Summoning the Orc (The Kingverse Orcs #2)

Chapter Eleven

Rok

I studied the male in front of me with curiosity. He wasn’t dressed like a warrior, yet he had the proud stance of one as he guarded the female behind him. Based on her scent, she was his mate.

“Put down your weapon,” he called, and I narrowed my eyes for a few beats as recognition dawned on me.

This was the male from the tiny box. How had he been released? Was it a spell? Had he been summoned the way I’d been? The female behind him was human, but perhaps she was a witch like my mate.

“This female is my mate. If you try to take her from me, I’ll kill you,” I growled. Something was telling me that I could trust this male and his mate, but I hadn’t become the greatest warrior in any of the tribes by not being smart with my alliances.

Until I learned more about him, I’d withhold judgment, but I wasn’t letting anyone take my mate from me. The females were peeking around us and I saw them making faces at each other. Were they from the same coven?

I tucked my Becca firmly against my body with my left arm, gripping the base of my axe with the other.

“We’re not going to take her from you,” the male said, turning to send a glare at his own female where she was trying to wiggle out from behind him. She beamed up at him instead of being admonished.

“It seems like your female doesn’t obey,” I grunted, preening as my own female stayed pressed up against my back, her lush breasts sending a jolt of anticipation through me. I couldn’t wait to feel them in my palms.

The little female behind Dristan narrowed her eyes at me and then spoke to Dristan in the language my female spoke. All smooth sounds and confusing tones. Orcish was simple. Easy to speak and to understand. I hoped that my female could learn it. We would teach it to our younglings as well.

I longed to fill our mating cave with orcish words, laughter, and the cries of the many young she would carry for me. The peaceful thought settled in my mind and for the first time in my lifetime, I was seeing the dreams I’d carried for so long coming to fruition in front of my eyes.

“Your mate is safe with us,” the male said, and my lip curled at his words. “You are both welcome in our home. You’ll be able to protect her better there.”

My eyes narrowed at his words. Was this a trick to try to get me to go with him?

Just then, the light of the torch fluttered and my female gave a squeak of fright.

“Your female is afraid of the outdoors,” he told me and my scowl deepened.

We weren’t outdoors. We were safe, inside a cave, but her little, curvy body trembled against mine. And not with the lust that I wanted from her. Her delicious scent was being smothered by acrid fear.

“Where is your home? How big is your cave and how many in your clan?” I asked, still wary.

The orc in front of me looked abashed, scratching the back of his neck before responding. “Our clan is small. Myself, my mate, my brother and your female.”

The low growl started in my chest. Was he harboring my mate as a possible bed-partner for his brother? I’d rip the male’s throat out before I let him touch her.

“She is Penelope’s friend. Her sister in every way except blood,” he told me.

The little female behind him called out, “My sister. I want my sister.” She held her hand out toward my Becca, but when my mate tried to move around me, I stopped her by pulling her close.

She peered up at me and the pleading look in her eyes told me she wanted to go to her. My heart ached at that. I didn’t want to deny her anything, but I didn’t want to lose her either. There was no way I could let her go now that I had her, but that was what she was asking of me.

Swallowing hard, hating what I had to do, I released her. She took a hesitant step away, watching me with narrowed eyes for a moment before she ran to her sister. The blow to my heart was one that I didn’t know if I would be able to survive.

She’s left me.

“Put down your weapon,” the male demanded and my muscles moved on their own, bereft without her behind me to protect. I put my axe into the leather holder strapped to my back, my gaze on my female. She was hugging her sister-witch, but her eyes were locked on mine.

She feels it too. I know it.

She might not be an orc, but she felt the connection between us. I’d seen it in her eyes earlier. Felt it in the way her body reacted to mine, arching to my touch.

I would find her again. Now that we were in the same place, I’d find a way to woo her. I just needed to track her to her home. With that information, I’d be able to start my plan. She would be mine eventually, I was sure of it.

“You’re welcome to come with us,” Dristan said and my eyes widened.

“Come with you to… Becca’s home?” I asked, wondering if this was a trick.

“You’re her mate,” he said with a shrug. “I’m sure she’d be happy to have you stay with her.”

Hope filled my chest so fast, I had to press my hand to my heart. It was beating out of control.

“Yes. Yes, I’ll stay with her,” I agreed as fast as I could, making my way toward them. I stood near my female, who was looking between Dristan and me with a confused expression.

She wouldn’t be confused for long. I was going to her home and I had every intention of making my claim on her.