Page 32 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

By god, the punches just kept hitting.

“Ergoth would never formally name Govek as his heir. That brute will never be chief of this clan,” Maythra said loudly enough that Miranda could move away from the door slightly and still hear her. “Fades help us if he bears a child upon this new woman, he’s stolen from blast knows where.”

“Maythra,” Viravia snapped, her tone hushed. “Quiet!”

“Don’t you try to silence the truth! We all know what will come if he bears a son. With our beloved Tavggol gone, Govek’s offspring would be able to vie for the place of chief within this clan. Do you truly want Tavggol’s son to have to compete for his rightful place against Govek’s monstrous spawn? Do you really want to see our peaceful clan ripped apart by such strife?”

Miranda’s hand clenched at her lower stomach and fury boiled hot in her veins.

A pounding sounded at the door.

“Wh-who is it?” Beleda asked, her voice a mere squeak. Apparently, Miranda wasn’t the only one disheveled from listening to Maythra and Viravia go at it.

There was a brief pause. The patter of shoes going to the door.

“It’s Govek.”

Chapter

Five

MIRANDA

Miranda rushed out of the bathroom to everyone scattering.

“Miranda, let me find you more clothes before you go. Maythra, come help me, please,” Viravia said, halfway up the steps already.

“Beleda can do that,” Maythra said from the front door. Her hand was on the handle, but she hadn’t opened it yet.

“I-I’ll help.” Savrah’s voice held a tremor and her eyes were wide as she nearly bolted up the stairs after Viravia. Beleda followed suit, eyes skittering from the door to the stairwell. She was far less terrified than Savrah but obviously wary.

“D-Do you think he could have heard us?” Savrah whispered too loudly to Viravia as she followed the pregnant woman up the stairs.

“Miranda,” Maythra said, chin high. “I will tell him to go. There are many homes within our clan that you can stay in. None as grand as this, but still very nice.”

“I’m going with Govek,” Miranda said, fumbling to knot the neckline of her cloak as she moved to the exit. “Step aside.”

“You don’t know him, Miranda. He may have hidden his nature for a few days, could well hide it for a few moons, but soon you will learn what he truly is and will regret not heeding my warning,” Maythra said coldly, her fingers clenching the handle.

“Is that a threat, Maythra?”

“It’s a warning. One you would do well to heed. I have lived in this clan since I was mated at a mere eighteen years of age, and have known Govek since the day he was born, and I know better than any how vile?—”

“I get to decide who I think is vile, Maythra. Now step aside.”

“Fine. But know that I will be watching. You are foolish, but I won’t abandon you. I am on your side, Miranda.”

“All right. I heard you.”

Maythra’s gray eyes narrowed at Miranda for another moment before she finally moved out of the way. “I sincerely hope that you do not end up like Yerina.”

She was trying to goad Miranda into asking questions, and Miranda was curious, but she also wasn’t keen on hearing any of Maythra’s biased answers. “Tell Viravia that I’ll come back for the clothes later. Have a good night.”

As Maythra sputtered, dumbfounded that none of her obvious manipulation worked, Miranda pulled the door open.

A wave of sage billowed out as she slammed the door behind her and ran right into Govek, who was perched on the top step.

“Oh gosh!” He caught her by the arms. “Jeez, for some reason, I thought this stoop was bigger. Or I guess it’s just cause you’re big, huh?”

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