22. Evelyn
Evelyn
Am I the world’s biggest idiot or what?
Seriously. What the hell was I thinking?!
I wasn’t thinking. That was the problem.
I just gave Dr. Kelly exactly what he wanted. Orc-human mating? Done . Unprotected sex? Check . Possibly impregnated by a biological asset in the middle of a top-secret military installation? Big fat check.
And where did this happen? Oh, just the med-bay . Probably the most monitored room in this entire damn facility. I’m sure there were a dozen hidden cameras there, and if not, then half the building still would’ve heard me screaming my lungs out as Varkul pounded me into next year.
Fantastic work, Dr. Carter. Really groundbreaking stuff.
Now I’m in my tiny shower, in my tiny quarters, standing under a scalding stream of water, trying, and failing, to rise the shame off my skin.
Shame isn’t all that I feel.
What I feel most of all is… him .
The way his hands moved over my body, like he was memorizing it. The way he looked at me, like I was the most precious thing in the world. The way my body responded to his touch — aching for it, and alive in a way I’ve never known before.
I keep reliving those moments, over and over again.
Steam fogs up my mirror, but I can just make out my silhouette. I look at that woman, and wonder if she just made the worst mistake of her life… or if this was the best thing that ever happened to her?
I place my hands flat on my stomach.
Am I pregnant?
I could be.
I might be.
The thought sends a jolt straight through me. Part terror, part awe.
A child.
His child.
I tilt my head back and let the hot water pour over me. I want to cry, laugh, and scream. Instead, I just stand there, trying to sort out this mess .
The spark between me and Varkul was real .
And I don’t just mean the physical chemistry, though, yeah, that was definitely there. But I felt much more than lust and attraction.
I was drawn to him. It felt like my body already knew his. Like my soul reached out for him, and recognized something ancient and true there.
I read about this, in the files. Orc bonding. What did it say again?
Orcs may form instinctive, possibly permanent emotional and biological bonds with chosen mates. Effects include heightened protectiveness, increased libido and other behavioral changes.
I thought it was just fluff. Folklore. But the connection I had with Varkul, what I felt… what I still feel right now…
It’s real.
But what happens now?
I’m trapped. We’re trapped . They’ll know we mated. I have just been upgraded from scientist to test subject.
And Varkul? They’ll use me to control him. If I am, in fact, pregnant, they’ll lock me up somewhere where they can monitor me and extract samples from me and the baby, using us like we’re walking petri dishes.
I press my forehead against the tiles. The water burns against my skin, but I barely feel it.
How did I get myself into this mess? I was trying to help the orcs. Help Varkul. Instead, I’ve given Dr. Kelly exactly what he wanted.
I shut off the water and stand there in silence, dripping water, my gut filled with pain.
Varkul…
I could really use some of your orc strength right now.