Page 5 of Enchanted with the Orc (The Kingverse Orcs #4)

Enka

I took my time, picking my way through the small crowd that surrounded the snack table, eyeing the female who was pretending to be laughing in the corner. I’d been observing her, and I knew without a single doubt that there was nothing real in her smile.

Something was very wrong. I could tell from the way she carried herself and the way her gaze shifted from person to person as if trying to memorize them.

She’s going to run.

I was certain of it. And my entire body was tight with the knowledge. I wasn’t sure why she would. It made no sense. She was safe here with her coven and inside the protection spell that surrounded the tower.

I had no idea what had happened to make her so afraid she would risk that, but whatever it was, there was no way I was going to let her go without me.

I glanced over at my older brother Krusk, and I saw the way his gaze flickered between me and Tasia.

He tilted his head toward her and I rolled my eyes.

Savla, my other brother, was standing in the corner, observing the interactions around him with his usual quiet contentment. He didn’t like to be involved too much. But when his gaze met mine, he sent me a little bob of his head.

I’d told them both what I’d felt and they were firmly on my side, backing me any way they could. I was going to have to let them know that I’d be leaving with her—at least until I could convince her that she needed to return.

From the way she was looking at her family, she was going to make her move soon, and I was going to have to make mine. My brothers would support any choice I made—especially when it was attributed to my mate and her sweet youngling.

I was just as attached to that baby as I was to my mate. Every time I saw her, the joy that lit her gaze was mirrored in my chest. Even now, she’d only released her hold on me after Becca had bribed her with a present that she needed to try on.

A little dress for my little princess.

The thought was a possessive one, and I looked back at my mate, the noose tightening its hold around my heart .

Mine.

The bond had strengthened as I’d watched her, becoming more obvious until the knowledge roared through my chest. I could get my brothers to pack a bag for me that I’d have shipped to wherever she was going—because I wasn’t letting her out of my sight.

Straightening my shoulders, I prowled closer to her, trying to be inconspicuous in my approach, but her lovely eyes caught my movement and they widened with trepidation as I neared. The same look that I saw on her face whenever there was a male present.

Wariness and vigilance. Something had happened in her past that had hurt her and now she was careful to avoid situations that could lead to it happening again. I pressed my lips together, struggling to hide the smile that wanted to beam out at her in greeting.

“Wonderful party,” I told her instead, trying to show nonchalance. This was the advice that I’d been given by Rudgar.

Females like Tasia didn’t like being pursued outright.

They needed to be given time to get used to the male who was mated to them.

If her husband was as bad to her as Zara said, she’d be wary.

I had to allow her the time to trust me.

In all likelihood, she wouldn’t even realize who I was to her until I told her the truth.

She gave me that same, measured smile that she had the first time we’d officially met. “Thank you. The coven and clan planned it for us. I helped, but if it wasn’t for them, it wouldn’t have happened,” she told me, her gaze sweeping out to encompass everyone in the room.

The smile that crossed her face this time was more genuine.

“It was more than I could ever ask for,” she murmured, and I was certain that she’d forgotten I was there for a moment.

I didn’t mind. If it meant that I would be able to see that sincere look in her eyes, then I could be invisible for years at a time and just watch her.

I scanned the beautiful planes of her face, admiring her doe-like eyes and the sweet curve of her nose and cheeks. I longed to run my finger along her soft jaw, but I held myself back, scared that I was going to pull her from the trance she seemed to be in.

“They’re the only family I’ve ever known,” she told me, swallowing hard and I wanted to pull her into my arms. I needed to comfort her, but I also knew that she wouldn’t welcome it.

I wasn’t anyone to her… yet. Soon, I would be.

I had a plan, and I just needed time to execute it.

Still, it took a ridiculous amount of self-control to not intervene when her eyes were filled with sadness the way they were now.

Clenching my fists, I stopped myself from reaching out to touch her cheek.

My instincts were beating at me to hold her, to comfort her, but that would be a misstep. With Tasia, I had to be careful. Every step of my plan forward had to be mapped and charted.

From what Zara had told me, she had been burned and was now shy when it came to males. I understood that. I’d been watching the news of this plane and while it was shocking, for some reason, there were males who hurt the females they were honor-bound to protect.

It hurt my heart that this female carried the shadows she did because someone she’d trusted had betrayed her. But I also knew that I would be able to win her. Fated mates were fated for a reason. I was going to win her. It would just take time.

“I have a present for Gabbi,” I told her, pulling a little box from my pocket and holding it out to her.

The darkness that was haunting her gaze faded as she focused on the box, her brow furrowed. Wide eyes met mine and a jolt of lust sizzled through me, so strong that I almost staggered back on my feet.

Is that how she’ll look at me the first time I make her come? A little surprised and a whole lot pleased?

“You didn’t have to,” she insisted with a shake of her head, her eyes darting to where Gabbi was spinning in circles with Rudgar on the dancefloor. The big male was hunched almost all the way over as he spun her while she giggled. “She has so many gifts already—” she started, but I shook my head.

“Of course I had to get her something. It’s her birthday. She’s only had a few so far. Each one should be cherished,” I explained.

Her lips curved and her eyes ducked as she looked down at the box, hesitating for only a moment before she reached out for it. When our fingers touched, the shot of electricity zinged all the way through my body.

This. This is what I’ve been waiting for my entire life.

My brothers were the only family I had growing up.

We’d lost our parents early on. And every clan we’d approached had tossed us aside.

Chief Rok had been the only one who’d taken a chance on us, and now Dristan.

But there had always been something missing.

A part that was empty inside me. Now I knew what was missing.

Her.

Even as I thought it, a little missile slammed into my legs, latching around the left one, and my hand dropped to the top of downy curls I was already familiar with.

“Happy birthday, Gruk-ir,” I murmured, and she grinned up at me.

“Gabbi,” she said, tilting her head as she bit into the leg of my pants. Even as Tasia made a sound of distress, I waved her off.

“Gruk-ir means tiny sweet in orcish,” I told her, stroking my hand down her hair again and watching as her eyes closed.

This little one had been protected from whatever had happened to them, I could tell. She was open and loving—if a little bitey. She trusted everyone in the coven and it looked as though she’d never been touched by the darkness that had made my mate so guarded.

I was both proud of Tasia for that and disappointed in myself. I wish I could have been there to stop whatever had hurt her. If I’d been there to protect her, she wouldn’t have the shadows. She wouldn’t feel the need to run.

“Gruk-eer,” Gabbi enunciated, taking another bite out of my pants.

I beamed with pride down at her and she gave a little wiggle. “What can I call you?” she asked, taking another chomp.

“Enka,” I told her, and she crinkled her little nose as she sounded it out before shaking her head.

She pointed up at me with her tiny finger and said, “Abu,” in the sweetest tone I’d ever heard in my life.

Everything inside of me froze as I stared down at the little princess that was latched onto me. “What did you say?” I asked her, struggling to keep the emotions out of my voice.

“I had a dream when I was younger and you and Mommy were in it,” she told me, swinging from side to side, using my leg to keep her tiny body balanced. “And I called you Abu.”

Daddy.

This sweet, precious girl had called me daddy .

“What kind of dream?” I asked her, struggling not to make the simmering love that was boiling in my heart known to Tasia, who was eyeing our interaction with curiosity.

Gabbi shrugged, swinging again. “Mommy was there, you were there and there was a scary male there too.”

The furrow in Tasia’s brow was getting deeper and deeper as Gabbi continued to speak and her gaze swung up to stare at me with suspicion before she lowered herself to her haunches and held her arms out to her daughter.

Gabbi didn’t hesitate, diving into her mother’s arms and nuzzling her face into her neck. Just like I wished I could do.

“I think she’s a little overwhelmed with everything,” she told me, holding the little box up with a tight smile. “Thank you so much for this. I’ll let her open it once she’s had a nap.”

I nodded, allowing her to retreat. I watched as she weaved her way out of the room, making excuses about Gabbi that I was sure wasn’t true. The little girl was a lot of things, but she hadn’t been overwhelmed.

She’s leaving. She’s using the party as a distraction.

Every inch of my body wanted to chase after them, but I didn’t. I wanted to observe her first, and I’d keep an eye out for any threats to her. Then I’d follow at a distance until they needed me. And I’d be there for them. I knew that with every fiber of my body.

My heart was still aching in my chest at the memory of Gabbi looking up at me with sparkling eyes, a grin on her face as she called me Abu. I was gone for those two. They’d taken me down in one fell swoop.