Page 72 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“He saved her from the perils of the woods,” Karthoc said, crossing his burly arms over his wide chest. “Of course, she would want to stay with him.”

That he had. Govek had protected her and fed her and dragged her back to sanity after she’d fallen apart and not complained about it once.

“He’s wrenched her by the arm,” the chief said to Karthoc, eyes narrowed. “She should not be pulled around so harshly by a male so much stronger than her. It is clear intimidation and will make her feel like she is not allowed to leave him should she want to.”

Govek flinched and released her, left her feeling cold after his warm touch.

“Leave him for another orc, you mean? Are you trying to spark a challenge between your males? You want to watch your precious conjurers be cut down by Govek’s prowess?”

Miranda slipped her hand down Govek’s arm and took his balled fist. She felt a hot sticky wetness between his fingers and her chest tightened with dismay.

“That is not how we do things here in Rove Wood Clan. We do not have vile, bloody fights among one another,” Chief Ergoth said with his chin high. “Women are not belongings to be carted about. They can go where they wish. Speak to whomever they like.”

“Well, I want to go with and speak to Govek,” Miranda said firmly.

“There!” Karthoc said. “It’s done. Now both of you can go join the rest.”

Govek led her down in an instant. Miranda had never been so relieved to get off a stage in her life.

“Fuck, Ergoth. What’s this precious little thing? A blasted throne? Like one of those prissy little human Highman? You’re so frail you can’t even get through your own blathering without needing to squat?”

Laughter bubbled up in Miranda’s chest. She couldn’t help it. But at least it was quiet enough that only Govek heard.

He jerked, startled, and snapped his eyes to her face. Seeing her smile seemed to put him more at ease and as he guided her away from the platform, he spoke. “I’m sorry, Miranda.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze. “Thanks for coming up to get me.”

He nodded tensely and led her to privacy at the back of the hall.

Chapter

Twelve

GOVEK

It took every drop of Govek’s will to not pick Miranda up into his arms and leave the hall.

His skin prickled, his jaw clamped, and his claws refused to sheath themselves. They threatened to rip through every male who thought about approaching Miranda. Even his own father.

He was a fucking horror. He wasn’t safe for her. She should have gone with his father. With Maythra, or Agol, or his son Wolvc. With anyone else.

And yet the idea of her being taken from him made Govek want to rip the whole Rove Tree to the ground, tear through his clansman like they were overripe berries, and crush them to a pulp in his grip.

“Don’t do that.” Miranda touched his hands without the slightest hesitation, and he was so shocked his muscles bunched and he froze. Her skin was so warm and soft as she pried his fists apart and stroked the cuts he’d made. “I thought we were getting a little better,” she chided gently, moving to use the hem of her cloak to dab at the blood. He quickly pulled away before she could.

“I am sorry,” he managed, his voice thick.

Fuck, was he really going to keep her with him while he couldn’t even think rationally?

But Fades help him. Was he going to be able to let her go?

“Don’t be sorry,” she said firmly. “You don’t need to be. Your dad is the one who should be sorry.”

Confusion blunted some of Govek’s irrational anger. “He was only trying to aid you. To offer protection.”

“I don’t need protection from you. You are protecting me,” Miranda said, causing more confusion to roll in. “But I’m not going to fight with you over it. Why don’t we go get that food? Or would being around other orcs be too much right now? We could go somewhere quiet if you need to calm down a bit more.”

Govek swallowed hard, working past the burning instincts to lock her away in his home and not allow anyone to look upon her ever again. He glanced toward the table where the women always sat with their mates. If he could not leave her with his father, perhaps he could let her be with the other women.

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