Chapter 9

Nine

Fairlie

I wake slowly, my arms stretching above my head, a soft groan escaping as I work out the kinks in my muscles. I must have slept like the dead last night, and it shows in the way my body protests every little movement. As I reach out to the spot next to me, the coolness of the sheets surprises me. My fingers graze the empty space beside me, and my heart sinks.

Where is Osric?

I fell asleep almost as soon as he laid me down on the bed. He was there, beside me, for a while—I’m sure of it. So, where did he go?

A flicker of unease rises in my chest as I slide out of bed, the chill of the room meeting my exposed skin. I grab my robe from my bedpost, slip it on, and flip on the lamp next to the bed. No other lights are on, no sounds echo through my apartment. I’m alone.

What the hell?

I head to the bathroom, I need to pee something fierce. I tinkle, wash my hands, and brush my teeth before padding over to the kitchen. My mind circles back to Osric.

Why did he leave? Was it something I did? Or said?

The soreness in my body reminds me of last night—of Osric and how he made me feel. It’s a delicious ache, one that makes me remember the way he moved inside me, his thick green cock filling me in ways I never imagined. But the rush is dimmed by the fear that he might’ve just used me and left.

What if I never hear from him again?

The thought twists in my gut, a mix of anger and disappointment.

I open the fridge, grab a bottle of water, and set it on the counter. My stomach growls, so I reach for a bag of mini muffins from the cabinet. But then, something catches my eye—a note.

Fairlie,

Tonight was incredible. I can’t wait to see you again. I need to go check on my sister—she was upset earlier, and I didn’t hear from her. I’ll call you tomorrow.

Osric

So he didn’t just leave; he had a reason, a good one. He plans on calling me. Okay, I can deal with that. Still, a small part of me is annoyed that he left in the middle of the night, like I was just some casual fling. But then, another part of me—a more understanding part—can’t help but think how sweet it is that he felt compelled to check on his sister.

You only get one family, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you don’t get to keep them forever. The thought makes my chest tighten, memories of my parents flickering at the edges of my mind.

I pop a mini muffin into my mouth, the sugary sweetness a temporary comfort as I reach for my phone. It’s on the floor beside the couch, probably fell there last night when I was too distracted to care. I pick it up and scroll to our text thread before shooting him a message.

Me

Good morning. I was sad when I woke up without you. How is your sister? I hope she’s okay?

But then, as I wait for his reply, something gnaws at the back of my mind, pulling my thoughts back to last night.

The realization hits me like a cold splash of water—oh my god; we didn’t use a condom. I scramble through my foggy memories, trying to recall if we talked about it or if I was just so caught up in the moment that I forgot.

Do orcs even use condoms? How does orc reproduction work, anyway? I mean, I was so caught up in him and everything that happened—his green skin, his powerful body, the way he made me feel—I didn’t think to ask.

Why did I let myself get carried away like that? The thought of being irresponsible—of maybe being pregnant with an orc’s child, if that’s even a thing—makes my stomach flip. Christ, why am I such a slutty idiot?

Osric

Morning pretty girl. She is fine. Just had a rough day yesterday and when I left for our date, she was upset and going to take a nap. But I didn’t hear from her, so I was worried. She’s had a rough time since we moved here.

Are you upset with me?

A smile tugs at my lips. He’s worried that I’m mad at him for caring about his sister. It’s endearing, really, how thoughtful he is.

Me

No, I’m not upset. I was a little annoyed at first. But then I saw your note and we are good. Family comes first. Is there anything I can do to help?

Osric

I’m so glad. I had an amazing night with you. Can I see you again?

The butterflies in my stomach flutter at his words, my mind already racing with the possibilities.

Me

When?

Osric

Dinner Wednesday at my place? You can meet my sister.

Me

Sounds perfect. Send me the address.

Osric

1313 Shadowmoor Lane. And Fairlie?

Me

Yeah?

Osric

Bring an overnight bag. Once I have you with me again, I won’t be able to let you leave.

Me

Promises, promises.

One more thing. I was just thinking... last night, we didn’t use a condom. I’m kind of clueless about orc reproduction. Should I be worried?

Osric

Oh, don’t worry about it. Orcs aren’t as complicated as some other species. I’ll be happy to explain everything when you come over. Everything will be fine. Don’t worry.

His reassurance eases my anxiety a little, though I still feel a tingle of apprehension.

Osric

Have a good day, beautiful.

I devour the entire bag of muffins, the sweet crumbs still on my lips as I gulp down the water. I can’t help but smile as I prepare to dress for the day. It’s another day with Mrs. Gilmore, another day of her terrible attitude. But now, I have something to look forward to. Wednesday I’ll see Osric again, and I’ll meet his sister. I don’t know what her situation is, but if there’s any way I can help her, I will.

Ovivia

The smell of coffee brewing fills the air, mingling with the subtle scent of freshly cut grass from the open window. Osric is lounging on the couch in the living room, his face illuminated by the glow of his phone. He’s grinning like a fool, texting away furiously.

I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy. It’s not just the fact that he’s clearly smitten; it’s the ease with which he’s found someone who makes him smile like that. I want that. I want someone to make me feel the way he’s feeling right now.

How could anyone ever do such a thing though, when they find out what I’ve done?

Leaning against the doorframe, I cross my arms and take a moment to watch him. While I do feel happy for him, there’s a slight pang of jealousy that I can’t ignore.

Unable to resist giving him a hard time, I push off the wall and saunter closer to the couch. “Date didn’t go well, huh? You didn’t text me, so no first-date fuckery for you?”

He looks up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes quickly replaced by a mock glare. “For your information, we did the fucking at her place.”

I raise an eyebrow, trying to hide my shock. “Why are you here, then? I heard you come in late last night.”

“She fell asleep right after,” he says, shrugging. “I snuck out to come home and check on you. I heard you on the phone with Whimsy, so I just went to bed.”

Fucking hell. I try to process this as my mind races.

“You’re telling me that you, Osric, my big oaf of a brother, got a piece from a sexy woman last night, and instead of staying with her for round two or just to be with her, you came home to be with your sister? Are you fucking stupid?”

I nod at the phone. “Is she telling you to go sit on a cactus?”

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “It was her agreeing to come here Wednesday for dinner and to meet you. I told her I was worried about you and that you’ve had a bit of a rough go, and she understood.”

A surge of anger courses through me. How dare he paint me as some lost fucking puppy who needs to be coddled and babysat? “Why would you do that? I’m fine, Osric.”

“You’re not,” he says, his voice softening. “I’m worried about you, Ovivia.”

“Doesn’t mean you need to tell your five-minute girlfriend how pathetic I am.”

“You’re not pathetic. Do you think she’s my girlfriend? Should I have asked her that?” He looks genuinely puzzled.

I roll my eyes, exasperated. “You’re a fucking idiot. I’m going to make breakfast. I am excited to meet her, though.”

I turn and head toward the kitchen, my thoughts a jumbled mess. With automatic movements, I grab the dragonfruit and mango from the fridge and begin to dice them. I can’t help but wonder what this woman will think of me. Will she see me as a crazy, mopey emo orc who can’t be left alone at home? Will she hate me for unwittingly stealing her orc away from her as soon as they were done?

As I’m lost in thought, I hear Osric’s voice call out from the living room. “Oh, I didn’t use a condom, so she might be carrying my child!”

I freeze, the knife slipping from my grasp and clattering onto the cutting board. “Does she know that?”

“No,” he says casually. “She asked this morning about orc reproduction, and I told her I’d tell her Wednesday, but she should be okay.”

“She’s going to fucking kill you.”

Osric smirks, unbothered. “She can try. But back to my first question: should I ask her if I’m her boyfriend?”

I sigh, feeling a mixture of amusement and frustration. “Since she could be carrying your child, yeah, you probably should do that. Also don’t be an asshole. It’s not like you. Tell her the truth about babies and your freaky breeding kink.”

“I will.” He assures me.

“Good, if you don’t I will. Don’t do that shit again! It’s not right. I’ll kill you myself.”

I pick up the knife and continue dicing the fruit, trying to shake off the strange blend of emotions swirling inside me. My brother may be a walking disaster, but he’s my walking disaster, and that makes all the difference.

As I blend my smoothie, I think about Wednesday. This woman who has managed to capture my brother’s attention piques my curiosity. I hope she’s kind and understanding, someone who won’t judge me based on the mess that is my life right now. I hope she can see past the chaos and see the orc I truly am. And that I’m not trying to steal the spotlight from my brother’s chance for happiness.

I glance at the clock and realize I need to get moving if I want to be ready for work. Quickly, I finish making my smoothie, gulp it down, and start rushing around the kitchen. Today is crucial.

We have a huge meeting about the cost of meals per student if we integrate all schools district-wide. It’s a pivotal moment for us, and I can’t afford to mess this up. We’re also discussing adding more human staff to ensure a fifty-fifty split, rather than the current eighty-twenty ratio. This means some monsters are going to lose their jobs or get transferred, which breaks my heart, but I believe a fifty-fifty balance is essential for the changing dynamics between humans and monsters.

With barely enough time to check my reflection in the mirror, I pull on my jacket and grab my purse. I take a deep breath, knowing I have to be on top of my game today.

I dash out the door, locking it behind me and head to my car. I drive to work, my mind racing with thoughts of Fairlie, my meeting, and the fact my brother might have bred a woman and hasn’t told her.

As I pull into the parking lot, I steal a final glance at my phone and see a text from Osric.

Brother

Good luck today. Also, I told Fairlie that you could maybe mention that she’s looking for a new class to student teach in. She’s at Amox now and hates it.

I shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips despite the mounting stress. I mean, of course I’ll do it because I love him, but first, I need to meet her. I’m not going to put in a word for someone I’ve never met to be around kids until I feel her out myself.

I text him back.

Me

I want to meet her first. Not saying yes, not saying no.

He replies instantly.

Brother

Fair.

I chuckle softly and turn my phone on silent before getting out of the car and heading into the school. Today is going to be a challenge, and I need to focus.