Chapter 6

Six

Ovivia

Osric has a date, leaving me to my own devices. Not that I mind. In fact it’s probably for the best, because I’m off to the clinic to sign up for what is sure to be the second worst weekend of my life. My heat comes bi-annually, so at least I can say it only happens twice a year. Still, it’s better than the alternative.

I still think of that poor woman. My chest tightens at the thought of her lifeless body, and guilt gnaws at my insides. It was an accident, but it was still my fault. The money I send to her family every month, the care I take with her grave—none of it erases the fact that I’m a murderer. Not that killing is anything new for an orc, but this... this was different. It was the first time I took a life without control, driven by the primal urges that make us what we are.

Every six months, like clockwork, I make my way to the clinic, hoping to avoid another disaster. I could request a volunteer to help moderate the heat, someone to endure it with me, but I’d rather suffer through it alone. It’s safer that way. For everyone.

Osric, on the other hand, is one lucky orc. I recall the picture of the woman he’s chatting up—she’s stunning. Maybe I should rethink signing up for that app. Osric begged me to create a profile when he did, but I declined. Female orcs aren’t exactly common, and being unmated and outside of a village? That’s practically unheard of. But I’ve never been into males, so mating within the village was never an option for me. We might be open with our bodies and our desires, but when it comes to mating, it’s still pretty straight-laced. So while I could play with another female, mating with one would be frowned upon.

Lost in my pity party for one, I don’t even notice I’ve made it to the clinic until the sterile smell of the place hits my nose. I’ll give them this— for as much sex that happens inside these walls, you’d never know it was a safe place for all monsters. They keep it very clean and it always smells like bleach and lemons.

Pulling open the door, I step inside and shiver; it’s always so chilly in here. With heavy steps, I move to the desk and wait for the receptionist to greet me.

“Next!” The receptionist’s voice is curt, and I step up to the desk, forcing a neutral expression on my face.

“Ovivia West of the West Village Orcs. I need to meet with someone to set up my heat weekend.”

“And have you spent a heat with us before, Ms. West?” he asks, barely looking up from his screen.

“Yes. This will be my third one.” My cheeks warm, embarrassment rolling through me. This has become routine for me, and yet, it never gets easier.

He types a few things and then hands me a slip of paper as soon as it comes out of the printer. “You know the way then, I assume? Go upstairs to the fourth floor and Dian will get you sorted.”

“Thank you.” I take the paper from him and turn to head to the elevator.

The ride to the fourth floor feels agonizingly slow. I can feel the stares of the others in the small, confined space. My presence is impossible to ignore.

“An orc? Really? Don’t they know how dangerous they are?” a sphinx murmurs to her friend, her tone dripping with bitchiness.

The mare next to her lets out a sharp whinny. “They’re so feral. And what’s with her hair? Blonde with that skin tone? No, thank you.”

Mean girls exist even among monsters. I’m not one to let people put me down, especially when they don’t know the first thing about me. I do enough of that to myself.

I step forward, boxing them against the wall of the elevator. “Didn’t your mommas teach you to keep your muzzles shut unless you had something nice to say?”

“Get away from us,” the sphinx hisses as her claws extend from her nail beds.

Leaning down so they can get a better look at my tusks, I growl. “Or maybe I’ll stay right here and teach you both a lesson about talking rudely about people. I’d hate to show you just how feral an orc can be.”

“We were just joking around,” the mare whispers, eyes wide with fear. “We’re sorry.”

“Do better,” I growl, stepping back as the elevator doors open. “We all get enough shit from humans. We shouldn’t be disrespectful to each other, too.” I step out of the elevator, throwing a final glance over my shoulder. “This is me. Enjoy your day.”

As the doors slide shut behind me, I see them both let out a breath, looking like they’re on the verge of tears.

Good. Serves them right.

With a huff, I step up to the counter toward Dian, the same kind woman who’s always here when I need to schedule my weekend. At this rate, I wish they’d just let me schedule them on my way out from the previous, but they like to keep dates open in case you mate.

How considerate.

“Ovivia! Nice to see you again, dear. How have you been?” Dian’s voice is warm, almost motherly.

“Good.” I slide the paper over to her. “I need to schedule my heat weekend.”

"No problem, doll. So it should hit next weekend, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you still insist that it’s alone? Toys only?” She looks at me and I hear the sympathy in her tone.

“Yes. Same as usual.”

“Ovivia, you know we can find you a partner,” she says gently. “It wouldn’t be so hard on you, and it would be much more enjoyable. If you know what I mean.” She wiggles her brows, trying to lighten the mood.

I manage a small smile. “I know, but this is what I need for now. Maybe it’ll change in the future, but this is what I want.”

“Okay.” Her fingers glide across her keyboard in smooth strokes. “Done. You are all set to come in on Friday the seventh. If you need us earlier, just call and we’ll get you in if we can.”

“Thank you, Dian.” She hands me my heat card, a small slip of plastic that grants me access to the building’s back entrance, and I slide it into my pocket before heading back to the elevator.

Today has already been draining, and it’s barely lunchtime. I decide to head home and take a nap. If Osric convinces his date to come home with him, he can text me. I’ll head to the bar or maybe over to Whimsy’s place. She’s always home, considering she’s a semi-recluse thanks to the world’s fear of necroharts.

Not in the mood to walk home, I pull out my phone and set up a ride with GhoulGo, the rideshare app for monsters. It’s one of the few things that makes life easier when you’re eight feet tall and just want to get from point A to point B without the hassle.

My GhoulGo pulls up a few minutes later, and I slide into the truck, appreciating the roominess.

“Hi! Going to 1313 Shadowmoor Lane?” the kitsune driver asks with a friendly smile.

“Please,” I reply, buckling my seatbelt.

The driver winks at me in the rearview mirror as we pull away from the clinic, and within minutes, we’re parked in front of my house. I thank her, leaving a generous tip for her kindness and quietness—exactly what I needed after a morning spent thinking about my heat and... Brelle.

Brelle.

I haven’t said her name, not even to myself, since that night.

She was beautiful, sweet, and eager to please, fulfilling my every desire. I know it was her job—we paid her for it—but still, being with a monster, especially one as... green as me, can turn even the most professional off. But not Brelle.

The memory of her face, her laughter, haunts me as I walk past Osric’s room.

“What are you doing?” he calls out as I pass, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Napping,” I reply, my voice flat.

“Okay, but remember my date. Be scarce.”

I stop in the hallway, turning to face him. “Big brother, if you can convince that woman to come home to fuck on the first date? You can send me a text, and I’ll head to Whimsy’s. Today was rough. I just want to take a nap and relax.”

Osric steps out of his room, concern written on his face. “Are you okay? Do I need to postpone?”

“No. I just hate going to the clinic. It’s a reminder that I still don’t have a partner, and it brings back memories of her.”

He wraps his muscular arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. “It was an accident, Ovivia. You weren’t in control. Everyone knows that. No one blames you. Not even her family.”

“I blame me,” I whisper. “It’s fine, Osric. I just need to nap and be alone.”

“Okay. If I bring Fairlie back here, I’ll text you.”

I nod, turning toward my room. “Thanks.”

Once inside, I undress and flop onto the bed, exhausted and emotionally drained. The soft sheets and the quiet of my room are exactly what I need right now. As I close my eyes, I let out a long, slow breath, falling into a deep sleep almost instantly.