Page 120 of Simon

This ceremony they spoke of, I didn’t care. I saw her yesterday, saw her many times beneath me, above me, and I have seen her from behind. What makes today any different?

I let out a low, menacing growl, feeling the coarse fur on my back stand on end, prickling against my skin. The sound of my snarl echoed through the still air. As I strained against the tight bonds that confined me to the tree, the scent of damp moss andsoil filled my nostrils, mingling with the metallic tang of fear that I had.

With each desperate struggle, the rough bark scraped against my sharpened claws. The bark moved beneath me, letting my arms move along with it. The Wood guided me to my escape.

I lifted my hand, my claws slicing through the rope as if it were parchment, and freedom sent a rush of relief through my body.

Valpar watched with surprise as I charged past him. He took one step toward me, and while the orcs held impressive strength and impossible armor of skin, I was much faster.

I heard a whimper in the tent as I approached. “It’s alright, Lucy. I think you are at the tail end of it,” a male’s voice said.

I entered the tent with a snarl, the flaps rustling loudly. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and musty fabric. As I stepped inside, my breaths were deep and labored, filling the silence with a heavy panting sound. My eyes, wide and intense, darted from side to side, searching for my Lucy.

My mate was lying on the couch, dirty towels in a basket on one side and James and Rune on the other.

“Get away from her,” my voice was deep, unrecognizable. I didn’t care if they were her family. She was mine to take care of.

The shorter one with impressive facial hair opened his mouth, but the green-haired warlock put his hand on his shoulder and had him step away. My mate whimpered; her hand clutched to her stomach. I kneeled before her, my hand going to her torso. It was warm to the touch, and instantly, instead of feeling the pain in the bond, I felt arousal.

Yes, I am impressive when I make an entrance.

As Lucy’s eyes slowly fluttered open, I could feel the sense of relief washing over me like a warm wave.

“They kept me from you,” I muttered and glared at the males to the right of me.

Lucy chuckled and ran her fingers down my cheek. “Bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”

I shook my head. “You are my mate. I am to take care of you. If human practice is not to see each other, then I don’t want it. There is no luck, only fate.”

Lucy sniffed and held out her arms. I wrapped my arms around her and glared at the two males who looked guilty beside us.

Lucy’s father scratched the back of his neck. “It was just a tradition. I didn’t know it would upset you so much, and yes, I should have spoken to you about it. My fault, all around my fault. Things happened rather quickly.” James sighed. “I’m terribly sorry for mucking things up. Lucy has done nothing but talk about you all day. I’m surprised you have stayed away from her this long.”

I grunted. “I would have come sooner. Someone planted sleeping dust on me.” I stood up to my full height, holding my mate in my arms. She nestled her head in the crook of my neck.

Rune smirked and wrapped his arm around James’ waist. “Animals are possessive. I was trying to save everyone some trouble. But you feel refreshed now, don’t you?”

Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose. “Everyone out.”

Both her fathers stared at her in shock.

“Out!” She shooed them with a hand sweeping motion, and Rune made the first move. He pushed James out of the tent, who looked longingly back at her, but finally left.

“Sorry about them. They are excited. Only child and all. Father had a picturesque dream of walking me down an aisle, and I was letting him get away with it. I didn’t know you were drugged. I’m so sorry.”

I nuzzled my nose into my mate’s shoulder and took in a long draw of her scent. “You were in pain, without me. I never wantthat to happen again,” I stammered into her skin. “I will be there for every time you…menstruate.”

I pulled away from her shoulder, and she bit her lip. “Few guys would be willing to do that.”

“I don’t know if you have noticed, but I am not a guy. I am a male, a faun, and I will take care of what is mine.”

She tried not to smile, and her fingers tickled along my jawline. “What about my fathers? Would you have stayed away if they had asked you to? For this ceremony and not see the bride before the wedding?”

I sat down on the shortened bed and wrapped my arms around her. “In the words of an orc, ‘Fuck no!'“

She giggled and pressed her lips to mine. “Then, do you want to see it?” She fluttered her lashes at me.

I tilted my head in confusion. “See what?”

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