I once believed human females were weak, but our grak’s mate proved me wrong. Unless Paloma is the exception.
“You cannot escape me, female.” The words fall from my lips too easily. The need to make her acquiesce increases with every second. Vekk, I should leave here before I do something foolish like mate her. I will not survive losing another female.
“Touch me and die, Orc.”
The expression on her delicate face, one of pure determination and anger, intrigues me. But it’s her eyes, as blue as the Great Okoton Sea in the southern hemisphere of Orcos, which keep me from leaving.
So very human. And yet calming.
“I won’t harm you. You are under my protection. All the females we took today are,” I add, to distance myself from her. “I am the neld, second to our grak.”
“I don’t care if you’re the fucking head of the Coalition offering to leave Earth. Don’t underestimate me because I’m a woman, Orc. If you even try to touch me, I will kill you.”
My bottom lip curls back further, revealing the full length of my tusks to show her I’m powerful and worthy of a mate.
A mate. Who is not my Haaka.
Walk away, you vekking fool. Rid yourself of this human before it’s too late.
I almost convince myself to abandon this female, but then the wind shifts, carrying her scent to me once more.
The memories of home I buried the day Orcos exploded return with a vengeance. Remembering The Undoing and all that came before is painful and a curse. It’s why I don’t speak of Haaka or Veeya to anyone except Atox on rare occasions. He lost family,too. All of our people did. But Atox met my mate and youngling. If my memory ever fails me, he’ll remind me of them.
Contrary to my intent to leave while I can, I step toward the female with sun-colored hair. She raises the branch.
That fuels my desire for her.
I take another step without delay.
Her eyes widen.
My next step is slow, but purposeful. I take what I want. And I want her.
She bends her knees, securing her stance.
Vekk me. That makes my cock harden further. A female who will fight me, make me prove my worth, will make the claiming all the sweeter.
TANSEY
Run!my brain screams until logic kicks in. The male’s height, the size of his muscles…He’ll run me down in seconds.
They like to dominate, Paloma’s words return.
I brought meals to her in New Earth’s cell since the day they brought her back in chains from Pen’Kesh. Her father and Council imprisoned her, accused her of being a traitor to our people, of giving the orcs details about our defenses. The entire situation made me distrust our leaders more than I already did, especially after learning they hadsoldher to the orcs.
Paloma had returned. Mentally worn down andpregnant.
This monster across from me doesn’t want to kill me. He wants to breed me. Like they did to Paloma.
Except she spoke highly of the Orcs, especially of their honor. Despite what Council said, she didn’t appear brainwashed. If anything, she’s the most sane, honest person in our colony, especially compared to the men of our council. They continuallybadgered her, telling her she needed to abort the abomination she carried. She defied them at every turn, determined to save her baby. I hope she survived the orc attack.
Ethan. Oh, God, what if he’s hurt or…
All the blood rushes from my body, and I nearly lose my grip on the branch.
The orc steps closer, stalking me like a puma about to lunge at its prey.
My hands tighten around the branch. I must survive. For Ethan. If he’s still alive.
