Page 35 of My Fated Orc Hero

"Then where is she?" I growl.

Grok shrugs. "Dunno. We've been here all night."

I turn away, mind racing. No doubt they fell asleep as well.

Ogres are notorious for it.

Allowing her to slip away. But she wouldn't have... would she?

But I already know the answer. Of course she would.

Brave, foolish human.

"Dammit, Zoe," I mutter.

I storm back into the house, grabbing my cloak. As I head out, Grok calls after me, "Hey! Where are you going?"

"To find her," I snarl over my shoulder. "Try and stop me."

They don't. They don’t even follow.

I had suspected their hearts weren’t in the mission.

This bodes well for Zoe and I. If I can find her.

I make my way into town, checking all the spots Zoe had been oohing and ahhing over, on the off chance that she had decided to go have a closer look at them on her own. I check the bakery, the fountain, even the ugly pile of rocks in the town center she found so fascinating. Nothing.

And with each empty location, the ache in my chest grows. It's like all the color has been leeched from the world without her. All that remains is gray and lifeless.

Gods, how is it that she affects me so?

Because she is your mate. Thokk.

Truth. Of course, I had heard of what having a mate was supposed to be like. But I never could have imagined. My very heart hurts without her. It is like a war hammer has struck me. I need her. Not just want her - need her. Like air or water or...

I shake my head, trying to clear it.

Focus, Thokk.

Where would she go?

Then it dawns on me. Has she tried to flee? Not just my home but the town?

With a sinking stomach I realize this must be the case.

The elders.

They threatened to kill her.

And I have not protected her. I should have killed them all on the spot.

I know this is ridiculous. It would have only invited attack from every grown male creature in Fablewood. No, I had no choice but to hold back and bide my time. But what does it matter if I have lost her?

My heart sinks, but I cannot afford to wallow.

Now I must act. There will be plenty of time for wallowing if it comes to that.

Perhaps there is still time to catch her.

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