Page 26 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

Iytier grumbled something under his breath, but one look from Savili stopped his fight. Miranda looked to Govek to check if he was equally perturbed.

And instead found him staring at her fixedly. Her and the baby.

Her stomach did a flip at the telling expression and her thoughts turned warm.

Even as her gut twisted up.

She couldn’t really think about having her own children right now. She still wasn’t convinced she deserved that kind of happiness after what happened on Earth.

But... seeing Govek’s face so warm and soft as she cradled little Haysik, the twisting of her stomach turned into a little flutter.

Now was not the time to dwell on this, so she brushed Govek’s arm, jarring him out of his stupor. “You ready?”

“Yes,” Govek said decisively before following her through the crowd.

Chapter

Seven

GOVEK

Govek raked a hand through his hair as he followed his mate and Savili over to Iytier’s produce wagon. His gaze stuck on Miranda as she bounced the little one.

The babe was so tiny. He should have expected that one would be, but he’d never been close to a son for an extended period, especially one so young.

“You can come right up here, Miranda.” Savili gestured to the ladder near the front on the side. The cart was loaded with crates, but they’d been stacked to make a comfortable looking bench nearest the pull handles. “I’ll go up first and you can hand Haysik to me.”

“All right,” Miranda said brightly, but Govek could hear the hesitation in her voice. See the slight clench of her fingers around the child’s body.

She looked good holding a babe. Very good.

Fuck.

“You’re going to let him pull your wagon?”

Govek turned. The other women were watching as they stood in a little circle near the fish carts. There were only five of them, all younger. The elder women rarely attended on the colder days. Their mates were all busy readying the supplies, but stopped to watch closely.

Hilva, a bare chit of a girl, stood with her hands on her hips, so slender and petite, and Govek found her bluster more amusing than irritating. At least she wasn’t shrinking away and averting her gaze like the handful of other women who watched him take his place next to Iytier.

“Who pulls our cart doesn’t concern you, Hilva,” Savili shot back, and Govek blinked with surprise.

He’d known Savili nearly all his life. She’d grown up in Oakwall, and Iytier had pursued her for a long while before she finally came around. Govek had watched their relationship bloom over the seasons and had crossed paths with her a few times since she had made Iytier her mate.

But Savili had never once spoken to Govek directly. He had not thought she was quite so brave as this.

Hilva huffed, but the rest of the women had already abandoned her so she had no choice but to rejoin her mate on the fish cart near the back.

Govek took his place at the front of the wagon, holding the wood bar aloft slightly so Iytier could duck beneath. The male’s face was flat and unhappy.

Savili’s reaction to him was surprising, but Iytier’s cold demeanor was not.

Tavggol had been Iytier’s closest friend.

And Govek had failed to arrive at Clairton in time to save him.

Govek’s hands clutched around the grip bar, putting concerted effort into not crushing the thing. He concentrated on his mate’s chatter instead.

“Will his teeth come in sharp?” Miranda asked Savili. She was close enough behind him that if he reached out, he could brush the back of her head. It comforted him.

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