Page 37 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

And yet Miranda’s stomach wouldn’t stop churning.

“I am the only woman who could ever handle him, after all.” Yerina flipped her hair and looked down her nose at Miranda. “Who could face him at his utter worst. You have seen it, right? Watched him lose control?”

Miranda balled her fists. “Of course, I have.”

“Do you mean that little fight between him and Wolvc? Hilva told me all about that,” Yerina said with a shrug. “I don’t mean like that, Miranda.”

Miranda went cold.

“I meant have you let him lose control with you? You would know if he did. It’s...” Yerina sighed, bit her lips like she was imagining it.

Imagining being with Govek when he lost himself.

She’d had that. Yerina had gotten him to lose control.

And Miranda couldn’t.

“I thought you said he attacked you?”

Savili’s voice was loud and broke Miranda out of her stupor. It broke Yerina too, making her glower.

But Savili continued, undaunted. “You’ve been saying for a whole season that Govek lost control and hurt you. And now you speak on it as if it’s something Miranda should be envious of. So, which is it? Did he hurt you or pleasure you?”

“That is none of your business, Savili,” Yerina snapped. “It’s between Govek and I.”

Savili laughed. “You must be jesting? You made it everyone’s business when you started spreading your lies.”

“I never lied,” Yerina insisted. “I’ve only ever spoken the truth about Govek. That he lost control, and it was...”

The humming sigh Yerina let out made it obvious where her mind was and Miranda clenched her teeth.

“Yerina, I have heard you say he attacked you with my own ears,” Savili said just as Hilva came up behind Yerina holding a full cup of water.

“Perhaps I embellished a little,” Yerina admitted flippantly before looking Miranda in the eye. “Govek and I were so passionate. It’s understandable that emotions would grow high.”

“Your embellishment caused many in Rove Wood Clan to think Govek attacked and hurt you,” Miranda said coldly.

Yerina shrugged. “I cannot control what others think and say. I am not responsible for the rumors.”

“Govek was alienated because of you.”

“I cannot be blamed for that,” Yerina said smoothly. “He was an outsider long before I gave him my support and comfort. He leaned on me greatly for it. I helped him more than anyone else ever has and he won’t soon forget that.”

“Yes, in exchange for boons.” Miranda could feel the rage bubbling up her throat, threatening to make her voice louder. She worked to keep herself calm. There were more people watching now, listening in. If she got hysterical, they wouldn’t take anything she said seriously.

“Why shouldn’t I have received boons from him?” Yerina asked. “All other conquests receive boons in exchange for their service.”

“Yes, but you weren’t a conquest, were you? Otherwise, Govek would have a son right now.” Miranda pointed out. “You were in a romantic relationship with him. Tell me, Yerina, did you ever care about him at all?”

“Of course, I did?—”

“Or was it just his boons you wanted? Meat and tinctures.” Miranda kept her gaze on Yerina even as she noticed Hilva tensing in the background, as others from the trade began to gather near. “You had quite a good thing going, didn’t you? A good transactional relationship.”

“That’s how all orc and human relationships are!”

“Is it? That’s not how my relationship with Govek is now. If we ask the other mates in Rove Wood Clan, do you think they would agree with you?”

Yerina scoffed. “You’re honestly saying you’re with that male and getting nothing in return? Then you must only be with him out of pity.”

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