Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Anna
My hands are empty.
For three years, I kept those flash drives close. It was my only leverage. And now... they’re on the table in front of Rogan Overlook.
I just handed over my only evidence to orcs I met yesterday. Massive green males with horns and tusks who could snap me in half without trying. And I’m not panicking, grabbing the evidence back or second-guessing myself.
I actually feel... relief.
Rogan carefully gathers the drives, handling them like precious artifacts, which I guess they are. Three small pieces of plastic that could destroy a US Senator’s career, send a billionaire to prison and expose hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud.
Kelt discusses security protocols with Urdan.
Their deep voices rumble through the room, professional and competent.
They have a plan, already protecting me.
After three years of sleeping with one eye open, always touching my pocket to make sure the drives were there, always ready to run…
now someone else is carrying it and taking on the risk.
I trust them.
Not just Keric—though yes, I definitely trust him and have started thinking of him as.
.. what? My boyfriend? That feels too small for what this is, but I don’t have another word yet.
Someone I’m incredibly attracted to? Someone I’m starting to really, really like?
Someone who makes me feel safe for the first time in years.
But I also trust the others. All of them.
I saw the Irontrees in action back at Black Oak Academy. They handled the scent bomb crisis with integrity and precision and I saw how they protected Ellie and Zoe without hesitation. Their ethics align with mine.
If Keric trusts these Maine orcs, I can too.
Rothgar stands, gives me a gruff nod. “Welcome to the commune, female.” Then he’s gone, heading to his vehicle.
Keric and I say brief goodbyes to the others.
Then we’re walking out of the Great Lodge together, back through that massive main hall, out into the afternoon.
The noontime sun hits my face and I stop for a moment, just breathing the perfect springtime weather that feels chilly and warm at the same time, causing the sun to feel like a caress.
The air smells like pine and earth. So clean and fresh, no car exhaust or city noise.
I’m quickly loving this commune much more than I ever thought I would.
“How are you feeling?” Keric asks.
I look up at him. “Lighter. Is that weird?”
“Not weird at all.” He pauses. “You must be hungry. We can get back to the cabin and I can make us lunch.”
My stomach rumbles at the suggestion. I haven’t eaten since breakfast and suddenly I’m starving, the adrenaline crash making me ravenous. “That sounds great.”
We climb into the utility vehicle and Keric drives us back toward his cabin. I settle into the passenger seat, watching the commune pass by. He’s taking the scenic route, go back along a different path, I realize, letting me see even more of the commune, which I appreciate.
Keric’s muscular forearms are works of art.
His bare green chest catches the sunlight streaming through the windshield.
Those tribal tattoos on his shoulders and arms are beautiful, with intricate patterns that probably mean something in orc culture.
His horns are shiny and clean, those twisted black horns that humans call scary.
I think he’s gorgeous.
Those thick tusks, the strong jaw, the way his muscles move when he shifts to steer. Everything about him screams power and strength, but I’ve seen how gentle he can be. How careful. How kind.
The silence between us is comfortable. I don’t need to fill it with meaningless chatter. For once, the quiet isn’t lonely. I feel like we’ve known each other closely for years instead of days.
More cabins come into view, tucked between the trees. Some have smoke curling from chimneys. Flower boxes rest in windows, which I assume are human touches added to orc homes. Orc children play in yards, their laughter carrying on the breeze.
This is where the mated pairs live and families are built. And I wonder if I could have that, here, with Keric. Do I want to stay and marry this male and live out the rest of my days with him? Do I think we have something between us that could stand the test of time?
I bite at my lips, thinking this is a distinct possibility.
“Wait.” I sit up straight. “Is that—” I point to a cabin set slightly apart from the others. It’s more isolated, at the edge of the residential area.
“That’s Rothgar’s place,” Keric says.
“Is he... is that him on the porch?”
“Looks like it.”
“With... are those kittens?!” Sure enough, Rothgar is on his porch and small, adorable creatures tumble around him. “Can we stop? Please?” My voice comes out eager, almost childish. I don’t care.
Keric glances at me, surprised. “You want to see Rothgar’s cats?”
“Please. I love cats. Stop the vehicle. Turn around. I need to see them.”
His lips twitch. “Alright.” Keric turns back and parks in front of Rothgar’s cabin. The old orc looks up, mildly surprised to see us so soon.
I unbuckle and eagerly step down. A cardboard box is on the porch and small fuzzy shapes move around inside. A few have escaped and a tiny grey kitten tumbles down the porch steps with uncoordinated clumsiness.
I gasp with delight. “Hi Rothgar! I’m sorry to bother you, but are those kittens?”
Rothgar simply grunts in response.
The grey kitten reaches my feet, meowing pitifully. I immediately kneel down.
“Oh my goodness, hello baby!” I scoop her up carefully. The baby kitten is so tiny she fits in my palms, a grey tabby with stripes and big ears that are way too large for her tiny head. Huge eyes stare up at me. She’s a scrawny little thing, but absolutely precious and starts purring immediately.
“Heh. That one doesn’t usually like strangers.”
I look up at Rothgar, cradling the kitten against my chest.
“Come on then,” he says, standing. “Meet the others.”
I follow the older orc onto the porch, still cuddling the grey kitten. She’s purrs so loud I can feel it vibrate through my whole body.
Keric stays back slightly, giving me space but close enough that I can feel his presence.
I kneel by the box, still holding the grey one. “They’re beautiful!” The other kittens are playing, tumbling over each other. Black ones, orange ones, and a calico. All so fluffy and perfect.
Rothgar’s expression softens slightly. “They’re six weeks old and ready for new homes. I’ve been trying to find families for all of them. Those others are spoken for and getting picked up tomorrow.” He points to the grey kitten in my arms. “That’s the only kitten that doesn’t have a new home yet.”
My heart breaks. “What? Why not?”
“She’s considered not as pretty as the others. Runt of the litter.”
“She’s perfect,” I whisper. “Absolutely perfect.” My throat gets tight.
This kitten is like me. Not conventionally pretty by some standards.
My ex-boyfriend in grad school told me I was “cute for a chubby girl.” Another guy I dated said he “didn’t usually go for bigger women” but made an exception with me, like I should be grateful.
She snuggles into my neck, her tiny body warm and trusting. I giggle—an actual giggle. I can’t remember the last time I laughed like that. Pure, uncomplicated joy. I look at Keric. He’s watching me with those dark eyes, his expression soft.
“Keric.” My voice comes out hopeful, a little nervous. “Can we take her home? Right now?”
I watch his face carefully because I truly understand this is a big ask. He looks doubtful at first, like he’s trying to be practical. The kitten chooses that moment to try climbing up my shoulder, tiny claws catching on my sweater.
“Please? I promise I won’t take this lightly. I understand that this is a lifetime commitment, not just me looking after an animal for a few days or weeks. I don’t know, it just seems right. Like this was meant to be. Can we please take her back to the cabin to live with us?”
Keric seems to waver. “I’ve never had a pet,” he admits. “Loki wasn’t my dog, he was Garlen’s. And I don’t know how to take care of a cat.”
“I don’t know what to do perfectly either. We can learn together.” My eyes plead behind my glasses.
Rothgar watches our exchange with a slight smile on his grumpy face. “The female wants the cat, Keric. Are you really going to say no?”
Keric looks between me and the kitten.
I hold my breath.
I can see the exact moment he caves.
He sighs. Sounds defeated but I can see warmth in his eyes. “Fine. We’ll take her.”
I light up. “Really?”
“Really. But you’re responsible for her.”
I nod eagerly. “Of course. Thank you, Keric.” I practically vibrate with happiness.
Rothgar approves. “Good. I’ve even got some supplies for you to get started with. Hold on.” He disappears into the cabin while I cuddle my new kitten. I can’t stop smiling. Can’t stop petting her soft fur.
When Rothgar returns Keric gathers all the supplies while I keep the kitten. No way am I putting her down. She’s staying right here against my heart where she belongs.
Rothgar grunts. “Take care of her.”
“We will,” Keric promises.
I can hear the sincerity in his voice.
We wave goodbye and walk back to the vehicle. I glance at Keric from the corner of my eye. He’s being so careful with all the supplies, making sure nothing spills or breaks as he loads them into the back of the vehicle, already taking care of our kitten’s things.
Our kitten.
I love how that sounds.
I keep her snuggled in my arms as he drives us away from Rothgar’s and back to our own cabin. “We need to name her,” I say.
Keric glances at me. “You choose. She’s yours.”
“I may have picked her out and agreed to be the main provider, but she’s our kitten,” I correct.
He exhales. “Alright. What do you want to name her?”
I look down at the grey kitten in my arms. She’s small but brave. Curious but needs protection. Like Alice lost in Wonderland. “What about Dinah?”
“Dinah? I’ve never heard that type of human name before.”
“It’s a character’s name from a famous book.
The original Dinah was Alice’s cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
It’s a famous children’s book that’s actually Victorian literature—my specialty, actually.
” I’m rambling now but I can’t help it. “Alice talks about Dinah constantly throughout the story. Dinah represents home, comfort and safety, everything Alice wants to get back to while she’s lost.”
I don’t tell him this part, but I’ve secretly considered myself to be living like Alice for the last three years, lost in a nightmare wonderland, running from dangers that made no sense and trying to get home.
Except I never quite knew what “home” was.
My eyes start to feel hot and watery. Maybe I’ve found a home, here, with Keric.
With this little grey kitten named Dinah.
“Alice in Wonderland,” Keric says thoughtfully. “I’ve heard of that human movie but never watched it or read the book for that matter.”
“It’s wonderful. Maybe... you could read it sometime? Or we could watch the movie version.” I’m not sure if he’d be interested in a children’s story, but I want to share it with him.
“I’d like that,” he says simply. “I’d like to watch the movie, Alice in Wonderland with you and I approve of the name you’ve chosen for the animal.”
My heart warms. “Then Dinah it is.”
We reach the cabin and I’m excited to get her settled and see her explore her new home.
Inside, I set Dinah down gently on the living room floor.
“Welcome home, baby.” She looks around with huge eyes, that tiny pink nose sniffing everything.
The rug, the chair legs, the coffee table.
“She’s so smart,” I say, watching with delight. “Look at her investigating.”
Keric sets up her supplies. He places a litter box for her in the bathroom, careful and methodical and fills it with the litter from Rothgar.
Then he sets up food and water bowls for Dinah in the kitchen and fills them with fresh kitten food and water.
The toy mouse goes on the living room floor.
He’s being so careful with everything. making sure it’s all perfect for Dinah.
He said he didn’t know how to take care of a cat, but he has natural caretaker instincts, which I find incredibly attractive.
Keric sits on the couch, finished with the setup and watches Dinah play. His expression softens. He’s already charmed, even if he won’t admit it. Dinah suddenly tries to climb his leg, her tiny claws catching on his pants. Keric looks startled and glances at me. “What do I do?”
“Pet her.”
He carefully helps her up onto his lap, so gentle with those large, rough hands, treating her like she’s made of glass. Dinah curls up into a tiny ball right in the center of his lap.
“Oh my god. Keric. Don’t move.” I fumble for my phone and snap several pictures from different angles. The tiny grey kitten snuggling on the big “scary” orc’s lap is the most precious thing I’ve ever seen.
Keric stares down at her, completely still, barely breathing.
I sit on the couch beside him. “Just let her sleep.” I’m smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.
“But she’s so small,” he says quietly. “What if I hurt her?”
“You won’t. Just be gentle.”
He carefully reaches down and strokes one finger along Dinah’s back.
Something shifts in my chest. I’m really starting to like this orc.
I’m not just attracted to him—though god, yes, I’m attracted.
That bare chest, those muscles, the way he moves.
I’ve been celibate for three years and I’m very, very aware of wanting him.
Of how my body responds when he’s close.
But it’s more than that. I’m now perfectly fine with the idea of playing house with Keric Irontree.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “For letting me bring her home.”
He looks at me with warmth in his eyes. “She makes you happy. That’s what matters.”