8. Evrin

"How long has the scout been gone?" Ivy shifts on her feet nervously. We arrived on the outskirts of our clan"s village just after the sun reached its peak. In typical fashion, we were first greeted by a scout. With a newly claimed mate, I was ready to rip him to shreds when he first pointed his arrow at us.

However, it was Ivy who cooled down the situation. Now, we"re waiting to be greeted by village elders and, hopefully, my family.

Ivy gasps, and I stand in front of her out of instinct. I"m horny, tired, and mad at anyone that looks at her. I spent the entire night rutting her, and I have no plans to stop when we arrive at our new home. Adjusting to clan life should be very interesting. Hopefully, we will settle into a new cabin and not see anyone for days.

"What is it?" I growl.

"Look!" she whispers and points at the horizon. "Is that them?"

Sure enough, a familiar green creature emerges with similar yet older features of my own.

"Mother," I whisper.

"Evrin?" My mother"s voice cracks as she takes in the sight of me, I must look older, bigger even. Years living as an outcast will do that to an orc. But as my mother attempts to regain her emotions, my sister comes barreling forward.

"Evrin!" Celia screams and nearly knocks me over as she embraces me laughing. "How I"ve missed you, little brother!"

"I"ve missed you too." I smile. "Celia, this is Ivy, my mate, and Ivy, this is Celia, my sister."

"Hi," Ivy whispers. I"ve never seen or heard her act so shy. "Your brother has told me a lot about you. Pig stories and all."

Celia breaks into laughter. "Did he? Did he also tell you how I beat him up?"

"He did." Ivy shares a gentle smile.

I break my sister"s embrace and wrap my hands around Ivy's waist to reassure her that I"m there.

My sister grabs her away from me and nearly strangles her in a hug. "It"s so nice to meet you!"

I growl instinctively at my sister"s aggressiveness towards my mate.

"Oh hush, she is fine," Celia scolds me. "I"m glad to see you are still just as moody as when you left."

That earns a chuckle from Ivy. Why do I feel they are already creating a secret alliance with each other?

I squint my eyes accusingly at my sister, but before we can quibble, my mother reaches us.

"Evrin! I knew you would return to us!" She beams. "You are too handsome to stay isolated."

Both Ivy and Celia snicker to each other.

"Mother…" I clear my throat. How is it that my family has already embarrassed me within the first few minutes of our reunion?

"And you—" She turns and faces Ivy. "Thank you for bringing back my son!"

They have a heartfelt moment, and I take in the sight of my family doting on my new mate. Ivy gives me a look of relief at their acceptance, and my heart swells. She deserves every ounce of happiness.

"Come, you two," my mother ushers, "the elders want to see you."

"Where are they?" I ask. "Shouldn't they be meeting us out here?"

"Zalk business, they"ve been discussing trade treaties for days," she brushes off the topic. "They expect you in the village square so Izel can inspect your new wife. After Kal brought home Riva and they had twin girls, she will be thrilled to hear you've returned home with another human." She smiles and brushes Ivy"s hair out of her face. "Let"s get you fed and cleaned up."

My sister slaps me on my shoulder. "It looks like Mother has a new favorite."

So it would seem," I laugh. "Where is your mate, Olgk, and the kits?"

"They are at home eagerly awaiting your return," Celia says.

"We can't wait." My heart constricts. It will be the first time I will meet my nephews.

Suddenly, more movement appears on the horizon. I immediately reach for Ivy"s side, and my sister and mother also assume a battle stance. My heart swells at Ivy"s acceptance into my family. They are clearly just as protective of her as I am.

The movement reveals itself to be yet another orc. But this time, the green flesh is accompanied by creamy pale skin. Kal and his mate, along with their two kits.

Kal holds on to a kit that is green with tusks, but she is slender with brown hair. Interestingly, her twin in her mother"s arms looks exactly like her, perhaps a bit more timid.

Kal"s mate hands over their daughter to him, and I can hear his growl, although I can"t make out what he says. I"m shocked as the small female with golden hair starts walking towards us.

Kal eyes me down, as if to promise death should anything be happy to her. I know the feeling all too well. I give him a nod of reassurance. There is no animosity here—in fact, quite the opposite.

Ivy pushes me aside and runs out to meet her fellow human companion. There are a few moments of silence between the two before Ivy reaches out her hand. I quirk my eyebrow upwards as I study the greeting. Kal"s mate takes her hand, and they shake.

"I'm Ivy," my mate says, smiling. "It"s so good to meet you."

"Hi, Ivy. I"m Riva," she reciprocates the salutation with a grin of her own. "Shall I show you around?"

"I would love that!" Ivy beams. My mate pauses to look back at me and extends her hand for all of us to follow.

"She is going to do well here, brother," Celia teases.

"Oh, leave your brother alone, Celia," my mother scolds her. I can't help but laugh. Our relationship hasn"t changed one bit since I've been gone.

"I hope so," I breathe.

"She will, son," my mother reassured me. "Just look at her, making friends already."

My lips upturn as I observe my mate talking enthusiastically with Riva. Ivy catches me staring and gives me an exasperated look. "Well come on!" she groans impatiently. "I want to see my new home."

"As you wish, my little dragonfly."