And now my face heats up because I can’t believe I’m having this discussion with Whelan’s dad and two other orcs who might also be his family. Embarrassing.

“When he sees you again, my son might become dangerous and unable to stop his wild instincts to roughly reclaim his Bride. You cannot stay. Leave the twins behind with us and go back to your human community and never return.”

I clench my fists. “That isn’t happening. Listen, I’m not an orc baby-making machine. I’m a person with feelings, a life and career. When I met Whelan, I wasn’t planning on marriage or kids. I mean maybe, if I found the right person, sometime in the distant future.” I wave a hand at the wooden fence of the commune… “And after I met Whelan and he growled at me and called me his Bride and spoke of how he wanted to kidnap me, I was afraid because I didn’t know if I was ready for any of this.”

I pause to gauge their reactions and find they are all staring at me in silence.

Ugh.

“I thought I was coming here today,” I continue, “to surprise him with the fact that he has sons. After a year of deep thought throughout the pregnancy and then having a hard time raising orcs alone, I knew Bran and Owen needed other orcs. And…well, I discovered I was missing Whelan too. I sometimes wonder if I left too quickly. I’m here to speak to him because I’m willing to have a do over and give this a real chance if that’s what he wants too.”

“Wait, you missed Whelan?” Rogan questions. “You are here not just to drop off the babies and leave, you want to try and become his Bride?”

I clench my jaw and give a curt nod.

“Well, that changes things.”

“He must not have entirely mistreated you?”

“No. No, like I said he was growling and said those things while half asleep. But I figured that was him admitting his plans, so I got out of here as soon as he fell asleep. But now I wonder…”

Rogan grunts, “I raised my son to not kidnap. All of us at this commune refuse to kidnap. But sometimes our baser instincts, especially in the dark of winter, get in the way. It is a constant battle, which is why the majority of us live in this remote location. You met him in the early fall so you were safe. But I can easily see him mumbling about kidnapping while asleep because he’s constantly fighting against his wild side.”

“Does this mean I can come inside the commune and wait for Whelan to return so I can speak to him?”

The third orc steps closer. “I’m Whelan’s cousin, Kelt Overholt. I also consider him my best friend. He’ll be surprised to learn he has two sons. But I’m still not sure of his ability to remain rational when he sees his Bride again. This could easily turn into a shitshow.”

Rogan’s grin turns to a frown. “Female, we understand your initial reasons for leaving Whelan. Human females have the right to decide if they want a claiming or not. At this commune we do our best to follow modern laws, despite our baser instincts. We do not kidnap human females as orcs commonly did in the ways of old. We are pleased to hear that you are not simply here to drop off your sons but want to reunite with my son. This bodes well and makes me pleased that he managed to remain calm enough and treat you well enough for you to want to return.”

“She’s lucky she didn’t meet him in the dark of winter,” Kelt snorts. “That would’ve gone bad. The locals would’ve had to call the police to take him down so no harm came to her.”

They all laugh at the joke, which I don’t find particularly funny.

“But the fact remains that Whelan is an orc and was traumatized by your actions, no matter how you felt them necessary. When you left, he slowly went mad,” Rogan explains. “He’s only recently returned to the community fires, sitting on the edge.”

I throw my hands up. “I couldn’t drop everything and let an orc I barely knew drag me off to his lair.”

“I know, female. No one says you had to. But the bottom line is that Whelan is not going to react well to your return. He might try and roughly claim you. It is our duty to keep you safe. You need to drop the babies off here at the gate and leave immediately. I know you wanted to speak to him to try and start over, but you must see that is not possible with a Wild Orc who was separated from his mate for over a year. You can live in peace amongst the humans knowing you left Bran and Owen in good care.”

“I’m not leaving without my babies!” I shout and march over and stand next to Bran’s open window. “Where they go, I go.”

Rogan shakes his head. “I say this for your own safety, female. We are experts at taking care of orc infants who are left behind. You need to leave the twins and we will alert you later if you can return.”

“And when will this be? One week from now? Six months from now? Never? No,” I repeat. “I will not be separated from my children. They are mine. I am their mother.”

A growl rumbles in Urdan’s chest. “If you stay, I cannot confirm your safety when you are alone with Whelan. He will not harm his offspring, but orcs who have been separated from their Brides in the past have been known to be overly aggressive upon their mate’s return and cause harm. Sometimes they have to be knocked out and thrown in the pit until their rage passes.”

I lift my chin. “He will not hurt me.”

“But you didn’t think that way a year ago. You left originally because you considered him unsafe.”

“I’ve already explained that I might’ve been too hasty. Also, I was unfamiliar with orc lore and culture.”

Urdan shakes his head. “I am the head of security for the compound, I say no. Female, do you see how strongly you feel about your infants and how the thought of leaving them behind causes you great distress? That was exactly how Whelan felt for the last twelve months. He’s still on edge. Again, I say no.”

“I am the leader of the Commune,” Rogan points out. “I have a say in this.”

“And I am part of Whelan’s family and his best friend,” Kelt says. “I have a say in this too.”

I cross my arms. “I am the mother and possibly Whelan’s Bride,” I say, using my fingers to create quotation marks around the word Bride, “and I’m the one most affected by this decision, so I have final say. I understand the lack of safety and what could happen, and I agree to the risk involved.”

All three of them let out snorts and then walk away to huddle out of earshot and have a private meeting. I watch as the three orcs argue amongst themselves, point at me and then at the babies, appearing very animated as they talk it out. I’m fascinated, watching the flash of their horns and their tusks. At least I know these three are thinking this through, mainly seeming to be worried about my safety, which is nice.

And they understand I’m not kidding when I say I’m not leaving without my babies.

I gaze down at my boys in amazement, stunned as they quietly sit in the backseat, kicking their little sock-covered feet, sucking at their fingers while I talk with the orcs. They aren’t crying or immediately needing to be fed. Although I am certainly ready to feed them again, my breasts feeling heavy and sore.

“How are my big guys?” I question through the open window.

Both babies quietly coo up at me, looking so freaking adorable. Even though they are so small I can easily tell them apart. Amelia, the Nanny, and the medical staff couldn’t tell them apart, but Bran has bigger horns than Owen and Owen’s cry is higher pitched.

“I love you two so much,” I whisper. “And I’m so happy I brought you here. It was the right thing, wasn’t it? You already look happier and we aren’t even inside yet. Don’t worry. We’re here with your family now and soon you’ll see your daddy too. And I’m not leaving you behind, okay? Not leaving. You’ll still have me too.”

Whelan’s father returns. “You can stay,” he announces. “I assume my son would want to speak to you before you leave. We will give him this opportunity. It’s also possible that not having the ability to speak to you would also be detrimental to his mental health. None of us approve of the risk you are taking, meeting him alone, but we will deliver the three of you to Whelan’s cabin and will leave you there to await his return. At that point the two of you can decide on your future. Know this, female, no matter what happens, these babies are staying on the commune. You can decide to stay with them here, which would be ideal. We always want human mothers and mates to remain with us, for their entire lives if they want. But if you choose to leave, you will be leaving these babies behind. As so many other females have also chosen to do since the dawn of time.”