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.”
“Where the babies go, I go,” I repeat. “I’m not leaving without them. I will not be separated from my children.”
He shrugs.
“Guards will remain in the woods around the cabin and watch you both from afar but give you privacy,” the orc head of security says. “If you need help just shout for assistance and we will take Whelan down. You understand the danger involved and still accept the risk?”
I swallow against the lump in my throat. “Yes, I do.”
“Good.”
Urdan marches over and opens the front metal gate.
I move toward the driver’s side door, readying to start the large, shiny SUV and drive it through the gate.
“Wait,” Kelt says. “Your car must be left outside in the garage. There are no cars allowed within the commune. We walk or use electric-powered utility vehicles. We will help you transport the babies to Whelan’s cabin.”
I blink, entirely surprised at this turn of events. “Sorry,” I say. “I’m from California. We drive everywhere. Even if it’s just up the street.”
Rogan and Kelt chuckle and direct me to park in an enormous metal garage I didn’t see before outside the gate, hidden behind trees. There are a few other trucks and SUVs inside, all of which look newer and in perfect working order, along with a row of smaller utility vehicles.
“These vehicles are left here for communal use,” Rogan explains. “If any of us need to leave the community to visit the nearby human settlements to shop or for Doctor appointments, or for any reason, we just check in and a car is readied.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
I get out and pop open the back of my SUV. Then I walk around and open a side door in the back, readying to start taking out the babies.
“What is all of this?” Kelt laughs, gesturing to all the items I’ve managed to shove into the back of my large SUV.
“You have a lot of suitcases,” Rogan agrees. “And bags, and…I don’t know what most of this is.”
I take Bran out, hold him in my arms and walk over. I hand him off to Rogan, who beams with pride as he holds his grandson in his arms for the first time. Then I walk around to Owen’s side, while I explain, “I wanted to make sure the babies have all they need. There’s a double stroller and that box holds a crib. And I brought all their clothes and mine too.”
“And this?” Kelt laughs. He lifts a bag of Halloween costumes and treats that I hope haven’t melted.
“Halloween is soon and it’s my favorite holiday. I was hoping to take the babies trick or treating for the first time. Don’t you do that here?”
“No.”
“Do you at least have a Halloween party?”
They shake their heads.
“Nothing?” I put my hands on my hips. “That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“You are funny, human,” Kelt says. “I’m going to enjoy watching you deal with Whelan. I have a feeling you are going to be a good match.”
“If Whelan doesn’t scare her away first,” Urdan growls.
Chapter 3
Drew
Urdan walks over, unplugs a vehicle, and pulls it up alongside the SUV. It looks like a large, new electric golf cart with two rows of seats up front and a bed in the back to haul large items.
I’m holding Owen. His diaper feels dry and smells fresh.
Rogan continues to stare, entranced, at Bran in his arms.
Both of my boys are calm and happy, which is a minor miracle.
The other two orcs quickly take out my heavy luggage and set it on the ground first, I suppose looking to see what we’ve got. Kelt rummages through the items I brought.
I’m strangely jovial in the company of these three orcs. My initial fear over their tall horns and snarls is long gone and I’m comfortable in their presence. It helps that they obviously love the twins, so we have much in common. Getting to know Whelan’s father, his best friend, and the head of security makes me feel closer to the orc who fathered my twins. He’s becoming less of a stranger and more like a male I can built a relationship with—which is my goal. And I also love the idea that I’ve brought the boys to their roots since I don’t have any family of my own back home—no siblings, parents, grandparents, nothing. This closeness with Bran and Owen’s family gives me the warm fuzzies.
I wander over to examine the golf cart, surprised at how high tech it looks. “This is electric?”
“You’re surprised?” Urdan answers.
“I was told that Orc Communes were…”
“Primitive?”
I nod.
“We used to be primitive, in the same way that humans used to be primitive. There are other communes farther out in the wilderness that are indeed still living in entirely ancient ways. But we are a commune on the edge of civilization and often our males eventually mate with humans and stay in human communities. But sometimes they return with their females here. And there are many unmated males here, like me, who choose to live here their whole lives, not wanting to mingle more than necessary with human communities. But we’re a commune that has added modern conveniences because we’re on the edge of the wilderness and communicate more with humans. We have direct satellite internet, solar with battery capacity, wind power and backup generators.”