Page 22 of His Orc Warrior (Human Omegas for Monster Alphas #1)
Thrain
“Nobody should be this big. When my omega dad was pregnant with my younger brother, albeit I was pretty young, I don’t remember him being unable to fit behind the steering wheel to drive.”
After his first mentions about getting his figure back after the baby, he’d seemed content with how his body was changing and adapting to the baby’s growth within him, but even I had to agree that his belly looked…strained. The skin was so tight, even with all the lotions we’d applied, I just wasn’t sure it could take it.
So far, all our visits had been to the human healer in the village. With so many other human mates, it was a necessity to have such a professional. They shared an office suite with the orc healer because there was often overlap of care…or so I had heard.
But I’d never personally experienced this until we showed up for our appointment with the human healer on that particular morning.
“Welcome.” The healers shared a receptionist/assistant as well as a suite. She was an elderly orc who had sat at that desk for my whole life and I had no idea for how many years before that. “How are you, Thrain? Here to see the healer?”
“Not me, Hildagarde,” I said. “Lucas, my mate, has an appointment with Healer Fred.”
She studied the open calendar in front of her then smiled up at us both. “Oh, how silly of me. But Healer Fred”—the human healer—“has redirected you to Healer Otis for today.”
“But I’m not an orc,” whispered Lucas to me. “Do you think she’s gotten that mixed up too?”
“I hear you, young man. No, I am not mixed up. For your particular complaint, Healer Otis is the one you need to see. Now, take a seat, and I will let you know when he’s ready for you.”
We both plopped down on the sofa in the reception area with no more discussion. Maybe Hildagarde was confused from time to time, like thinking the appointment was for me, but she was also a respected elder and knew her stuff.
After about ten minutes, we were guided into Healer Otis’ office and my omega was instructed to disrobe. As seemed to be the same world over, if TV was to be believed, we then settled in for a longer wait before the healer arrived.
“Thrain, so this is your omega. I understand he has a concern.”
“We both do,” I told the male, shaking his hand. “This is Lucas, and he is bearing our young.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed.” Healer Otis was relatively young for his position, somewhere around fifty-five years old. He was lean for an orc, with long fingers that were always cold. He could be harsh but also kind. “Up on the table, Lucas, and we can examine you and then discuss your concern.”
“What I am worried about is—” Lucas began.
Healer Otis fixed my omega with a steely-eyed glare. “First the exam. Table. Now.”
Lucas’ distress came through in his scent, and I had to step in. While he obeyed the healer, I took the man aside. “He’s new. Healer Otis. And he’s scared that something is wrong because he’s so much bigger than anyone else he’s ever seen. If you can be a little gentle, I’d—”
Now the glare was on me. He studied me, and I feared he’d find me wanting. Sure, I’d seen him all my life. He’d bandaged my cuts and sewed up the larger ones, treated me for a virus, so many things. But instead of snapping at me, he softened. “It’s hard to be a first-time father, I know firsthand. But you don’t have to worry. Healer Fred and I will guide you and your omega to a successful delivery. Now. Go stand by the table and hold your omega’s hand while I examine him.”
“Yes, Healer. Thank you.”
He understood how much a mate’s touch would mean for a pregnant omega, particularly one who was in what must sometimes feel like another world. He had believed the only orcs he could meet were just humans cosplaying. Until he encountered me. In a relatively short period of time, he’d become a vibrant member of our community. I held his hand while Healer Otis looked him over, checking his vital signs and all the other things I’d seen Healer Fred do. Finally, he straightened up and said, “Well, I understand you’re concerned about your size?”
“Yes.” Lucas looked him right in the eye. “I am afraid I’m going to pop.”
The healer pressed his fingers all over my omega’s swollen bump. He touched him with such care. “Does this hurt? This?”
“No. No.” He didn’t seem to be lying. Of course, why would he? He pushed up on his elbows, watching the healer at work. “But it’s so tight.”
The healer straightened. “Well, that’s easy enough to explain, but I don’t know if it will bring you comfort.”
“Just tell me straight. Is the baby okay?”
“The baby is fine. They are just really large for your human body to handle.”
He goggled. “So is my skin going to tear and fall apart?”
“No.” Healer Otis rummaged in a cabinet and came back with a container. “Use this and your skin should feel more comfortable, but under no circumstances are you going to have an Alien moment with anyone bursting out of your body. You’ve done a good job so far taking care of yourself, but this cream will just help you get through the last of the pregnancy without too many stretch marks.”
“Thank you.” Luca sat up and smiled. “But why am I so gigantic?”
“You’re a smallish human bearing an orkling. Did no one warn you about how big the baby would be?”
“Tell me straight.”
When he did, I thought Lucas would pass out. I patted his hand and murmured comforting words, but it took more than a few minutes for Healer Otis to convince him that his body could handle such a large baby.