A huge, scary, monster Orc Chieftain has his hands on me.

He could break me with one hand, I’m so tiny compared to him.

But he won’t.

Because I’m his female and I love him.

Korthar rules his clan with an iron fist.

He’s merciless to his enemies. But he’s got a soft spot for me.

Before him, I didn’t have much going in my life.

Earth is pretty much a desolate wasteland since the Orcs came over from Protheka.

And being a woman? The best you can hope is to be someone’s property.

Now, after my curvy body catches Korthar’s eye I’m worth something in this world at least.

My giant warrior will protect me.

He’ll claim me. And I’ll serve him. In any way he pleases.

But I’ll also give him a gift that he’ll never have to ask me for.

Something better than any fantasy, no matter how twisted.

What is this gift?

My heart.

And why do I give it so freely?

Because he’s already given me his.

Chapter 1

Korthar

The grey sky stretches out for miles, the sun now becoming a distant memory as winter stakes its claim. The winter winds bite at my skin, and I can tell that it will be a harsh one this year. It is always something that is at the forefront of my mind as Chieftain of the Battle Scar Clan.

“Gather the Council,” I command, looking down into the valley below.

Survival is the only thing that is ever on my mind, the threats ever-present, whether from the rival clans or from the land that we now call our home.

I try not to think about the supplies that are running low. How this makes us more vulnerable to attack and to the elements. Worry will not solve our problems. I need to find a way, and soon.

The Broken Tusk Clan are always encroaching east and will stop at nothing to see us ruined. But from what we now know, they have made themselves weak by allowing human women to infiltrate their clan, even breeding with them. 

I have always believed that partnering with humans is the best way for all of us to survive, though this is rarely something I discuss. But what they have done has taken partnering to a whole different level, something even I find hard to stomach.

Then there are the Broken Bones Clan, our closest and most hated enemies. Even these   now have access to human females, though how we have yet to discover.

We are Orcs. We live for battle and war is our language. But we must learn to cooperate with humans if we have any chance of survival. This is not something borne of altruism, but of logic and reason. This may not be the way that we usually do things, but that way isn’t working. 

The fertile grounds between us remain a constant cause of battle as we fight to survive. Given the abundance on this planet there should be enough for all of us, but that is rarely how things work—especially with Orcs.

Though Earth can be harsh it is nothing compared to what we endured on our home planet under the persecution of the Elves. When we fled through the rift and arrived here it was unthinkable to witness such a civilization, and a planet that held so many riches.

I envied the humans and the way they lived, nothing like the harsh lives that we were so used to—so rich with resources and technologies that allowed them to thrive. That was before we arrived.

I look down at the valley below, the trees shedding the last of the leaves, the ground beginning to harden. Soon, the land will be barren and the Broken Bones will start to encroach. There is no time to lose.

“The Council are ready,” says a voice behind me. 

I cast one last glance at the dying landscape and turn. “Send someone up here to keep watch,” I say. “Day and night.” They do not usually get this close, but my internal threat levels have been raised and I need to be sure.

“Of course.”

I trudge back to the holding, wrapping my furs across my broad shoulders. We are a strong race, a large race, but we are still flesh and bone, and our bodies have not yet adapted to cold such as this.

When I enter the council room it is silent, and I know that can’t be a good thing. Though they probably sense my serious disposition, I know that if there was something good to report then the mood would be lighter.

They rise as I walk in and I take my seat at the head of the table. “No doubt we all know why we are here,” I say.

Nothing.

“We face a harsh Winter ahead of us. Our supplies are low, and our population is not healthy. I need not say that this is of grave concern. The Tuskers are now breeding with humans and we are yet to see more than ten live births this last season.”

Garokk, a trusted member of the council speaks up first. “We share your concerns, Chief. It is true that the Tuskers are now seeing a spike in their population growth. Our recon efforts have taught us that this is likely to continue, now that they are going about things in a more…unorthodox manner.”

I heave out a heavy breath, wondering how things have come to this. Since when have Tuskers been agents of change? They are brutes, plain and simple. 

“And now that they have a second in command who is a human female…” 

The room comes to life, grunts and murmurings filling it. 

“Now that they have a second in command who is a human female,” Garokk continues, “we have to wonder if they will start to make alliances with the human population. Also, now the Broken Bones seem to have human females, that is something we cannot leave to chance.”

My stomach clenches. It is I that intend to do that, and I will be damned if I let Tuskers get there before me, and even more so the Broken Bones. Though I doubt very much that could happen. The Broken Bones do not have the skills, the diplomacy or the temperament to make alliances, especially with humans, surely?

 But I need to remain focused.

“Kijal, where are we on supplies? Right now, that needs to be our highest priority. Can we feed ourselves this Winter?”

Kijal looks at me, then around at the rest of the council members. “We are running low on everything, Chief. Our meat stores are rapidly depleting, even after rationing, and our grains will last us but three moons.”

I try not to show the fear that runs through me. It is my job to lead these people, and that’s what I must do. I just need to know how I am going to feed them.

Or the Battle Scar Clan will be consigned to history.