Page 25 of His Orc Warrior

“Lucky, I guess.” I swallowed. “What do you think?”

He exhaled, his eyes never leaving the box.

“I think…” He took one out and rolled it in his fingers. “I love you.” His voice was soft, and that somehow made it more powerful. “And I’d be honored to wear your ring. That way, everyone, including humans, know that you are mine, and I am yours.”

The possessiveness of his words and tone did things to me. I held up my hand, and he slid the ring onto my finger, followed by me doing the same to him.

“I love you, alpha mine, more than anything. And wearing something that reminds me of you makes your absence just a little less difficult.”

Melodramatic? Absolutely. But also true.

He traced his finger over the band he’d placed on my hand. “If you want, we can get married. I know that’s a pretty human thing, and I’d hate for you to miss out because you chose me.”

He squeezed my hand.

“There’s no commitment greater than what the two of us have.” I didn’t need or want a wedding. I wanted Thrain, and I already had him.

I rubbed my cheek against his, his tusks grazing my jawline.

“I love you so much.” His voice was a whisper, a promise.

“Thank you for having your meet and greet. I’d been dreaming of you my entire life, not realizing that’s what it was.Meeting you that day made all of my dreams come true.” I smiled against his skin.

“That’s where you are wrong, sweet mate. It was me who had my dreams come true that day. It was me.”

Chapter Eighteen

Thrain

“Come in,” I said before Lucas could even get to the door. I’d planned a romantic dinner after my long day of warrior training, but the whole time had been thinking about the next time I got to see my mate.

He was my last thought about at night before my eyes closed and my first in the morning. We hadn’t figured out our living situation, but we would soon.

Again, I didn’t want to push him. He was the human, so we would progress at his pace.

Still, opening the door to him, I found myself hoping he would spend the night in my arms again.

“Good evening, mate,” he said, rising on tiptoe to kiss my lips.

I inhaled his scent and nuzzled his neck. “Good evening to you, sweet omega. I’ve missed you today.”

Lucas came inside. The weather had turned from cold all the time to warm during the day. I noticed he had a cardigan slung over his arm in case he got chilled later on but, if I had my say, there would be no way he got cold. Not in my home but especially not in my bed.

“Thrain, what have you done?” His eyes were wide as we walked into the dining area. I’d cleaned the place from top to bottom and cooked a meal fit for a king. Steaks perfectly grilled over an open fire. Cream of mushroom soup—the recipe texted to me by my mother.

She’d come over and brought a loaf of her sharp-cheddar focaccia, along with a salad. She was thrilled that I’d asked her to make something for this special meal.

“I cooked my beautiful mate dinner.”

“What’s the occasion?” He wrapped his lithe arms around my waist.

“You. Finding you. Loving you. Having you here. That’s all.”

He sighed and laid his head against my chest. “Thank you, alpha. But…we may have something to celebrate. I have some news for you.”

“Tell me,” I said, running my fingers through his hair.

“Not yet. Let’s eat some. I’m starving. Couldn’t keep a lot down lately.”

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