Uthar the Hunter, page 16
part #7 of Orc Mates Series
“What happened?”
“He was a little early, that’s all. He’s small for an orc baby.”
“It doesn’t make sense.” But Beth couldn’t muster the energy to be angry or upset. The medicine she’d ingested kept her calm even as her mind was racing. “He’s an orcling... He’s as strong as his father, right? He will be okay no matter what.”
“That’s right. I must go now. He will be okay no matter what.”
As Kinna left, Beth turned to Sonya, not quite understanding how she could be so calm and collected when she felt like she was dying inside. Her baby was not fine, and here she was, unable to react properly. What had Kinna put into that concoction?
“Sonya...”
“Yes?”
“Don’t leave me too, okay?”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good.”
Because Beth had no clue what the hell was happening to her, why everyone seemed to be busy someplace else, and how she was supposed to wait here and not do anything. If Sonya left, she was sure she would descend into madness.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
He hated that the females kept him away from his mate and his baby. He’d heard her scream, and cry in pain and despair, but he couldn’t break the rules that had been set in stone by his ancestors, and run in there to be by her side. He paced the street, back and forth, back and forth, coming up with the worst scenarios in his head. As much as he wanted to have orclings with Beth, he decided then and there that one son or daughter was enough, and he wasn’t going to put her through this ever again.
Then the screams died down, and he heard the first cry of his baby. He wanted to rush inside, but he thought better of it. He had to trust the females. He had to trust Kinna the Mage that she knew what she was doing. He resumed his pacing, and when Kinna walked out with a small bundle in her arms, he ran to her, arms outstretched.
“No,” Kinna growled at him and stepped aside.
Uthar froze in place. He didn’t know what to do. Kinna started running, and he saw that she was headed to her house. Adrenaline shot through his veins, and he finally snapped out of the initial shock and ran after her. When he arrived, Lonar the Beast was at the door. The raider stopped him, placing a firm hand on his chest.
“The mage told me you would come and try to get in. I’m sorry, captain, but I’m here to stop you.”
“Why? What is going on?”
Lonar shook his head. “This is the business of females. We can’t help. We’d only be in their way. Kinna said everything is fine. Your mate is asleep.”
“And the baby?”
“You have a son.”
Uthar took a few steps back and ran his hands through his hair. A son. Beth had given him a son. And Lonar was right, of course. This was the business of females, like it had always been.
Minutes passed. Uthar and Lonar waited in silence. Then an hour passed. Abby showed up and told him that Beth was up and asking about him. Kinna walked out of the house then but pointed a finger at the three of them and told them the baby was doing fine, but he was off limits. She rushed to Sonya’s house, and Uthar, Lonar, and Abby felt like they were supposed to wait for her to get back. They all stared at the closed front door like it was the door to a sacred temple. They wanted to go in to discover its mysteries, but the priestess had declared them unworthy.
“I’m sure everything is fine,” Abby said. But her voice was shaky.
Uthar nodded. When Kinna came back, he let out a breath of relief.
“You can go see your mate,” the mage said. “But don’t agitate her. She needs rest.”
Uthar and Abby didn’t need to be invited twice. They left Lonar the Beast to guard the mage’s house and hurried to Sonya’s place. They found Beth in a clean bed, dressed in a long blue dress, an expression of pure relaxation on her face.
“Kinna gave her something,” Sonya explained. “To calm her nerves.”
Beth saw Uthar and reached out for him.
“Why couldn’t you be here when I needed you?” she asked. But there was no menace in her voice.
He kissed both her hands, then her forehead. “I was just outside. I’m sorry, my love. I couldn’t have helped, anyway.”
“You could’ve held my hand.”
He kissed her again. “I’m holding your hand now.”
She smiled. “It’s okay... I’m not mad at you.”
He climbed into bed with her, and she curled against his chest. He played with her long, red hair. He could see the signs of exhaustion on her frail body, but she seemed to be recuperating.
“What if something happens to our baby?” she asked in a whisper. “What if... I don’t know...”
“Shh...”
She looked up into his eyes. “Will you take me back to the institute?”
“What? Where did you get that idea?”
She bit her lower lip. “If I fail you... it’s only fair.”
“No, it isn’t. I love you, Beth. No matter what happens. But nothing will happen, because our baby is with Kinna, and she would give her life for his. You haven’t failed me. You could never fail me.”
She smiled and hid her face in his chest again. “I could never live without you.”
“And I could never live without you.” He kissed the top of her head.
Meanwhile, Sonya and Abby had gone to the diner and brought food for her. Uthar helped her sit up and started feeding her himself. He cut the roasted potatoes into small bites and gently placed them in her mouth. She couldn’t eat much, but every bite mattered and gave her strength.
“I’m feeling better,” she said. “My head is not as fuzzy.” She drank a whole glass of milk.
“More?”
“No, please. I’m about to burst.”
Abby took the plate and retreated with Sonya in the living room. Uthar was grateful that the females were giving him and his mate space.
He hugged Beth close to him, and they stayed like that, propped against the pillows, whispering to each other and touching each other gently. He ran the tips of his fingers over her bare arms, and she traced the tattoos she could reach, and the scars she already knew by heart. After the horrible days they’d been through, this moment felt like a blessing. All that was missing was their baby. They wanted to hold him between them, watch him sleep... And Uthar knew Beth wanted to feed him. He could feel the anxiety coursing through her as the medicine Kinna had given her was wearing off. Her body was completely healed, but her soul was incomplete.
After what felt like forever, Kinna finally showed up with the baby in her arms. In truth, it had only been another hour. The sun was just about to set.
“He is perfect,” she said as she brought the baby to them. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long. He was tiny and fragile, and he wasn’t... breathing right. But now he is perfect, and healthy, and strong. Like his parents.”
Uthar took him from Kinna’s hands and held him up. His heart melted, and he felt a sort of pain like he’d never felt before. He’d never thought pain could feel so... good. And right.
“My son,” she said.
And he passed him to Beth, who immediately cradled him to her chest. Kinna rounded the bed and showed her how to nurse him, and Uthar just sat there, in awe, watching them and not knowing what to say or do. The baby latched onto his mother’s nipple and started feeding happily, his plump little hands punching the air.
“Poor thing was starved,” Beth said. She shot Kinna an angry look. “You took him from me and refused to tell me how he was. I should’ve fed him immediately.”
The mage hung her head, which surprised both Beth and Uthar.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do because, as I said...” She sighed. “You weren’t well, either, and the baby was so distressed and struggling. I did what I could. What I knew.”
“Thank you,” Uthar said. “For taking care of my mate and my son. You did well, Kinna the Mage.”
She bowed slightly. “It is my duty and my responsibility, but I want you to know I will always do it out of love.”
He nodded, and she understood that she had to leave them. She closed the door behind her.
Beth looked up at him. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be mad at her. I was just scared.”
“I know, my love. I was scared, too.” He touched the baby’s tiny foot in reverent awe. “But there’s nothing to be afraid of anymore. Morok the Unhinged is gone. Your sister is cured. And we have each other and our son. From now on, we will only focus on our happiness.”
She smiled. “I like the sound of that.”
He kissed her cheek, and she turned her head to leave a kiss on his tusk. Until it was time to leave Sonya’s house and go home, they were going to enjoy these beautiful, peaceful moments.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The park was beautifully lit by torches, candles, and the huge bonfire the orcs had made right in the middle. Beth was a little apprehensive when it came to being surrounded by so many fire sources, but Abby told her that Kinna had enchanted the candles and the torches so they would burn safely. It was a trick they had had to use in their home world a lot, since they didn’t have electricity and they relied on candles. That information made her feel a little better.
A week had passed, and Uthar the Hunter wanted to introduce his son to the horde and celebrate his birth appropriately. The orcs had spread furs and blankets on the grass, brought food, drinks, and various musical instruments they were now playing. The drums were the more prominent, and Beth was a little worried they would wake up the baby. For now, he slept peacefully against her breast, his tiny hand squeezing her shirt. She rocked him gently as she hummed an old song she remembered from her childhood.
Abby, Sonya, and Kinna were sitting with her. Gorya was around, bringing them food and cooing at the baby every chance she got. Everyone was obsessed with the orcling. Beth had never had guests at her house before, but now random orcs would just knock on her door under the pretext that they’d brought her something – flowers, sweets bought at the fair, things they’d found in the abandoned buildings that they thought she’d like to have for her collection, – so they could catch a glimpse of the baby. She was annoyed at first, but then realized she didn’t have any right to be. She was just exhausted because her son needed to be fed every hour and didn’t sleep through the night. But in truth, the baby wasn’t solely hers. He belonged to the horde, and the horde was going to help her raise him.
The music got louder, and as expected, woke the baby up. He didn’t cry, though. He looked up at her with Uthar’s big, dark eyes, and gurgled. Her heart expanded so fast and so fiercely that she thought her chest would explode.
“When he looks at me like that,” she said, knowing that Abby and Sonya were listening, “I just don’t know what to do with myself.”
Abby laughed and gave her a hug, and Sonya started playing with the baby, making him gurgle and giggle.
Uthar approached them. He crouched down and looked at his mate with immense love in his eyes. She gave him a bright smile, and he placed a kiss on her lips. She could lose herself in the kiss, especially since they hadn’t a chance to be intimate since the baby had arrived. But tonight wasn’t about her. He reached for the baby, and she allowed him to take him. As if on cue, the music stopped, and the orcs became silent. When Uthar rose with his son in his arms, all eyes were on him.
“This is my son, Zikel. Let’s welcome him into the world, teach him the wisdom of our ancestors, show him how to fight for what he believes in, and how to protect the ones he loves. One day, he will earn his own name. Until then, he is Zikel, the son of Uthar the Hunter and Beth.”
Well, that sounded a bit underwhelming... Beth. She scrunched up her nose, and Abby laughed and punched her in the shoulder.
“Beth. Betty.”
“Shut up.”
“Maybe you have to do something to earn your own name.”
“I’ve never heard of a human female earning her own name,” Kinna said thoughtfully. “That isn’t to say it’s not possible.”
“What name would fit me?” Beth asked her.
Kinna shrugged. “How would I know?”
“If you were to give me a name, what would it be?”
Kinna rolled her eyes. “Beth the... Whiny.”
Beth pouted. “I don’t whine that much.”
“You’re whining right now.”
“Am not.”
Zikel was being fussy as Uthar carried him from one orc to another, so the whole horde could see him and marvel at how perfect he was. He started crying soon, and Beth jumped to her feet and rubbed her hands impatiently as the orc captain continued to present him as if nothing was wrong. Everyone touched Zikel and shook his plump little hands. He even got a few kisses from the female orcs.
Finally, Uthar brought him back to Beth, and she sighed in relief and settled onto the furs to feed him.
“Possessive,” Kinna remarked.
“You would be the same if he were yours.”
The mage laughed. “I’m just teasing.”
“Since when do you tease people?”
“Be nice,” Abby said.
These days, Abby spent more time at Kinna’s house than in her apartment. Beth had also noticed that Abby took Kinna’s side all the time. She was happy for them, and one day she would have to thank the mage for being the real reason her sister had decided to stay.
The music started again, and a few orcs jumped to their feet and began dancing. Zikel was too busy munching on his mother’s nipple to be bothered by the noise.
Beth winced. “Kinna, you’ll have to give me more of that ointment. I finished it today.”
The mage laughed and reached for Abby’s hand. She pulled her to her feet, and even as she protested, dragged her to where the orcs were dancing. Abby complained about it vigorously, saying she didn’t know how to dance, and Kinna told her all she had to do was shake her butt.
“Aww... They’re cute, aren’t they?” Beth told Sonya.
“Adorable.”
Uthar came to sit beside her. As she nursed the baby, he proceeded to feed her the juiciest morsels. She didn’t mind this treatment at all. Soon, she was going to forget how to use her own hands to eat.
“Are you happy, my bride?”
She grinned at him. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re glowing.”
“That is the right answer.”
He leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss. She kissed him back, opening her mouth to invite him in. They were in public, so she tried to keep her enthusiasm to a minimum. Thanks to Kinna and her strong potions, she was healed completely, and as Uthar deepened the kiss, she felt herself grow wet. She needed him, wanted him, but they hadn’t had a moment of peace, so the frustration only grew. Much like the dampness in her panties.
“Uthar,” she whispered. “Slow down.” Her breathing had quickened, and she noticed his eyes had darkened. He wanted her, too. “We can’t...”
“I miss you.”
They’d tried to sleep together at first, but Zikel woke up so often during the night, that at some point Beth thought it was just easier to doze off in the nursery.
“I miss you, too. But orc babies grow up fast, so...”
“Not fast enough,” he said in a low, husky voice that sent a shiver up her spine.
Kinna and Abby returned, both laughing and flushed. They were happy and loud, and Beth was grateful for their interruption. She’d been about to jump Uthar right then and there, and it would’ve been inappropriate. She looked at Abby as she gulped down a full mug of ale. Her hair was growing beautifully, her blue eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were plump and rosy. She looked better than ever.
“You know,” Kinna said as she sat down next to Beth. “Abby and I could take Zikel for a few hours.”
“Take him?” Beth’s first instinct was to squeeze him tighter to her chest.
“Yes. So you and the captain can get some space. I know it’s been hard.”
Beth relaxed. Kinna was right. She was a little too possessive. She had to work on that, and quickly, because orclings did grow up fast, and soon Zikel was going to run around, leave in the morning and return late at night, and spend all day playing and eating in random houses.
“That would be... great,” she said.
Uthar remained silent. He pretended to watch the orcs dance.
The baby had fallen asleep, so Beth gently placed him in Kinna’s arms.
“I’ll come get him. Soon.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just... enjoy your night.” The mage winked at her.
Beth blushed, but she hurried to take Uthar’s hand and usher him toward their house.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
He lifted her off the floor as soon as the front door was closed. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, and he crushed her against his chest as he carried her up the stairs. She kissed him fiercely, with such rush and impatience that she knocked her teeth against one of his tusks and ended up laughing and apologizing. He growled her name in such a sexy, lustful name, that she almost had an orgasm on the spot.
Somehow, he managed to carry her to their bedroom while she raked her fingers over his shoulders and sought his mouth with hers. She bit him and scratched him, knowing they didn’t have much time to satiate their hunger for each other.
He dropped her onto the bed and gave her a long, sinful look before he tore her dress to pieces. She giggled as he did the same to her bra and panties, and then it was his turn to get undressed. Normally, Uthar had more respect for his own clothes than for Beth’s, but tonight, the urgency was real. He tore off his shirt, and he barely managed to get out of his leather pants and boots before he climbed on top of her and pushed his hand between her legs.
“You’re so wet,” he whispered. “So wet for me...”
“Yes.” She wrapped her hand around his wrist and guided him where she needed him most. His middle finger slipped inside her pussy, and she moaned loudly, so close to the edge already. “Don’t be gentle. Don’t take your time. Just fuck me, okay? Don’t think about anything else...” He grazed her clit with his thumb, and she swallowed heavily. “But me...”
