Page 61 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

But before embarrassment at the telling statement could sink in, Miranda pulled him down by his arm and kissed him. She grazed her lips along his cheek and up the bridge of his nose before finding his lips and teasing him into growling.

Fuck, he wished he could open his mouth to taste her, but he couldn’t risk lowering his jaw while they were still in the clan. He would have to wait.

“I’m glad I met you too, Govek. And it seems you had the perfect skill set to save me. The strength to protect me from that wild cat and the magical power to break us into the mines so we could escape that tornado.”

He stilled. He had not thought of it that way.

“Govek!”

The scent of Hovget registered before Govek saw the male storming down the paths toward them. A few of the other males stopped to watch, and Govek could hardly blame them. Of all the orcs in Rove Wood, Hovget was one of the few with the courage to be blunt with him.

And judging from the healer’s tense scowl, Hovget was certainly going to be blunt.

“Who’s that?” Miranda asked as Govek released her from his grip.

“Hovget, the healer.”

“No, the woman behind him? Is she friendly or...?”

Govek hadn’t noticed that Hovget’s mate, Wellia, had followed. The woman was a skilled healer as well, and quite a bit younger than Hovget, which had caused quite a stir when they began their relationship seven summers prior. Many still thought Wellia should be with a younger orc. One who was not too old to bear sons.

“Govek, what are you doing going to the hall? I expected you to come see me first. Blast, I expected you to show last night. Why didn’t you allow the woman to come get checked by me or Wellia?”

Govek gritted his teeth, tucking his mouth up higher until his gums stung. There was no point in explaining his reasoning.

“He didn’t stop me from doing anything. I didn’t want to go. I still don’t.”

Hovget’s sharp eyes landed on Miranda. He was one of the taller males, and though his slender form made him seem frail, Govek knew he had great strength. He’d seen Hovget haul an unconscious orc onto an exam table with little more than a heaving grunt.

“You did not want to be examined? Were you not traveling through the woods for multiple days?” Hovget asked with a scowl at Miranda that made Govek want to rip his graying hair out of his scalp.

“Well, yes, but Govek took care of me.”

“You scent of blood,” Hovget said, and Miranda instantly bristled.

“I’m menstruating. On my period,” she turned to Wellia. “What do you guy’s call it here cause I’m tired of the weird looks?”

“Do you mean... having your cycle?” Wellia asked, mostly whispering.

Govek felt flattened. So, this was a normal occurrence for women. He hadn’t been too rough and injured Yerina every moon.

He hadn’t needed to bend over backward offering the woman copious boons in apology or stay up night after night racked with guilt wondering what exactly he’d done to cause her harm so he could ensure never to do it again.

His fists curled.

“Right, I’m on my cycle,” she said to Hovget rather loudly. “I’m Miranda, by the way. Perhaps you should tell me your name before you interrogate me?”

Hovget straightened, embarrassment spreading color into his green cheeks. “I... apologize. Newcomers are rare in these woods. I am Hovget, the healer for this clan.”

“And I’m Wellia.” The woman hurried forward, dark, curly hair bouncing with every step. “Welcome to Rove Wood. We’re very glad to have you. Aren’t we, Hovget?” She shot her mate a hard look.

“Yes.” Hovget said quietly, looking at Govek again. “I am also sorry that the other women from Estwill didn’t make it.”

The accusation sunk deep into Govek’s gut and stirred up fire.

“I’m not from Estwill and there were never any other women. I don’t know what crazy rumors are going around, but Govek saved me,” Miranda insisted. “And I don’t want an exam. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“Miranda, you should,” Govek said as coaxingly as he could under the circumstances. She was so adamant, but blast it, she could be injured and not know it. Or become ill suddenly. Hovget’s skills may catch something early.

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