Page 7 of Orc's Mate

As if my destiny was held in Eleri’s tiny hand.

Chapter5

Eleri

Why wasn’t I running from him, shrieking in terror?

To be honest, when he fell at my feet, I contemplated fleeing. But he’d protected me from sure death, and how could I leave him when he was completely vulnerable?

Instead, I tore off the bottom of my skirt and bound his wounds, blotting the long, jagged mark on his face that would leave a scar, plus the gouges on his chest. Instead of making him appear even more feral, the mark on his face gave him a ferocious, hero-like appearance.

For whatever reason, the fates had decided he was my hero.

Assuming I could trust him. I’d go with him for now and decide later. It wasn’t like I had options in the middle of the forest. I couldn’t defend myself, but he’d already proven he would battle to protect me.

As I’d eased him up onto my lap and clutched his staff, prepared to defend him if I could, a giddy laugh nearly burst from my throat. I bit it back, worried if I released it, I’d never stop cackling. I’d gone from finding my father dead to being accused of murdering him to sitting on the forest floor with an enormous orc’s head in my lap as if we were out on a picnic and he’d fallen asleep.

His even breathing soothed me, and I focused on him rather than the bodies lying around us, but I was never more grateful when he woke and took his staff. I was no warrior. If anything, I was the weakest person in the village.

That’s how I knew no male would ever want me.

When he announced I was his, something deep inside me blossomed. That part of me wasn’t afraid. If anything, I was excited at the idea of belonging to someone who actually wanted me.

He wants a mate,I reminded myself. Not exactly me.

But when he vowed not to touch me until I was ready, I wanted to leap into his arms. Cling.

I had to be out of my mind. This was a brutish orc, the beast of my childhood nightmares. He was no savior, and he would grow impatient when I didn’t give in. He’d claim me soon whether I told him I wanted it or not.

But I swear I saw kindness in his gorgeous golden eyes.

He led me through the forest, taking a path I only saw when he placed his feet on it. He kept peering around intently, but I didn’t hear shaydes or more ashenclaws—yet.

We walked longer than I liked, his sharp gaze taking in everything around us, including the way I had to jerk my leg forward to keep up with his rapid pace.

“Are you injured?” he asked quietly.

“No, this is just . . . me.”

“I see.” His words came out clipped as if he was angry. I hoped not at me, though he probably was. Everyone grew impatient with me before too long. Except Zur. He was the only one who would slow his pace so I could keep up.

And now he was dead.

It was my fault. She’d killed him to get even with me.

“I was injured when I was little,” I said. “I don’t remember how it happened because I was only three at the time. It was horrible, though. The memory of the pain still wakes me up at night.” The words tumbled out of me, a cringeworthy vomit because I was eager to get this over with. “I’ve got a scar on my thigh. It’s big and pale and rippled. Whoever sewed my flesh together would never be capable of doing fine embroidery. I should know. I cast a fine stitch myself.” My sigh ripped out of me. “Anyway. I haven’t walked right since it happened.”

“You walk like you.Eleri,” he said gruffly. “That’s good enough for me.”

For now, at least.

As for the future? I knew how this would work out.

My heart pinched tight. Was it wise of me to see even a speck of good in this orc? Whenever I’d trusted someone in the past, they eventually mocked or scorned me.

Odik had claimed me as his mate, and it wouldn’t be long until he drove his cock inside me. Would he care that I’d never been with a male, or would he rip through my maidenhead in his need to plant his orcling seed deep within me?

He looked down at our linked hands before his sharp eyes landed on my face. Terror had to be reflected there. It was so entrenched inside me; it made my body shake.

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