All around, there are different pairings of mates, some orcs with humans, some with fairies, and some with other orcs of the same gender. Here in Belzod, one does not concern themselves about whom another chooses to mate, just so long as you treat one another with respect.
Larek nods towards an orc who has his arms around a slender human woman with red hair. She peers up at him with a loving expression, and his gaze reflects back in kind. “Do you think your mate is human or orc? Or any creature besides? Your fated mate, I mean.”
I bark a laugh I cannot hold back. The very notion is absurd. “Neither. I have no mate. I do not believe in them. I will choose whom I would like to be with, the fates be damned.”
He glances over at me, shaking his head. “Fated mates may be rare, but they do exist. From the stories I hear, the attraction is undeniable.”
“You sound like Nash.” My troublemaking brother with a rogue orc problem, Nash.
Larek gives me a sidelong look, but only says, “How so?”.
Not many orcs care for Nash as I do. He does as he likes. Nash may be a lord under my rule, but he lives far away from society, only upholding duties that he deems important, like patrolling the borders and watching the portals for danger. He does not waste his time on petty squabbles that he feels are beneath him. I sometimes envy that about him. I am greatly honored to represent the people of my land, but at times I wish I could leave it all behind as Nash did and live in the woods, enjoying a carefree life.
“He believes in the fated mates lore. I believe I will choose the individual I wish to mate and crown the empress or emperor consort of Belzod. He can keep those thoughts of the gods sending his mate to him. I am more realistic and make my own future. As most of us do.”
Both Larek and Olog are mated to orcs they chose. They were not sent some magical individual that was their perfect fit. I’ve always wondered why the so-called fates choose to give some people mates and not others. Are the gods so cruel that they do not believe everyone should have their perfect match? It seems unfair, as most of my kind think their mate is out there, waiting for them.
We meander around the market for another hour, then move on closer to our borders, discussing our weapons supplies and inspect the defenses we have around our perimeter. There have been no attacks or threats thereof since my father was killed fifteen years ago. Even still, I keep all of our defenses in great shape to avoid being overrun.
“Let us check in with scouts on the southern border and inspect the portal,” I say, not ready to return to the palace, where responsibilities await me. I want to be away from the stifling confines of the palace and the hard seat of my throne for a while longer.
Inspecting the portals is a duty I took upon myself when there was an influx of elves, humans, and fairies breaching them over the past fifteen years of my rule. All of them have found their mates, so they did not enter by mistake, but I must ensure no one else does.
For reasons no one of living memory can recall, there are portals all over Belzod that allow entry for the fated mates of subjects in my kingdom. They are in different places and from different worlds, and only those that are meant to be in my kingdom are granted entry. It is a mystery we have tried to solve for centuries, but we are no closer now than we were when they were discovered.
No unmated person from this side of the barrier can get through, even if they are walking side by side with someone that can. We have had many instances of someone crossing over while in a large group, causing more problems than we are able to solve quickly.
“As you wish,” Larek says, walking a step behind me. “While we walk, there is the matter of how we will take care of the rogue orcs when they are captured. Nash would need to be brought into the fold as well, of course. We could…”
As Larek goes into detail about our options, I only half-listen. My mind is still stuck on his question about mates. Going to the barrier always makes me wonder if they exist at all. The only way I will know for sure is if one crosses through for me. And that is unlikely to happen.
For now, I will be alone until which timeIfind it suitable to find a mate to call my own.
Being alone is not so bad.
ChapterThree
Rainn
After a great masturbationsession last night that put me to sleep immediately, I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. I hope Kai didn’t hear me, but if he did, that’s on him. That’s the only downside to him being my roommate, really. I am kinda loud, though Kai has his days too. When he brings women over, I have to plug my ears or wear noise canceling headphones.
And I brought out my favorite dildo last night for my self-love session. A veiny, vibrating cock in my ass pushing against my walls and relentlessly tagging my prostate was just what the doctor ordered.
I lie in bed for a few minutes, stretching my arms over my head. My ass aches from how roughly I fucked myself, but the twinge of pain feels good. It also highlights my loneliness. I’ve been single for longer than I can remember and haven’t had any hookups recently. I mean, how could I expect a normal man to fuck me until I’m a babbling mess after riding a ridged unicorn dick? I’ve fucked up my love life by having unrealistic dick standards.
I snort to myself and roll out of bed, taking a quick shower so I can start my morning.
It doesn’t take long for me to pack for a week of camping. I usually keep my camping bag packed and ready, swapping things out that need replacing. It takes less than an hour to get my pack together and all my supplies ready at the door.
After I check and double check my supplies, I get dressed and put on my sturdy boots—since I plan to go hiking before I settle in for the night—and shoulder my pack and my tent. Excitement bubbles through me as I head out of the door, eager at the thought of being out in nature.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved nature. Loved being outside around all the beauty unmarred by technology and distractions. My mother and brother didn’t like camping— didn’t really like going outside in general—but my mother didn’t want to dampen my hobbies. In place of taking me on camping trips she and Theodore would have hated, she would let me camp out in our backyard, checking on me throughout the night.
When I got older and begged her to come hiking with me, she would suck it up and we’d make a day of it, taking trails, picking flowers and being out in the crisp, clean air. She did not like hiking as much as me, and I’m sure my mom would have rather stayed inside, bonding over a TV show or movie, but she went with me anytime I asked. She really was the best.
The morning is cool, the slight breeze blowing my twists gently around my head. It’s a nice spring day, perfect for camping and hiking. As long as the wind doesn’t pick up later, I won’t have issues setting up my tent once I reach my destination.
Before I head out to the campgrounds—one that Kai and I have visited often so he’ll know where to find me in case he can join me for a few days—I stop in at our favorite convenience store. Well, one of the only convenience stores in town. Destiny, Maryland isn’t that big, so we don’t have many.
