Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

RYKO

O f all the vekking times to knot a female…

Outside our cave, three males debate who will enter. None is eager, as they've caught my scent and suspect an orc within. They've also caught Lily's scent and have identified it as female. What they're planning on doing to her sends rage through me.

I can handle three males easily enough, but not while knotted inside my female.

With my knives and sword out of reach, there is nothing to do but remain calm and quiet and pray my knot releases before the males enter the cave. If they enter. There's always a risk entering a cave on Kovos. Yengas being one of the deadliest inhabitants of caves, second only to orcs.

That's why they haven't entered yet. They know an orc is inside and entering invites death.

I stroke Lily's hair, to keep her calm. My cock will unknot after I've spilled all my seed.

I would celebrate this moment, if not for the danger nearing us. Knotting only occurs with mates. I've never experienced this pleasure, this honor, with any other female. Lily is my future, and I will do anything to protect her.

Except unlock from her body, it appears.

I move a hand over her mouth to keep her from speaking and revealing our presence. It would be easy to lift her, even with her locked to me, and move toward my weapons. But I will not fight with her body in front of me like a shield. Our best option is to stand here, remain calm, and wait for my cock to unknot.

I never imagined anything so right as being inside my Lily. I've been with a female as recently as two years ago. Fraja. The mating was pleasurable but easily forgotten, like Fraja herself. It had been an empty mating, borne of loneliness. And definitely no knot.

But Lily… She is my universe. More important than the air I breathe, or the weapons I carry… should carry. They're out of my reach. Vekking stupid of me.

No matter how much I'm drawn to Lily, nothing excuses ignoring my training as a warrior. I've compromised her safety, and my own.

"Come out orc," one of the male orders. I recognize the language. Vint.

Every muscle tenses with the need to protect my female, all while my stomach churns with true fear. Unrelenting, nauseating fear and helplessness. Not even when my planet splintered and died during the Undoing did I know such vulnerability as I do in this moment.

Lily reaches behind me, grabbing the back of my neck. When she pulls my head close to hers, I lift my hand from her mouth, figuring she wishes to whisper something critical to me. She would not speak unless necessary. Her grip on my neck exudes confidence. In me . Pride fills me by knowing that my female trusts me to protect her.

Instead of speaking and risking us both, she kisses my cheek. Softly, quietly .

Understanding and forgiveness.

At that moment, my cock unknots, allowing me to slide from my female's sweet cunt. I hold a finger to my lips, motioning for her to stay silent as I retrieve my weapons and soundlessly slide my sword from its sheath.

Once I maneuver into position, with my female safely behind me, I face the entrance, prepared to fight. Even as I stand here, I try to do as my grak has always taught me. To be strategic. Remember the goal, then act accordingly.

I will not let the vints touch my female.

They are vile, deceitful creatures who prey on humans. Lily would be nothing but a toy to them. One they would violate and kill without thought.

Lily quietly ties my loincloth around my waist. It's maddening having her hands so near my cock and not being able to touch her. I suppress a chuckle as she secures my clothing to me, as if it will shield me from harm.

I would not hesitate to fight naked.

"I hear movement, Hap," a vint says.

Vekking vints have exceptional hearing. Quickly, I fasten my harness and slide one of three knives free, one of which I press into Lily's palm. No instructions, just a nod telling her she can and will defend herself should the vints get past me. If I let these vints overtake me, I deserve to die. But I will not leave her defenseless.

I motion her to step back, deep into the shadows where they won't see her should they enter. As I kiss her forehead, her sweet scent fills my lungs, giving me all the motivation I need.

I won't fail her. Even if there is a horde of vints out there, they won't get past me to touch her.

Without delay, I step out of the cave, into the blinding sun…