Page 84 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

What in Fades was she talking about?

Then she smoothed her palm over his shoulder. “Okay. I feel better.”

He continued to hold her lightly even as she began to look about.

“Wow,” Miranda whispered as she scanned the shelves and boxes. Everything in excess was stored here from canned preserves to bear traps. It was all neatly organized as well. Not a single item unaccounted for or out of place.

Chief Ergoth prided himself that his orcs didn’t have to fight over scraps like some of the other clans. His father felt no sympathy for the orc warriors whose inability to connect to the Fades was leading their clans to famine.

Govek raked a hand over his face as Miranda stepped further into the room. Fuck, he was honestly supposed to lead these males when he did not even understand them? He’d witnessed how they grumbled over the prospect of being forced to reduce their own supplies so others did not starve to death. He’d not been present for the votes where the Rove Wood orcs denied aid to struggling clans, but he’d heard them proudly discussing the decision afterward.

Thinking about it now made him want to challenge them, brawl until they saw reason, and slug his fist into their jaws until their complaints were silenced.

But that was not the way of Rove Wood Clan. The way here was to call for judgments, to discuss and vote and dole punishments that were so much worse than the momentary wounds from a challenge.

He was not fit to be chief.

“Viravia? Are you in here?”

Pulled from his thoughts, he watched Miranda search each aisle and corner. “What are you doing?”

“I saw Viravia in here a few minutes ago.”

Govek frowned and sniffed the air. “She is not here.” Nor did her scent linger enough to indicate she had been here within the last few days.

“But I saw her. Is there another way out?” Miranda continued to look around, peeping into every nook.

“There are two larger doors at the back that are locked.” Govek plucked the linen scroll off the table at the entry and waved her over to his side. “Everyone comes in through this door to ensure they do not forget to register what they took or contributed.”

He flicked through the scrolls, distracting himself from darker thoughts by explaining where his allotment was, what the things inside the storeroom were roughly worth by trade, and how to reduce his share after she took something. He could tell from her expression that she was finding it rather complicated, but couldn’t help thinking the level of concentration on her face was adorable.

“Why is the elk you brought in yesterday worth less than the dozen rabbits this guy caught?” Miranda asked, pointing out the clear discrepancy.

Govek did not have an answer. He rolled up the scroll quickly, wanting so badly to keep his irritation at bay. “I play no role in the allocation. Chief Ergoth is in charge of this.”

“Your dad.” Miranda pursed her lips. He nodded. “He gives you less on purpose?”

Govek’s brow furrowed. “No. I simply don’t need much. And the less time I spend in the clan, the better. The less interaction I have with other orcs, the less I will be drawn to violence against them.”

She hummed in thought. “Fighting seems to be second nature to your cousin. Karthoc almost fought you right outside, and he didn’t seem too shocked and horrified by the prospect of it.”

“The warrior orcs of Faeda are not the same as the orcs of Rove Wood Clan. I was born of Rove. I should have control. It should not be possible to goad me into violence so easily.”

“You were born here, but it’s clear you don’t belong.”

His face contorted as agony gripped his chest at the truth of her words.

It hurt even more when her own expression crumbled. “Oh gosh, me and my mouth. I didn’t mean it like—come here.”

He went to her readily, falling into her embrace, breathing in her crisp honeyed scent, and letting it soothe him. Fuck, she felt so good.

“I meant you don’t seem to belong here. You look like your cousin. Like the other warriors. There’s a picture on that tapestry in the hall of an orc fighting a wildcat that looks just like you.”

He blinked. He’d never noticed that.

“You don’t seem to belong in the Rove Woods, but you certainly belong on Faeda. I’m just surprised you didn’t leave to find a better place for yourself a long time ago. Even if your brother was here.”

Govek said nothing, because truthfully, he did not understand it either. But there was no undoing the past, regardless.

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