Page 2 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

But not this time.

The imprint flooded his body with thrumming anguish, demanding he atone for his mistake—for believing Miranda would be safe in the hall without him.

After he found Miranda, he would come back and rip his brethren’s limbs from their torsos for not protecting her.

Rip himself apart too. He’d left her too. He’d failed her.

“Where are you going? You cannot just leave, Govek!” His father bellowed as he started toward the doors. “I command you to stay and take responsibility for your actions here.”

Like fuck he was staying here. He was going to find Miranda.

“Govek. Stop. Now.”

The magic-laced command from his father prickled through Govek’s already scorched veins, and he was forced to halt. His muscles refused to budge.

His father’s magic flashed deep into his bones and held him firm. The bitter, familiar stench of it mixed with the burning wood and Govek’s stomach twisted, threatening to bring up his last meal.

Govek’s thoughts flashed with acknowledgment. Confusion. Something about this scent was...

“Stop fighting me, Govek.” His father’s voice brought Govek back to the present.

“I must find Miranda first,” he grated, and barely managed to turn his head to look at his father. The male stood atop his platform, his chin high, his eyes pricks of golden light. “Let me go.”

The magical hold danced in Govek’s veins. Stinging his muscles with every twitch. His bones felt like they would crack under the pressure.

“No. You will stay and wait and atone.” Chief Ergoth rested his hand atop the back of his wooden throne. “Look at you. Do you think Miranda will even want to come near you in this state? You’ll terrify her.”

Govek tried to slink his claws away or cover his teeth, but he couldn’t move. His father’s magic was too powerful.

“Agol, go and fetch Sythcol. I believe we will need his clearing magic to calm things.”

“Miranda is hurt.” Govek grated through the clench of his teeth. “Someone must go to aid her.”

“She cannot possibly be. We are within the bounds of Rove Wood Clan. Under the canopy of our Great Tree.” Ergoth swung his hand up to indicate the crystalline leaves above. “No harm could come to any woman here.”

“She is. I feel it in the imprint?—”

“That imprint,” his father scoffed, and the sound raked fury through every scrap of Govek’s body. “I’m not convinced what you are feeling is true, Govek. You have barely known her for a quarter moon. It’s simply not possible.”

Govek trembled against the bounds of his father’s magic as his anger rose. He knew what he felt toward Miranda. There was no mistaking it.

His body quaked, his magic blistered, his will fought against his father’s strong, unyielding magic, battering it with his own might.

“Calm down, tough guy.” He shut his eyes, focused on the light in his mind, focused his rage into a pinpoint, pushed it into his father’s hold.

And it budged.

All went still in his mind as shock radiated higher than his anger.

“Govek,” his father said low and deadly, a tone Govek had never heard before.

But he did not stop. He pushed against his father’s magic again, forced it to release the tips of his fingers.

“Fine, Govek, you win. I’ll send someone to look for Miranda. Now be still,” Ergoth said quickly. “Good, Agol, you’re back. Send your son a message to find Miranda and bring her back here as soon as possible. Sythcol, hurry it up with the clearing.”

He wanted to send Wolvc to Miranda’s aid? Fuck the Fades to the depths. He would never allow that to happen.

No other male would touch his mate. Govek let his rage build and shoved hard at his father’s magic again. This time his whole left arm popped free.

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