Page 3 of Summoning the Orc

She released me, making her way over to her mate and huggedhim around his waist. He leaned down for a kiss from her right away and that pang of longing in my chest ached even harder.

They were so very in love and while I didn’t envy my best friend at all, I wished I could find the same. I watched them whisper to each other and Rudgar came up next to me.

“They do that a lot,” he said in a quiet voice. “Getting lost in their own little world, I mean,” he clarified. “I’ll give you the tour since they’ll start making out soon.”

I grinned at the male, taking his arm and allowing him to lead me toward the entrance of the building. I peeked back at where Dristan and Penelope had started making out in the middle of the courtyard for the world to see—and I rolled my eyes.

“I swear, if she’s not knocked up by next month—” I started, but Rudgar’s laugh cut me off.

“Trust me when I say that they’ve been trying,” he scoffed, giving a shudder, and I shook my head with amusement. “There’s going to be dozens of little half-orc babies running amok soon.” He peered over at me with an assessing look. “And you? Do you have someone special?”

I shook my head, heaving a sigh. “Not yet. I’m looking, though. You?”

He grimaced, shaking his head and rubbing his hand behind his neck. “I can’t say the same. I might be better off single.”

I tsked, my arm still tucked through his while I patted his hand. “I have dozens of books I can loan to you that would tell you otherwise,” I told him. “You don’t know what you’re missing until it smacks you in the head.”

“Books?” He asked, blinking at me. “Instruction books on finding love?” He shook his head. “I don’t need that kind of help—”

“No, of course not,” I scoffed, waving him off. “Romancebooks. Oh! There’s this one,” I started as he led me to the elevator. I released him to gesture in front of me. “Where themain male character is an orc and he falls for this milk maid—” I spent the entire elevator ride regaling a scowling Rudgar on the gist of the book. When he made it to our level—one below the penthouse, he all but ran into his apartment.

I shrugged, making my way to the door opposite his. I blinked up at it, intimidated by what could only be real wood. Swallowing hard, I used the keycard on the reader to the right of the room and turned the knob. The cavernous interior lit up with automatic lights and I found myself staring in awe at the stunning layout.

I released a low whistle, impressed with everything I could see. The furniture was all modern and sleek, sized for orcs—and I sent up athank youto Dristan since my plus-size self could fit in the chairs. I wasn’t a little woman by any means.

I had curves in places that I loved—like my hips and breasts—and then curves in places that I hated—like my stomach and thighs. I stepped into the apartment, locking the door behind me. Narrowing my eyes on one chair in particular, I cuddled comfortable into the seat, swimming in how big it was before wiggling my butt into the cushion.

Oh, this is nice.

I surveyed the apartment from my seat, joy and hope bubbling inside me. This was my life now.This. Shaking my head in awe, I stood, walking into the dining space, running my fingers over the glass of the gigantic table and moving to the floor to ceiling windows that opened onto a patio. I swallowed hard as I stepped outside, surveying the prettiest view I’d ever seen.

The massive park lay in front of me, the perfect green spot in the huge city. On the other side were towering buildings made of glass and steel. I pinched myself, yelping as I realized that I was actuallyhere. This was happening and I wasn’t still in my old bed, dreaming.

The breeze that hit my face refreshed me before I stepped backinside, eager to explore the rest of the apartment. The kitchen was next, and I poked inside the pantry, seeing new groceries that I justknewmy best friend had bought for me. I was going to have to yell at her for paying for everything later, but for now, I was just so grateful.

I explored the two bathrooms and four bedrooms next, squealing at the hot tub and starfishing on the duvet that was spread over the huge orc-sized bed. I released another excited squeal as I opened the walk-in closet and found dozens of racks of clothes already filled. I swan-dived onto the bed again and grabbed my phone.

Becca:You bitch, I love you.

Pen:You deserve all of the things.

Becca:Thank you so much. I’ll babysit to pay for all of these things eventually.

Pen:You don’t have to pay back a single thing.

Becca:Yes, I do. I need all the receipts. It will take me fifty lifetimes, but I’m going to get it paid off eventually.

Pen:I never get receipts. Dristan just lets me pick out things without tags and then he buys them. So we’ll both never know.

Becca:I’m going to make my best estimate and write an IOU.

Pen:Can you just take this as the bribe that it is? I need you here and Dristan knows it, too.

I giggled, making blanket-angels on the bed. She was right. Dristan was aware that his wife needed her family and best friend nearby, so he’d done what any billionaire gentlemale would do—he’d bought us homes closer to her.

Her parents—who I loved as if they were my own—had a new house in a nearby suburb, and I was being spoiled with this colossal space. I wiggled with joy as I sent another text.

Becca:Thank your mate for me, please. And thank yourself, too.

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