Page 40 of The Orc Protector's Secret Baby

It is on one such return that Inzo, one of the clan's warriors, intercepts me. His eyes are suspicious, his posture is tense with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He sharply demands, "Who is it you keep searching for out there?"

My jaw clenches, unsure how to respond, and my tongue remains frozen. What should I say to him? He must think of me as a traitor with my frequent comings and goings these last few days. Fear settling in now, my eyes dart quickly to his injured arm.

Rumors of his ferocity in battle are known throughout the land. He has served the Burning Sun Clan with unwavering loyalty and unflinching valor. The jagged scar on his arm and stiffened fingers on his sword hand bear testament to battles fought and his dedication to the clan. I surely won’t win in a fight against him. If it comes to blows, Inzo could easily cut me down without hesitation or mercy.

My mind races, pulse hammering. How do I explain myself? What words can spare Hayden from suspicion while also protecting myself from false accusations? I cannot endanger her, yet neither can I lie and brand myself a rebel in Inzo's eyes. The clan's trust in me is still fragile - one misstep could see me exiled and alone once more.

As the silence stretches taut as a bowstring between us, I grasp for some sort of explanation. But the shrewd glare of Inzo's eyes warns he will not settle for half-truths. A wave of panic rushes over me. I cannot seem to find the right words.

Impatiently, Inzo repeats his demand, eyes still boring into me. Frantic now, I start to open my mouth once more. But before I can speak, another voice interrupts - one that stirs both elation and dread within me.

"Cagan?"

My heart stops. That gently lilting tone...can it be? I whirl around and there she stands - Hayden. She's real and alive before me.

23

CAGAN

Hayden launches herself into my arms, her lips seeking mine in a desperate, feverish kiss. I'm stunned for a moment, my brain struggling to realize everything that is happening.

But then I'm kissing her back, pouring all my love and relief into the embrace.

"I thought I lost you," Hayden gasps between kisses, her hands clutching at my shoulders as if she's afraid I'll disappear.

"Me?" I ask incredulously, pulling back just far enough to meet her eyes. "I thought I lost you! When you disappeared like that, without a word..."

My voice cracks, the memory of those agonizing days without her still raw and painful. But Hayden just shakes her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, her fingers tracing the contours of my face as if memorizing every line and angle. "I never meant to worry you. I just...I had to go. I didn't have a choice."

Before I can ask what she means, a pointed throat-clearing interrupts our reunion. We break apart, turning to see Inzo standing nearby, his expression confused.

"Hayden, you know him?" he asks, jerking his chin in my direction.

Hayden grins, her whole face lighting up with joy and mischief. "I do," she confirms, reaching out to take my hand and lace our fingers together. "Cagan, this is Inzo. He's a friend."

I look between them, my brow furrowing as I try to piece together the connection. "How do you know each other?" I ask, unable to keep the note of jealousy from my voice.

Inzo just chuckles, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "I think I'll let Hayden explain," he says, already backing away. "You two clearly have a lot to catch up on. I'll leave you to it."

With a final, knowing smile, he turns and walks away, leaving Hayden and me alone once more. She tugs on my hand, her expression growing serious.

"Let's go for a walk," she suggests, her tone making it clear that it's not really a request. "There's something I need to tell you."

I nod, letting her lead me away from the bustling camp and into the quiet solitude of the surrounding forest. We walk in silence for a while, the only sound is the crunch of our footsteps on the leaf-strewn path.

Finally, Hayden takes a deep breath and begins to speak. "I had to come here, to Burning Sun," she explains, her voice low and strained. "For medical treatment. I didn't want to scare you, but… I was sick. Really sick."

My heart clenches, a cold wave of fear washing over me at the thought of Hayden suffering, alone and in pain. "Why didn't you tell me?" I ask softly, fighting to keep the hurt from my voice. "I would have been there for you, Hayden. I would have done anything to help."

She sighs, her shoulders slumping as if under a great weight. "I know," she whispers, her eyes fixed on the ground. "But I was scared, Cagan. So scared. And not just from being sick."

I frown, my mind racing as I try to understand. "What were you scared of?" I ask gently, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Hayden is silent for a long moment, her expression troubled and distant. "You'll know when we get back," she says at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "When you see...everything."

A chill runs down my spine at her ominous words, but I force myself to nod, to trust in her even as my instincts scream at me to demand answers. "Okay," I agree, my voice rough with emotion. "I'll follow you, Hayden. Wherever you need to go, whatever you need to face...I'm with you. Always."