Page 11 of Simon

Sugha huffed a laugh. “I am the smarter orc. I know when to pick my battles. Have no worries, dear Lucy, I will let Durz think he is in charge, for the sake of the mission.” He cupped his large hand to his face and whispered, “We all really know who is in charge, though.”

I snorted and stood, brushing off my skirt. “Indeed. Thank you. You’ve made me feel comfortable. That’s hard to do.”

Sugha’s eyes softened. “Of course. We may look like monsters to everyone else here, but really, we only wish to keep the ones we care about safe.”

Chapter Five

Simon

Icouldn’tresistforlong,returning swiftly after my initial escape from the group. The allure of her scent enveloped me, leaving me utterly captivated. It consumed my senses, overpowering even the most tempting of food to fill my belly.

When I was fully an animal, that was all I cared about: having my belly full and satisfied. To have something in my mouth, to chew, and wander aimlessly through life. I had no worries except to make sure the human I watched over had me to pet when she wanted.

I inhaled deeply, the cool breeze from the Wood brushing against my skin, carrying with it the sweet scent of her presence. The distant group of shifters, orcs, and the female were oblivious to my presence, too far away to hear or catch a whiff of my scent. A smirk formed on my lips, satisfaction washing over me.

I could be sneaky, too.

From my position, I could see her clearly. Always with a notebook in her hand, a satchel at her side, and pencils filled with color. She fiddled with the straps often, flipping them back and forth between her fingers.

She looked so soft, so delicate. Humans were, but I didn’t know how much. I had fur before, now that I had my own skin, I wanted to touch her with my fingers.

Would she like my touch? Would she like my smell?

As my chest thumped wildly, causing the heat of my body to rise, I couldn’t help but notice the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Her skin appeared so smooth.

Touch, I wanted touch.

With each step closer to her, I couldn’t help but wonder if she would welcome getting to know me. Would she feel the same fire current that surged through me at the mere thought of it?

Would she appreciate my unique scent, the remnants of my previous life, as a creature of fur? Would it intrigue her or would she just find me strange? Or would she want to be near me at all, for I was the only creature like me.

The desire to bridge the gap between us grew stronger, as if an invisible force pulled me toward her. I yearned to be closer.

This female never stayed still. Her feet tapped on the purple moss before her, making the lights fly into the air. Her eyes darted through the scene before her, memorizing everything in her sight.

They had discarded the horses and left them other orcs when they first came to the Wood, and the shifters had become mules,carrying all of their belongings. They dropped the supplies unceremoniously and worked to set up the tents.

Durz stretched his back and reached behind him, pulling his sword from his sheath and stabbing it into the ground. “Here is good. Lucy will find many things here to record. There is a hot spring up ahead, and plenty of animals that have not seen shifters. They will be curious, and we won’t have to hunt for them to come near.”

I tilted my head, but my horns got caught on a nearby branch, and I had to tug them away.

They were staying.

The female’s radiant smile stretched across her face, reaching her sparkling eyes as she aimed it at Sugha. With a swift motion, my sharp claws scraped against the rough surface of a weathered tree stump, sending fragments of wood soaring through the air, before falling to the ground. Inhaling deeply, my nostrils widened, capturing the pungent scent once more, and igniting my senses.

I didn’t like her smiles directed toward another male, especially to an orc. I’d already had one orc take away a companion; I would not have this orc take away what should be mine.

Yet, he has not claimed her, unless he was trying to be subtle. He was one of the smarter orcs. Sugha let the other do what he wanted, while he nodded and did not start a fight.

I scratched at the base of my horns and decided to get closer.

I’d kept my distance from the group, afraid of getting caught, but these past few days had been excruciating. The sight of her, the sound of her laughter, her scent - they all called to me, making it harder to resist.

I licked my lips when her scent penetrated my nose, and my treacherous body responded immediately. How could I have never known what this feeling was before? I had seen males likeme, when I was a goat, mount a female, but I never had the desire.

But with this female, I feel the need to do it to her.

I shook my head and got on my hands and knees, so I could stay low and in the thickest part of the greenery.

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