Page 11 of Loved By The Orc (Monster Orc Brides #4)

Varguk:

A LOVING MESSAGE it was not.

For my father to hear about Levi’s death this quickly means that a runner ran straight home, traveling alone, while the rest carried his body at a more somber pace.

But he had no other choice than to name me successor of his clan because Auglesh hasn’t bested me in the sibling trials. Not once. Not ever.

That weak fool has no chance against me.

But the scalding message let me know exactly of my father’s disappointment that I was the succeeding sibling.

How surprised he was that I had gotten lucky in the challenge and how he still held hope for Auglesh.

How he should have sought me out when he learned of my birth and drowned me in the river.

How my only chance for redemption would be to bring the bridge home immediately, which I should have no problem doing since Levi paved the way.

Levi.

My father didn’t even call him Leviton, but gave him the honor of a shortened name. Deliberately showed his preference.

Under the table, Negan reaches for my hand and threads her fingers through mine. She squeezes lightly, and I turn my head to the beautiful female. I love to have her gorgeous image in my sight .

“Be gone, Denruk.” Her voice isn’t raised. Not at all. Her eyes never leave me, as if she can’t be bothered with the ugly oaf.

The male opens his mouth as if to argue but one look at the three males sitting at the table makes him change his mind. He backs away, his two obnoxious cronies in tow. I wait until they’re out of earshot before leaning into Negan.

“Are they a threesome?” I ask.

Bakog spews ale across the table at the same time Tok guffaws. The whole table bursts into laughter and from down the way, Denruk turns narrowed eyes at us. He doesn’t know what I said, but suspects it’s about him.

But Negan watches me carefully, knowing I deflect. “You know it’s okay that you kept the note private, right? It’s none of anyone’s business. Especially a bully like Denruk.” Her voice is quiet, barely discernible above the noise at the table.

“Aye,” I say softly.

Godsfire, this female owns me. She sees me . My mind, my heart, my soul. Like she knows what I’m thinking, she gives me a sultry smile.

But a deep, growly voice cuts her attention from me. “Baby girl, come give your daddy a kiss. I’m heading off to Brachard and Aga’s suite for an early night.”

Negan flies up from her seat and throws her arms around her father’s neck. She plants a big kiss on his cheek and whispers something into his ear that makes him smile.

Brachard and his mate stand nearby, smiling. The queen, her hair mostly green despite the silver that threads her mate’s, looks back and forth between me and Negan. Aye, the quiet ones notice much.

I take in the rest of the room. Notice the Blackhearts at the other end of the room, split into groups by age. Notice the three males from earlier shooting pool in the corner .

Then Negan gives her godfather and godmother a hug and kiss, leaving me with her father’s glare. His eyes bore into mine, waiting for me to speak first.

“You don’t have to worry about her. I’ll protect her with my life.”

“Aye.” He nods. “Then don’t die, male.”

That’s probably the best I’m going to get from him, but at least he gave me a nod. Then he continues right before Negan takes her seat again.

He settles both hands on her shoulders and kisses the top of her head before again focusing to me. “Might break my little girl’s heart.”

I’m left without words as he leaves with Brachard and his mate, Bakog’s parents in tow along with Shalia’s. Her parents are easy to spot because her massively scarred father has the same light hair color that she does.

“What was that about?” Negan asks me.

“He told me not to die.”

Her smile is warm. “Aww, orc. He likes you.”

“See? You’re a step up from Denruk,” Tok says.

“Shut up,” Negan says, throwing a peanut at him. He opens his mouth wide and chomps it whole.

“I told you, that is not a skill to be proud of,” Hisa chides her mate. “Come on. Let’s go dance.”

When they leave, I notice Shalia is in Bakog’s lap and the two are whispering and kissing, not paying us any mind.

“No matter what the note said, remember it was probably full of grief at a father’s loss of his son. It isn’t fair, but it was him or you. And I’m glad it isn’t you facing a burial.”

It takes me a minute, but I admit to her the one thing that has always burned. “The note wasn’t pleasant. I’m not my father’s favorite. He’s not pleased that the wrong brother died.”

“You’re not the wrong brother,” she hisses. “You’re never the wrong anything, Var. You proved yourself to be the better opponent, fair and square. Did you willingly fight your brother after he was exhausted from fighting his way into the city? No, he did that to you. And you still won.”

I drop my eyes, but her hand cupping my cheek lifts my head up. “You still won, Var.”

“Only friends shorten an orc’s name,” I whisper dumbly. Why am I even telling her?

“Var! Negan. We’re going to dance,” Bakog calls out, just as he and a giggling Shalia head toward the dance floor where Hisa and Tok are.

My gaze snaps to him at the coincidence, but he’s not watching as he leads his mate away. It blows my mind that he just shortened my name right after I admitted my inner longing to this female.

Negan giggles. “See? Winner.”

“He doesn’t know,” I say, but a smile curving my lips anyway.

“He doesn’t need to know. Fact is, he did it on his own. I’ve never heard him shout out Den . He always called him Fool .”

I snort. “Mayhap Moron ?”

“ Idiot fits too.”

We laugh together before I lean in, “Tell me the truth. Did you used to sneak out with him?”

Her laughter rings harder.

And when we both stop laughing, it’s at the exact same time. We end up gazing into each other’s eyes.

“What are you thinking?” she asks.

“How I had no idea how beautiful you are before today.”

“Flatterer.”

“Nay. Just truthful.”

The music slows. This is a chance to take her in my arms, so I rise and hold my arms out. She waltzes into them and we drift together to the dance floor.

“Var?”

“Yes, sweet? ”

“I know tonight’s inconvenient. You have fresh stitches and all. But when you’re feeling better… I’d like you to be the one. To be my first.”

My heart pounds so hard in my chest. I’m sure she can hear it thundering against her ear. The thought of being the only male between her thighs makes something primitive inside me want to roar. I press a trembling kiss to the top of her head.

If I have my way, I’d be the only male between her legs ever. Not just her first.

“I’d be honored. And I’d make it so good for you.”

She looks up and licks her lips. “I have no doubts.”

Right there, right then, I lower my head until my mouth hovers over hers.

I wait, wanting her to decide if she wants this kiss or not.

She doesn’t hesitate. Her lips meet mine; they’re warm and soft.

My breath catches. We both savor the moment and then open our mouths at the same time.

Her tongue meets mine and if I thought my heart was racing before, I think I may die a happy orc from the exploding organ.

Negan is mine. I just have to figure out a way to keep her because if we go home, she’ll die with my family. And hers would just as soon have me dead.

She smells like orange blossoms and her skin is so smooth and soft. Her arms wrap around my neck and she presses soft mounds against my chest, the nipples pebbling against my tunic.

I could slide my hand lower, underneath the short skirt. Find the throbbing center of my female, see how wet her virgin cunt is. See if she’s soaked with need, make her whimper for me.

“I knew your kisses would be a balm for my soul,” I mutter, taking her mouth again, ignoring the pain in my belly where she’s pressed up to my stitches.

She gasps and pulls away. “I have to be careful with you, orc. You’re injured still.”

I scoff. “’Tis worth a little pain to have such pleasure, wench. Kiss me again and never stop.”