Episode Thirty-Nine Aftermath

T hallose

After the loss of my family, and surviving the trauma, I've worked hard to live a good life. If anyone had asked me this morning, I would have told them I'm proud of myself. If pressed, I would have said I love myself.

I can't say that now. I'm swimming in a deep pool of self-loathing.

First, I made the female cry. I'm not exactly sure what I did that caused it. I have no fangs. My blunt teeth caused more pain than she deserved, but it was my duty to bite her.

And although the males gave me angry looks, I was telling the truth when I said I didn't know I was supposed to lick the wound. Even now, it's hard to believe my saliva would soothe her.

But it's not the physical pain that made her cry like that. I may not know much about females, but I'm certain her sobs were caused by bruised emotions. I'm still clueless, though, about what I did wrong. I faced her away from me so she didn't have to look at my face, then I tried to be quick.

Perhaps more shameful than my performance during our mating bond was what I've done since the males returned.

It's a small room, just a round hut with nowhere to hide. But I haven't even tried to avert my gaze. I've watched like a pervert as the three of them pleasured each other in the furs. They were naked, writhing, fucking, and coming, and I watched every moment.

My cock may have barely been hard when I thrust it into the female, but watching her get taken by her two mates made me hard as metal.

I couldn't have looked away if my life depended on it. It was a beautiful, sensual dance. The way the males cared for her, the loving words, the depth of their emotions. How could anyone watch and not envy the three of them? And the pleasure they all experienced? Who wouldn't want that?

While they joined each other in the furs, I pulled my pants on. I didn't want any of them to glance over and see my massive erection, least of all her . It would have hurt her feelings more than I already have, which is the last thing I want.

"She's sleeping?" the orc asks the monk as they lie in a pile after they all reached their peaks.

"Aye."

Both their gazes turn to me. Even in this dim light, I can see the love they feel for each other fade as it's replaced by hatred—for me.

They rise slowly and silently from their furs, then stand, unmoving, as they ensure she's deeply asleep. Then they approach me.

Do they mean to kill me? As angry as she is at me, and as hurt, I don't think she'd want that. Besides, I think they'll need me to storm the tower. By the look of sheer hatred on their faces, I'm not certain I'm going to live to see tomorrow.

"We're going outside to have a talk," the orc says, a muscle leaping in his jaw as he slams his meaty fist into his palm.

The monk simply nods, his flat nostrils flaring.

When I stand, they each take one of my arms and drag me to the doorway. When we're out on the little stoop in front of the door, their grips tighten to the point of pain. I guess they're smart enough to know I could fly away if I wanted.

"Are you going to kill me?" I whisper.

"The thought has crossed my mind," the orc says. "But no. Not unless you piss me off more than you already have."

"Then you can release me. I'll go willingly."

A minute later, they've climbed down, and I've opened my wings and glided to a stop near the firepit, which has burned down to a few glowing embers. A few stragglers haven't gone to bed yet, and they're openly watching the three of us.

"Come," the monk says as he leads us out of the clearing and deeper into the trees.