"Go in. He's waiting for you." Without another word, he left me there .

I glared at the door. What was I suppose to do? Just walk in, or maybe I could slip away, back to the forest.

I turned to run but a sudden breath grazed the back of my neck.

I froze.

Something yanked me back, the door slammed shut behind me,

The hairs on my neck stood straight as cold air brushed across my skin. Sniffling. It's sniffing me.

"Please." I whispered, trembling. "Please don't hurt me."

"Come." His voice, husky, commanding, but strangely comforting to the ear.

Slowly, I turned.

There he stood.

The monster from the forest. Glowing green eyes. Shirtless, his body was muscle and scars, built like a pillar. Compared to the other, he was different. Terrifying, but almost.. mesmerizing.

The room stretched wide, lined with shelves of books that looked centuries old. Everything here was outdated, untouched by the world I knew. He sat in a chair and motioned me to take the seat opposite of him.

I moved stiffly, eyes downcast, and sank into the oversized chair.

"What do they call you, human." His voice rumbled.

"Rain." I whispered. "My name is rain." I fidgeted with my fingers, unable to look up.

"Is that all?" He pressed, softer now.

"Yes."

If he knew I was human, maybe I could reason with him. I risked a glance upward, straight into eyes that pinned me in place.

"What.. are you? The words slipped out before I could stop them.

"I am Xorim the defier." He said, leaning back with a curious look. "We are orcs., not of your world."

An orc. I studied him, truly seeing him up close for the first time. His eyes, unnatural yet, beautiful. His presence, commanding.

"I've never heard of orcs living in Fort Cape" I whispered. "Not even bed time story's."

His expression softened. "You're no longer in the human realm, but my realm."

The words crashed over me. My legs moved before my brain caught up, and I bolted upright, horror twisting in my face. "What do you mean?!" I shouted, in disbelief.

No it couldn't be. I was just in the forest. I would've made it home if he hadn't taken me. But still... if what he said was true, that actually explains everything.

"I'll say this once." His face serious. "Somehow, you were transported here. We don't know how. You're the first human in the last three centuries to cross into our world. Word will spread of your arrival, orcs from all over will be thirsting to get ahold of you." His voice hardened, deadly serious.

"When.. when can I go home." My voice cracked.

He folded his massive arms, tilting his head. "We don't know, we are searching for way now, rest assured, you'll return safely."

The reassurance steadied me, but my heart raced act the thought of orcs thirsting to have me. Swallowing hard, I clenched my fist.

"Until then you will stay here, learning our ways." He paused. "In order to protect you, I will need to claim you as my mate."

"Your what?"