“You can’t hide it,” Miranda says. “They just know.”
“I’ve learned this already,” I manage. “It’s mortifying.”
“At first it’s hard to take and really embarrassing,” Sarah agrees. “Then it’s kind of hot.”
“Okay, very hot,” Megan admits.
More laughter.
“The possessiveness gets intense,” someone warns. “The whole ‘mine’ thing.”
“But also, kind of sexy?” another offers.
“Sometimes suffocating, sometimes exactly what you need,” Miranda says diplomatically.
“Learning to kiss around tusks takes practice, doesn’t it?” Sarah says. “But once you figure it out, it’s actually really good.”
“I think their tusks are super sexy,” Megan sighs. “And the horns. Love those too.”
“The sounds they make,” Drew fans herself dramatically. “The growling, the purring.”
“It vibrates everything,” someone adds.
“I can’t even explain,” Megan says.
“You’ll understand soon enough,” Miranda tells me with a knowing smile.
My face is on fire but I’m also fascinated.
“The aftercare is amazing,” Sarah says softly. “They’re so attentive. Checking on you constantly, bringing water, food. Making sure you’re okay. It’s actually really sweet.”
“It’s not just physical,” Drew says, more seriously now. “The bond is real, like your souls connect.”
“Sounds cheesy but it’s true,” Miranda agrees.
Others nod.
I sit with that. The emotional connection beyond the physical? That’s what I’ve always want always wanted with someone.
Could I have that with Keric?
Drew setsdown her coffee cup. “We should talk about the hard part,” she says quietly.
Everyone sobers.
“Yeah, it’s important to warn you ahead of time about getting pregnant and only having sons,” Miranda says solemly.
My stomach tightens. “I do know a bit about this already because my best friend just married an orc. But to be truthful we didn’t have time to talk about it in great detail.”
“If he hasn’t told you already,” Drew explains, “I’m certain Keric would’ve told you very soon about all of this. It’s important to the orcs that modern orcs only take females who are fully informed and give their consent to all of this. They make sure that their females understand ahead of time that orc biology overrides human birth control. You will get pregnant. Usually immediately. I met Whelan once,” she continues. “once. Ended up with twin orc babies.”
“There’s no preventing it,” Sarah says. “If you have sex with an orc, you’ll get pregnant.”
“And you’ll only have sons,” Miranda adds. “Never daughters. Full orc sons who look like their father’s line.”
Silence settles over the room.
“I have to admit I grieved not having a daughter,” Miranda says quietly. “I really did want a daughter in my life.”
