If they weren't so afraid of me, I'd be dead already, drowned in the icy river flowing from the orc lands. Terrified I'd turn them all to toads, they tied me to a tree in the deep, frozen forest and left me for the wolves. But the forest is home to larger beasts than wolves. Brutal orcs prowl these mountains, and when one finds me here, alone, I accept my life is over. Only I'm wrong. The strong, cautious male doesn't slit my throat on sight. Instead, he rescues me, and for a moment, I think I'm saved. Until he tells me that I'm his. We're fated mates, and he's intent on keeping me. Forever. ***