Page 26 of Running from the Orc
“Torvor’s Hammer, Varkaan, what’s wrong with ye?”
I whirled about to see my grinning older brother bearing down on me.
Well ofcoursehe was grinning; ‘twas the night after the new moon, which means last night he claimed his Mate in front of the village. And had probably spent the subsequent hours pleasuring her up one side of his cottage and down the other.
I scowled.
Drakolt’s hand fell heavy on my shoulder and he peered into my eyes. “Are ye ill, lad?”
“Dinnae call me that,” I grumbled, shrugging off his touch. “Is Korvak back?”
“Nay,” the chief replied cheerfully, falling into step with me as I stalked toward my empty cottage. “Hefollowed my instructions, at least. Sorcha and I returned yesterday to learn ye dropped off yer human and fled.”
I whirled on him to growlI hadn’t fled, but what came out was, “Roxanna isnaemine.”
My brother reared back, studying my expression.
I curled my hands into fists, claws digging into my palm, glad for the pain. What in all the hells was wrong with me? I was ready to yank my brother’s head off just for being happy? My heart was pounding in my chest, my breathing was ragged.
Mayhap Iwasill.
“Are ye certain?” Drakolt finally asked.
What was he talking about? “Certain about what?”
“That Roxanna isnae yers?”
Fook.
Groaning, I spun about and stomped away.
“Varkaan!” he called, and I could hear him pounding after me. “Stop!”
I didn’t, and when his hand closed around my arm, Ididwhirl back on him with a snarl.
“Cease yer pestering!”
Drakolt didn’t release me, and instead studied me with a serious expression. “Yer eyes are green.”
“Aye! Because I’m angry!”
“Aboutwhat? About Roxanna?”
Justhearingher name on another male’s lips made myKteerhowl in rage. “I’ll no’ stay in the village with her, brother.” The ultimatum slipped out before I could think clearly. “Decide yer plans for her and implement them.”
His brows rose. “Ye hate her that much?”
I love her. I bit my tongue to hide the words and tasted blood.
Drakolt sighed and shook his head but didn’t release me. “I had nae plans for her or her little cousin, brother. They werenae supposed to come with us, and I’ve been a little distracted this last fortnight.”
Fooking his new Mate.
I scowled.
My brother tipped his head to one side. “Still, if ye hate Roxanna so much, I will speak with Sorcha about options. We can send her through the stones next full moon—”
The thought of her returning to the human world wrenched a “Nay!” from my lips. When Drakolt raised a brow, waiting for me to say more, I tried to calm my breathing.
