“Maybe I didn’t want to be anyone’s Bride? And you were scary. You threatened to kidnap me and drag me off by the hair. You were half asleep when you said it, but you still scared the hell outta me, like you had a secret plan I didn’t know about until then.”
“There was no secret plan. I was breeding you. This whole time I’ve known I’ve had a pregnant female out there and that you were carrying my growing offspring and giving birth and I didn’t know what was happening with my son. I was going insane.”
“I’m so sorry, Whelan. I didn’t know you were trying to breed me. I thought we were having a fabulous one-night stand and I was on birth control. When I left, I thought there was zero chance of me being pregnant. And later when I did become pregnant, I thought only I knew about it and was making decisions and you had no idea. I didn’t know your name and you didn’t know mine because to me it made the hook up mysterious and sexy. I didn’t know where you lived. I knew nothing. I finally had to hire a private investigator to find you.”
“Why didn’t you try to find me the moment you knew you were pregnant? Why did you wait until now when my sons are three months old?”
“I learned that Bran and Owen need you.”
“It was my right to know of my offspring as soon as you knew.”
Tears spring to my eyes because he’s right. I stand and pace the room. “You’re right,” I say. “It was wrong of me. You did have the right to know about your children the moment I learned I was pregnant. I’m sorry. In my defense, most one-night stands between humans don’t result in the man wanting commitment. Most men would be happy that I was carrying on and leaving them out of it and they didn’t have to financially support the babies. And also I was still worried that you wanted to kidnap me. What if I returned to you and you tried to harm me?”
A growl rumbles in his chest. “That doesn’t make any sense. I didn’t threaten to kidnap you and you were never going to be harmed. I’m not human. And that wasn’t a one-night stand. Orcs don’t pleasure mate.”
“I’m not lying. You did threaten to kidnap me. And I didn’t know that orcs don’t pleasure mate, but I know it now.”
“You can’t raise orcs without their father.”
“I didn’t know that until I read a book by an orc named Alden Overlook. I learned so much then and learned how I didn’t understand what was happening that night.”
“You read Alden’s book? I’m glad you finally educated yourself,” he says stiffly, with a hint of sarcasm. “Well, you’ve done the right thing, leaving them with me now. You can leave tomorrow morning. I will care for them.”
“What? This is what your father said too. Whelan, I’m not leaving Bran and Owen behind. I’m here to stay. Where they go, I go. If they need to remain on this commune with you then I’m here too. They’re still breastfeeding—they need me.”
He crooks an eye ridge at me, obviously skeptical. “There are a few other human females on the commune who would gladly feed the babies too. You do not have to stay out of a sense of misplaced responsibility. We are used to orc babies being dropped off by human females. Sometimes they drop off babies to the wrong commune, but we still take them in and adopt them if we’re unable to locate the father in another tribe. Again, you are free to go. You do not need to stay. I am grateful that you did not terminate the pregnancy and that you gave birth to my sons and provided them care. Your obligation is now over.”
“Obligation? No, I love my babies. I’m telling you, I’m not leaving without them.”
He inhales deep. “Why are you really here, Drew Reilly? I can still scent your arousal. You want to pleasure mate with me and leave again? I already told you that isn’t going to happen.”
It’s the first time he’s said my name and I like it. “No…well, yes I want that but…I want to stay and try again. You said you wanted me as your Bride. Maybe I’m ready to try that out.”
He gives me a sharp glance. “Are you trying to trick me again? How can I believe this?”
“It’s the truth. Yes, I thought we were having a one-night stand. But since then, a lot has happened. Like I said, I read that book, many times, highlighting parts and trying my best to learn about orcs. I have Bran and Owen in my life. And I’ve even met your father and cousin and seen many other women living here. I’m…I’m at a different place and I’m not here to simply drop off the babies. I’m here because I know they need you, but I also want to give us a chance.”
“A chance?” he snorts. “You’re willing to give us a chance? There it is again. Human thinking. I cannot simply become your boyfriend and then you leave later when you realize you don’t really want to stay with me or in this commune. You cannot divorce me. I will not start anything with you again because I cannot trust the female who kept my sons from me. You left me once. I won’t give you the opportunity to do it to me again.”
“Whelan, I had a lot of fears. I thought you’d wake up and kidnap me and drag me off to your lair.”
He crosses his arms and frowns at me. “This is preposterous. It never happened. I did not say that, even in my sleep. Stop making up this terrible excuse.”
“Whelan, it’s the truth. I was drunk when I propositioned you and fell into your bed. But it was great between us, of course it was and I probably would’ve woken up with you and said goodbye at least before I caught my plane, but when you started mumbling about ‘kidnapping your Bride,’ I decided it was smart of me to instead sneak away.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You did. Also, you don’t realize what a big deal it was for me to come to you. I mean, I live on the other side of the country. After I learned you lived on an orc commune in Maine, my best friend convinced me to move out to Maine, which is her home state. I always thought I’d be a California girl to the day I died, but instead I moved across the country. I had to fire my beloved Nanny who’d been helping me out with the boys the best she could. The airline wouldn’t allow me to fly with both babies by myself so my best friend Amelia went through the bother of flying out to California, just so she could help me pack up and fly back to her hometown with the babies between us. Flying with them out here was a harrowing experience with lots of exasperated passengers glaring at my crying infants the whole time. I put my condo up for sale and all my stuff is in storage. Coming here with the boys wasn’t easy, but I’m here.”
He blinks. “You moved across the country?”
I sit down heavily in a nearby chair. “Yes. I’m not simply here for a visit. I changed my entire life so I can make a go of this with you.”
“You love your orc sons?” he demands.
“Yes. I am their mother. I love them. They are the most important things in my life. And I’m not kidding. I had no idea until I gave birth to those two that love like that could exist.”
A pleasant sound, almost a purr, rumbles in his chest. Then he stands up. “I am going to check on them.”
“No, don’t wake them,” I blurt out.
“Why?”
“It’s so hard for them to sleep. I think they’re both exhausted. That’s why I fell asleep so easily too, I’m also exhausted.”
“You do appear thinner than I remember and there are dark circles under your eyes.”
My lips thin. “Thanks.”
“Do not worry, female, you did the right thing, coming to me. You will now get all the sleep you require. Our sons will sleep well too.”
“They’ve been fussy,” I admit as I stand and follow him back down the dark hallway. “I’ve been worried they’re too small and not thriving like they should.”