Page 18 of His Orc Warrior

“Me too.” He smiled, settling back in his seat. “And I might have been a little nervous. I mean…meeting the parents, in my experience, is something that comes later. When a couple has had the chance to get to know one another. When they are considering something…permanent.”

Humans were different from orcs, in many ways I had not even considered. “Among my people, things move a little faster,” I told him. “I guess we have a lot to learn about each other.”

He bobbed his head in agreement. “I’m looking forward to it. So”—he pulled his seat belt across his chest and clicked it into place—“do we have very far to go?”

“Not too far. I thought if we got there a little before my parents expect us, I could give you a tour of the area? If you’re interested, that is.” I hoped he would be.

“Definitely. You mean there’s a whole town full of orcs so close to the city and nobody knows?”

“More like a village, and we don’t disappear into the mists or anything, but we mostly mind our own business and only visit the bigger town in human form.”

We drove along for a while, talking about this and that. First-date getting-to-know-you stuff like I’d seen on TV. Most shifters I knew mated first and chatted later, but I was going to have to fall back on my extensive TV-watching experience to pick up on the nuances of his life and expectations for a relationship. I was ready to introduce him to my parents and close the deal. But…human. He would have his own timetable for a relationship, and I’d have to learn what that was.

We left the city behind, and I drove along pointing out some of the sights. They were not full-tourist approved, but patches of forest and roadside diners were definitely among my favorite things. To his credit, Lucas seemed as happy about them as I felt.

Taking the unmarked two-lane road, we drew closer to the village, and I tightened up inside. Not because I was ashamed of my home. No…it was downright adorable, but would he like that? He lived in the city where everything was brick and glass and steel. Our main street consisted of small one- and two-story structures.

“This is…wow.” Lucas had his face pressed to the passenger side window. “It looks like something out of a movie about happiness in small-town America. Everything is so clean, though.”

My chest swelled with pride. “We like cleanliness and order. It doesn’t really take a lot of time to keep up, either. Not if you have so many willing hands.”

“Look,” he said, pointing at the windshield. “That couple is watching us. In front of that house.”

“Those are my parents.” I lifted a hand to wave. “Standing in front of the house I grew up in.”

Chapter Thirteen

Lucas

The ride to Thrain’s village had been wonderful. The weather was great, the company magnificent, and the scenery beautiful. Best of all, Thrain seemed completely relaxed. Everything was going exactly as it should.

That was—until I saw his parents. Something about them had my spidey senses tingling. I wasn’t even sure what, but the small sliver of doubt that I was overthinking things disappeared as I stepped out of the car and introduced myself to them.

They pretended like they were happy enough, but from the second I shook his mother’s hand, I could see that she was not pleased. Our introduction niceties were a facade. My gut told me they didn’t want me there, and I wanted to shrivel up into a ball.

“Won’t you come inside?” His father clapped me on the shoulder. “We don’t need the neighbors staring.”

I chuckled, but it was more out of nerves than humor. It wasn’t that the neighbors were paying us any mind that was odd. They would in my neighborhood, too—people who weren’t normally there suddenly standing around and talking always brought some attention. It was the way he said it, as if he cared what they thought.

My nerves continued to be on edge, growing as we started toward the house. As if walking through that door was somehow going to make them drop their facade of kindness and they’d suddenly rip into me.

Thrain’s hand settled on the small of my back. “I got you,” he whispered close to my ear, and that gave me the courage to follow his parents inside.

So far, they were nothing like the sweet couple I expected them to be based not only on things that Thrain had said but also on the homemade bread.

Once inside, his father had us sit in separate chairs while he took the sofa with his wife. The coffee table in front of us had a pot of tea and some cups, but no one was drinking, not that Thrain and I had been offered any.

“I’m going to be frank with you,” his mother said before anyone else could begin any small talk. “I-I’m sure you’re a nice guy. And I know my son adores you. But a life with you isn’t going to be easy.”

She grabbed her husband’s hand and held it. I wasn’t sure if it was for reinforcement or comfort, but really, it didn’t matter. Because right then and there, all I wanted to do was puke. Thrain’s parents thought I was bad for him.

“He deserves a life where he can just be himself. Always. Where he doesn’t have to hide. And where his children can do the same.”

His children, not our children. They were actively writing me out of his life as I sat there, frozen with fear.

“He doesn’t have to hide with me.” My voice was quiet but firm. “I like him exactly the way he is.”

“I’m not talking about you.” She leaned back in her seat. “I’m talking about society. If he lives where your kind does, then he’s constantly going to be shifting, having to hide his true form.”

---