Page 4 of Marked By the Wild Orc

He's too old for me.

My brow furrows. Why am I even thinking about this? It doesn’t matter if he’s too old because, of course, nothing's going to happen between me and this intimidating orc with the tusks that jut up from his lower lip.

Kavin said that none of these orcs would be interested in me because I can’t get pregnant. At first, this is slightly offensive because it means my worth only applies as a babymaker. But on the other hand, this is a good thing because I’m just here to work, not here to pick up a new boyfriend.

I've always had crazy, painful periods and after a lot of very intrusive tests and a procedure that helped to ease the pain, I was told by my gynecologist that I’d never get pregnant. It's sad but true. It’s not like I’ll never be a mother; I just won’t be able to carry my own biological children. Maybe in the future I could do a surrogacy, or I could adopt. Not that any of this matters at the moment, because I can’t have kids right now anyways. I can’t even afford to take care of myself, let alone a child.

I look back down at the cats. Sadly, I couldn’t afford to take care of pets right now either.

These cats are adorable. Grandma was highly allergic to cats, so I’ve never had my own.

The smallest black cat licks itself and the one with the big ears chases an imaginary bug. I pick the biggest one up and he allows it, letting me give him a big hug and kiss on the head. I put him back down gently and pet the other two cats who also want love.

Talon Overtree appears to like cats, and hopefully he’d let me help take care of these cats and get my pet fix, while he pays for all their food, etc. Perfect.

And then I realize he must be talking to my brother because I hear my name.

Talon’s voice turns dark and scary as he snarls, “…and I am not hiring some stupid, useless human girl who’s never been around a tattoo shop in her life.”

Oh jeez.

Chapter 2

Talon

I’m in my office, alone and comfortable, when I receive an annoying call from my so-called best friend. The male who moved from our commune to the same town I live in and is already a firefighter, found his bride and has a son on the way.

It’s most annoying.

And now he’s trying to unload his human sister onto me.

“No,” I respond. “It’s bad enough that I’ve moved to a human town and give humans orc tattoos, but I draw the line at a human working with me day in and day out, least of all an unmated female. It’s me and two other orcs in the shop and none of us are mated. This would be a disaster.”

“She’s my sister and I’ve already told her that the job is hers.”

“This was your mistake, not mine. I don’t care if she’s the President of the United States, I don’t want her here. I’m not mated and it’s the fall. What if I scent her and my body locks on to her and that isn’t what she wants? I’ll only be able to remain sane for a few short months.”

“You won’t ever want her as a mate and neither will Oreg or Doril.”

“Why not?”

“Because my sister is not able to become pregnant.”

“What is the problem? Why is she unable to conceive?”

“I don’t know, but that’s what the human doctors told her. But don’t tell her I told you that; she’d kill me. I’m only telling you because it’s important.”

I let out a snort. “Wild orcs are not the easiest to be around.”

“I know. But you’d better treat my sister well or I’ll kick your ass.”

“How am I supposed to know how to treat her well? I don’t know how to deal with delicate humans. I’ve only been in the commune and now I’m here, giving orcs tattoos in the ways of old and also to these needy humans because it’s become trendy. They put up with my aggression to get the tattoo.”

“You said you needed someone immediately.”

“Heh,” I growl. “This is true. Does she know how to take care of customers? She’s worked in a tattoo shop before?”

“She’ll be great.”

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