Page 31 of His Orc Warrior

After about ten minutes, we were guided into Healer Otis’ office and my omega was instructed to disrobe. As seemed to be the same world over, if TV was to be believed, we then settled in for a longer wait before the healer arrived.

“Thrain, so this is your omega. I understand he has a concern.”

“We both do,” I told the male, shaking his hand. “This is Lucas, and he is bearing our young.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed.” Healer Otis was relatively young for his position, somewhere around fifty-five years old. He was lean for an orc, with long fingers that were always cold. He could be harsh but also kind. “Up on the table, Lucas, and we can examine you and then discuss your concern.”

“What I am worried about is—” Lucas began.

Healer Otis fixed my omega with a steely-eyed glare. “First the exam. Table. Now.”

Lucas’ distress came through in his scent, and I had to step in. While he obeyed the healer, I took the man aside. “He’s new. Healer Otis. And he’s scared that something is wrong because he’s so much bigger than anyone else he’s ever seen. If you can be a little gentle, I’d—”

Now the glare was on me. He studied me, and I feared he’d find me wanting. Sure, I’d seen him all my life. He’d bandaged my cuts and sewed up the larger ones, treated me for a virus, so many things. But instead of snapping at me, he softened. “It’shard to be a first-time father, I know firsthand. But you don’t have to worry. Healer Fred and I will guide you and your omega to a successful delivery. Now. Go stand by the table and hold your omega’s hand while I examine him.”

“Yes, Healer. Thank you.”

He understood how much a mate’s touch would mean for a pregnant omega, particularly one who was in what must sometimes feel like another world. He had believed the only orcs he could meet were just humans cosplaying. Until he encountered me. In a relatively short period of time, he’d become a vibrant member of our community. I held his hand while Healer Otis looked him over, checking his vital signs and all the other things I’d seen Healer Fred do. Finally, he straightened up and said, “Well, I understand you’re concerned about your size?”

“Yes.” Lucas looked him right in the eye. “I am afraid I’m going to pop.”

The healer pressed his fingers all over my omega’s swollen bump. He touched him with such care. “Does this hurt? This?”

“No. No.” He didn’t seem to be lying. Of course, why would he? He pushed up on his elbows, watching the healer at work. “But it’s so tight.”

The healer straightened. “Well, that’s easy enough to explain, but I don’t know if it will bring you comfort.”

“Just tell me straight. Is the baby okay?”

“The baby is fine. They are just really large for your human body to handle.”

He goggled. “So is my skin going to tear and fall apart?”

“No.” Healer Otis rummaged in a cabinet and came back with a container. “Use this and your skin should feel more comfortable, but under no circumstances are you going to have anAlienmoment with anyone bursting out of your body. You’ve done a good job so far taking care of yourself, but this cream willjust help you get through the last of the pregnancy without too many stretch marks.”

“Thank you.” Luca sat up and smiled. “But why am I so gigantic?”

“You’re a smallish human bearing an orkling. Did no one warn you about how big the baby would be?”

“Tell me straight.”

When he did, I thought Lucas would pass out. I patted his hand and murmured comforting words, but it took more than a few minutes for Healer Otis to convince him that his body could handle such a large baby.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Thrain

“I’m over a week late, and this baby is taking up more than their fair share of real estate,” Lucas grumbled. “How big did the healer say they were likely to be?”

“Umm, I can’t remember exactly,” I hedged. A lie. The healer had quoted a possible size that made Lucas gasp, and the only way he’d forgotten was the excess of pregnancy hormones caused by the orkling he was growing. It made him forget a few things at random, leading to frustration. If he ever was willing to try for another baby, I’d be surprised after the last trimester. “But I’m sure he’ll be born soon. After all, the healer did say anytime, didn’t they?”

“Between now and the end of time,” he said, peering into the refrigerator. “Do we have any more cake?”

Even though he was eating as much as one of our people at this point, and the healer was not at all worried about calories, I did try to keep as many of them nutritious as possible. “We’re out. The last third disappeared last night while we were sleeping.”

He sighed in disappointment, letting the refrigerator door close. “What a shame. Must be a mouse.”

“Mm-hmm. A mouse that still has a little bit of chocolate on his cheek.”

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