Page 9 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

Oh. She couldn’t think of anything worse than being attacked while getting it on. She gulped. “Okay.”

Displeasure must have been clear in her tone because he chuckled. “I swear when we reach my dwelling at Rove Wood Clan, I will make it up to you.”

“How far?” she asked.

“It is a two-day journey to my clan,” Govek said, adjusting her carefully in his arms. She was beginning to feel like she belonged there. “Are you ready?”

She put her arm around his neck, letting his warmth soak into her, and smiled at his relaxed features.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m ready.”

Chapter

Two

GOVEK

He could feel her eyes on him, and it drew him to unhelpful distraction.

The evening air was thick with incoming frost, the breeze brisk in the trees. The pattering sound of falling leaves helped to cover Govek’s silent steps as he made his way toward the elk he stalked.

And further from Miranda.

She was fine. Her honeyed scent curled around his head and beckoned him, making him long to return to where she was seated on a rock.

Blast him for a fool. He never should have let her watch him hunt like this. He curled his claws, gritted his sharp teeth, and hid away the brutal, dangerous parts of himself that he would soon put on display to hunt one of these massive creatures.

Miranda wanted to watch because she did not fear him.

But would that change after she witnessed him take down an elk as tall as he was and twice his weight?

Govek shook his head. He needed to concentrate, or the elk would notice him and flee. Their presence was a gift from the Fades, and he did not want to waste it.

He picked up his pace, narrowing his eyes on the elk as they grazed on the sweet grass at the edge of a stream. He could only see five. They were half concealed behind barren trees and evergreen bushes, tails twitching, ears flicking, black eyes clear.

Only five. Back when Govek was a youth, there had been herds of nearly a hundred roaming the Rove Woods, basking in the flourishing of the Great Rove Tree. Healthy and abundant.

Gone now.

Govek drew nearer still, careful not to crack twigs under his feet or crunch leaves with his toes. He would be careful with this kill, too. Careful, quick, and clean.

He heard Miranda’s breath on the wind. Her honeyed scent curled thicker. Her smile radiated through his mind’s eye. Her imprint on him thrummed warmth into his chest.

The wind picked up suddenly and red leaves billowed around him. He used the droning noise to cover a few extra rapid steps. Almost there.

A branch snapped under his foot.

The elk jolted to attention.

“Fuck.” He leaped toward the nearest—a young cow, quick as a dart. But not fast enough. Her powerful legs thrust away from his position. But Govek’s aim was true, and he landed on the back of the cow, putting his entire weight into it.

But she didn’t crumble.

Fuck.

He yelped as the animal began to buck and bolt.

Govek clung to her hide, sinking his claws deep into her shoulders to keep his grip. He bounced and rolled and struggled to stay on.

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