Page 30 of Orc's Little Human
When did that happen?When did this human woman become important to me? When did I start thinking of her as something precious instead of just a captive?
The answer burns in my memory like a brand. Last night. When I felt her body arch against mine, when I heard my name on her lips like a prayer, when something inside me shifted so fundamentally that I can't imagine going back to who I was before.
My magic still thrums beneath my skin—not the drained, hollow feeling I usually carry after using blood-forged power, but something alive and electric. Whatever happened between us last night didn't just satisfy a physical need. It awakened something that makes my very bones sing with energy.
I shouldn't feel this alive after what I did to Jek yesterday. The amount of blood I spilled to reshape that iron should have left me weak for days. Instead, I feel like I could tear apart mountains with my bare hands. And I know exactly what caused the change.
Selene.
She's beautiful in the morning light, her copper hair catching the sun as she leans forward to examine something Thali has found. The simple tunic she wears does nothing to hide the graceful lines of her body—lines I traced with my hands and mouth just hours ago. Her skin is pale except for the sun-scorched freckles across her nose, and I find myself wanting to kiss every single one of them.
The hunger that rises in me is immediate and fierce. I want to stride across that stream, pull her into my arms, and claim her mouth the way I claimed her body last night. I want to hear her gasp my name again, want to feel her nails dig into my shoulders as she comes apart beneath me.
But she won't even look at me.
All morning, she's been acting like nothing happened. Polite distance, careful words, eyes that look everywhere except directly at me. When she woke up and slipped from my bed without a word, I told myself she was just being cautious. Smart. We both know how dangerous this thing between us could be.
But watching her now, seeing how carefully she avoids any real interaction with me, the rational explanations start to crumble. Did last night mean nothing to her? Was it just a momentary lapse in judgment she now regrets?
The thought makes my jaw clench hard enough to crack teeth.
She's human,I remind myself.Fragile. A risk to everything you've built.
It's true. Varok is already questioning my leadership, already pushing for me to prove I haven't gone soft. Keeping a human woman as more than just a temporary plaything will only give him more ammunition. It will make the council question whether I'm still fit to lead the Blackmaw Clan.
But I can't let her go. The very idea sends something violent and possessive clawing through my chest. She's mine now—I claimed her, marked her with my scent and my touch, and the thought of anyone else having her makes me want to spill blood.
Even worse is watching how Thali looks at her. My sister's face is bright with joy as she shows Selene each shell, seeking approval and praise with the same trust she used to reserve only for me. She's never warmed to anyone this quickly, never let anyone into her world with such complete acceptance.
Selene has become too much to both of us. Too important. Too necessary.
And that makes her the most dangerous thing I've ever brought into our lives.
"This one!" Thali's voice carries across the water as she holds up a shell with swirling patterns of blue and white. "This one is perfect for the collection!"
Selene smiles—a real smile, not the careful mask she wears around me—and the sight hits me like a physical blow. She's gentle with Thali, patient in a way that speaks of genuine affection rather than mere tolerance. There's no calculation in how she responds to my sister, no hidden agenda. Just pure, honest care.
It's beautiful. It's terrifying. It's everything I never knew I wanted and everything I can't afford to keep.
I straighten from the tree, gathering the bag they've designated for the chosen treasures. Time to head back. I've already been away from the encampment longer than I should have, and there's clan business that needs my attention. But I'm reluctant to break this moment, to return to the harsh realities of leadership and the constant pressure to prove my strength.
Out here, it's just the three of us. No politics, no power struggles, no reminders of how impossible this situation really is.
"Come," I call out, my voice rougher than I intended. "We should return."
Thali pouts but starts gathering her final selections. Selene rises gracefully, water dripping from her fingers as she helps my sister organize their treasures. She still won't look directly at me, but I catch her stealing glances when she thinks I'm not paying attention.
Good. At least I'm not the only one affected by what happened between us.
We start back toward the longhouse, Thali chattering about where she wants to display each shell while I carry the bag of their findings. The weight is negligible, but I find myself treasuring the small burden. How many times have I carried weapons, supplies, the spoils of raids? But this feels different. This feels like carrying pieces of home.
I let myself fall back slightly, using the excuse of checking our surroundings to put some distance between myself and the two of them. Old habits from years of raids and warfare die hard—even on our own territory, I automatically scan for threats, for signs that enemies might have penetrated our defenses.
Thali's laughter echoes off the rocks as she darts ahead of Selene, clearly excited to get back and arrange her new treasures. They're maybe thirty paces ahead of me when I hear the voices.
Male. Orc. Coming from the direction of the longhouse.
My blood turns cold as I recognize the tones—mocking, cruel, predatory. I break into a run, my heart hammering against my ribs as I push through the underbrush.
