Page 47 of The Orc and the Innkeeper

Her calm voice only makes me angrier. “Where are you right this moment?” I grit out, feeling my lips pulling back into a growl.

Ygra sighs. “Meet me at our old spot, the glade by the stream. I’ll explain everything there.”

I bristle with irritation. “Fine. I’ll be there soon.”

Ending the call, I stuff the phone in my pocket and storm out. Ygra better have a damn good explanation for this.

Sunlight filtersthrough the rustling leaves overhead as I make my way through the forest toward the familiar grove. The gentle babbling of the brook reaches my ears and my heart clenches at the sound, memories flooding back.

Ygra and I spent countless hours here when we were together—talking, laughing, making love on the mossy banks. Back when things were good between us, before it all turned sour.

It’s no mere coincidence that she’s led me to this place.

I emerge into the sun-dappled clearing to find Ygra perched on a fallen log, Snuffles curled up beside her. Relief crashes through me at the sight of him safe and sound.

But seeing him with her...my relief mixes with anger at her audacity.

“Thorak,” Ygra says softly, unshed tears shimmering in her steely eyes as she rises to greet me. “Thank you for coming.”

I cross my arms. “You didn’t give me much choice. What’s this about, Ygra? Why’d you take Snuffles?”

She takes a shaky breath. “I wanted to apologize. For everything.”

My brow furrows but I stay silent, letting her continue.

“I know I messed up what we had. I pushed you too hard, trying to change you into something you’re not,” Ygra admits, voice thick with emotion. “But look at you now. You’ve built something incredible with the brewery, all on your own terms. You’ve proven me so wrong and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Her words wash over me, anger slowly ebbing away. I sigh heavily.

“I appreciate you saying that. Truly. But Ygra...you can’t just barge into my house and take Snuffles whenever you want. We’re not together anymore. It’s not appropriate.”

Ygra nods, face reddening. “I know. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. I just...I miss you, Thorak. Miss us. Don’t you ever wonder...what would happen if we gave this a second chance?”

She steps closer, an imploring look in her eyes. I take a deep breath.

“Ygra,” I say gently, choosing my words with care. “The past is the past. What we had was meaningful, and I’ll always be glad for the time we shared together, but things have changed, and I’ve moved on. Truly moved on. And I think it’s time you do the same.”

I try to soften the blow, to let her down easy. The last thing I want is to hurt her more than I already have. But she needs to understand that there’s no going back, needs to stop interfering with my life, showing up unannounced.

Ygra’s face crumples and for a moment, I feel a pang of sympathy. It can’t be easy, seeing me thriving without her, building a life that doesn’t include her.

As I’m about to reach for her hand, a glint of metal catches my eye. I freeze, zeroing in on Ygra’s hand.

No. It can’t be.

There on her finger sits my family’s heirloom engagement ring, the very one passed down for generations. The one my father gave my mother when he proposed.

The one my mother always told me was meant for my future wife, whoever she may be.

“What the fuck, Ygra?” I demand, anger reigniting in an instant. “Where did you get that ring?”

Ygra at least has the decency to look sheepish. “Your mother gave it to me. She believes we belong together, that I’m the right woman for you.”

I see red. The audacity, the nerve, the utter disrespect?—

“She had no right!” I bellow, startling Snuffles. “No fucking right to give that to you. To interfere in my life like this!”

Ygra crosses her arms defiantly. “She’s not the only one who thinks we should be together. Why do you think I’ve been walking Snuffles around town, wearing this ring? People support us, Thorak. They know we’re meant to be. Even that little human girl helping you out at the brewery basically said as much.”

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