Page 18 of His Orc Warrior (Human Omegas for Monster Alphas #1)

Thrain

“Come in,” I said before Lucas could even get to the door. I’d planned a romantic dinner after my long day of warrior training, but the whole time had been thinking about the next time I got to see my mate.

He was my last thought about at night before my eyes closed and my first in the morning. We hadn’t figured out our living situation, but we would soon.

Again, I didn’t want to push him. He was the human, so we would progress at his pace.

Still, opening the door to him, I found myself hoping he would spend the night in my arms again.

“Good evening, mate,” he said, rising on tiptoe to kiss my lips.

I inhaled his scent and nuzzled his neck. “Good evening to you, sweet omega. I’ve missed you today.”

Lucas came inside. The weather had turned from cold all the time to warm during the day. I noticed he had a cardigan slung over his arm in case he got chilled later on but, if I had my say, there would be no way he got cold. Not in my home but especially not in my bed.

“Thrain, what have you done?” His eyes were wide as we walked into the dining area. I’d cleaned the place from top to bottom and cooked a meal fit for a king. Steaks perfectly grilled over an open fire. Cream of mushroom soup—the recipe texted to me by my mother.

She’d come over and brought a loaf of her sharp-cheddar focaccia, along with a salad. She was thrilled that I’d asked her to make something for this special meal.

“I cooked my beautiful mate dinner.”

“What’s the occasion?” He wrapped his lithe arms around my waist.

“You. Finding you. Loving you. Having you here. That’s all.”

He sighed and laid his head against my chest. “Thank you, alpha. But…we may have something to celebrate. I have some news for you.”

“Tell me,” I said, running my fingers through his hair.

“Not yet. Let’s eat some. I’m starving. Couldn’t keep a lot down lately.”

I pulled out his chair and urged him to sit down. He opted for the water over ale. That was strange. Lucas loved orc ale. “Tell me about this stomach trouble. Perhaps my father has a remedy.”

My omega blushed harder than when I first kissed him, which was saying something. “I don’t think your father has a remedy for this. Oh, Thrain, this soup is delicious. Earthy and savory and so creamy. Did you make this from scratch?”

“I did. My mother’s recipe. Please tell me what’s going on, mate. I can’t even eat with all these thoughts running around in my head. Is something wrong? We have an orc healer and a human healer as well, right here on the lands. I can bring you to him tonight.”

Lucas sighed and put down his spoon. “I went to a healer today, alpha. He told me what was going on.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve gone with you.” My chest ached. Honestly, I was a little hurt. We were mates. If something was wrong with him, then something was wrong with me as well. Didn’t he trust me to take care of him?

“I didn’t call because I knew I was coming here tonight. I wanted to tell you in person. Do you remember the other day when you said I was smelling sweeter lately?”

I nodded. “Of course. You smelled like the sweetest dessert. You still do. I thought it was a side effect of the mating.”

He smiled and reached for my hand. “The healer told me…gosh, I’m so nervous about what you’ll say.”

Getting up to move closer to him, I grabbed him up, sat him in my lap, and took his seat. “Tell me, mate. Tell me. We’ll get through it together.”

Lucas chuckled and craned his neck to kiss my chin. “I hope so because I’m carrying your baby, alpha.”

“You are carrying my orkling?” I asked, my breaths shallow.

“I am. The healer said orcs can sense their babes. Can you?” My omega took my hand and placed it over his belly after pulling up his shirt. “Can you feel him, mate?”

“I can’t physically feel him but I sense another bond being formed, even as we speak. But you aren’t sick anymore? Anything else?”

He shook his head and then leaned on me. “No. The healer said something about orc babies emitting a hormone to help the human omega through the carrying and birth? He said I would eat like you do but that our babe would strengthen me from within. And then after the birth, the hormones would stay inside me, healing me faster than a human birth.”

“He’s right. And your milk will be green.”

“What?” He popped up, eyes wide, mouth in an O.

“I’m just kidding. Orklings drink regular milk.” I laughed. “I can’t wait to see your chest swollen and feeding our young.”

“Oh, that wasn’t nice. You’re being mean to the papa of your baby, Thrain.”

I gathered him up until he faced me, straddling my hips. “I’m sorry, Lucas. That was a bit mean. I hope you know I’m going to take care of you. Not just through this pregnancy but for the rest of your life. You’ve made me happier than I knew possible, and that was before you told me about the orkling. Were you worried I wouldn’t be happy?”

He nodded. “I was. It’s so soon.”

“Doesn’t matter. When it’s right, it’s right. Now, would you let me feed you, sweet mate, father of my young? Let me feed you and then I’ll fill you up in other ways.”

“Sounds like the best plan ever.”