Page 33 of Bidding on Her Orc Boss

X’s brow furrows, his amber eyes searching mine intently. “Breathe, Zana. You’re shaking like a leaf. Tell me what happened.”

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. “I w-went inside, and there was... I saw...” A sob catches in my throat, and I bury my face in my hands, unable to continue.

X pulls me into his embrace, his warmth and scent enveloping me. “Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you,” he murmurs, stroking my hair soothingly. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”

But as I cling to him, my heart shattered and my dreams crumbling around me, I can’t help but wonder if there’s anything left to figure out at all.

Xnaurl’s eyes narrow, a dangerous glint flickering within their amber depths. “Wait here,” he growls, his jaw clenching as he strides purposefully towards the townhouse door.

I stand frozen on the sidewalk, my heart pounding in my ears as I watch him disappear inside. Muffled voices drift through the open windows, rising in volume and intensity with each passing second. Suddenly, the door flies open, and Xnaurl emerges, dragging a disheveled platinum-haired woman by the arm, followed closely by a sheepish-looking female orc.

“Noreah, what the hell are you doing here?” Xnaurl demands, his voice a low, menacing rumble.

The woman, Noreah, straightens her clothing and tosses her hair over her shoulder. “We were just having a bit of fun, X. No need to get your panties in a twist.”

My cheeks burn with embarrassment and anger as I realize who she is—Xnaurl’s ex-fiancée. And the dryad must be her new mate, Linden.

Xnaurl’s nostrils flare, his grip tightening on Noreah’s arm. “In my guest bedroom? Without my permission?”

Noreah rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

Something snaps inside me, and before I know it, I’m marching up to them, my finger jabbing accusingly at Noreah’s chest. “Listen here,” I seethe, my voice trembling with barely contained rage. “You can’t just waltz into X’s home and do whatever you please. It’s disrespectful and downright rude.”

Noreah blinks, taken aback by my outburst. She looks me up and down, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Well, well, well. Looks like our little X has found himself a feisty one.”

I bristle, my hands balling into fists at my sides. “I’m not just some ‘feisty one.’ I’m his mate, and I won’t stand for anyone disrespecting him or his property.”

Noreah’s eyebrows shoot up, and she glances at Xnaurl, who’s watching me with a mixture of surprise and pride. “Is that so?” she muses, her tone softening. “In that case, I apologize. It won’t happen again.”

She turns to Linden, who’s been shuffling awkwardly in the background. “Come on, babe. Let’s give these two some privacy.” She winks at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. “But ifyou’re ever up for some fun and games, you know where to find us.”

As they saunter off down the street, arm in arm, I let out a shaky breath, my bravado deflating like a punctured balloon. I can’t believe I just did that.

A low growl emanates from Xnaurl’s chest as he scoops me up, throwing me over his broad shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “You heard my mate,” he rumbles, his voice sending delicious shivers down my spine. “Come back when she allows it.”

Noreah and Linden’s laughter echoes in the street as they disappear around the corner. I’m too stunned to protest as Xnaurl carries me up the stairs to his bedroom suite, my heart hammering against my ribs.

He kicks the door shut behind us and tosses me onto the bed, his eyes blazing with a fierce, possessive hunger that takes my breath away. “You’re mine,” he snarls, tearing off his shirt and prowling towards me like a predator stalking its prey.

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “X, I?—”

But my words are lost in a gasp as he pounces, his lips crashing against mine in a bruising kiss that steals the air from my lungs. His hands roam over my body, rough and urgent, as if he’s trying to claim every inch of me.

I melt into his touch, my own desire rising to match his. I’ve never seen him like this before, so raw and primal, and it ignites a fire in my veins that threatens to consume me whole.

He tears off my clothes with a savagery that should frighten me, but instead, it only fuels my own desperate need. I arch intohim, my nails raking down his back as he thrusts into me, hard and deep.

The pleasure is almost too much to bear, and I cry out, my body shuddering with each powerful stroke. He’s relentless, driving me higher and higher until I’m teetering on the brink of oblivion.

“X,” I gasp, my voice hoarse and broken. “Please... I need...”

He growls, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin of my throat. “What do you need, love? Tell me.”

I swallow, my heart swelling with a sudden, fierce certainty. “Your mating cuffs. I want to wear your mating cuffs.”

He stills above me, his eyes widening in shock. For a moment, he just stares at me, his expression a mix of wonder and disbelief. Then, slowly, a smile spreads across his face, so bright and beautiful it takes my breath away.

“You’re sure?” he whispers, his voice rough with emotion. “You really want to be mine, forever?”

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