Page 36 of Lycan

“So how much longer?—”

The rattling of chains cut me off. Leaves and branches crunched, and a large green forearm burst through the compact foliage to our left about ten of Fenrir’s strides ahead. He slowed. He’d been aware of someone approaching. Another one burst through, followed by large, tall bodies. I huddled closer to Fenrir.

“What are they,” I whispered.

“Orcs,” Fenrir’s voice rumbled, no intention of staying quiet. Like a collective, they all turned their heads. All five of them. So big and . . . they carried weapons strapped to their person.

Fenrir growled, lowering his head, displaying his antlers.

One of the smaller Orcs put up her hands. By her slighter stature, breasts, long hair, and narrowed features, it was clear she was the only female Orc. The four big ones behind her took their weapons in hand like they’d choreographed it.

“We do not want problems, Lycan.”

The actions of those four behind her said otherwise. Fenrir only snarled.

“Fenrir,” I whispered. My stomach hurt. One of the males to her side met my eyes. The vibrant shade of his yellow eyes glowed.

“Do not look at her.” Fenrir shook so much that I struggled to keep hold of him. He felt like he would burst.

“We will pass without waring with you. Ignore us,” the female said. A chain rattled, drawing my attention to one of the Orcs and the chain he held that was connected to a woman’s wrists. She was without shoes and tears streamed down her face, silent but prevalent.

I gasped and my fingers flexed.

“They have a human,” I breathed, starting to slide down.

“Stay,” he ordered. I stopped moving. “I will not war.” Aggression bled from Fenrir despite his words. The female Orc inclined her head at him while the others sneered, following her lead as they moved along, heading up the mountain, toward the Rift.

“But Fenrir?—”

“No.” His snarl shook my body. “I will not risk you. I do not doubt I can destroy them. But you will be left vulnerable. There are too many of them, one can take you?—”

He went quiet, a violent growl melding into his words. “You are the only one I protect.”

Fenrir and I watched the Orcs trek up the incline. The girl trailed behind, listless. Her chains rattled with each of her steps. My lip trembled. She seemed so sad and the clothes she wore seemed so dirty and tattered.

Tears flooded my eyes. This was the life I’d been ignorant to. I understood it existed, but seeing it was different. I’d been so sheltered up in my little piece of the world. Even before Pamtook me in, I didn’t remember anything other than sleeping on the ground and that was as hard as I’d had it.

I’d truly been lucky until Jason went crazy.

Fenrir lifted to his back paws. The sudden shift jolted me and I began to slide down his back. I would have fallen if his arm hadn’t propped me up before bringing me to his chest.

“Do not leak, human. I will not allow anything to harm you.”

I burrowed my face in his chest, breathing in his pine scent.

“It’s called crying. Not leaking.” I sniffled.

It was a good thing I’d never been allowed to leave home. I would have been eaten alive.

Not everyone could be saved. I understood that, but it really sucked—that poor girl—I needed to get my mind distracted.

“So . . . what you are . . . is a lycan?” Pam andhimnever referred to the creatures as anything other than ‘monsters.’

“It is what humans have named my species.” He released a snorting huff. “You humans enjoy placing things in boxes.”

“So those Orcs were also named by humans?”

“Yes, before the Rift, we would not have consciousness to name ourselves.”

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