Page 18 of Orin

“You have reached your destination,” the AI voice announced at the end of the journey. The transportation vehicle parked in front of a small house that was situated among a series of identical homes.

All the houses were painted white. The windows were encased in colorful frames ranging from dark-brown to pale yellow.

I stepped out of thevikoand made my way toward the house number Kagin provided.

Each house had beautifully maintained gardens in front. The paths were beautifully decorated with shrubs and flowers, leading to doorways that were clearly built for beings of much greater height.

A small laugh escaped me as I struggled to imagine Orin, or any warrior, being responsible for maintaining such a lovely garden. The house didn't match the image I had of where he lived.

With my newfound calm, I wondered what I should say to him? My mind was blank, and I had no idea what words would come out of my mouth when I faced him.

I glanced over my shoulder to see the vehicle hovering in silence above the street and debated getting back into it to go home.

“I can do this,” I muttered as the front door of the house opened and I jumped back.

My stomach flipped when I saw a beautiful Alaran woman emerge. I could see her pointy ears peeking out from under her one long braid of brown hair.

Panic struck, and I dove back into thevikobefore she could notice me. My body trembled at the discovery. “Take me to the palace.” I said aloud to the automated vehicle. Tears streaked my cheeks as I began to sob.

So much for me being his fated mate.It was clear why he didn’t want to acknowledge me or speak to me. It seemed he already had someone.

I felt extremely embarrassed and foolish.

Orin already had a mate!

It made sense now why he’d ignored me since we arrived on Alara. Full of shame and heartbreak, I cried all the way back to the palace.

When thevikostopped outside the gate, I hurried out and rushed to my apartment, keeping my head down, hoping nobody would see me.

9

Olivia

DESPITE CRYING MOSTof the night and feeling tired, I also had puffy eyes. But I couldn’t miss my weekly medical appointment. It would only worry Rekna.

Forcing myself to have something to eat, the food sat heavy in my stomach. After a speedy shower I headed to the infirmary. When I entered, Rekna and Grace were in the middle of a conversation, so I waited.

There were two large hospitals within the city, but I wanted to have the baby here in the palace, and I was glad Rekna agreed.

They stopped talking and glanced over at me. The medic took one look at me, his mouth poised to speak, but instead, he closed it and glanced at Grace.

She rushed to my side, pulled up a chair, and gestured for me to sit.

Leaving my friend next to me, Rekna disappeared, saying, “I’ll be right back.”

“Are you okay? What’s happened?” Grace asked with a worried tone. Crouching down she took one of my hands and rubbed it between hers.

I hated my face showed everything I was feeling. A sigh escaped me as I pressed my lips before giving my reply. I caught Rekna out of the corner of my eye, pretending to be busy picking up, examining, and putting down instruments on one of the tables.

“Last night, Orin showed up and told Clor to stay away from me and stop bringing me to town.”

“He did what?” Grace blurted, looking shocked.

Tears brimmed my eyes and I couldn’t stop them. “Clor dropped by my apartment and told me. He said he can’t be my friend anymore. I went to Orin’s house to give him a piece of my mind.” I fought the lump in my throat that choked my ability to speak.

Grace tucked my hair behind my ear and pulled up a chair to sit opposite me. “Start at the beginning, sweetie.”

I wrung my hands in my lap and my voice broke. “He’s already got a mate, a partner, or whatever you want to call it.” Tears fell from my eyes despite feeling like I had none left to cry.

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