Page 58 of Thankful for My Orc
“Jordan,” he breathes against my shoulder, his voice reverent as he slowly withdraws, turns me in his arms, and gathers me against his chest. His hands are gentle now, stroking my back, my hair, anchoring me as the aftershocks continue to ripple through both of us.
I’m trembling in the aftermath, tiny tremors still fluttering beneath my skin and he holds me close as I come down. His hands map my body gently now—tracing the curve of my waist, the softness of my thigh, my shoulders and collarbones with reverent fingers.
The purr rumbling through his chest is deeper, more satisfied, vibrating through every point where our bodies connect. His scent has changed too, mixing with mine in a way that feels permanent, binding.
Through this new connection forming between us, I can suddenly feel him in a way that transcends touch. His overwhelming love washes over me, mixed with fierce protectiveness and bone-deep satisfaction. I feel his wonder at my softness, his awe that I chose him, his certainty that we belong together.
“I can feel you,” I whisper, awed. “Your emotions. There’s this… warm thread connecting us?”
He pulls back just enough to look at me, and his eyes widen slightly, his gaze seeming to trace the outline of my body.
“The soulbond,” he breathes. “I saw the shimmer before—at the gala—but now it’s stronger. It wraps around you, steady andbright.” He swallows hard, emotion roughening his voice. “Only orcs can see it, and it means… it means the Goddess blessed our union. The bond is complete.”
I tilt my head to look at him, and there’s something different in his expression—a deep satisfaction, a completion that wasn’t there before. “It actually happened. You said it might, but—”
“I hoped it would,” he says softly, pressing a kiss to my temple. Through our connection, I can feel his satisfaction, his love, his absolute certainty. “You’re mine now, Jordan. Forever.”
The wonder in his voice makes me reach up to touch my own chest, feeling the warmth of the bond pulsing there. “It’s permanent?”
“Forever,” he confirms, his arms tightening around me.
“Good,” I murmur, snuggling closer to his warmth and letting the bond pulse between us like a second heartbeat.
As I drift off to sleep in his arms, still connected to him through the bond that now ties our souls together, I think about how drastically my life has changed. Two months ago, I was convinced I had to choose between career and love. Tonight, I discovered I can have both—and so much more than I ever dreamed possible.
When I wake in the morning, still wrapped in Forge’s arms, I can feel the bond humming between us—steady, sure, unbreakable. For the first time in my life, I don’t wonder where I belong. I know.
Chapter Twenty
Jordan
The gavel comes down at 3:47 PM on a Tuesday that should feel triumphant.
“In the matter of Morrison versus Morrison, custody is awarded to the petitioner, Jennifer Morrison, with supervised visitation granted to the respondent.”
This should be my moment. An eight-year-old girl gets to stay with the parent who puts her needs first. But as Jennifer Morrison collapses into grateful tears beside me, whispering “thank you” over and over while her daughter finally gets the security she deserves, all I can think about is sharing this victory with the man who helped me find the balance to achieve it.
The opposing counsel packs up his files with practiced stoicism, but I catch a flicker of resignation in his eyes. He knows his client didn’t deserve custody, yet he fought hard anyway—because that’s what skilled attorneys do. We shake hands with the mutual respect of warriors who’ve battled well, and then it’s over.
The courtroom empties around me. Jennifer goes home to her daughter, knowing she can keep her safe. And for the first time in my career, my first instinct isn’t to immediately return to the office or start planning my next case strategy.
My first instinct is to call Forge.
I pull out my phone while still standing at the plaintiff’s table, not even bothering to pack up my files yet. My phone unlocks and his name is the first thing I see—exactly where it belongs. Two months ago, I wouldn’t have believed how natural that would feel.
“Hey, beautiful,” he answers on the second ring, and I can hear the smile in his voice. “How did it go?”
“We won,” I say, and suddenly the victory feels real. “Jennifer gets full custody. Allison gets to stay with the parent who actually loves her.”
“That’s incredible, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”
The warmth in his voice, the genuine pride and happiness he feels for my success, make my chest tight with emotion. Throughour new soulbond, I can feel his happiness for me like it’s my own—amplified and reflected back.
“I keep thinking about something you said,” I tell him, gathering my files with one hand while keeping the phone pressed to my ear. “About how your job has clear objectives. Someone’s in danger, you help them. I think I finally understand what you meant.”
“How so?”
“Today this wasn’t about winning or losing or proving I’m the best lawyer in the room. This was about making sure a little girl gets to sleep safely in her own bed tonight.” I pause, surprised by the realization. “I think this is the first time I’ve ever won a case and felt like I actually accomplished something that mattered.”
