“Everyone’s heading for the Lodge,” Kelt continues. “We’ll be ready when you are.”
“We’ll be there soon.”
He gives me one more nod, then heads back to his vehicle.
I close the door just as Anna emerges from the bedroom.
And my breath catches.
She wears her nicer jeans and a soft gray sweater. I love the curve of her wide hips and her thick thighs. She’s small but not delicate, which means she’ll be able to withstand my orc lust. Her hair is styled carefully, light makeup emphasizing those sparkling dark eyes behind her glasses. She looks beautiful, terrified and determined all at once.
Anna’s gaze lands on my bare chest and I watch her cheeks flush. Her pupils dilate slightly and I can scent the spike of arousal even through her fear. Good. Even scared, she wantsme. The knowledge makes heat bloom in my chest and my cock thickens. “Ready?” I rasp, trying to keep my body in check.
She nods. “I brought the evidence with me, just in case. I’ve been hiding this from everyone for the last three years…” Her hands are fidgeting with the flash drives in her pocket.
“You don’t have to do this. We can wait for that part.”
She shakes her head firmly. “No. I need to get going and show all of you everything, putting this off would just increase the stress, and also increase the possibility of them being able to hurt someone else to get to me. This has to stop now. Let’s go.”
The determination in her voice makes me proud. This female has been running scared for years, and now she’s choosing to stand and fight. With me.
“Why haven’t you mentioned your parents?” she asks suddenly.
I blink, caught off guard by the question. “What?”
“I overheard your conversation with Kelt. I was in the bathroom with the door open, getting my makeup on. He said they’re not back yet. From hunting?” She’s looking up at me with those dark eyes, curious and concerned. “You never mentioned them before.”
“I...” Damn. She’s right. “There hasn’t been time. Everything happened so fast—the photos, getting you on that plane, bringing you here. I’ve been focused on keeping you safe.”
“Both your parents live on this commune and I haven’t met them because they’re out hunting? For how long?”
“At least a couple more days.” I squeeze her hands gently. “They’re a hunting team. My parents track game in the northern territories. It’s important work, they provide meat for the whole commune. Their names are Maggie and Cadoc Irontree.” I can’t help but smile at her surprised expression. “My mother especially will be disappointed she missed meeting you themoment you arrived. She’s been waiting for me to find a Bride for a long time.”
Anna’s cheeks flush again. “I didn’t know. I feel bad that I wasn’t even inquisitive about your family. I think it’s because I don’t have any family anymore, so it makes it easier to think someone else could be like that too, without anyone. Do you have any brothers?”
“No, I’m an only offspring.” I tug her gently toward the door. “But I do have a lot of Irontree cousins. Come on. I’ll introduce you to my parents when they return. Right now, we have a meeting to get to.”
She chuckles and follows me outside into the utility vehicle. “It’s a beautiful day,” she comments.
I nod in agreement. The day is clear and crisp, spring in Maine showing off for my bride. Most of the snow has melted away and everything is green and alive, the forest surrounding the commune thick with new growth.
I start driving us toward the center of the commune, taking the main path that winds through our sector. Anna is quiet beside me, watching everything with a smile on her delicate features, obviously loving the first days of spring. We eventually leave my quiet section and drive closer to where more orcs live. We pass more cabins where orcs are going about their morning routines.
Anna’s eyes widen slightly as we pass a group of orcs working on repairing a cabin roof. All bare-chested, muscular and scarred, focused on their task. “Aren’t they cold?” she questions.
“No, we don’t need much clothing,” I explain. “Our skin runs hotter than a humans’. This climate is comfortable for us. I wore more human-style clothing when I was out and about, particularly while at Black Oak Academy, in Truckee. But now that I’m back home, I dress in a more traditional orc manner.”
She nods, still looking around, taking it all in. Some orcs are even barefoot, their thick skin protecting their feet from the rough ground. It’s probably strange for her, coming from the human world where everyone is always fully dressed unless playing water sports.
We pass a group of human Brides walking together, chatting and laughing. They’re dressed in typical human clothing of the same type I witnessed while living in Northern California—sweaters, jeans, jackets against the spring chill. They wave at us when they see my vehicle, their expressions curious. Word has already spread about the new human. Small communities are like that.
Anna energetically waves back at the group, which is a good sign.
Further down the path orc offspring play in a clearing. They have small starter horns, running and laughing, playing the exact same games I played when I was their age. Anna watches them with soft eyes and I wonder if, after our deep conversation this morning, she’s continuing to think about a possible future here, with me. About orc children of our own. The thought makes both warmth and possession swirl in my chest.
I would be willing to go back to the human world to live with Anna, if that’s what she wanted, but if she wanted to stay here in the commune and build a life here, that would wonderful too.
The Great Lodge comes into view ahead. It’s a massive timber and stone building that for centuries has served as the heart of our community. It’s where important decisions are made, celebrations are held, and where the community gathers. We’ve been here already, but today we’re going into a different space within the building for this meeting. I park the vehicle outside the Lodge and kill the engine. Other vehicles are already here.
