Chapter 022 True Mates
I woke slowly, wrapped in a cocoon of warmth and solid muscle. Thokk's arm was heavy across my waist, his chest rising and falling against my back in a rhythm that matched my own breath. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting the room in soft gold. For a moment, I just lay there, savoring it. Last night replayed in fragments—his careful touches, the stretch and vibration of him inside me, the way he'd held me after like I was something precious. My body ached in the best way, sore between my thighs, a delicious reminder.
I shifted slightly, and that's when I noticed it. A faint glow caught my eye on my inner wrist. I lifted my arm, turning it toward the light. There, etched beneath the skin like a tattoo woven from gold threads, was a perfect circle. Intricate patterns swirled inside it, pulsing faintly with my heartbeat. It hadn't been there yesterday. I stared, breath catching. What the hell?
Thokk stirred behind me, his nose nuzzling into my hair. "Morning, Cassidy."
I twisted to face him, holding up my wrist. "Thokk... what's this?"
His eyes flicked to it, and a slow, smug smile spread across his face, tusks glinting. He took my hand gently, thumb tracing the mark. "The mating mark. It appeared last night, after we..." He trailed off, heat darkening his green skin.
I swallowed, heart pounding. "Mating mark? Like... we're true mates?"
He nodded, expression turning serious, pleased. "We're true mates." His voice was a low rumble, sending shivers down my spine. "The mating bond is sacred to orcs. It can't be forced or rushed. I let the fates decide if you'd wear it or not, but no matter what, we're mates."
I searched his eyes, that underlying terror from last night bubbling up. This was permanent. Magic. For life. But looking at him, feeling the warmth of his touch on my skin, it felt right. Thrilling. "It's beautiful," I whispered.
He leaned in, kissing the mark. Electricity shot through me, straight to my core. I gasped, arching toward him. His lips lingered, tongue flicking out, and I was lost. "Thokk..."
That smug look returned, but softer now. "Does it please you?"
"More than." I climbed onto him, straddling his hips, feeling him harden beneath me. He was massive, even like this—long, thick, those coorails already trembling along his length. I rocked against him, slick from arousal, sore but needy. He gripped my hips, guiding me down slowly.
The stretch burned sweet, coorails vibrating as they dragged inside. I moaned, bracing my hands on his chest, feeling his heartbeat thunder under my palms. He thrust up gently, eyes locked on mine, watching every reaction. "You feel incredible," he growled.
We moved together, unhurried, bodies syncing like we'd done this a thousand times. Pleasure built steady, those beads pulsing against every nerve. I came first, shuddering, clenching around him. He followed with a deep groan, filling me again.
After, we lay tangled, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my back. My body hummed, content, but my mind raced. This mark meant forever. How could I leave him now? Blainsworth's shadow loomed, but for the first time, the fear felt smaller next to this.
Thokk kissed my forehead. "Hungry?"
"Starving," I admitted, stomach rumbling.
He chuckled, rolling us so he could stand. "I'll start breakfast. Bathroom's free."
He dressed quickly—pants folded neat as always—before slipping out. I eased out of bed, legs wobbly, and padded to the bathroom. The mirror showed a woman I barely recognized: flushed cheeks, tousled hair, that golden mark glowing on my wrist. I turned my arm, studying the patterns. It shimmered like sunlight on water, warm to the touch. Thokk's equivalent must be somewhere on him—I'd check later. For now, I splashed water on my face, brushed my teeth with his spare set, feeling oddly domestic. Safe.
In the kitchen, scents hit me first—rich coffee brewing, something savory sizzling. Thokk stood at the stove, shirtless, muscles flexing as he whisked eggs. Chumble, from the look of it—fluffy white curds. Cragroot sautéed in a pan beside, earthy and crisp. My mouth watered.
I grabbed his shirt from the chair, slipping it on. It drowned me, hanging to mid-thigh, but it smelled like him. Pine, leather, a hint of us. "Smells amazing."
He glanced over, eyes heating. "Good. Sit." But I didn't. I sidled up behind him, arms around his waist, chin on his shoulder. "Need help?"
His body tensed, then relaxed. "You're distracting."
"Does my body distract you, Deputy?"
He turned off the stove, facing me. "Terribly." Hands on my hips, he lifted me onto the island counter like I weighed nothing. Our mouths crashed together, possessive, hungry. His tongue swept in, tusks grazing my lip. I wound my legs around his waist, pulling him close.
One hand slid under the shirt, up my ribcage to cup my breast, thumb circling the nipple. I gasped into his mouth, arching. "Thokk..."
He growled, kissing down my neck, nipping gently. "We should eat."
"Screw breakfast." But he pulled back, eyes dark with restraint.
"Later." He set me down, plating omelets—fluffy chumble folded over golden cragroot. We sat at the small table by the window, sunlight streaming in. My mark caught it, shimmering brighter. He noticed, reaching across to trace it again.
"Tell me more about it," I said, forking into the omelet. Perfect—creamy, savory, with a crunch from the root.
He sipped his coffee—three precise scoops, from his spreadsheets, he'd mentioned once. "Orcs mate for life, Cassidy. The bond is ancient magic. It recognizes compatible souls. Last night, with acceptance..." He gestured to my wrist. "It manifested physically."
"Acceptance?" I echoed, pulse quickening.
He nodded. "We have to speak it. Formally."
I set down my fork, heart in my throat. Terrifying. Right. "I accept you, Thokk Bronish."
His eyes softened, a smile breaking wide. "And I accept you, Cassidy James." The mark warmed, pulsing once, strong. His sleeve rode up—there, matching circle on his inner forearm, gold against green.
Under the table, I hooked my ankle around his calf, pulling closer. Happiness bloomed, sincere, deep. But reality nipped at it. Permanent. What if I had to run?
His phone buzzed, shattering the moment. He checked it, expression shifting to professional. "Krug. Surveillance update."
I leaned in as he answered. "Bronish."
"No activity overnight at the pens," Krug's voice crackled. "Bram and Mina took first watch, then Rokk and Beth. Quiet."
"Good. Keep eyes on. We'll head to the office soon."
He hung up, pocketing it. "No movement. Joyce's playing it cool."
"For now." I finished my omelet, warmth lingering from food and him.
We cleared plates together, touches brushing—his hand on my lower back, mine on his arm. In the bedroom, dressing felt charged. I pulled on jeans, him watching, shirt half-buttoned.
"Thank you," I said softly, stepping close. "For making me feel safe. I didn't know how much I needed that."
He cupped my face, thumb stroking my cheek. "You make me feel whole, Cassidy. Belonging."
We kissed, slow, sealing it. Outside, Treelee waited in the paddock, massive head lifting as we approached. She snorted a greeting, bumping Thokk's shoulder affectionately, pawing the ground.
"Hey, girl." Thokk swung me up first onto the saddle, then leaped behind, arms caging me secure. I leaned back into his chest, his warmth chasing the morning chill.
Treelee lumbered forward, hooves thudding steady. Dusty Gulch unfolded ahead—baking storefronts, pottery wheels turning, folks waving. Wind tugged my hair, but I felt anchored. Secure. Like I could face Blainsworth, Joyce, whatever came.
Thokk's chin rested on my shoulder, breath warm on my neck. "Ready for the day?"
"With you? Always."
But deep down, the fear whispered. How long could this last?