Chapter 2

Chapter

Two

GOVEK

H e could feel her eyes on him, and it drew him to unhelpful distraction.

The evening air was thick with incoming frost, the breeze brisk in the trees. The pattering sound of falling leaves helped to cover Govek’s silent steps as he made his way toward the elk he stalked.

And further from Miranda.

She was fine. Her honeyed scent curled around his head and beckoned him, making him long to return to where she was seated on a rock.

Blast him for a fool. He never should have let her watch him hunt like this. He curled his claws, gritted his sharp teeth, and hid away the brutal, dangerous parts of himself that he would soon put on display to hunt one of these massive creatures.

Miranda wanted to watch because she did not fear him.

But would that change after she witnessed him take down an elk as tall as he was and twice his weight?

Govek shook his head. He needed to concentrate, or the elk would notice him and flee. Their presence was a gift from the Fades, and he did not want to waste it.

He picked up his pace, narrowing his eyes on the elk as they grazed on the sweet grass at the edge of a stream. He could only see five. They were half concealed behind barren trees and evergreen bushes, tails twitching, ears flicking, black eyes clear.

Only five. Back when Govek was a youth, there had been herds of nearly a hundred roaming the Rove Woods, basking in the flourishing of the Great Rove Tree. Healthy and abundant.

Gone now.

Govek drew nearer still, careful not to crack twigs under his feet or crunch leaves with his toes. He would be careful with this kill, too. Careful, quick, and clean.

He heard Miranda’s breath on the wind. Her honeyed scent curled thicker. Her smile radiated through his mind’s eye. Her imprint on him thrummed warmth into his chest.

The wind picked up suddenly and red leaves billowed around him. He used the droning noise to cover a few extra rapid steps. Almost there.

A branch snapped under his foot.

The elk jolted to attention.

“Fuck.” He leaped toward the nearest—a young cow, quick as a dart. But not fast enough. Her powerful legs thrust away from his position. But Govek’s aim was true, and he landed on the back of the cow, putting his entire weight into it.

But she didn’t crumble.

Fuck.

He yelped as the animal began to buck and bolt.

Govek clung to her hide, sinking his claws deep into her shoulders to keep his grip. He bounced and rolled and struggled to stay on.

Laughter swept in on the wind, and warmth bloomed in his gut, even as irritation burst behind his eyes.

Miranda was laughing at him.

He gained a stroke of luck as the elk lifted her neck. He took a risk and released his hold, hands shooting toward her head.

His seat slipped. He tightened his legs around her middle but still plummeted.

The elk fell with him.

He grappled but caught her neck in his massive hands and snapped it clean on the way down.

She perished in an instant. Falling with a hard thud to the leaf covered ground. Her light brown coat was stark against the red foliage. His green flesh was just as stark as he pushed her body off his legs.

Govek placed a hand to her hide as she worked through her final spasms, hoping Miranda would not arrive to see them. It was a clean death but for the few punctures to her shoulders. He wondered if he could cover them up somehow even as he wiped his claws clean.

Too late. Miranda hurried in, brown wavy hair bouncing around her head. His gut twisted, and he turned in a last effort to block her view.

But his woman’s eyes were already on the animal, wide and stunning. Red lips, pink cheeks.

“Wow, he’s beautiful.” Miranda said, hazelnut eyes still on the elk.

“She.” Govek corrected quietly, attempting to memorize her reverent expression and tone. He’d witnessed her delight often these last two days and would never grow tired of it.

“ She .” Miranda shot him a wry smile. “Can I touch her?”

Govek blinked, “Yes.”

His woman kneeled down next to the elk’s head. The cloak he’d made for her pooling in the damp leaves. Her slender fingers stroked the animal’s neck and stopped short of touching the blood covered punctures at the shoulder.

“She’s amazing. Not as soft as I expected. Almost wiry. It’s really thick and long too. Is it always this thick or is it only because winter is coming on?”

“Because of winter.” Govek said, working to finish cleaning his claws with some of the damp leaves.

“It’s too bad she had to die, though.” Her tone was soft as she stroked the animal again. “Even if it is for us to eat.”

Govek’s gut twisted as he dropped the blood-soaked leaves and kicked foliage over the top to hide them. Most in Rove Wood Clan shared her sentiment. They viewed his hunting as an awful sin, especially since there were so few large game left in the Rove Woods. He heard their whispers, knew they thought he hunted to quell his violent urges. They thought him an abomination who enjoyed the act of killing. An ill-Faded mistake whose magic was tainted by vicious anger.

And in many ways, they were right. No matter how hard he tried, he could never fully control his temper. Eventually, his patience always broke, and he lashed out against them.

He would not let Miranda see that side of him. He could not let her witness him losing control. He would keep her away from the members of the clan. Keep her safe. She needed a break , and so did he.

He was exhausted from the last three nights. He’d only allowed himself to fall into a shallow sleep so he could stay vigilant, so he could protect her from harm. His woman. Miranda.

Fades, it had only been three nights since they had met, but it felt like a lifetime had passed.

He would have a lifetime with her still—away from these woods and his brethren who despised him.

In a day or two, they would go. They would leave these blessed woods and make a new life outside them.

His gut screamed a warning, pulsing dread into the back of his mind. His heels dug into the damp ground as if trying to root him to the spot.

Root him to the Great Rove Tree.

He kicked his feet and pushed the sensation away. Ignoring it.

Miranda cast him a warm smile that was in such contrast to the darkness of his thoughts that he could only blink. “Sorry I laughed when she was bucking you around. It just looked so funny. It didn’t hurt you, did it?”

“I’m fine,” he said, tension softening.

She shot him a grin. “I guess you would be, huh? You’re plenty strong enough to handle the bucking of a female.”

Amusement burst from his lips in a snort. “Blast! The things you say, woman.”

“You know you love it.” She grinned, standing up again. He gulped as she turned and took his hand in hers, barely sheathing his claws in time. “Though I guess my quips still aren’t enough incentive to, I dunno, take me for a ride?”

Govek’s blood pooled deliciously, heating in his groin and cueing him up in an instant.

“No, Miranda. There are?—”

“Too many predators. I know, I know.” She muttered, sliding her hands up his arms.

The disappointment in her tone forced him to scowl. “I touched you last night, woman. Was that not enough?”

“Of course, it wasn’t. You wouldn’t let me touch back.” She mumbled, blooming more heat in his cock. “Plus, we were tied to a tree branch fifteen feet in the air with my back to your chest, so I couldn’t even see you. Or move.”

“You moved plenty.” His voice was a rumble. Fuck, she would do him in with this talk.

She hummed under her breath and soothed her hands along the sides of his face. Going up on her toes. She smelled like bliss made real and her heat was intoxicating.

Govek resisted.

There were no predators near, but he could still smell them on the wind. He could not risk her safety. She was far too precious.

“We must move on, Miranda. We are very close to the clan now.”

Even the mention of it made his gut clench. He hoisted the elk up onto his shoulders to distract from the fact that Rove Wood Clan was just through the next grove. He could nearly smell the smoke on the breeze.

Two days. Three at most. Then he and Miranda would be gone from Rove Wood. They only needed to rest and raid the storeroom for supplies.

It would be fine.

“Govek?”

Miranda’s brow was furrowed, and her lips were pursed. He should tell her. Speak on his troubles, but the words locked in his throat every time.

How could he even begin to tell this woman what he truly was? Of all the vile reasons his clan despised him. Of all the horrid things he’d done in anger. Mistakes he could never make right.

He was so desperate to win her, and she would never again look upon him with gentleness after she discovered what he was. A beast that could not control his destructive magic. A dread to all in his clan. A danger to her.

“Let’s move on,” Govek said. “The faster we get you to my home, the faster we can be gone.”

“Gone to Karthoc’s forge,” Miranda said, almost to herself. “How many days of food is this elk? Will it last that long?”

“It will,” Govek said. “Though we will need to stop at the butchery in Rove Wood Clan for preservation magics.” If he worked through the night and used enough tinctures, he could get the meat dry in time.

“We’ll stop at the butchery first. It won’t take me long.”

Miranda kept pace beside him. Moving in tandem with his stride. She nestled close despite the dead animal he lugged on his shoulders, and he relished the clean scent of her.

“What if your cousin doesn’t like me?”

“I hope he doesn’t,” Govek grumbled.

Miranda slapped his arm, and he could not help quirking a smile at her gall. She’d been growing brave around him. He begged the Fades to help that bravery maintain.

“So, you’ve got a jealous streak, then?” Miranda asked.

“All orcs are possessive of their women.”

“Oh, so that’s why you don’t want to let anyone in your clan know we’re here? Cause you want to keep me all to yourself?”

“Exactly.” He tensed, throat tight. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth, either.

Miranda shot him a wry look, seeing through him so easily it left him a little breathless. “For real though, why don’t you want to make our presence known? Do you really think it’s a good idea to rob them and run?”

Govek growled low. She’d brought up her reservations constantly during the last two days they had traveled. “I will not argue with you over this again, Miranda. We will stay away from the orcs of Rove Wood and that is the end of it.”

His woman huffed irritably but relented. “Fine, fine. I suppose I won’t complain over a few more days of solitude with you. And you have no reason to be jealous. I’m not a cheater. One sexy, randy orc is all I need.”

She stroked his cheek again and his irritation dimmed, replaced by the gentle lulling thunder of her imprint in his chest.

“But if we do end up getting caught, don’t worry. I’ve got years of experience wrangling toddlers under my belt. If I can handle endless rampages around the playground, I can handle a bunch of men acting like jealous children.”

“We aren’t going to get caught,” Govek said. “And these are not men, they are orcs.”

“If I can handle you, then I can handle them.”

He slid his gaze to hers. “You think you have me handled, do you?”

His chest nearly burst with pleasure as a mischievous grin widened her lips. “Oh, I absolutely think I have you handled, Govek.”

“I’d like you to prove your words,” he said before he could consider that he might regret this taunting.

He barely had time to gulp before her warm fingers slid up his thigh and grazed firmly against his cock, still semi-hard from all the teasing. More like torture.

“Handled well enough for you?” Her fingertips grazed over the head of his cock and his mind went deliciously blank.

“ Fuck .”

“Are you—” She broke off, eyes widening, fingers retreating. He shivered from the loss. “What... is that?”

Still half gone, Govek glanced ahead and his gut pinched.

They had arrived in Rove Wood Clan.

Or the outskirts of it, at least. One of the vacant tree homes nestled at the furthest edge of the clan was before them, half hidden by trees. The back door was outlined and the window next to it was dark.

It was fine. These homes on the northern side were too far away for any members of the clan to scent him. He could not even smell the fire from the hall at the center of the clan, which was where everyone should be at the moment.

At the hall, eating and enjoying the company of their brethren.

Govek clutched at the elk.

“Is that . . . that can’t possibly be . . .”

He looked down at his woman, who had picked up the pace to approach the vacant dwelling.

“It is . Govek that house is carved into a tree. A living tree. How is that tree so big? There’s no way. That must be like fifty trees put together, right? Where’s the top of it. I can’t even see it up there?”

“It is one tree,” Govek said, forcing himself to relax in the face of Miranda’s excitement.

“That’s amazing ! Is your house in a tree too? How did those trees even get that big? They must be thousands of years old. Wow! I can’t even believe it. It looks pretty dark. Is someone living in there right now?”

“That one is vacant.”

“Can we go in?”

“Not now. We must go to the butchery. My home is also in a tree. I will let you explore when we arrive.”

“Man, I’m not sure what I want to do first. You or the exploring.”

He huffed a laugh. Her smile was like the warmth of the summer sun, filling him up with light even as they breached the boundary of Rove Wood Clan.

She poked his side. “Tell me more about the trees. And is your clan pretty big?”

“The clan boasts around three hundred. The dwellings are indeed ancient and the trees they are carved from were created from the first five generations of the Great Rove Tree. A blessing from the Fades. It imbues all orcs born under it with magical gifts and bleeds prosperity into the whole of the Rove Woods.”

“I remember that from the map you showed me last night. You said the tree roots spread magic all the way to the goblin mines we were in, and that’s what I felt, right? Why I got all warm and tingly?”

“Yes,” he said, still a little unsettled that she could feel it. No other humans on Faeda could. That was one of the ways the Rove Woods had stayed hidden for so long. “The clan itself is built under the canopy of the Great Rove Tree. We’ve just crossed under it. Can... you feel that?”

Being surrounded top and bottom by the Great Rove Tree was usually a might overwhelming for orcs, though Govek had long grown used to it from so many trips back and forth to hunt. The warmth blooming in his chest tingled to the tips of his toes and fingers. The sensation would fade once his body grew accustomed to the intensity of the Fade magic enveloping him.

Miranda looked up, though he knew she couldn’t see the canopy of the Great Rove Tree through the darkness. “I... don’t feel much different.”

He nodded, confusion burrowing deeper in his gut.

“We won’t come across any more blighted animals while we’re in the boundary of the clan, will we?” Miranda asked, obviously wary.

“Not in the clan, but there could be some roaming around close by.” As a hunter, Govek had often been the one to cull the rotting, vicious animals.

“They’re awful,” Miranda said, forcing his brows up. “They’re the reason I haven’t had any good dick for two days.”

“ Fades , woman, do you think of nothing else?” His fingers twitched to pull her against him.

“Course not.” Miranda said, though her eyes skittered off into the woods. “I don’t want to think about anything else.”

Govek gulped. Guilty that he’d brought this on. He knew her teasing helped distract from the horrors lurking in her mind. She’d suffered multiple nightmares the night prior. She had thrashed and screamed so often that it scared off any animals that might have made a meal of her.

They scared him too. He did not know how to aid her.

“So, the orc seer, you’re sure he’ll be at your cousin’s place? Would kinda suck if we traveled for two weeks only to find out he’s somewhere else.”

“He will be there. Our overlord ordered him to serve Warlord Karthoc. Only the overlord can command the will of a seer.”

“He could have left if he wanted though... right?” Miranda’s nervous eyes went back to his and he wished that he wasn’t carrying an elk so he could hold her instead.

“He would not have,” Govek said, though truthfully, he didn’t know. “And if he did, it does not matter. If you want to find him, then I will help you do so. We will travel any lengths to reach him.”

“I do,” Miranda said softly, looking away again. “I do want to find him. I have to.”

Govek swallowed. “Have you... remembered any of the things you forgot from your time on Earth?”

He hated asking. He knew the memories she had were haunting and the ones she had lost were likely more horrific.

“No. I still don’t know how I survived and if anyone else made it here...” Miranda squared her shoulders, and her pace grew fast. “But I’m going to find out. I’ll find them.”

They lapsed into silence, moving quickly until they finally happened upon their destination.

“That’s it,” Govek said, pointing to the large tree before them which housed the butchery.

How many times had he entered this place hopeful and left dejected?

No matter how important, hunting was still the savage act of slaughtering the Fades precious animals. With so many beasts blighted, there was no honor in killing those that were healthy.

And then, in spite, his clan tossed those precious animals to novice butchers who slashed up the meat, so it cooked poorly and uneven. Mocking Govek’s efforts.

His hands clenched the elk. He wouldn’t leave this kill behind. It was his. His and Miranda’s. It would sustain them on their journey to their new life.

“The butchery is also in a tree?” Miranda’s gait grew bouncy with excitement.

His lips tugged into a light grin. “Yes.”

He led Miranda around to the back entrance, where he knew a window was carved. Inside, the butchery was dark and cold. He could scent none of the clansmen within. He thanked the Fades for that.

“I will be quick, Miranda.”

“What? You can’t leave me out here.”

“There are no predators around. You will be fine.”

“But I want to see inside!”

Govek sighed. “No, Miranda.”

“Oh, but please , Govek. I swear I’ll be super quiet. I just want to check it out for a minute.”

He gritted his teeth.

She snaked a hand up his thigh again. “I’ll make it up to you.”

He shuddered hard. “Fine, but no lingering. I only need to grab the tinctures.”

“Yay!”

She went up on her toes and his gut pitched with delight. Leaning in he allowed her to place her warm lips to his.

Blast, she was so soft and divine. He wanted more.

No lingering.

Breaking off the kiss, Govek pushed open the door and guided Miranda into the space he knew so well.

The room smelled clean and fresh. No hints of blood or death, as usual. The magic used to preserve the meat also suspended any unwanted aromas.

Govek went to the candle left on the wall and struck it up with his magic. The dim light illuminated the large space of which only a quarter was used. There used to be a dozen or more hunters of large game in Rove Wood Clan, but now Govek was the only one, so most of the countertops and hooks for butchering were left abandoned.

But he would be hunter for them no longer. A smug satisfaction pooled in his throat.

On the shelves on the left, he could see a few hares and turkey, which had been caught with traps, wrapped and ready for butchering. Five massive barrels of fish lined the wall beside them, sealed with magical wax to prevent spoiling for a whole season.

To the right were hooks and enchanted blankets where the larger chunks of meat could be hung and wrapped. The cloth prevented spoiling for several days and Govek decided he should wrap the elk in one.

“Wow,” Miranda said, moving into the room. He watched her longer than he should have. “I’ve never been in a butchery before. All our animals on Earth were grown on farms and slaughtered in bulk. What’s in there?”

“Fish.” Govek said, moving to the counter and slinging the elk down heavily so he could tie its legs.

“That’s a lot of fish. Orcs must really like fish.”

“Fish are plentiful in the springs. So much so that fishing regularly is necessary, or they would be overrun.” He tied the front and back legs of the elk tight and hoisted it up to one of the hooks dangling from the ceiling.

Miranda continued moving around the room as he wrapped up the elk in one of the largest preservation cloths. Her fingers lingered over the countertops, which were carved from the tree itself. “This is amazing. It’s like they worked with the grains of the wood.”

“They did,” he said. “The magic requires a collaboration with nature. Trying to bend Faeda to our own will always ends in failure.”

Miranda stroked the ring of the tree she’d been focusing on. The orc who had created this place many hundreds of years prior had followed the lines and carved it into a decorative edge around the top of the cabinetry. Govek knew how difficult that act was, as he had done it with his own home.

His chest swelled with the anticipation of showing it to her.

“What are you doing?” Miranda was close now. Her hand touched his arm.

“It must be covered or the preservation will not hold.”

“You put my present wrapping to shame,” Miranda complimented. She doled them out to him so readily and he lapped them up like the starving wretch he was.

She was so close, right up next to him. And his arms were no longer busy holding the elk.

“Hmm,” Miranda said as she caught his lusty gaze. “What are you thinking about?”

“Ravishing you.”

“Ravishing me, huh? Right now?”

Fuck, he shouldn’t give in. He needed to get her back to his home.

But then her hands came up around his neck and he leaned down. Her breasts pressed into his chest. “Or maybe I should ravish you first?”

She slanted her hot, delicious mouth over his. Her plump lips teased between his tusks.

Blast , she felt so fucking good. Tasted exquisite. Better than the finest mead and sweeter than the honey scent she constantly drowned him in.

She forced all reason right out of his brain. His hands clamped firm on her ass and lifted her off the ground, and she laughed into his mouth. He swallowed the sound and trembled for more.

“Govek?”

He and his woman both snapped to attention at the voice.

The orc voice.

Fuck!

Govek quickly set Miranda down and pushed her behind him, but he was far too late.

Rogeth stood there. Chest puffed as if that might bring him half a head taller so he could stand eye to eye with Govek. His green skin was flushed dark and his brow knitted into a menacing glare that spiked dangerous anger through Govek’s chest. Rogeth tucked his jaw up tight, but the muscle in his cheek twitched as if he wanted to bare his fangs.

Fuck, Govek had forgotten he still had his jaw lowered and his teeth on display. He quickly brought his lower jaw up around his top teeth to hide them. He didn’t want to threaten or fight this male. Especially not in front of Miranda.

“Who is that, Govek?” Rogeth asked, stepping closer. Govek’s muscles flexed. He was the lead butcher, so he had some muscle, but not nearly enough. Govek could take him out quickly.

Calm . Govek breathed heavily as he stared down the younger orc. See reason .

It was easier to grasp as Miranda touched his arm, soothed his flesh.

“Well, I guess that ruins our plans to stay hidden,” Miranda whispered to him. Her expression was more than a little smug, and his stomach dropped down to his feet.

Fuck, fuck . What was he going to do? His fists balled, and he considered knocking Rogeth unconscious so they could escape.

But what would Miranda think of him then?

He would lose her.

“She’s one of the women from Estwill? You actually made it?” Rogeth said, his eyes widening on Miranda.

“She is mine.” Fuck, should he just pick her up and flee? But to where? Now that they knew he was here with her, they would come for him.

There was nowhere safe to go.

“Rogeth, who are you talking to?”

A female voice this time.

Blast his luck.

Maythra and Savrah appeared in the doorway. Two of the human women of Rove Wood Clan.

And his precious mate nearly crumbled.

“Oh my god,” Miranda breathed, stepping toward them. “You . . . you’re . . .”

“What is going on here?” Maythra demanded, her sharp steel eyes skewering Govek. Her gray hair was tight in a neat bun and her attire was equally well kept. She was one of the oldest in the clan. Wise and powerful and immensely disapproving of Govek.

She’d been one of his mother’s closest friends and despised him for worthy reasons.

Savrah lingered behind her, her large brown eyes unsettling Govek. She’d always been wary of him, more so than most of the women, but she also watched him rather than averting her gaze and scurrying away like the others.

Govek tensed as Miranda took another quick step forward. His stomach dropped and his blood went cold.

“Come here, dear,” Maythra said, waving Miranda forward.

And his precious woman rushed into her arms.

Miranda collapsed against the human. Maythra’s larger frame dwarfed her smaller one. The elder woman hugged her tight and Govek’s claws dug deep into his palms, stinging brutally.

“Where are the other women, Govek? You were supposed to bring five from Estwill. What have you done with them?” Maythra demanded, even as she patted and soothed Miranda’s back.

Govek could not find his words. Fades be fucked. This was the worst possible scenario. His eyes fixed on Miranda’s trembling form, wanting nothing more than to yank her back into his embrace and flee to the Rove Woods.

Where she would surely perish in the harsh winter elements. Fuck .

“You abandoned them, didn’t you?” Maythra gasped, her expression pale and horror-stricken.

“We will go to Chief Ergoth now ,” Rogeth said, puffing his chest higher. “You will explain there, Govek.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right.” Maythra gently stroked Miranda’s hair. “And this woman will come with me.” Maythra tightened her hold.

Miranda tried to move out of Maythra’s grip. “Gosh, sorry. Uh?—”

“Let her go!” Fury burst in Govek’s gut. Rogeth instantly stepped between Govek and Miranda and Govek’s mind blistered with rage. Anger built in his chest like a tight fist. The Fades light grew menacing in his mind’s eye.

His magic was going to spiral. He couldn’t control it.

“All right! That’s enough. Let me go!”

Miranda pushed away from Maythra and came back to Govek’s side so quickly he could hardly process it. His whole body snapped as his fury was snuffed out, the light of the Fades dimmed away.

Miranda’s soft hands clasped around his, and he began to tremble. Working for calm, he tucked his claws in tighter to protect his precious woman from them.

He couldn’t hurt her. He had to gain control.

It was almost startling how easily that goal was met with Miranda at his side. The tingling force of his magic dimmed to make way for the thrum of Miranda’s imprint, pulsing sweetly at the center of his chest.

“Easy there, tough guy,” Miranda said softly, then she looked to the others. “I’m not from Estwill. Govek found me in the woods and saved me, brought me here.”

Rogeth had his eyes slightly averted and Savrah’s face was bright red.

“What did he do to your clothes ?” Maythra asked.

Govek snapped to attention and forced Miranda’s cloak shut. Fuck, he’d forgotten she was wearing scraps. Her legs were bare, and the neckline of the shirt was mercilessly low since it was cut for his large frame. He should have given her his pants before they breached the edge of Rove Wood Clan.

But then he would have been naked aside from his cloak.

“Oh shoot.” Miranda laughed and his blood cooled further. “Uh, yeah. We’ve been through it.”

“Come with me, dear,” Maythra said, reaching out to Miranda again.

“Maythra, be careful,” Rogeth said but hesitated to touch the older woman.

“Don’t worry, my child.” Maythra soothed the male before her sharp gray eyes skewered Govek. “Govek may be many things, but he wouldn’t be so unwise as to attack me .” She regarded Miranda. “But it’s clear he is out of control. Please, come this way, dearest. I would hate to see you hurt.”

“Govek’s not going to hurt me.”

“Savrah, go and fetch our chief,” Maythra said, turning away from Miranda. “Tell him what is transpiring here and bring other orcs to aid us.”

Fuck, there really was no way out of this now.

“Hold on! Just stop.” Miranda’s shout brought Maythra back around. “Govek’s not going to hurt me or anyone. Right?”

Miranda rose her brows at him, and he barely managed a swift nod. She was back with him, tucked into his side. His rational thoughts were catching back up.

“Right,” Miranda said. “This is all a misunderstanding. You just surprised us. That’s all.”

“I believe your head is muddled,” Maythra said. “I am unsure what has transpired between you and Govek but?—”

“The only thing that transpired is that he saved me. I was lost in the woods, and he helped me.”

“Even so,” Rogeth said, standing tall again. “He must report to Chief Ergoth. Why have you come to the butchery before making your presence known? Why are you trying to hide her?”

“He isn’t . . . I mean . . .” Miranda looked up at him, chewed her lip.

Govek finally found his voice. “I took down an elk.”

The three of them all looked to where it now hung in its cloth behind Govek, and he took that moment to really think through this catastrophe.

There was no way he would be able to hide Miranda now. His plan would have to change.

“You took down an elk in front of her?” Rogeth asked, clearly aghast.

“He did.” Miranda’s voice was bright with excitement, and it soothed him further. “It was?—”

“Are you hurt anywhere?” Maythra asked, reaching her hands toward Miranda again, and to Govek’s relief, Miranda did not rejoin her.

“I’m perfectly healthy,” Miranda held up a hand to ward Maythra off. “Govek took very good care of me.”

“Then why did he take your clothes?”

“He didn’t take my clothes. They just... got kinda lost. There was a storm and some of them were already tattered from traveling around and?—”

“You cannot take her into the hall in this state, Govek,” Maythra said, waving Miranda off again. “But you must go. Now. Our good chief will be furious if he discovers you have crossed into the borders of our clan without making your presence known to him. Go with Rogeth to the hall and we will take Miranda.”

“I’m not leaving Govek,” Miranda said. Her tight grip on his arm allowed him to finally work for reason.

Maythra was right. He could not take her to the hall. Not with so many orc eyes to see her half naked. But taking her back to his home now would, at best, result in a brawl with Rogeth. At worst, Maythra would go to the hall for aid, tell them what had transpired here, and a group of orcs would come to drag Miranda away from him by force.

That horror would spiral his anger out of control. His fury was rising at the very thought of it. He would lose himself.

And her.

He could not allow that to happen. He could not allow his turbulent emotions to rage out of control. He had to stay calm, and the only way to do that was to keep Miranda calm.

Which meant he had to leave her willingly. Convince her to do the same.

“Come, you can trust us.”

“No, thanks,” Miranda muttered dryly.

“You should go with them,” Govek said, earning surprised looks from everyone in the room.

“Are you serious?” Miranda asked, tightening her grip on his arm.

Govek hid his pleasure that she mistrusted them, but cleaved to him. “I must go to address the chief. And I will not take you there in this state.”

The idea of other orcs seeing her half naked made his blood boil.

Calm. Calm.

“I’m not leaving you, Govek.”

“There will be many orcs. Many eyes.”

“I don’t care.”

“You’re barely dressed , Miranda.” Govek gripped her upper arm tight. “My control is in tatters as it is. I can’t let them see you.”

“Yes, dear, the hall is no place for a newcomer.” Maythra stepped forward again, extended her hand out to them.

Govek took a hard breath and loosened his grip on her arm.

“Govek?” Her worried gaze pierced him and made his chest ache.

“They will not harm you, Miranda.” Of that, he could be certain. “And the sooner I go to address the chief, the sooner I can return to you.”

“At your house?” Miranda confirmed.

“Yes.”

“You don’t have to stay with him—” Maythra cut in.

Govek shot her a hard look and, thankfully, the woman went silent. “You will take her to my home. Nowhere else. You will bring clothing to her there.”

Even if they took Miranda elsewhere, he would find her. If she was in danger, he would know. The imprint thrummed its assurance in his chest. Warm and strong.

“You try to give a woman of this clan orders, Govek?” Maythra asked, eyes narrowed. Govek gritted his teeth.

He may have been Chief Ergoth’s son, but the power and authority that came from that position had never been allotted to him.

But this was for Miranda’s safety. He swallowed his pride and it thudded into his stomach like a burning lump of coal. “She is tired from the journey and needs rest. I ask that you take her to my home. Please .”

“I want to go to Govek’s home,” Miranda said clearly.

“Fine,” Maythra agreed—far too easily for Govek’s liking.

“Govek, are you sure it will be all right?” Miranda searched his face, clearly withholding a million questions.

He should have answered them long ago. He should have known that keeping his presence a secret would not be possible. Even for a short time.

He’d been a desperate fool, and now he would pay the price for it.

“They will not harm you, Miranda. You are precious.” Her shoulders sagged, but she nodded. He lowered his voice further, dipping in to speak into her ear. “If you call me by name, I will hear it and come to you.”

She shivered a little. “You’ll hear me even if I’m far away? Is that magic?”

“The imprint,” he told her and she moved back to look at him, obviously wanting to ask what exactly the imprint was. But now was not the time. “I will be only a few moments. Eat any food you wish and draw up a bath.”

“Like hell am I having a bath without you,” she mumbled and delight soaked him. She tugged at his cloak until he leaned down to her level. “Be quick. No detours.”

“No detours,” he breathed as she plucked a kiss to his chin. Then he looked to the others. “Do not let her dally in the cold.”

“Of course not,” Maythra said, waving Miranda over. Miranda reluctantly joined her.

Govek nearly lost his resolve as Miranda disappeared out the door and into the night with little more than a quick wave.

Then he turned his full attention to Rogeth, searing the male through with the intensity of his glower. Rogeth flinched, stepping away, and Govek snarled.

“You got your fucking way, now take me to my father.”