8. Kharag

It was good the little lass had fallen asleep at last. Her mating scent was distracting, not only to me but to my hound, Nuar. Now that she'd come, and I'd tasted her sweet juices, all I wanted to do was drag her off the horse and sate myself between her thighs. But we weren't safe, not yet, nor was she prepared for me. We were being tracked, hunted by beings who wanted my treasure. And I was a lone orc who had to defend my mate against all comers.

I hadn't been prepared to find such a comely lass for a mate, so I had not brought any others to act as guards. If I had, no one would have dared attack me. Goblins, for I suspected that was who was hunting me, were a cowardly race and, with their numbers, would think nothing of stealing Olivia from me if they could.

I took the long way around, even into the Orc King's lands, hoping the goblins wouldn't dare to follow. Yet, I could scent them on my trail, even as they were a distance away. It wouldn't take long for them to catch up to us, especially as I was not pushing as hard as I should out of deference to my mate. But an orc and a hound, even ones who had battled for a lifetime, could not defend against a goblin horde. I needed to find a settlement or allies, and I feared that I was too far away from either before they would attack.

Another scent drifted on the wind, much closer than I expected, and I reined in my horse, surprised that Nuar hadn't reacted. In front of me, a shadow appeared. Large, much bigger than I was on my own two feet, almost my height on horseback. I reached for my sword slowly, but the figure held up a hand.

"Hold, Kharag. It's I, Jarrus."

He stepped into the moonlight and I saw my old friend, the minotaur, Jarrus. I kept my hand on the sword for good measure. We might be friends, but I had a mate, and he did not. I did not know his intentions. His gaze traveled over my sleeping mate and his nostrils flared at the enhanced mating scent. But he said nothing about it.

"I've been tracking you. You have a goblin scouting horde on your tail. I led them astray several miles back. But it will not take them long to find the trail again. You need shelter and protection."

"What do you want, Jarrus?" My tone was harsh, and I regretted it almost immediately, but my loyalty was to the female in my arms, not to old friendships and comrades in arms.

His expression was sad, almost mournful. "She chose you, old friend. I will not get in the way of your mating. There is a minotaur herd nearby who might offer shelter for a time and protection if I request it. Help drive off the goblins. Then you can return to your clan. No goblin will pursue you past minotaur territory and into orc territory. I will assist you in returning to your clan safely."

"And you want nothing in return?" I was skeptical. Jarrus had waited as long as I had for a mate. Olivia had been aroused by him as well as me at the reception. Maybe he was hopeful that he could lure her attentions from me.

But I sensed no deception in his expression or tone. Rather, he seemed resigned to his status. "I would hope that you would have done the same for me if our situations were reversed. I am resigned to my life as a single minotaur and will live out my days defending my herd and teaching our young."

He wasn't wrong. I would have done the same for him. He was an honorable minotaur and had given me no reason to doubt him before now. "I'm grateful for the assistance, friend. But these are goblins. Nasty fighters and devious. This isn't your fight, nor is it your herd's fight. I don't want to bring trouble to your doorstep."

He growled. "The goblins know the rules and are breaking them. They need to be taught a lesson. They've done this before with other auctions, or so rumors have gone. I heard about it in the tavern after you left. The goblin king had members of his horde outside the town to track any winners and swipe the girls he selected. He doesn't play fair and cannot be allowed to win. If I can help you, then I will. Besides, your clan has come to our aid when others have not. We owe you."

Nuar growled at the darkness behind us, and Jarrus hefted his axe. "Go, my friend. Nuar and I will take care of the scouts and catch up with you. Protect your mate."

I wasn't going to argue or decline any assistance, even as my orc pride rankled at me and insisted I defend her on my own. But against a goblin horde of unknown numbers? That would be suicide and leave my mate to their not so tender mercies. "Do not linger, Jarrus. Deal with the scouts quickly and follow. We will find a defendable place to make our stand."

He nodded, then moved to the side of my horse, slapping him hard on the rump. My horse reared and jumped forward, too well trained to make a sound, despite being surprised, and lurched forward, running into the night. The jostling woke Olivia, who jerked awake. I clutched her to me, to ensure she didn't fall, and covered her mouth before she could make a sound.

"Make no sound, lass. We're being hunted. Stay quiet and I'll explain when it's safe."

She nodded, her eyes wide with fear, but she followed my command as if she trusted me. I hoped her faith wasn't misplaced.