Page 50 of Guarded By the Orc

“Thank the Gods, because I’m never letting you go,” hewhispered and I grinned.

“Are you two decent?” I heard from behind me and I snorted out a laugh, not releasing my mate.

“Define decent,” I called to Enka, who was probably hiding behind a rock, trying to give us privacy.

“Dressed, you hussy,” he responded, and I laughed for real this time, turning in Rudgar’s arms.

“Yes, you prude,” I yelled and I heard a harrumph before the three males came into the main cavern.

“We missed our baths because of you,” Enka huffed as he entered with a smiling Savla and a sniggering Krusk.

“And you smell the same, so maybe they don’t even help,” I told him with a grin, sticking my tongue out at him.

He narrowed his eyes at me, and I knew if Rudgar wasn’t here to protect me, he would have tickled me into submission, but he wasn’t going to challenge Rudgar when he was curled around me, his eyes still dark with his rut.

“Enough of that,” Krusk said, rolling his eyes. “How do we get out of here? Are we allowed to justleave?” he added with a wary look around.

“Are you ready?” the voice sounded from all around us and we spun in a circle, trying to see if it was a threat.

The voice was familiar though.Papa Bois. “Bonjour, vieux Papa,” I said, bowing my head slightly and the males followed my lead.

“If you would like to leave, I will show you the way,” he said, that disembodied voice surrounding us.

“We’d appreciate that,” I told him, keeping my head bowed, and he appeared in front of me in a moment. I jerked hard against Rudgar, but he didn’t flinch, his eyes wary as he looked at the male.

He tilted his horned head at me, eyeing me with curiosity, a slight twinkle in his eyes. “Your mating is complete,” he said in alow, pleased voice. “Good.”

I felt heat flood my cheeks again, but I nodded, not ashamed of our bond in any way. “You’ll protect each other,” he told me, before looking at the males behind us. “And the rest of your family.”

I nodded, and he lifted his hand, his palm calloused and strong. I bowed my head again as he said, “Until then.”

My head lifted in shock, but he was already gone. We all gasped as we realized that we were back at the edge of the forest, Rudgar’s SUV parked behind us.

“What the hell just happened?” my mate asked, and I turned with a huge grin on my face, the branch held tight against my chest.

“I can’t believe he’s going to help us when Veron and his men come,” I cried, shaking my booty with glee. “And he gave me a branch for my wand,” I added, holding it out to him, but snatching it back when he tried to touch it. “Nuh-uh,mine,” I sniffed, and laughed when he shook his head and rolled his eyes.

“Isno oneelse freaked out by the fact that we’re suddenly back at the start?” Enka squawked, looking around us as though we’d all lost our minds.

I shrugged, making my way with my wand wood toward the front of the SUV, humming happily.

I grinned as Rudgar looked like he was brimming with questions. He was waiting for me, I could tell, but the poor male was about to burst. He opened my door, ensuring that I was settled inside, leaning in and buckling me in before pulling away.

Reaching out to grip his tusks, I yanked him toward me and he allowed me to, leaning in with eagerness. I kissed him, letting him feel the enthusiasm and excitement that was filling me fromthe inside out.

“We did it,” I told him, burying my fingers in his hair and nuzzling against his soft beard. “Thank you.”

He pulled me close, squeezing me to him, a breath leaving him as he held me in his arms.

“You never have to thank me, Gul-ar,” he whispered, love filling his gaze, softening it as he leaned his forehead against mine. “This,” he continued, tapping his big finger just above my heart, “is mine to protect. And I’m going to cherish it every day of my life.”

I held my breath, strangled by the breadth of emotion that washed over me. Instead of trying to vocalize it, I reached out, tapping my finger across his own heart.

“And this is mine,” I murmured.

The smile he gave me was so soft that I had to swallow against the tears that were threatening to rise inside me.

Not now. Don’t blubber now.

---