Page 19 of Marked By the Broken Orc
“Ah.” I can hear the amusement in his voice. “You really don’t know why you want her with you for this house hunt?”
“Because she’s my friend? My neighbor? She knows the area better than I do?”
“No,” Talon says with a chuckle, “because she’s your future bride. You want her with you to pick out her new home.”
My jaw clenches. “I vowed to never take a bride. I’m going to remain single for the rest of my life.”
“Well, the problem is that when you moved to live and work amongst humans, the vastly larger pool of single females in this city included your biological match. You’ve always liked how Mia Martin smells, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” I grumble.
“And you can still scent her reciprocal arousal?”
I exhale heavily. “Yes. It seems to grow stronger the more time we spend together.”
“She’s yours. Your body knows it even if your mind won’t accept it.”
A growl rumbles in my chest. “This doesn’t mean I can trust her.”
Talon snorts. “I heard how she defended you at that human coffee shop. It’s spreading around the whole orc community. When you eventually take her to the brewery, they’re sure to give her a standing ovation.”
“That’s just one incident?—”
“Kavin.” His voice turns serious. “You’re nesting. That’s why you suddenly need a house. That’s why you want her there to help you choose. Your body is preparing a home for your mate and future offspring.”
The words hit hard because I know he’s right. The restless energy, the sudden dissatisfaction with my apartment, the urgent need to find something bigger and better, it’s all nesting behavior. Ancient orc instincts preparing for a family I swore I’d never have. “Shit,” I mutter.
“Exactly. So stop fighting your instincts and ask the female to help you find a house.”
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes with a text. Mia’s name appears on the screen, and my heart rate spikes.
Are you avoiding me?
Her question catches me off guard. Am I avoiding her? These past few days of minimal contact, of only seeing her from a distance, was that avoidance or just circumstance?
“I have to go,” I tell Talon. “Mia just sent me a text.”
“Ask her,” he says before hanging up.
I stare at Mia’s text for a long moment, then type back quickly.
No. I was actually about to ask you something. Want to help me look at houses today?
Her response comes almost immediately.
Houses? You’re moving out of your apartment?
Maybe. The real estate agent is showing me a few places this afternoon. Could use a second opinion from someone who knows the area.
Sure. What time?
We arrange to meet at one o’clock, and I spend the rest of the morning trying to convince myself that I can still take this slow.
The first housethe real estate agent shows us is enormous. It sits on five acres outside the city limits, a sprawling structure with vaulted ceilings, multiple living areas, and enough bedrooms to house a small army. The agent is a kind, middle-aged human named Patricia who guides us through room after room, pointing out features like the gourmet kitchen, the primary suite with sitting area and the three-car garage.
I think it’s much too big, but the privacy certainly appeals to me. It never ceases to amaze me how humans live in such excessive space and consider this normal.
Mia grows quieter as the tour progresses. When we reach the primary bedroom with its massive walk-in closet and spa-like bathroom, she barely says a word.
