast and would always be. At least in this clan.

Govek turned away from Rogeth’s stunned expression and began to march toward the warrior camp he’d scented.

“I-It is your responsibility to report to the chief immediately upon your arrival to Rove Wood,” Rogeth argued, following behind, though he made no move to stop Govek by force.

“I am to report to the highest authority in the clan. That is my cousin. Or are you trying to argue that Chief Ergoth is above our warlord?”

Rogeth scowled, unable to argue with that logic. “I’ll be going to the hall. Expect our chief to join you.”

Govek snorted. He expected nothing less.

He continued on the trail, following the scent of the orcs to the western most point of Rove Wood Clan. The smoke from their fires grew thick and he could hear their voices on the wind long before he saw the first beige leather tops of their tents.

Karthoc’s warriors were well accustomed to making camp. They traveled often to aid anywhere orcs were being threatened or attacked by the Waking Order. Many clans outside Rove Wood had been razed, and many lives had been lost but the horrors would have been far worse without Karthoc’s strong leadership and cunning battle strategies.

Govek had always been in awe of his cousin’s vigor. He hoped he would not prove to be a burden to the warlord after he joined Baelrok Forge.

As he entered the camp, many of the warriors—burly males, thick with muscle and covered in scars—were busy pitching tents and building fires. Their sharp rows of teeth were on full display and Govek was tempted to uncover his own. Warriors did not abide by the tradition of hiding one’s more dangerous attributes.

But Govek was not a warrior, so he kept his jaw tucked up.

Most of them looked up as he passed. A few offered him a nod in greeting, but none approached, save one.

Brovdir.

Govek’s younger cousin looked well but for the many pale-green scars along his hide. The male was nearly as tall as Govek, but leaner and swifter. He was one of Karthoc’s fiercest but bore the title with little arrogance.

Of course, it was hard to boast about one’s accomplishments when you could barely speak. Brovdir had suffered a horrible wound across his neck in his youth that had cut through his ability to talk. His raspy voice grew tired after a few words.

So, when the male greeted him with no more than a strong pat to the back and a nod, Govek did not urge him for chatter. “Brovdir, I am glad to see you looking well. Can you take me to the warlord?”

Brovdir nodded and guided Govek through the camp. He recognized a few of the orcs from his travel to Clairton, but was glad they all turned back to their duties without wanting to speak.

“How long have you been here?”

“This afternoon,” Brovdir replied raggedly.

So soon. What were the odds? Govek wondered if the Fades were smiling on him after all. Traveling with a band of fifty orc warriors would be far safer for Miranda.

Brovdir whistled shrill just as Govek saw Karthoc up ahead. His cousin was chatting with another warrior and looked up. His deep scowl and square features were striking, even in the growing twilight.

Then his dark eyes widened as he saw Govek, and he let out a laugh that struck Govek a little dumb. Karthoc stormed over as Brovdir, patted his shoulder, nodded, and returned to the camp. To an area where a few burly orcs were placing logs into a large circle.

“Govek! Fades be all.” Karthoc clapped Govek hard across the back. “Chief Ergoth told me you’d gone to get women from Estwill, of all vile places. What the fuck were you even thinking? How did you make it out of there unscathed?”

“I never went. I knew it was folly to even try.”

“Of course, you did. No kin of mine would be stupid enough to try to break through Estwill without a full legion,” Karthoc said with a shake of Govek’s shoulder. His grin was wide enough to split his face clean in half.

Miranda’s opinion of leaving one’s teeth uncovered rang in his mind.

“Honestly, you look way better with your jaw in the right spot.”

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