The Orcs Pregnant Mate

Nineteen

Raine

Turns out that Mako's mom didn't need much convincing to throw a birthday party. When I'd brought it up to her the next morning she'd given me a large smile and said to leave everything to her. Once she'd left, Mako had given me a sick look and muttered something about how I didn't know what I'd just gotten us into.

I'd laughed it off until we'd walked into the main dining hall on my birthday and I could only stare in shock-

Lanterns and candles hung on every surface, making the usually dim room almost as bright as outside. Tables were loaded with food of all kinds, most I'd never even seen before. One held only meats and another held only cakes. Large banners dangled from the ceiling with a symbol I didn't know painted on it.

"What's that say?" I ask Mako as we make our way to the long table at the front of the hall where her parents, my sister and Tuluk were already sitting. Tuluk looks uncomfortable to be at the royal table while River sits as if she'd been there her entire life.

Mako looks up at the banner and grins, "it's your name written in our language." She points to another one that's slightly different, "and that one is Rivers."

"And that one?" I ask, pointing to the banner over the long table.

"Our family name," Mako says proudly.

"Ice bear?"

She chuckles, "that's our clan name. Much like humans each family has their own name. Or if they choose, they can just be called by their clan name."

I hesitate slightly before asking, "what's ours?"

"Drushkin," Mako says, seeming to put her whole chest into it. "It means Fighting Heart, because we always fight for what we want and for those we love."

We get to the table and are greeted by Neera, "happy birthday, my heart daughter."

"Thank you," I tell her genuinely. "For all of this. It was definitely more than I was expecting."

"Well you're a princess now," Neera says easily. "You should start expecting the world."

"Princess Raine," River laughs. "Sounds like the title of a bad romance novel."

"Romance novel?" Mako asks curiously.

"A book of sappy sweet romance," I explain as we take our seats. Of course I'm next to River and Mako is next to her mother. "With some.. extra stuff," I finish with a suggestive look.

Mako chuckles, "does my little mate like these types of books?"

I shrug, "I've never actually read one. The other girls were we.. lived usually had a few and they'd read a few pages to us sometimes."

"Mostly the sex parts," River says in an exaggerated whisper.

"These books have sex?" Mako asks curiously. "We should get some. Perhaps they will give me ideas on how to please my little mate."

My face heats up as I tell her, "you don't any help in that department."

Mako grins proudly while River laughs, "she's got you trained already Mako."

I'm about to smack her shoulder gently when the sound of chairs scraping on the floor pulls our attention to Neera and Harold. They both raise a hand to the gathered orcs and the hall quiets down, "friends! Family! Welcome!" Harold booms out. The loudness of his voice startles me, I didn't think he could talk that loud. "Welcome to the birthday celebration of Makiono's mate!"

"And her mates sister," River grumbles next to me.

"We could always switch," I joke quietly. It's something we'd done many times over the years and while a few people had gotten suspicious about it, nobody had outright noticed when we'd switch. "You could be the princess."

"Never," River whispers back.

"We are glad to finally introduce her to the hive," Neera says as she motions my way. "Raine, would you please rise." Mako is on her feet instantly and helps me to stand, keeping her arm around me as her mother continues, "we are even more pleased to announce that our daughter and heir is not only mated but is also expecting a child!" The gathered orcs howl with delight and stomp their feet at her words, some calling out well wishes and blessings. Neera lets them yell for a few moments before speaking again, "we wish you all to join us for their marriage ceremony in three months time and then their child's naming ceremony two months after that!"

"Naming ceremony?" I whisper up at Mako.

"Where we present our child to the hive and they revive blessings and small tokens," Mako explains. "Where the hive pledges their loyalty and protection for the future heir."

My hand goes to my stomach, suddenly all to aware of the life our child will have. They will grow up surrounded by love and safety. With a family and a people that would die for them. They will never know hunger or the horrors that humans inflict on each other.

I gaze up at Mako who is smiling proudly out at the gathered orcs and as I look out at them, all of them are smiling back at us. They all look genuinely happy for us and some give me acknowledging nods when I catch their eyes.

I'm so busy looking at them, our 'extended family', that I miss the rest of Neera's speech and only realize it's over when Mako moves to help me sit.

"What has you thinking so hard my mate?" She asks once we are seated again.

"Just thinking about the life our child will have," I tell her. "About how it wont be anything like the life I had and how grateful I am for that." I smile at her and reach out to cup her face, "and how grateful I am for you. Sneaking into that ceremony was the best thing I've ever done."

"You did what?" River asks loudly next to me.

I ignore for a moment, leaning in to kiss Mako deeply before turning to my sister. "I guess I didn't tell you about that," I laugh.

"No," she says incredulously. "You sure didn't."

So I do. I tell her how I snuck out of Khol's house and into the ceremony. How I was the last to be chosen and how kind and sweet Mako was to me that first night and every night since.

And hours later when the party finally dies down and we make our way back to our cave. As my head hits the pillow, I'm suddenly exhausted and can't keep my eyes open. Mako lays next to me and pulls me to her, her touch gentle and warm.

"Thank you for tonight," I mumble against Mako's shoulder as I burrow into her. "I don't remember the last time I was this happy."

"Every day will be a happy day for you little mate," Mako promises as she holds me tightly.

I don't bother to tell her that she can't promise that, because knowing her, she'd just say that she can. And after everything, I'm inclined to believe her.