“For as long as it takes.” My voice is steady. “Forever, if necessary.”
The other orcs exchange looks. They know what that word means coming from an Irontree male.
Silence stretches between us. I look at each of them in turn. My uncle, who raised me after my parents died. My cousins, who are more like brothers than extended family. These are the males who dragged Garlen to the basement cage. Who helped Keric through the scent bomb. Who know exactly what an Irontree goes through when he finds his mate.
“She’s my mate.”
No one looks surprised.
Garlen leans forward. “When did you know for certain?”
“When her clean scent hit me after she showered that first night.” I run a hand over my face. “But I think part of me knew before. On the video calls. Through the screen. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Couldn’t stop finding excuses to talk to her. I told myself it was professional interest. But then I insisted on being the one who pulled her from the pit. And it grew from there.”
“Have you told her?” Dane asks gently.
“This morning I told her that I want to mate with her but explained that orcs don’t pleasure mate. That it’s all or nothing.”
“And?”
“And then I told her we will wait until this is over and there is not trauma clouding her judgement.”
Aldar raises an eyebrow. “That’s remarkably controlled of you.”
I huff a dark laugh. “Don’t give me too much credit.” My jaw tightens. “I had to... handle things. This morning. In the shower.”
Understanding dawns on their faces.
Dane nods slowly. “It’s the mate bond. The physical need is overwhelming at first.”
“It’s never happened to me before. I’ve never—” I stop. Take a breath.
Garlen shifts forward on the couch. “I remember feeling that way so desperately I needed the basement cage and the chains. The first time my body reacted to Ellie—I thought I’d lose my mind. I was terrified of what I might do to her.”
“But you didn’t,” I say.
“No. Because she was worth waiting for. Worth controlling myself for.” His eyes are steady on mine. “Sloane is worth it too.”
I exhale slowly. It’s good to know the other Irontrees understand.
“The berserker instinct,” Garlen continues. “How bad is it?”
I consider the question honestly. “When I think about anyone threatening her, I see red. I want to tear them apart with my bare hands.”
“But you’re in control?”
“For now. It’s late May. The season helps.” I meet his gaze. “If this were winter, like it was for you...”
Garlen nods grimly. “You’d need the cage.”
“Yes. I’m grateful for the timing. I can think clearly. I can be what she needs—a protector, not a beast.”
“And if you lose control?” Aldar questions.
“I won’t.” My voice is firm. “I refuse to scare her. She’s been through enough.”
“But if someone actually threatens her?—”
My eyes go dark. I feel it happen—feel the dangerous thing inside me shift and stir. “Then I’ll kill them. And I won’t feel bad about it.”
