Page 28 of His Orc Warrior

It would’ve been so easy for him to just say, “Yep, let’s move to my house in the village. Easy peasy. It has more room. More space to run around and doesn’t have rent.”

But he didn’t.

Instead, he looked at everything. Considered it. And ultimately? He let our dog decide.

He wasn’t just a green orc with green skin and green socks. He was a walking green flag.

And I loved him so much that sometimes I was afraid I was going to wake up and discover that all of this had only happened in my imagination.

But if it was an actual dream? Please let me sleep a little bit longer.

Chapter Twenty

Thrain

Two worlds. It was a strange way to live, and two homes? At least we both had a place already, so there was no fussing with having to find them. But getting ourselves organized with both was far more complicated than we’d thought when we made the decision.

My mate and I had work that required us to be on-site at least a good part of the time. My mate’s bosses would not allow more than one or two work-from-home days a week, and even that had required some serious negotiation. As to me, being part of our family business meant I had to be in the village and its environs several days a week as well. But we were motivated, wanting both to continue our work and to raise our child in both worlds. They would need to be comfortable, to function in both. Keeping both of our residences and spending time there would be just the ticket.

And Bolg the dog? Turned out, he wasn’t crazy about tall humans, but when we took him on a trial walk around the village? He had no issue with tall orcs.

“How many more boxes do you have?” Lucas asked. “Empties I mean.” He straightened and put a hand to the small of his back. “I filled the last ones.”

“I can get as many as you need, but I only have a few more.” I eyed the heap of clothing on the bed, most of which he wouldn’t be able to wear soon. And I didn’t want him to overtire himself. “Maybe you need to take a break.”

“What I need is to get all of this stuff loaded in the car to make room for yours.” He sighed. “Or maybe I should just throw it all away and start fresh after the baby comes.”

“If you would like all new clothes, I’d be honored to treat you. Why don’t you sort through and keep the ones you like best, though. I wouldn’t want you to regret it.” I tended to be fond of some of my things, but maybe he wasn’t? “Unless you’re tired of them all.”

“It’s not that. But what if they never fit again?”

“Why wouldn’t they, after the baby comes?” So that was what had him in such a lather. “But I rather like the idea of getting you all new outfits afterward.”

“So, you agree, I will lose my figure entirely.” He flopped dramatically back on the bed amid his scattered belongings. “And then you’ll be sorry you ever met me.”

“Never.” I sank down next to him. “You are my mate, and that’s forever. And no matter what your figure does, nothing changes that.”

“Nothing? Not even if I turn into a lumpy grumpy excuse for an omega?”

“Not even then.” I reached out my arms. “Come and let me hold you, omega. I miss you.”

He squinted. “How can you miss me when I’m right here?”

“It’s hard to explain, but once an orc mates, we have an awfully hard time being apart from our mate.”

“I miss you when you’re not with me, too, but we have to work.”

“Isn’t that always the way.” I winked and gave him a big kiss. “Now, let’s get back to sorting all of this. I think we should go with my idea. Keep the things that fit now, the ones you like best, and donate anything worn or that you don’t love.”

“Then what will I wear after the baby?”

“Anything you like.” I was so glad he believed he’d get back to a size he felt comfortable. Truly, that was all that mattered to me, that he liked himself a tenth as much as I did. Pregnant omegas had to go through so much; it was downright unfair. Itook a vow that I’d make sure he never doubted how attractive I knew he was, not a single day of his life.

We did begin to sort the clothes, but one thing led to another as it usually did and by the time we sat up, sweaty and hungry for dinner, the clothes were far too rumpled and damp to be put away without a swing through the washer and dryer. And that included any that might be donated, so we stuffed them all in big garbage bags and carried them down to the car. We’d been making trips back and forth for a few days, and this was the last of Lucas’. When we came back, we’d bring my clothes to put in his apartment and then we should be set. I was glad because my mate tired more easily now, and I wanted him settled and comfy no matter where we were.

“Can we drive through the Shake Depot?” he asked, peering through the windshield to where the neon sign loomed against the darkness.

“I’d planned on stopping at the Salad Barn.” Rather than the chocolate shake, fries with brown gravy, and double cheeseburger he’d no doubt order. “Maybe get a wrap?”

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