Page 119 of Simon

“You like it when your orc does it.” I stomped my hoof. “Lucy likes it, too.”

She shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m bringing dreams to life for her dads. They are such sweet—”

I doubled over and wrapped my hands around my stomach. It wasn’t completely unbearable, but it was a pain I was not used to.

Calliope’s little mouth went into anOshape, and her fingers danced along her chin. “I forgot about that. That is going to cause a problem.”

I stood back up to my full height and took a sniff, suddenly smelling something metallic. My ears stood up straight, and my heart pounded in my chest when I felt panic through the bond.

“Lucy,” I growled.

My hooves moved on their own accord and I felt myself being drawn to the tent. Calliope grabbed my arm and tried to pull me back. “Simon, she’s okay. She’s having her period. You know when women menstruate. Remember when I would have mine?”

I stopped in my tracks and looked down at her. I hated it when she got those dreadful times of the month. There were days she would stay in bed, hurting. I remember letting Calliope cuddle me, being the warmth she needed to ease her pain.

Why was I not helping my mate?

“I need to see her. She’s having trouble.” I stomped toward the tent again, and a firm hand gripped my arm.

Valpar grunted and pulled me to the side. I bleated in annoyance, and my hooves dragged into the dirt. “Let go!” My claws tried to break the orc’s skin, but it was impenetrable, and he rumbled in displeasure.

“Simon, she’s going to be fine.” Calliope tried to pacify me, but I felt Lucy’s pain run through me again. “Rune gave her some medicine to speed up her period, so she won’t have it tonightduring the party. That way, you guys can get down and dirty without the mess.”

I roared, my teeth bared, as I furiously scratched Valpar’s large hand that tightly gripped my arm.

“Blood will not deter me from claiming my female.”

Calliope stopped in her tracks. “Oh, that’s kinky. You into bloody sex?”

Valpar groaned and pushed me against the tree. Another orc who stood behind it grabbed a rope and they tied it around. “Let me go!” I snarled.

The only thing I wanted to do was comfort my female, to be near her. I could ease her pain and forget about this stupid tradition of this ceremony.

Orcs and shifters, who were setting up tables, glanced over but didn’t give a second look. How dare they? Did they not know who I was?

I was part of this Wood, that they lived in. I could rip them all apart.

Valpar clapped his hands, removing the invisible dust from his hands. “Come on, Simon, it’s a human tradition. She really is fine. It’s a normal biological response in her body. Rune even gave her some ground up shit that will help her. The ceremony will be soon, and you will see how beautiful she looks in a gown.” Calliope gazed wistfully up at Valpar.

I snorted, hocked up a wad of spit, and spat it into Valpar’s face. “I’ve seen my mate bare. I don’t need to see her in clothing,” I seethed. “Let me go, or I will go to her, regardless.”

Valpar jutted out his jaw and wiped away my spit. He stepped forward to hit me, but Calliope gripped his arm and shook her head.

Calliope’s gaze softened and stepped toward me. Valpar put his hand on her shoulder. “No, leave him like this. I enjoy seeinghim struggle. I heard what you did to Thorn, pissing on his foot, and now fucking spitting in my face…” his eyes narrowed.

My vision turned red.

“Consider it payback. Come, Calliope. We will let him go in a few minutes when it’s his turn to get ready.”

Calliope made a face like she ate something sour. “I had him tied up so he wouldn’t ruin the dress reveal, not because of payback. I don’t like that. Plus, he looks pretty upset, not knowing if Lucy is okay. I don’t think I like this anymore. I don’t want my friend mad.” She pouted.

Valpar took a step back, his eyes fixated on Calliope as they stood face to face. The air crackled with tension as their voices merged in the argument. The sight of Valpar’s furrowed brow and clenched fists revealed his frustration, while Calliope’s crossed arms and furrowed brows mirrored her defiance. He never raised his voice to her, but Calliope was wearing him down.

A gentle breeze brushed against my skin, carrying with it the sickening metallic scent of blood. The putrid stench filled my nostrils, making my stomach churn. Anger surged through me like a raging inferno, intensifying the heat that prickled my skin.

I extended my senses, reaching deeper into the bond that connected me to my mate, searching for solace. But instead, another wave of twisted pain reverberated through my being, causing a sickening sensation to coil in the pit of my stomach.

She was hurting, in pain, and I was not with her.

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