Page 92 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“I know Govek. I know what he is capable of. Please, trust me. I don’t want you to end up like Yerina.”

Govek visibly flinched.

“He did tell you of Yerina, did he not? Of what he did to her? Of the abuse she suffered at his hands?”

“It’s time for you to go. Where’s the broom?”

“Govek, you must come with us,” Agol said. “Now.”

Miranda had just found the broom when Govek began following the male out the door.

“Hold on there! Govek, don’t you dare!”

He froze in the doorway.

“Let him go, Miranda. It’s for your own good.”

“Govek.” Miranda looked into his eyes. All the laughter that had once been there was gone. “Do you want to go to your father?”

His eyes flashed, hands twitched and bunched, shoulders hunched.

That was a clear no.

“Come back over here.” Miranda waved him back in and he did so without hesitation. “All right, time to sweep y’all out.”

“Excuse me?—”

Miranda cut Maythra off by smacking the bottom of her legs with the bristles of the broom. The woman scrambled away. “Out! Begone demons!”

“Stop that!” Maythra said, trying to wave her away, but Miranda continued to smack her until the woman was on the stoop. All the males scrambled out without resistance, only offering wide-eyed looks as they stumbled down the stairs and onto the path.

“Govek, get the door.”

The male Miranda assumed was Wolvc found his voice. “Govek, you dare ignore the orders of your chief?”

Miranda scoffed. “Chief? Sure.”

“He is your chief too,” Maythra said, her voice slow and deadly as she patted down her skirts. There were a few dust bunnies stuck to the wool. “You would do well not to forget who is harboring you.”

“The way I see it,” Miranda said slowly. “Either Govek is going to be made chief, or y’all are going to join Karthoc and he’s going to be your new leader. Ergoth’s days in power are numbered.”

Tension rolled off the group. Obviously, this was something they hadn’t quite put together on their own.

Before anyone could speak, movement up the path caught Miranda’s attention. Another group of orcs were walking toward them.

She didn’t know what they wanted, and she certainly didn’t want to find out. “You all had better fuck off or you’re going to get the broom too!”

The males froze, confused and uncertain.

“Govek will never become chief of this clan,” Maythra said, drawing Miranda’s attention again.

Miranda rolled her eyes. “Just leave already.”

“You will come to your senses soon, Miranda,” Maythra said, clipped and focused. “You will realize this male has taken advantage of your dire state and see reason. And when you do, know that I will be here, ready with open arms.”

“Cool. Govek, shut the door.” Miranda went back into the kitchen. Govek obeyed, thudding the broken door back into place behind her. It sat precariously. “We really need to get that fixed.” Govek pulled a chair over and wedged the entry shut.

“Oh my god. That was crazy. Does shit like that happen to you all the time?” Miranda asked, pressing her palm to her forehead.

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