Chapter 13 #2
My mind flashes with images of Garlen chained in the basement, feral with winter rage, while we took shifts making sure he didn’t break free and hurt someone. The desperation in his eyes. The way he howled for Ellie.
Now the windows are open. His bride’s clothes share his closet. He’s teaching at a human school, expecting a son, raising a human daughter and living a life none of us imagined possible.
Everything has changed.
And I want what he has.
Garlen settles onto the couch near the fireplace. Dane takes one of the armchairs. Aldar leans against the wall near the balcony doors, arms crossed.
I pace because I can’t sit still.
Garlen speaks first. “Let’s start with threat assessment. Aldar, what do we know?”
My cousin pushes off the wall slightly, shifting into professional mode. “Aldridge is still free and remains connected to cartel money. The State Department knows Sloane was recovered, but the details are classified.”
“Does Aldridge know she’s alive?” Dane asks.
“Almost certainly. The cartel would have reported the compound breach.” Aldar’s jaw tightens. “My estimate is one to two weeks before he traces her here. Maybe less. He has resources—private investigators, possibly mercenaries again.”
“He’s not going to stop,” I say flatly. “She has evidence that could put him in prison for life.”
Aldar nods. “He’s not going to stop.”
Silence settles over the room. And then Aldar’s mouth quirks as he abruptly changes the subject. “So. You moved her into your bedroom.”
I stiffen. “How do you know that?”
“The guest room door was open this morning. Her things were gone and your door was closed.” He shrugs, that damn smirk widening. “I can put two and two together.”
“It was practical. The bed is bigger.”
“Practical.” Aldar’s eyes gleam with amusement. “And was it also ‘practical’ what I heard from the bathroom this morning? Sounded like you were in distress. Should I have called for help?”
Heat crawls up my neck, but I refuse to be embarrassed in front of my family. These males have all been through this—or will be.
“You’ll understand when it happens to you,” I say flatly. “And I think it will. Soon.”
Aldar’s smirk falters. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Lucy.” I let the name hang in the air. “How many hours a day are you on the phone with her now?”
“That’s different.” His arms tighten across his chest. “We’re just talking.”
“You pace the backyard every night while you talk to her. Garlen’s security cameras don’t lie.”
Dane chuckles from his armchair. “He does pace. Laurie’s noticed too.”
“That doesn’t mean—” Aldar starts.
“You’ve never talked to any female this much,” I press. “Never been interested. Never cared. And now you’re glued to your phone every night, talking to a human who lives across the country. That’s how it started for me, you know. And now look where I am.”
Silence.
Garlen’s voice is quiet, thoughtful. “Have you considered that Lucy might be—”
“She’s not.” Aldar’s voice is sharp. Too sharp. “I’d know. My body would react. It hasn’t.”
“Would you know?” Dane asks gently. “You haven’t scented her. You’ve only heard her voice.”
Aldar looks away. His jaw is tight. For once, my confident cousin has no clever response. “Can we get back to the actual threat assessment?” he mutters.
Dane leans forward in his chair. “The neighborhood watch is active. Any unfamiliar vehicles will be flagged immediately. I’m coordinating with local contacts—some of the neighbors from Garlen and Ellie’s wedding have become trusted allies.”
“The safe room in the basement is prepped and stocked,” Garlen adds. “We learned from what happened with Anna. We’re better prepared now.”
I stop pacing long enough to add my piece. “Secure communications are established. Sloane’s working on organizing her evidence and writing the article. Her editor at the Washington Post knows she went dark—she’ll reach out through secure channels today.”
“Timeline?” Dane asks.
“A few days to a week to publish. Depending on legal review.”
Garlen nods slowly. “So the race is getting the story published before Aldridge finds her.”
“Yes.” I resume pacing. “And we need to be ready in case he finds her first.”
We discuss tactical planning and agree that Sloane doesn’t leave the house. Someone is always with her. We rotate watch shifts at night. Aldar continues law enforcement coordination. I work with Sloane on the story—help however she needs.
“What about after?” Dane asks. “Once the story is published?”
“Aldridge will be arrested. The FBI contacts I’ve cultivated are solid. Once the evidence goes public, they can move.”
“And if he’s not arrested immediately?”
I meet my uncle’s eyes. “Then we keep her safe until he is.”
“For how long?”
“For as long as it takes.” My voice is steady. “Forever, if necessary.”
The other orcs exchange looks. They know what that word means coming from an Irontree male.
Silence stretches between us. I look at each of them in turn.
My uncle, who raised me after my parents died.
My cousins, who are more like brothers than extended family.
These are the males who dragged Garlen to the basement cage.
Who helped Keric through the scent bomb.
Who know exactly what an Irontree goes through when he finds his mate.
“She’s my mate.”
No one looks surprised.
Garlen leans forward. “When did you know for certain?”
“When her clean scent hit me after she showered that first night.” I run a hand over my face.
“But I think part of me knew before. On the video calls. Through the screen. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Couldn’t stop finding excuses to talk to her.
I told myself it was professional interest. But then I insisted on being the one who pulled her from the pit. And it grew from there.”
“Have you told her?” Dane asks gently.
“This morning I told her that I want to mate with her but explained that orcs don’t pleasure mate. That it’s all or nothing.”
“And?”
“And then I told her we will wait until this is over and there is not trauma clouding her judgement.”
Aldar raises an eyebrow. “That’s remarkably controlled of you.”
I huff a dark laugh. “Don’t give me too much credit.” My jaw tightens. “I had to... handle things. This morning. In the shower.”
Understanding dawns on their faces.
Dane nods slowly. “It’s the mate bond. The physical need is overwhelming at first.”
“It’s never happened to me before. I’ve never—” I stop. Take a breath.
Garlen shifts forward on the couch. “I remember feeling that way so desperately I needed the basement cage and the chains. The first time my body reacted to Ellie—I thought I’d lose my mind. I was terrified of what I might do to her.”
“But you didn’t,” I say.
“No. Because she was worth waiting for. Worth controlling myself for.” His eyes are steady on mine. “Sloane is worth it too.”
I exhale slowly. It’s good to know the other Irontrees understand.
“The berserker instinct,” Garlen continues. “How bad is it?”
I consider the question honestly. “When I think about anyone threatening her, I see red. I want to tear them apart with my bare hands.”
“But you’re in control?”
“For now. It’s late May. The season helps.” I meet his gaze. “If this were winter, like it was for you...”
Garlen nods grimly. “You’d need the cage.”
“Yes. I’m grateful for the timing. I can think clearly. I can be what she needs—a protector, not a beast.”
“And if you lose control?” Aldar questions.
“I won’t.” My voice is firm. “I refuse to scare her. She’s been through enough.”
“But if someone actually threatens her—”
My eyes go dark. I feel it happen—feel the dangerous thing inside me shift and stir. “Then I’ll kill them. And I won’t feel bad about it.”
No one argues. They understand.
Aldar pushes off the wall, breaking the heavy moment. “I spoke with Kelt this morning, updating him on what’s happening out here with Sloane. He thinks it’s a good thing that Anna and Keric remain at the commune, across the country from Sloane.”
“Yes,” Garlen agrees. “The more distance between Anna and Sloane, the harder for Aldridge to target them both.”
I nod, forcing my mind back to strategy. “And we can make sure the evidence is distributed. Anna and Keric can have copies too. Multiple backup locations. Even if something happens to one of them...”
“The story still breaks.”
“Exactly. Aldridge can’t win. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
Garlen stands, signaling the meeting is wrapping up. “So we’re agreed. Protect Sloane. Help her finish the story. Prepare for potential attack.”
Nods all around.
Dane clasps my shoulder one more time. “She’s a good female. Sloane survived things that would break most humans.”
“She did.”
“And don’t worry, I’m certain when all of this settles down, she’ll choose you.” Dane’s voice is warm with certainty. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”
“I’ve scented her arousal only for you,” Garlen confirms. “The way she relaxes when you’re near. That female has already made her decision, even if she doesn’t know it yet.”
“Enough’” Aldar grouses. “Let’s go make sure no one’s trying to kill our journalist.”
Garlen snorts in agreement.