Page 11 of How the Orc Stole Christmas
I gave a scream and jumped about three feet. Klas materialized out of the darkness from the side of the house. “You scared the hell out of me. Yes, everyone is fine. They’re resting and loving on the baby now.”
He fell into step by my side and walked me back to my hut. “You did good today.”
I laughed. “This was easy. I’ve been training for this for years. Don’t ask me to cook, though. I think I would poison the village.”
He opened the door to my hut, and I almost cried. The fire was dancing merrily, and the table was set with dinner. I turned to Klas. “Did you do this?”
“You worked hard today. I thought you could use something to eat,” he replied simply.
And that was when I knew he was the only orc for me.
Sinteklas
Jules was amazing. She was calm, collected, kept everyone organized and focused. I had not expected that from the rambling woman I found in the forest a week ago. Yet, she was taking charge of the village like a warrior, delivering Olivia’s baby with confidence. She was a worthy mate for any male.
I saw her through the window holding the orcling and the longing on her face almost gutted me. This was what she deserved. A baby, a mate, a family of her own. Yes, I could give her that, but I was old now. How many winters did I have? Could I protect her and any orclings? I was already shifting my role from warrior and hunter to a support role, training others and providing guidance. She deserved a younger orc who would be around as long as she needed.
I had to let her go.
Jules ate and tumbled into bed, barely able to undress before she collapsed into a deep sleep. I stayed and watched over her to ensure she rested from the events of the day. Once she was asleep, I went out back and chopped wood, loading her woodpile to ensure she had enough wood for several days. I also stocked her larder with food that would be easy to cook. She didn’t have enough blankets when the colder temperatures set in, which was due in a few weeks, so I took a few extra furs from the stores.
When she woke, I was sitting at the table, knowing I had set her up the best I could for the season. Now it was time to say goodbye.
CHAPTER SEVEN
JULES
Iwoke up, toasty warm and completely refreshed. The sun was high in the sky, flooding my hut with light. I hadn’t slept that late since I came here. Usually someone was knocking on the door looking for me. Then I spied Klas sitting at my table, looking sober, and I knew he was the reason I slept in. Then another, much more serious thought hit me.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
“I have to. You want things I cannot give you. A family, orclings, a future. My future is almost over.”
I frowned. “Are you dying? Are you sick or something?”
“I’m old, Jules. Older than most of the orcs here. You need a younger orc to protect you, provide for you, and be there for you throughout your years.”
“You’re no older than Kharag, and he has a mate,” I countered. His explanation was bullshit.
I pulled the furs around me but made no move to leave the bed. He stayed at the table, his hands fisted, his whole body lined with tension. “Kharag is a few years younger than I am. And he has a second mate.”
“Jarrus is also older. And anyone could die at any time, Klas. Age doesn’t discriminate when it comes to death,” I pointed out. “The reality is, you don’t want to take a chance on mating. You don’t want me.”
He stood, his expression almost angry. “No, I want what’s best for you.”
I got to my feet; the furs wrapped around me as protection. “I will be the judge of what’s best for me. I’m a grown-ass woman, not a child, and can make my own decisions. You’re a coward, afraid to be happy. You’ve gotten too comfortable being miserable. We have a saying in the human world. Misery loves company. Well, be careful because someday, you will be all alone with your misery and, trust me, it sucks. I should know. I was you. I was miserable and alone, but I found people and a place to belong. I might not be able to cook or sew or so many things, but I’m still going to try. You don’t even bother because you like being a miserable old bastard. Fine, just leave. I’ll take care of myself.”
I turned away because I couldn’t look at him anymore. I had had such hopes for finding not only a place but someone that I could call my own, only to be rejected yet again. Well, screw him. I would be fine on my own.
I felt him move closer to me, his shadow falling across me. “Jules, I…”
“Leave!” My voice cracked on the word and I knew I was a second away from crying.
It took a few minutes, but I heard his heavy tread, then the door open and close, ending my hopes forever. I fell on the bed, crying. I hated orcs sometimes.
Sinteklas
Ispent the next two days avoiding the clan as much as possible. I went on an extended hunting trip to ensure we had enough meat, since our elders predicted a bad snowstorm coming in. I was also getting the hound pup from Kharag and I wouldn’t be able to go on a long hunting journey for a month or so while the pup was in training.
