Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

K ari lost herself in the kiss, arousal humming through her veins as she pressed closer to Wulf, the heat from his huge, hard body warming her still chilled skin. Her nipples tingled and she rubbed them against his chest, seeking to relieve the ache. But then he shifted his position and one of his tusks scraped the side of her mouth. It didn't hurt, but it brought reality crashing back.

For a moment, lost in the kiss, she'd forgotten how different he was. How different this entire world was. This isn't my world, she thought, panic creeping in and tightening her chest. His hands lingered for a moment, clearly reluctant to release her but then he let her go, a cold chill immediately replacing the warmth of his hands.

Her lips still tingled from the kiss as she stepped back, her heart pounding, and she pressed a trembling hand to them as reality crashed over her like a cold wave.

He was watching her, his eyes dark and worried, and she turned away, focusing on the moonlight sparkling on the stream instead. Part of her wanted nothing more than to melt back into his arms, to lose herself in the safety and warmth he offered. But another part screamed that this was wrong, that she didn't belong here.

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to regain some sense of control. I have to find a way home, she reminded herself, but there was a hollowness to her resolve that hadn't been there before. The emotional connection she'd begun to forge with Wulf tugged at her heart, making the idea of leaving more painful than she'd anticipated.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the crisp night air. It smelled of pine and earth, so different from the warm salt-tinged breeze of Charleston. When she opened them again, she caught sight of her reflection in the stream. The woman staring back at her was almost unrecognizable – her features were the same, but this woman with the kiss swollen mouth and wild hair, naked in the moonlight, looked like some primeval creature, part of the forest surrounding her.

She turned back to face Wulf, her emotions a tangled mess. He face was locked in an unreadable mask, but she could still see the concern in his eyes as he picked up the rough linen towel and started drying her off. She didn't resist, grateful for the warmth - and for his thoughtfulness. The bond between them was undeniable, but so was the vast gulf of their different worlds.

He finished rubbing her dry and she did her best to ignore her lingering arousal, her skin still tingling as he dropped her borrowed shirt back over her head and wrapped the fur vest around her. He even pulled on her socks and shoes for her and she let him, still feeling overcome by what had happened. He led her back to the camp, hesitating when they reached they shared bedroll.

Lothar was sitting by the fire. She saw him raise a brow, but fortunately he didn't comment. She hesitated for a moment, then laid down, but when Wulf joined her, she didn't turn into his arms as she usually did. She lay awake long into the night, acutely aware of his presence beside her, but she continued to keep herself a little apart, her body tense and her mind racing. She sensed his unease at her distance, but he didn't push, respecting the invisible barrier she'd erected.

The kiss by the stream had awakened something in her, or perhaps more accurately, it had made her face what she had been avoiding. She'd known he was attracted to her - she'd felt his erection often enough as they slept together - but it had been easier to pretend that it was just a typical male reaction to the the proximity of their bodies. She'd even been able to ignore her own corresponding arousal as simply an automatic response.

The kiss had made her realize the truth. It wasn't proximity - it was simply him. She was hopelessly, passionately attracted to him. To a massive orc from another world.

As they traveled the next day, she found herself stealing glances at him. At the easy, confident way he moved, his muscles rippling beneath his clothing. At his strong profile, the determined set of his jaw, the way his eyes constantly scanned their surroundings for danger. All of it only served to heighten her attraction, but also her trepidation about what they future held.

They arrived at Wulf's holdings late in the afternoon, pausing on a small ridge to look down over the settlement. A massive A-framed building dominated one end of the village, stretching at least four stories high with a steep thatched roof. Longer, lower buildings with stone walls, also thatched, formed two sides of a wide, open area in front of the main building, with another large wooden building at the end, this one rectangular. The sturdy buildings were a testament to the harsh winters this climate must produce.

Wooded slopes such as the one where they had stopped led up from the settlement to the surrounding mountains in most directions, but there was an open area of fields and pasture in a shallow valley in front of it. The settlement was both similar and different to the medieval settlements she had studied - as was so much about this world.

Her heart sank. She'd harbored a faint hope that reaching some form of civilization might provide answers, maybe even a way home. But that hope withered as she took in her surroundings.

The small holding was well-organized and looked comfortable enough, but there wasn't a hint of modern technology anywhere. No power lines, no vehicles, not even a hint of electricity. It was as if she'd stepped back in time. How could she find her way home when everything here was so... primitive? The realization hit her like a physical blow and she had to fight back a wave of panic.

"Home," Wulf said, and she could hear the pride in his voice. He hesitated for a moment, studying her face. "Our home."

Ours . The possessive pronoun hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. This wasn't just a shared bedroll or a temporary shelter – in his mind, this was to be their home together. There was an odd sort of comfort in that assumption, except this wasn't her home.

She stared up at him helplessly. She could see the disappointment in his eyes, but he simply touched her cheek gently, then took her hand and led her down the slope to the village.

The open space bustled with activity, the orcs going about their daily business. Despite their imposing figures, most of them were engaged in surprisingly domestic activities. Some bent over intricate handicrafts, their large hands quick and deft. Others tended to cooking fires, the aroma of unfamiliar spices tickling her nose.

The area in front of the rectangular building was clearly being used as a training ground. Several pairs sparred, both with weapons and without, their movements fluid and powerful. Others practiced with bow and arrows, the bows similar to the English longbow.

"Our home," Wulf repeated, pointing at the largest building, then gestured towards a small, isolated structure set apart from the others, sadness washing over his face. "Egon's home."

She frowned, noting the distance between Egon's dwelling and the rest of the community. Her gaze swept over the gathering again, a realization dawning. The air hummed with laughter and chatter, but something felt off. Where were all the women?

She could only see a handful, their presence barely noticeable amongst the sea of male orcs. Two older females were gossiping as they wove long reeds into baskets, and another female a few years older than her was watching the men training, a thoughtful look on her face. A couple of others were engaged in various tasks, but that was it? Five women amidst what had to be fifty men?

There were no children in sight either, although a few of the males appeared to be quite young, barely into their teens. She wondered if the village functioned more as a military outpost, except the amount of domestic activities didn't fit that picture either.

A wave of uncertainty washed over her. The absence of children and women stood out starkly now that she'd noticed it. What kind of society was this? The camaraderie among the men was evident, but there was an undercurrent of something else – a tension, a sadness perhaps, that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

She glanced up at Wulf, studying his profile as he surveyed his domain. There was pride there, yes, but also a weight she hadn't noticed before. She opened her mouth to ask about the missing women and children, but couldn't find the words. The language barrier frustrated her, leaving her questions unvoiced and her unease growing.

She was still wondering when Wulf placed a big hand on her lower back and led her into the open area. The bustling activity around them ground to a halt, and she found herself at the center of attention. Dozens of orc eyes locked onto her, filled with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. Whispers rippled through the crowd, incomprehensible words that nonetheless made her cheeks burn with embarrassment, feeling exposed and vulnerable despite Wulf's protective hand.

Lothar and Egon closed in on either side of them as the warriors began bombarding Wulf with questions, their deep voices overlapping and their faces oddly hopeful. She caught fragments of words she recognized, but they spoke too quickly for her to grasp any meaning.

Instinctively, she edged closer to Wulf, but as she glanced up at him, her unease grew stronger. His eyes gleamed with unmistakable pride as he surveyed the crowd, his posture radiating possession. It was as if he were showing off a prized trophy. The realization sent a chill down her spine, amplifying her discomfort, and she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to shrink away from the intense scrutiny of the orcs.

She was seriously considering making a run for it when an older female orc with striking white braids pushed through the crowd, her bright eyes fixed on Kari. She snapped a few words at the crowd and the questions died down, their expressions abashed. The newcomer turned to Wulf, her expression stern as she launched into what sounded like a lecture. Though Kari couldn't understand the words, the woman's tone left no doubt about her disapproval.

Wulf remained relaxed, an amused smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, but she heard a hint of defensiveness in his voice as he responded to the older orc's tirade.

The exchange continued for a moment before the woman shook her head and turned to Kari, her gaze softening and her previous disapproval replaced by a warmth that seemed to envelop her like a comforting blanket. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly. There was something about this woman's presence that felt... motherly. It was a stark contrast to the intimidating warriors surrounding them.

The older orc's eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled, and Kari found herself returning the smile.

"Merow," the woman said, tapping her chest. She repeated her name, her eyes twinkling as Kari gave a grateful nod.

"I'm Kari."

"Kari." Merow's smile widened, and she put a gentle arm around Kari's shoulders. She murmured something, her tone reassuring, and Kari caught a few familiar sounds - "rest" and "safe" - amidst the words she didn't understand.

As Merow started to lead her away, Wulf's deep voice rumbled behind them. She glanced back, noticing that his pride had been replaced by worry. For a moment, she felt torn. Despite her lingering unease and the curious crowd, part of her wanted to stay close to him.

But Merow shook her head firmly, her braids swaying with the motion. She said something to Wulf, her tone brooking no argument. He sighed and threw up a hand, obviously conceding to the older female, but he gave her a quick reassuring smile before Merow led her away.