Page 27 of Valpar

There was a chapter on humans, because humans at the time came into the Bergarian realm from another place called Earth. It had been so long I hardly remembered what was written about any creature. I gave up studying years ago. I could hardly read that book now even if I wanted to.

From what I remember, humans were weak. No powers, and no way to protect themselves.

If I was not there to catch her when she fell—she could have hurt herself!

My drum pounded in my chest, its rhythmic beat echoing like a thunderstorm. Panic surged through me, tightening its grip around my skull as I imagined her lying on the frigid floor, writhing in agony. The sheer intensity ignited a surge of my life-force, burning like a fierce flame.

What if I was not there?

My growl echoed down the hallway, my claws pulling into my thick hair.

“Valpar, are you alright?” the fae in front of me asked smugly. “You seem… distressed.”

“She is mine?” I whipped my head toward the King of the Fae. “She is my miresa. This is why—” I held my hands out in front of me and the only thing I could see was her in my arms. The way her eyes turned black, when I told her she was good—

“I don’t know, you tell me. How do you feel?” Osirus asked.

My body tingled with an electrifying power, coursing through me like a surge of lightning. It brought me to life, the crimson life force flowing through the branches of my body. From head to toe my body was shocked to life at the sudden realization — I had a miresa!

I was eager and possessive. My hands tingled with the desire to take her into my arms, hide her from the world and to keep her all to myself.

After years of waiting, of hoping that she would be given to me, she was dropped into my lap, and with my foolishness, I almost missed it.

I had been given the greatest gift.

I will never again be alone, and neither will she.

I clenched my fist tightly, feeling the knuckles strain against the pressure. With a fierce thud, I pounded my fist against my chest, the force reverberating through my bones. A resounding roar erupted from deep within me, echoing through the air.

My tunic ruffled as I tugged at it, frustration boiling inside me. The anger pulsated through my veins, making my head spin. I shook it vigorously, strands of hair whipping against my face.

The absence of something to strike intensified my fury. I longed to release this pent-up energy, to unleash my rage upon something, anything. But the palace’s delicate treasures were off-limits, a boundary I could not cross.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, a glimmer of determination sparked within me. I knew there was one way to alleviate the pain, to make things right.

Claim my female.

I stomped away from Osirus, although I felt him closely behind my back. My vision was red, not in anger but using the instincts my orgamo had taught me as an orcling. Instincts I should only use during battles, hunts, and—claiming one’s female.

I pushed in the door, my body wild with desire and my instincts on high alert.

I would take what was mine, what was gifted to me.

How could I have been so oblivious, so foolish, to just leave my miresa in a room full of unmated? The shame gnawed at me. I became determined to spend every remaining moment of my existence making amends. I would gladly press my lips against the very soil she trod upon, ready to carry her weight so she may never walk alone again. I would tenderly indulge her, even as her pleas for respite filled the air, driven by an overwhelming desire to bring her pleasure.

If she didn’t want to give me my release to punish me, I would accept it. Whatever she wanted, so that I may receive her forgiveness.

I pushed the doors to the ballroom open and let out a roar as they both slammed against the walls. The room stilled and the music stopped. Everyone stared at me in shock and horror, while I stopped myself from smiling.

This is what I craved, their fear, to show my miresa that I will be her protector.

The crowd parted and I saw my brother, Sugha, holding my mate in his arms. She was standing there, her lips parted and the sweet smell of chamomile wafting toward my nose. My nose flared and, it was then, I realized it was her arousal.

Bassza, this female, would destroy me before the night was done.

But my brother, with his smug smile, made me seethe.

“Sugha! What are you doing?!” I growled and balled my fists. I will destroy him for touching my female.

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