Page 14 of The Orc's Stolen Bride

There were no children in sight either, although a few of the males appeared to be quite young, barely into their teens. She wondered if the village functioned more as a military outpost, except the amount of domestic activities didn't fit that picture either.

A wave of uncertainty washed over her. The absence of children and women stood out starkly now that she'd noticed it. What kind of society was this? The camaraderie among the men was evident, but there was an undercurrent of something else – a tension, a sadness perhaps, that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

She glanced up at Wulf, studying his profile as he surveyed his domain. There was pride there, yes, but also a weight she hadn't noticed before. She opened her mouth to ask about the missing women and children, but couldn't find the words. The language barrier frustrated her, leaving her questions unvoiced and her unease growing.

She was still wondering when Wulf placed a big hand on her lower back and led her into the open area. The bustling activity around them ground to a halt, and she found herself at the center of attention. Dozens of orc eyes locked onto her, filled with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. Whispers rippled through the crowd, incomprehensible words that nonetheless made her cheeks burn with embarrassment, feeling exposed and vulnerable despite Wulf's protective hand.

Lothar and Egon closed in on either side of them as the warriors began bombarding Wulf with questions, their deep voices overlapping and their faces oddly hopeful. She caught fragments of words she recognized, but they spoke too quickly for her to grasp any meaning.

Instinctively, she edged closer to Wulf, but as she glanced up at him, her unease grew stronger. His eyes gleamed with unmistakable pride as he surveyed the crowd, his posture radiating possession. It was as if he were showing off a prized trophy. The realization sent a chill down her spine, amplifying her discomfort, and she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to shrink away from the intense scrutiny of the orcs.

She was seriously considering making a run for it when an older female orc with striking white braids pushed through the crowd, her bright eyes fixed on Kari. She snapped a few words at the crowd and the questions died down, their expressions abashed. The newcomer turned to Wulf, her expression stern as she launched into what sounded like a lecture. Though Kari couldn't understand the words, the woman's tone left no doubt about her disapproval.

Wulf remained relaxed, an amused smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, but she heard a hint of defensiveness in his voice as he responded to the older orc's tirade.

The exchange continued for a moment before the woman shook her head and turned to Kari, her gaze softening and her previous disapproval replaced by a warmth that seemed to envelop her like a comforting blanket. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly. There was something about this woman's presence that felt... motherly. It was a stark contrast to the intimidating warriors surrounding them.

The older orc's eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled, and Kari found herself returning the smile.

"Merow," the woman said, tapping her chest. She repeated her name, her eyes twinkling as Kari gave a grateful nod.

"I'm Kari."

"Kari." Merow's smile widened, and she put a gentle arm around Kari's shoulders. She murmured something, her tone reassuring, and Kari caught a few familiar sounds - "rest" and "safe" - amidst the words she didn't understand.

As Merow started to lead her away, Wulf's deep voice rumbled behind them. She glanced back, noticing that his pride had been replaced by worry. For a moment, she felt torn. Despite her lingering unease and the curious crowd, part of her wanted to stay close to him.

But Merow shook her head firmly, her braids swaying with the motion. She said something to Wulf, her tone brooking no argument. He sighed and threw up a hand, obviously conceding to the older female, but he gave her a quick reassuring smile before Merow led her away.

CHAPTER TEN

Wulf had to fight back the urge to go after Kari, but Merow was correct. His mate needed some respite from the crowd of eager warriors - and his warriors wanted answers. The excitement in the air was palpable, each male hoping that her presence indicated a possible improvement in their own prospects.

Questions flew at him from all directions, but he had to choose his words carefully. He was quite sure that a massive rush of males seeking brides to the shrine would not be received well.

"Kari is a traveler from another land," he said carefully. "We met by chance during our journey."

The words were essentially true, if not the whole truth.

"Where is this land?" one warrior called out. "Are there more like her?"

He hesitated, uncertain how to respond. He hadn't anticipated this line of questioning, and the weight of their expectations pressed on him. As he searched for words, Lothar gave him an encouraging nod. He'd discussed keeping the truth of the events at the shrine a secret with his brothers, and they'd both agreed it was the best option.

"Her homeland is... far from here," Wulf said carefully. "Beyond any lands we know."

Again the truth, but as he looked at the excited faces surrounding him, he was filled with doubt. Had the ritual truly changed anything beyond answering his own desperate plea? Would his warriors find the same miracle he had?

Lothar seemed to sense his hesitation, stepping up next to him and giving the crowd a grin.

"I say we celebrate this fortuitous meeting!"

He laughed, grateful for Lothar's ability to lighten even the most tense situations.

"I agree. Let us celebrate my bride!"

His warriors eagerly seized upon Lothar's suggestion. Their faces lit up with excitement, a rare sight these days. They'd learned to celebrate even small victories, and Kari's arrival was anything but small.

"To new beginnings!" someone shouted, and a chorus of cheers erupted around the fire.

---