Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Anna
There’s shocked silence around the room, and then chaos.
“Seventeen?! I don’t remember you saying he went that long. Wow.”
“That’s not possible!”
“I’m not exaggerating,” Drew says solemnly. “Seventeen times. I counted. I was exhausted and sore and it was even a little difficult to walk the next morning. Not that it was bad, it was wonderful, just…tiring.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper.
“Mine went five the first night,” someone offers.
“Mine passed out after three,” another says. “But that was still impressive.”
“They recover instantly,” Sarah explains. “No refractory period.”
“What?” My jaw drops.
“They can just keep going,” Megan confirms. “It’s exhausting and amazing.”
“Stock up on groceries when you decide to have sex with him,” Drew advises. “You won’t leave the cabin much.”
“Especially in the dark of winter,” Miranda adds. “That’s their... active season.”
“Active?” I squeak.
“Very active,” someone says meaningfully.
Everyone giggles.
“And you need to know that they always know when you’re aroused,” Sarah mentions casually.
I choke on my coffee.
“The scenting thing,” Megan explains. “They can smell it. Always.”
“Always,” Drew emphasizes. “Privacy is dead.”
“You can’t hide it,” Miranda says. “They just know.”
“I’ve learned this already,” I manage. “It’s mortifying.”
“At first it’s hard to take and really embarrassing,” Sarah agrees. “Then it’s kind of hot.”
“Okay, very hot,” Megan admits.
More laughter.
“The possessiveness gets intense,” someone warns. “The whole ‘mine’ thing.”
“But also, kind of sexy?” another offers.
“Sometimes suffocating, sometimes exactly what you need,” Miranda says diplomatically.
“Learning to kiss around tusks takes practice, doesn’t it?” Sarah says. “But once you figure it out, it’s actually really good.”
“I think their tusks are super sexy,” Megan sighs. “And the horns. Love those too.”
“The sounds they make,” Drew fans herself dramatically. “The growling, the purring.”
“It vibrates everything,” someone adds.
“I can’t even explain,” Megan says.
“You’ll understand soon enough,” Miranda tells me with a knowing smile.
My face is on fire but I’m also fascinated.
“The aftercare is amazing,” Sarah says softly. “They’re so attentive. Checking on you constantly, bringing water, food. Making sure you’re okay. It’s actually really sweet.”
“It’s not just physical,” Drew says, more seriously now. “The bond is real, like your souls connect.”
“Sounds cheesy but it’s true,” Miranda agrees.
Others nod.
I sit with that. The emotional connection beyond the physical? That’s what I’ve always want always wanted with someone.
Could I have that with Keric?
Drew sets down her coffee cup. “We should talk about the hard part,” she says quietly.
Everyone sobers.
“Yeah, it’s important to warn you ahead of time about getting pregnant and only having sons,” Miranda says solemly.
My stomach tightens. “I do know a bit about this already because my best friend just married an orc. But to be truthful we didn’t have time to talk about it in great detail.”
“If he hasn’t told you already,” Drew explains, “I’m certain Keric would’ve told you very soon about all of this.
It’s important to the orcs that modern orcs only take females who are fully informed and give their consent to all of this.
They make sure that their females understand ahead of time that orc biology overrides human birth control.
You will get pregnant. Usually immediately.
I met Whelan once,” she continues. “once. Ended up with twin orc babies.”
“There’s no preventing it,” Sarah says. “If you have sex with an orc, you’ll get pregnant.”
“And you’ll only have sons,” Miranda adds. “Never daughters. Full orc sons who look like their father’s line.”
Silence settles over the room.
“I have to admit I grieved not having a daughter,” Miranda says quietly. “I really did want a daughter in my life.”
Several women nod, some with tears in their eyes.
“I’d imagined having a little girl,” Sarah admits. “Teaching her things. Mother-daughter shopping trips. All of it.”
“I wished for the same, but then I had Even,” Miranda continues. “And I loved him so completely. It didn’t matter that he was a son. He was mine.”
“I have three boys now,” Drew says. “Bran, Owen, and Friant. I won’t lie—I wondered about daughters. But my sons are everything. The love is the same.”
“I’m raising good males,” Sarah says firmly. “Teaching them to respect women, to be kind, strong, honorable. My sons will make the world better. That’s important work.”
“Good point,” Drew smiles.
“My sons are protective of me, even as toddlers,” Megan adds. “They learn from watching their fathers. It’s beautiful.”
“And we raise them together which is nice,” Miranda gestures around the room.
“We literally have a village to raise our children. All the boys play together and they are growing up with a large family. We support each other. If you did decide to stay and start a family with Keric, just know you’re not alone in this. ”
“What if that’s too hard for me?” I ask quietly. “What if I can’t accept the fact that I’ll be pregnant instantly and never have daughters?”
Honest faces look back at me.
Miranda shrugs. “Then you know this life isn’t for you. And that’s okay. It’s a dealbreaker for some women. You need to be honest with yourself.”
“But give it time to process,” Drew adds. “Don’t decide today. Think about it. Feel it out.”
I exhale and take another bite of my scone.
“So,” Miranda asks after a moment. “Why do we stay in the commune? Despite the hard parts? I stay because I love Rogan,” she answers herself.
“He’s not the type of orc who could leave and live amongst humans.
His family line has been the leaders of this commune for generations and he’s a natural leader.
When I got together with him, I knew it meant staying here forever and that’s been great.
He’s my partner in everything. We built this modern version of the community together. It’s home.”
“I stay because I’ve never been happier,” Drew says. “My career thrives here. My books are successful because I can write about what I know. My family is healthy. The life we have is good.”
“I stay because this is where I belong,” Sarah offers. “I’m already a Maine girl and I like the seasons, the forest, the small community. And my mate cherishes me in a way no human man ever did.”
“I stay because I love my husband and sons,” Megan says. “In Seattle, I was just another tech worker in a cubicle, but here I’ve built a peaceful life with no commute and no crime. I really do love it here. I can take a long walk by myself at night and I’m perfectly safe.”
They start to chat amongst each other about the positives:
“The community, all the women here, with a few exceptions, are my sisters.”
There’s some snorts of laughter at that comment.
“No crime, no fear walking around at night. That’s really a big deal.”
“Right? My children grow up protected.”
“Nature, peace, quiet.”
“Real partnership with my mate, for life. Not having to worry if he’ll cheat on me and then divorce me and try to leave me with nothing, this is a big deal to me.”
Someone grins. “Okay but also the sex.”
Everyone laughs.
“It’s not the only reason,” she defends.
“But it’s a really good reason,” Drew agrees.
“Worth mentioning!” Megan adds.
“Your turn,” Drew says to me. “Tell us about you and Keric.”
I take a deep breath and share the edited version.
The scent bomb at Black Oak Academy that caused Garlen to go feral.
Keric pulling me back and protecting me.
Then I give them a very, very quick version of why I’ve been in hiding for the last three years, telling them that my presense here needs to remain confidential for the time being so that my enemies cannot track me here.
They completely understand and nod solemly.
I then give them the story of how I ended up at the commune, how I found the package and how Keric shouted my name from across the bus station.
“And now I’m staying in his cabin and the rest of the orcs are on a mission to take down the people who murdered by coworker and who want me dead too. ”
“That’s so romantic!” Megan exclaims, and then settles with a serious face, “I mean, it’s terrible that you’ve been on the run for three long years and those assholes are back, trying to kill you and anyone you care about.
I won’t tell a soul about that, promise.
But you’ve certainly come to the right place for protection. ”
“Garlen went feral and Keric protected you?” Sarah’s eyes are wide. “I cannot get over that part. That’s serious bonding.”
“The protective instincts,” Miranda adds. “Taking you to his cabin and wanting to introduce you to his parents. That’s hot.”
“That’s him wanting you bad as his bride,” Megan says. “Whether you’ve admitted it or not.”
“Keric is notoriously private,” Sarah tells me. “And I don’t understand. I thought you said you weren’t ready for a full-on relationship yet with Keric. If you’re in his cabin, sleeping in his bed, you’re already his Bride.”
“But we haven’t... I mean, we sleep in separate rooms.”
They exchange knowing glances.
“Oh honey,” Drew says softly.
Miranda nods. “That’s perfect. I’m impressed that he’s truly following the newer, more modern orc code. He’s giving you time,” she explains. “Letting you adjust. That’s actually really sweet.”
“When you’re ready, he’ll be there,” Sarah assures me.
“I love that he’s giving you the chance to think through everything,” Drew says. “It protects you and even protects him from a half-hearted commitment. Don’t rush your decision. But don’t overthink it either. Follow your heart.”
They continue to give me practical advice as the morning winds down. Where to order clothes, how to join the group orders, when the communal dinners happen.
“You’re one of us now,” Miranda says warmly. “We’re here for you. Questions, problems, anything. We’re your sisters. This is your family.”
I feel tears in my eyes. “Thank you. I was so nervous, but you’ve all been so welcoming.”
“Please know that you have the room to make whatever decision is right for you,” Miranda says.
“If you don’t like the idea of staying in the commune but still want a life with Keric, tell him that.
Because he went with the other Irontrees out to California and his cousin is setting up a life there already with your best friend, he might be willing to move there with you.
You don’t necessarily have to build a permenant life here only in the commune with him.
I suspect that if you talked it out with him you could find a work around that suits the both of you.
You could live here only part time or on school breaks or even full time, there are ways to set this up that work the best for you.
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. All of us live here full time and love it, but we fully understand that’s not for everyone.
But we thought we’d give you our pitch and help you to understand the positives of living here.
If we could even get you part time, that would be great. ”
“And know that even though you’re living with Keric right now, it’s a good thing that you haven’t slept with him yet.
This gives you time to make your decision about whether to have a permenant life with him and become a mother to orc sons.
It’s a good thing that you’re thinking hard about this and not rushing into it.
This makes us like you more. And if you decide it’s all a big no, that’s perfectly fine no one will think the worse of you.
You’ll be able to leave and return to your life in California after all of this is over. ”
“Everyone will respect whatever decision you make,” Miranda agrees.
“Thank you so much, all of you.”
Then we do a big group hug. All of them surrounding me with genuine warmth.
Drew walks me to the door when Keric’s vehicle pulls up. “Thank you for listening to all of our talk. I know we can be a bit much when we get all together like this. Would you like to become a part of our group text chat?”
“Oh I’d like that.”
And then we hug and I join my orc to return to our cabin and our kitten, who I already miss desperately.