Page 36 of My Fated Orc Hero

I take off at a run, ignoring the startled looks from villagers. Let them stare. Nothing matters except finding Zoe.

As I near the edge of town, doubt starts to creep in. What if I'm wrong? What if the elders found her first? Or worse? Is there a worse?

Control your mind warrior. As you have been trained.

I will find her. I have to.

I push deeper into the forest, following the most likely path I imagine she might have taken. My heart pounds in my ears, drowning out everything else.

"Zoe!" I call out, not caring who might hear. "Zoe, where are you?"

Nothing. I continue my search, tearing through brambles and saplings alike, heedless to the cuts and scratching opening on my legs and arms as I crash through the brush.

Dammit.

An hour passes and still nothing.

I continue on, stopping to search in the hollow of each fallen tree, and under every overhang. Where could she be?

I have circled half the town before ever so faintly, I hear it - a quiet sob.

My heart leaps into my throat. "Zoe?" I call again, quickening my pace.

There - huddled at the base of a massive ancient oak - is my Zoe. She looks up, eyes wide and red-rimmed from crying.

"Thokk?" she whispers. "How did you find me?"

“I searched practically the whole forest, that’s how.” I drop to my knees beside her, my heart aching at the tears streaking her cheeks. “But I knew eventually my heart would guide me to you. You are my mate remember? I will always be able to find you.”

Before I can say more the words are tumbling out of her mouth. "I'm so sorry, Thokk. But don’t you see, I have to leave Fablewood. I am putting you in danger. I can’t bear that. I couldn’t bear the thought that I could be the cause ...

"Zoe," I growl, pulling her into my arms. “Don't you ever scare me like that again.” I savor the relief that floods over me.

I run my hands over her, checking for injuries. “You are scratched! Let me tend to you!”

“I am fine, it’s nothing.”

I crush her to my chest again, inhaling her scent. Gods, I thought I'd lost her.

"I'm sorry," she hiccups against me. "I just didn't want you to get in trouble because of me."

I pull back, cupping her face in my hands. "Listen to me, you stubborn Zoe. You are not a burden. I would willingly walk into a nest of brazzle bees naked for you. You are not putting me in danger. You are..." I falter, the words sticking in my throat.

“Brazzle bees? Those sound scary.”

“They are,” I say as I search for what I really want to say. But I already know it.

Come on, you big oaf. Say it.

"You are everything to me," I finally manage. "My mate, I said, but I don’t think you understand. You are my very heart. I will fight the entire village if I have to, but I am not letting you go."

Zoe's eyes widen. "Thokk, I-"

"No," I cut her off. "No more running. We face this together. I swear to you, I will never fail you again."

She shakes her head, a small smile breaking through her tears. "Oh Thokky, you didn't fail me. You found me. But hey, no walking naked with those brazzle bees. I don’t want you getting my ice cream damaged."

“Your ice cream?”

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