Page 9 of Swipe Right for Orcs
“Okay, guys. Let’s put our listening ears on and make sure the volume is down on our mouths,” I tell the students as I put pretend ears on and twist an imaginary knob by my lips. They mock my movements and I start my lesson by reading them,The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
I can’t wait until I can do this full time and have my own classroom.
CHAPTER SIX
OVIVIA
Osric has a date, leaving me to my own devices. Not that I mind. In fact, it’s probably for the best, because I’m off to the clinic to sign up for what is sure to be the second worst weekend of my life. My heat comes bi-annually, so at least I can say it only happens twice a year. Still, it’s better than the alternative.
I still think of that poor woman. My chest tightens at the thought of her lifeless body, and guilt gnaws at my insides. It was an accident, but it was still my fault. The money I send to her family every month, the care I take with her grave—none of it erases the fact that I’m a murderer. Not that killing is anything new for an orc, but this... this was different. It was the first time I took a life without control, driven by the primal urges that make us what we are.
Every six months, like clockwork, I make my way to the clinic, hoping to avoid another disaster. I could request a volunteer to help moderate the heat, someone to endure it with me, but I’d rather suffer through it alone. It’s safer that way. For everyone.
Osric, on the other hand, is one lucky orc. I recall the picture of the woman he’s chatting up—she’s stunning. Maybe I should rethink signing up for that app. Osric begged me to create a profile when he did, but I declined. Female orcs aren’t exactly common, and being unmated and outside of a village? That’s practically unheard of. But I’ve never been into males, so mating within the village was never an option for me. We might be open with our bodies and our desires, but when it comes to mating, it’s still pretty straight-laced. So while I could play with another female, mating with one would be frowned upon.
Lost in my pity party for one, I don’t even notice I’ve made it to the clinic until the sterile smell of the place hits my nose. I’ll give them this—for as much sex that happens inside these walls, you’d never know it was a safe place for all monsters. They keep it very clean and it always smells like bleach and lemons.
I step further inside and shiver; it’s always so chilly in here. With heavy steps, I move to the desk and wait for the receptionist to greet me.
“Next!” The receptionist’s voice is curt, and I step up to the desk, forcing a neutral expression on my face.
“Ovivia West of the West Village Orcs. I need to meet with someone to set up my heat weekend.”
“And have you spent a heat with us before, Ms. West?” he asks, barely looking up from his screen.
“Yes. This will be my third one.” My cheeks warm, embarrassment rolling through me. This has become routine for me, and yet, it never gets easier.
He types a few things and then hands me a slip of paper as soon as it comes out of the printer. “You know the way then, I assume? Go upstairs to the fourth floor and Dian will get you sorted.”
“Thank you.” I take the paper from him and turn to head to the elevator.
The ride to the fourth floor feels agonizingly slow. I can feel the stares of the others in the small, confined space. My presence is impossible to ignore.
“An orc? Really? Don’t they know how dangerous they are?” a sphinx murmurs to her friend, her tone dripping with bitchiness.
The mare next to her lets out a sharp whinny. “They’re so feral. And what’s with her hair? Blonde with that skin tone? No, thank you.”
Mean girls exist even among monsters. I’m not one to let people put me down, especially when they don’t know the first thing about me. I do enough of that to myself.
I step forward, boxing them against the wall of the elevator. “Didn’t your mommas teach you to keep your muzzles shut unless you had something nice to say?”
“Get away from us,” the sphinx hisses as her claws extend from her nail beds.
Leaning down so they can get a better look at my tusks, I growl. “Or maybe I’ll stay right here and teach you both a lesson about talking rudely about people. I’d hate to show you just how feral an orc can be.”
“We were just joking around,” the mare whispers, eyes wide with fear. “We’re sorry.”
“Do better,” I growl, stepping back as the elevator doors open. “We all get enough shit from humans. We shouldn’t be disrespectful to each other, too.” I step out of the elevator, throwing a final glance over my shoulder. “This is me. Enjoy your day.”
As the doors slide shut behind me, I see them both let out a breath, looking like they’re on the verge of tears.
Good. Serves them right.
With a huff, I step up to the counter toward Dian, the same kind woman who’s always here when I need to schedule myweekend. At this rate, I wish they’d just let me schedule them on my way out from the previous, but they like to keep dates open in case you mate.
How considerate.
“Ovivia! Nice to see you again, dear. How have you been?” Dian’s voice is warm, almost motherly.
