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"Pamela," he says finally, his voice rougher than usual. "There's something I need to say."

I set down my bánh mì, giving him my full attention. "What is it?"

Koda takes a deep breath, his yellow eyes meeting mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. "I love you," he says simply. "I think I have for a while now. But I wasn't sure if you could ever truly accept me. As I am."

My heart swells at his words, even as I ache at the uncertainty I hear in his voice. "Koda," I start, but he holds up a hand.

"Please, let me finish," he says. "I'm an orc. An ex-mercenary. I've done things I'm not proud of. I'm rough, I'm dangerous, and I'm probably not the kind of man your parents ever imagined for you."

I smile at that, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. "I think we leftwhat my parents imaginedbehind a long time ago," I say.

Koda's lips quirk in a brief smile, a rare softness in his yellow eyes. But then his expression turns serious, almost vulnerable. "The thing is, Pamela," he continues, his deep voice rough with emotion. "You make me want to be better. You make me believe that maybe I can be more than just a weapon, more than my past. And I want to be like that, for you."

My heart thunders in my chest, overwhelmed by the raw honesty in his words. Before I can respond, Koda reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small, intricately carved wooden box. My breath catches as he opens it, revealing a ring unlike any I've ever seen. It's a band of what looks like a meteorite, inlaid with tiny green gems that match the color of Koda's skin perfectly.

"This is an orc mating ring," Koda explains, his voice low and intense. His eyes, usually so fierce, now shine with a mix of hope and fear that takes my breath away. "In my culture, when we find our fated mate, we offer this as a symbol of our commitment."

He takes a deep breath, and I realize I'm holding mine. "Pamela Nguyen," he says, my name a reverent whisper on his lips. "Will you be my mate? Will you accept all of me, past and present, and build a future with me?"

For a moment, I'm speechless. The enormity of what he's asking, what he's offering, crashes over me like a wave. But it makes sense, the fated mates, I’ve never felt anything like this.

Tears well up in my eyes, and I see a flicker of uncertainty cross Koda's face. I reach out, my hand trembling slightly as I cup his cheek. "Koda," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "Yes. Yes, I'll be your mate."

His eyes widen, as if he can't quite believe what he's hearing. I laugh softly, tears of joy now streaming down my face.

"Of course I will," I continue, my voice growing stronger. "I accept all of you - your past, your present, and whatever the future holds. I love you, Koda. My orc. My mate."

Twelve

Koda

Two weeks have passed since I proposed to Pamela on that small bayou island. Two weeks of stolen moments between vigilant watches, of whispered plans for the future, of learning to navigate our growing bond. "I can't stand another minute unmarried to you," I growl, turning to face Pamela. My yellow eyes lock onto hers, intense and unwavering. "Let's do it. Now."

Pamela's eyes widen, a mix of surprise and excitement dancing in their depths. "Now? But how?"

I silence her with a kiss, rough and passionate. When I pull back, I can see the flush on her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes. "Leave it to me. You in?"

Her surprise melts into a brilliant smile, one that never fails to make my heart skip a beat. "Absolutely."

What follows is a whirlwind of activity. I make calls, pulling in every favor I've accumulated over the years. My voice, usually a low growl, takes on an urgent edge that surprises even me. This has to be perfect. For her.

Lou, bless his gruff heart, comes through with not just a suit for me, but also a priest willing to perform the ceremony on short notice. When he shows up with the garment bag, there's a softness in his eyes I've never seen before.

"You clean up nice, Grukk," he says, helping me with the cufflinks. His calloused hands, usually so sure with engine parts, fumble a bit with the delicate fastenings. "Never thought I'd see the day."

I grunt in response, but warmth spreads through my chest. Lou's been more than just an ally these past few weeks. He's been a friend. Family, even.

As the last rays of sunlight filter through the cypress trees, painting the bayou in hues of gold and amber, I watch the priest arrive. Father Michael, a small, wiry man with kind eyes and a nervous demeanor, steps into the clearing. His eyes widen as he takes in my imposing green form.

The weight of the moment hits me. This man of God is about to join me, an orc, a creature many humans still view with fear and suspicion, to the love of my life. The absurdity of it all nearly makes me laugh.

"You must be Koda," he says, his voice only wavering slightly. I have to give him credit because he's braver than most.

I nod, extending my hand. He takes it, and I'm careful not to squeeze too hard. My strength, usually an asset, feels like a liability at this moment. "Thank you for coming, Father. I know this isn't... conventional."

He manages a small smile. "Love rarely is, my son. Especially in times like these."

As Father Michael begins to set up for the ceremony, I take in our surroundings. The clearing we've chosen is small, intimate. Cypress trees form a natural cathedral around us, their branches draped with Spanish moss that sways gently in the eveningbreeze. The air is thick with the scent of wildflowers and the earthy aroma of the swamp.