Page 13 of The Orc's Stolen Bride

Unblemished and bare, her skin glistening with water in the moonlight. The scent of her filled his nostrils, intoxicating and alluring, and his heart raced, no longer because of the threat but because of her closeness.

Her eyes were wide, her breath coming in quick gasps. The sight of her, vulnerable and shaken, stirred something primal within him. He couldn't bear to see her frightened and he automatically took a step closer, gently cupping her face. Her skin felt impossibly soft against his calloused palm.

"You're safe now," he said softly.

Their eyes met. The bond flared between them and everything else fell away. There was only Kari, her brown eyes filled with a mix of fear and something else - something that made his pulse quicken. Unable to resist any longer, he bent down and pressed his lips to hers.

She stiffened for a heartbeat, then gave a tiny sigh. Her lips softened, her mouth parting beneath his, and his world exploded into sensation. Her sweetness flooded his sense, her small tongue dancing shyly with his as he lost himself in the kiss, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her soft body pressed against his. This was right. This was how it should be with his mate, his other half. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer, her stiff little nipples branding his chest as she wound her arms around his neck, clinging to him as the bond between them hummed with energy, stronger than ever.

CHAPTER NINE

Kari lost herself in the kiss, arousal humming through her veins as she pressed closer to Wulf, the heat from his huge, hard body warming her still chilled skin. Her nipples tingled and she rubbed them against his chest, seeking to relieve the ache. But then he shifted his position and one of his tusks scraped the side of her mouth. It didn't hurt, but it brought reality crashing back.

For a moment, lost in the kiss, she'd forgotten how different he was. How different this entire world was. This isn't my world, she thought, panic creeping in and tightening her chest. His hands lingered for a moment, clearly reluctant to release her but then he let her go, a cold chill immediately replacing the warmth of his hands.

Her lips still tingled from the kiss as she stepped back, her heart pounding, and she pressed a trembling hand to them as reality crashed over her like a cold wave.

He was watching her, his eyes dark and worried, and she turned away, focusing on the moonlight sparkling on the stream instead. Part of her wanted nothing more than to melt back into his arms, to lose herself in the safety and warmth he offered. But another part screamed that this was wrong, that she didn't belong here.

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to regain some sense of control. I have to find a way home, she reminded herself, but there was a hollowness to her resolve that hadn't been there before. The emotional connection she'd begun to forge with Wulf tugged at her heart, making the idea of leaving more painful than she'd anticipated.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the crisp night air. It smelled of pine and earth, so different from the warm salt-tinged breeze of Charleston. When she opened them again, she caught sight of her reflection in the stream. The woman staring back at her was almost unrecognizable – her features were the same, but this woman with the kiss swollen mouth and wild hair, naked in the moonlight, looked like some primeval creature, part of the forest surrounding her.

She turned back to face Wulf, her emotions a tangled mess. He face was locked in an unreadable mask, but she could still see the concern in his eyes as he picked up the rough linen towel and started drying her off. She didn't resist, grateful for the warmth - and for his thoughtfulness. The bond between them was undeniable, but so was the vast gulf of their different worlds.

He finished rubbing her dry and she did her best to ignore her lingering arousal, her skin still tingling as he dropped her borrowed shirt back over her head and wrapped the fur vest around her. He even pulled on her socks and shoes for her and she let him, still feeling overcome by what had happened. He led her back to the camp, hesitating when they reached they shared bedroll.

Lothar was sitting by the fire. She saw him raise a brow, but fortunately he didn't comment. She hesitated for a moment, then laid down, but when Wulf joined her, she didn't turn into his arms as she usually did. She lay awake long into the night, acutely aware of his presence beside her, but she continued to keep herself a little apart, her body tense and her mind racing. She sensed his unease at her distance, but he didn't push, respecting the invisible barrier she'd erected.

The kiss by the stream had awakened something in her, or perhaps more accurately, it had made her face what she had been avoiding. She'd known he was attracted to her - she'd felt his erection often enough as they slept together - but it had been easier to pretend that it was just a typical male reaction to the the proximity of their bodies. She'd even been able to ignore her own corresponding arousal as simply an automatic response.

The kiss had made her realize the truth. It wasn't proximity - it was simply him. She was hopelessly, passionately attracted to him. To a massive orc from another world.

As they traveled the next day, she found herself stealing glances at him. At the easy, confident way he moved, his muscles rippling beneath his clothing. At his strong profile, the determined set of his jaw, the way his eyes constantly scanned their surroundings for danger. All of it only served to heighten her attraction, but also her trepidation about what they future held.

They arrived at Wulf's holdings late in the afternoon, pausing on a small ridge to look down over the settlement. A massive A-framed building dominated one end of the village, stretching at least four stories high with a steep thatched roof. Longer, lower buildings with stone walls, also thatched, formed two sides of a wide, open area in front of the main building, with another large wooden building at the end, this one rectangular. The sturdy buildings were a testament to the harsh winters this climate must produce.

Wooded slopes such as the one where they had stopped led up from the settlement to the surrounding mountains in most directions, but there was an open area of fields and pasture in a shallow valley in front of it. The settlement was both similar and different to the medieval settlements she had studied - as was so much about this world.

Her heart sank. She'd harbored a faint hope that reaching some form of civilization might provide answers, maybe even a way home. But that hope withered as she took in her surroundings.

The small holding was well-organized and looked comfortable enough, but there wasn't a hint of modern technology anywhere. No power lines, no vehicles, not even a hint of electricity. It was as if she'd stepped back in time. How could she find her way home when everything here was so... primitive? The realization hit her like a physical blow and she had to fight back a wave of panic.

"Home," Wulf said, and she could hear the pride in his voice. He hesitated for a moment, studying her face. "Our home."

Ours. The possessive pronoun hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. This wasn't just a shared bedroll or a temporary shelter – in his mind, this was to be their home together. There was an odd sort of comfort in that assumption, except this wasn't her home.

She stared up at him helplessly. She could see the disappointment in his eyes, but he simply touched her cheek gently, then took her hand and led her down the slope to the village.

The open space bustled with activity, the orcs going about their daily business. Despite their imposing figures, most of them were engaged in surprisingly domestic activities. Some bent over intricate handicrafts, their large hands quick and deft. Others tended to cooking fires, the aroma of unfamiliar spices tickling her nose.

The area in front of the rectangular building was clearly being used as a training ground. Several pairs sparred, both with weapons and without, their movements fluid and powerful. Others practiced with bow and arrows, the bows similar to the English longbow.

"Our home," Wulf repeated, pointing at the largest building, then gestured towards a small, isolated structure set apart from the others, sadness washing over his face. "Egon's home."

She frowned, noting the distance between Egon's dwelling and the rest of the community. Her gaze swept over the gathering again, a realization dawning. The air hummed with laughter and chatter, but something felt off. Where were all the women?

She could only see a handful, their presence barely noticeable amongst the sea of male orcs. Two older females were gossiping as they wove long reeds into baskets, and another female a few years older than her was watching the men training, a thoughtful look on her face. A couple of others were engaged in various tasks, but that was it? Five women amidst what had to be fifty men?

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