Chapter 2
Garruk
The storm howls.
It pushes at my cloak, drags wind down my back, but I barely notice it. My entire attention is on the beautiful human in my arms.
When I found her on the ridge, half-frozen, injured, and still trying to stand against the storm, the whole world went still. Just for a moment. Long enough for me to hear her breath, soft and uneven.
Just long enough for the bond to strike. Thurok'hai.
A pulse under my skin, older than the blood in my veins. Recognition followed by absolute certainty. She's meant to be my mate.
Except she doesn't know it yet. And once she does, she can still refuse. Human hearts are free in ways orc hearts are not. For her, the bond won’t solidify unless she chooses it. For me, it’s already decided. I’m hers, and hers alone, forever.
My arms tighten without thinking.
Ava shifts against my chest, tucking her cold face into the warm curve between my shoulder and collarbone.
"Doing okay?" My voice comes out low.
She makes a small sound. "I’m much warmer." Then, after a pause, "You're really strong."
I huff a laugh, and the sound surprises me. I’m not a creature prone to laughter. "Yes, I am.”
She goes quiet again. Her fingers curl in my cloak, holding on tight.
The bond thrums between us.
Her scent threads through my lungs. Even under frost clinging to her, it pulls at me, filling me with an overwhelming desire to kiss every inch of her skin. I force myself to breathe carefully. If I make my move too soon, I will frighten her away.
"Almost there," I tell her.
She lifts her head slightly. Her eyelashes are heavy with melted snow, cheeks pale except for the sharp flush from the cold.
"Where's there?"
"My home."
“Do you live in a cave?" she asks curiously.
"No," I say, slightly offended. There are orcs that still live in caves, but my brothers and I are civilized. "My cabin is sturdy, warm, and hidden."
"Hidden?”
"If I lived where humans could easily find me, I probably wouldn't live long."
She goes silent.
Her heartbeat ticks faster, as I wait for the obvious question: Are you not human? But she doesn’t ask it. Not yet. She's cold. Hurting. Exhausted.
Questions will come later, I’m sure of it. And I dread them. Because once she asks, I’ll have to tell her not only that I’m an orc, but that she’s my fated mate. My Thurok’hai.
Will she reject the bond? Reject me?
Wind shrieks one last time as I step behind the rock outcropping shielding my cabin. The sudden drop in force of the wind hits Ava. She inhales sharply.
"Wind break," she says. "Smart."
I nod, cross the snow-packed clearing, and shoulder the door open.
Warmth rolls out. Woodsmoke. Dried herbs. Banked coals still glowing. The quiet inside smooths the storm out of my bones.
"Oh,” Ava breathes. “This is actually quite cozy."
My chest warms at her compliment. "Sit. Then I'll check injuries."
"I can walk."
"You cannot."
"I can try."
"You'll fall."
I set her gently on the bed platform before she can argue. She gives a soft hiss as her ankle pushes against the fur blankets.
Her pride is strong. I respect that. But pride doesn't thaw frozen fingers or bind sprains.
I kneel in front of her—close enough to feel the faint tremble of her legs—and unfasten her pack straps.
She watches. Wary. "You're surprisingly gentle for someone who could bench-press a moose."
"I don't bench-press wildlife." I pause. "Often."
Her mouth twitches.
Victory.
I set her pack aside, peel off her wet outer jacket. My touch stays careful. Her breath stutters when my fingers graze her wrist through damp fabric.
Not fear.
Attraction.
I swallow it down and focus.
"Your ankle. Let me see."
"Pretty sure it's a sprain," she mutters, trying to sound casual even as pain flickers over her face. "I can wrap it myself."
"You'll wrap nothing. Your hands are half-frozen."
"They're fine."
I take one gently.
Her skin is ice. Her fingers tremble. She looks away fast, like she doesn't want me to see how much she hurts.
My grip softens. "Ava."
She looks at me then. Really looks.
Her brown eyes are tired but bright. Brave. She met a stranger in a blizzard—a stranger with tusks and golden eyes—and did not cower in fear. My mate has a warrior’s spirit.
The bond surges. I push it down.
"I want to help," I say quietly. "Let me."
Something in her eases. Her shoulders drop.
"Okay," she whispers. "Fine."
I lift her injured leg, supporting her calf in my palm.
She sighs. “Your hand is so warm. It feels nice.”
“After being in the cold for so long, I’m sure it does.”
“You were in the cold, too,” she says, a question in her voice. “How come your skin is so much warmer than mine.”
Is now the right time to tell her that I’m an orc? No… not yet. “I’ve always been hot blooded,” I say vaguely. “The cold doesn’t bother me.”
I peel off her wet boot and sock. The ankle is swollen, shading toward purplish-blue. She winces when I touch the outer edge.
"Fast twist," she explains through clenched teeth. "Hit ice. Didn't see it."
"You shouldn't have been out there alone."
She bristles. "It's my job."
"Nearly became your funeral."
She doesn't argue.
I spread warm salve over the swelling, working it in with slow circles. Orc salve is strong. She shivers as warmth sinks deep.
"You're good at that," she says.
"My brother Drak is a better healer. He made the salve.”
"You have a brother?" she asks.
"Four brothers.”
She nods slowly, looking curious. “Do they live near here too?”
“They do.” I smile at her. “They don’t live in caves, either.”
I wrap her ankle, elevate her foot on a pile of furs, and cover her with my warmest pelt. She exhales shakily. Relief washes over her face.
"Thank you," she says quietly.
My chest pulls tight. "You're welcome."
I stand, putting distance between us before I give into my need to be closer to her. I hang her wet things near the fire, put a kettle over the fire for tea, and move with purpose so I don't reach for her again.
Behind me, Ava shifts under the furs. "So, Garruk. Are you going to tell me what you and your brothers are?"
I stiffen. I knew this question was coming.
Her voice isn't fearful or accusing. It’s just… curious, like she wants to know me.
I look over my shoulder. Her eyes meet mine.
"I'll tell you later," I say. "Ater you’ve rested and you're warm. Okay?”
She frowns, but nods. “Okay.”
So brave, my little warrior.
I’ve always been brave. Until now.
Now that I’ve found my mate, I’m terrified she’ll leave me before the bond takes hold. When it comes to the possibility of losing Ava, I’m a coward.