Page 37 of The Orc Protector's Secret Baby

I hesitate. "It's been hard since I escaped. I've been living in the forest, just trying to survive. And now..." I gesture helplessly to my stomach.

Understanding dawns on her face. "Oh Hayden..." She squeezes my hand supportively.

Bonnie smiles. "Well, you've come to the right place. We'll make sure you and the little one stay safe and healthy."

I let out a shaky breath, the fear and tension ebbing away. Maybe coming here wasn't a mistake after all. With Hera and Bonnie's help, I feel a glimmer of hope.

The next few months pass in a blur under their caring watch. Hera is with me every step of the way, holding my hand through the aches and pains. I am so grateful to have my dear friend back. And Bonnie becomes like a mother to me, making sure my pregnancy progresses smoothly.

My baby grows stronger by the day, her tiny flutters now full kicks against my palm. Each one fills me with indescribable joy. But still, a sadness lurks in my heart. I wish more than anything that Cagan could be here for this, to share in the wonder of our child coming into the world.

At night, I dream of him - those molten gold eyes lighting up when I tell him the news. His rumbling laugh as he rests a gentle hand on my belly. My eyes sting with tears when I wake.

"Soon, my love," I whisper into the darkness. "We'll be together again. You, me, and our little one."

For now, I have all I need - a warm home, trusted friends, and new life blossoming inside me. But my family won't be whole until Cagan is by my side once more.

The day finally arrives - after hours of agonizing labor, I bring a beautiful baby girl into the world. I name her Amira.

As I cradle her tiny body against my chest, tears of joy stream down my face. She is absolutely perfect. She reminds me of myself a lot in the sense that she appears entirely human, with tan skin and my build. But she definitely has hints of Cagan in her as well– her beautiful greenish golden eyes and short black hair. I am truly in love with this precious girl.

A month passes in a haze of sleepless nights and endless baby snuggles. Hera is always there to help, practically a second mother to little Amira.

One evening after Amira is asleep, Hera and I sit by the fire. She gives me a searching look.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I know you're still thinking of him," she says gently. "Of Cagan."

I fall silent, staring into the flickering flames. She’s right. No matter how much I try to distract myself, my thoughts always come back to him.

“I miss him so much it hurts,” I confess in a choked voice. “His smile, his laugh, the warmth of his arms around me. My heart feels like it has been shattered into a million pieces without him here by my side.”

Tears spill down my cheeks as I clutch my chest, raw anguish coursing through me. Ever since I left Cagan that day, it’s as if a piece of my heart has been missing. A hole I can never seem to fill.

“At night, I have dreams where we are together again. But then I wake up alone and it’s like losing him all over again,” I sob.

Hera wraps her arm around me as I pour out all the grief I’ve kept bottled up for so long. My body shakes with the force of my weeping.

“I don’t know how much more I can take, feeling so incomplete without him.”

Hera squeezes my hand. "You should go to him, Hayden."

Panic suddenly leaps inside me. "What? No, I can't! It's too dangerous for Amira there. If Malamute found out about her?—"

"Shhh," Hera soothes me. "Amira will be safe here with me. Bonnie and I will protect her with our lives."

"But what if Cagan rejects us? I couldn't bear it if he didn't accept Amira as his own."

Hera smiles sadly. "That's a risk you have to take. Otherwise, you will spend your whole life wondering. Regretting you never gave him the chance to choose you both."

I know deep down she's right. When the tears finally subside, I cling to Hera tightly. “You’re right. I have to try, no matter how terrifying it is. Even if he rejects me, or us, at least I’ll know I fought for what we had. My heart will have no peace until I see him again.”

Hera nods, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Tell him everything. He deserves to know."

I hug her fiercely, pouring all my gratitude into the embrace. She has given me the courage I need to fight for my family.

With a gentle kiss on Amira's forehead, I whisper, “I love you, my darling.” Her little nose scrunches adorably in her sleep.