Page 11 of Bidding on Her Orc Boss

She laughs, sliding onto the stool next to me. “Oh, just the death glare you’re giving your drink. Poor whiskey never stood a chance.”

I grunt, taking another sip. “Urul’s the one who should watch out.”

Noreeah pats my arm sympathetically. “There, there. It’s not so bad. In fact...” She leans in conspiratorially. “Linden, Weaver, and I have been bidding on you all night.”

I nearly choke on my drink. “You what?”

“Yep!” She beams. “We’re running up that budget. Figured you’d appreciate the chaos.”

Despite myself, I feel a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. “You always did know how to cause trouble.”

“It’s a gift,” she winks. “Oh! Speaking of, have you met Linden yet?”

Before I can answer, she’s waving over a willowy figure with bark-like skin and leaves for hair. The dryad approaches, holding hands with Weaver, the centaur I’d met briefly before.

If I recall correctly, Weaver and Linden were already a couple when Noreeah met Linden. And somehow, they all are now a mated group.

“X, this is Linden,” Noreeah introduces. “Linden, the infamous Xnaurl.”

Linden’s laugh sounds like rustling leaves. “So you’re the one our Noreeah’s told us so much about.”

I nod, trying not to let the pang of envy show as I watch the three of them together. Their love is palpable, a warmth that radiates outward. It’s everything I once thought Noreeah and I might have, before... well, before she realized her true self.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” I manage, my voice gruffer than intended.

Noreeah, ever perceptive, squeezes my hand. “Hey. You okay?”

I’m about to answer when a scent hits me – intoxicating, bewitching, utterly captivating. My head snaps up, searching the crowd flooding into the ballroom. Remote workers, I realize dimly. But among them...

“X?” Noreeah’s voice sounds far away. “What is it?”

I catch a glimpse of dark hair, a flash of curves. My heart rate spikes. “I... I’m not sure,” I mumble, still searching. “But I think I need to find out.”

I can barely focus on Noreeah’s words as my eyes scan the crowd, searching for the source of that intoxicating scent. “Xnaurl, you look like you’ve been hexed. What’s going on?”

“There’s someone...” I trail off, my nostrils flaring. “I can’t explain it, but I something calls to me.”

Noreeah’s eyes widen with understanding. She exchanges a quick glance with Linden, then both of them start shooing me forward. “That is your mating bonds awakening, my dear Xnaurl. Go, go!” Noreeah urges, practically pushing me. “Follow that scent!”

I stumble forward, my usual grace abandoning me as I weave through the crowd. And then, suddenly, there she is.

My breath catches in my throat. She’s stunning – a vision in a knee-length dress that hugs every delicious curve. Her black hair is pulled back, revealing a graceful neck I immediately want to nuzzle. Pride swells in my chest at the sight of her, warring with an overwhelming urge to whisk her away from prying eyes.

When her melted-chocolate eyes meet mine, I feel the impact like a lightning bolt. Her tawny skin flushes and even from here, I can scent her honeyed arousal perfuming the air.

Urul finally stops droning on and senses I am near. “Zana, meet Xnaurl, our senior project manager for Avalon Vale as well as our timeline menace.”

I capture her small, delicate hand in mine and lift it to graze a kiss across her knuckles. Urul’s face registers surprise, but doesn’t say anything about my actions.

Good. I would hate to cause a scene in front of his mate.

“Charmed. I hope you’re enjoying the festivities?” I flick an appreciative gaze down her body. My mouth waters to taste her. Especially when her scent begs me to touch her.

“Have you eaten? I hear the spread is mouthwatering.” My head buzzes with the need to claim this woman as my own right here, right now.

She shakes her head.

“Good” I say, leading her toward the food and away from my nosey cousin. “Let’s rectify that, shall we?”

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