What do you think?
Rate this book
Secret Babies of Prothekan Orc Warriors #4
The Orc Soldier's Secret Baby
I lost my orc. But he left me with something better.
One year ago, Nevarth had to leave me. I never even got a chance to say goodbye. I thought I had lost him forever.
Until I felt a kick in my belly.
Now a part of him lives on in his son. When I look at his son, I feel that hope. And I feel sadness at having lost Nevarth.
Until the day he returns.
He tells me that our love put me in danger. The only way to save me was to leave. But he couldn’t stay away and he’s returned to fight for our love. Only now I need to tell him he’s not just fighting for him and I.
He’s going to need to fight for our son.
One year ago, Nevarth had to leave me. I never even got a chance to say goodbye. I thought I had lost him forever.
Until I felt a kick in my belly.
Now a part of him lives on in his son. When I look at his son, I feel that hope. And I feel sadness at having lost Nevarth.
Until the day he returns.
He tells me that our love put me in danger. The only way to save me was to leave. But he couldn’t stay away and he’s returned to fight for our love. Only now I need to tell him he’s not just fighting for him and I.
He’s going to need to fight for our son.
- GenresFantasy
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2023
55 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Celeste King
314 books277 followersCeleste King is the author behind the Worlds of Protheka, a collection of interconnected series that promise dark fantasy, intense romance, and washboard abs. When it comes to her stories, there are sure to brooding alphas, sassy humans, and plenty of spice to look forward to.
With the ever growing fantasy worlds, the 'what ifs' are endless, and that is what excites her the most. Even she doesn't know just how far these characters will go, but she's gladly along for the ride.
You can always find her fearlessly diving into an adventure (in this world or another), typically with her husband, and partner in crime, at her side.
She helps keep the excitement alive for the rest us with each of her Prothekan works, where there are no heroes coming to save you and being kidnapped...isn't so bad when your captor is this hot.
With the ever growing fantasy worlds, the 'what ifs' are endless, and that is what excites her the most. Even she doesn't know just how far these characters will go, but she's gladly along for the ride.
You can always find her fearlessly diving into an adventure (in this world or another), typically with her husband, and partner in crime, at her side.
She helps keep the excitement alive for the rest us with each of her Prothekan works, where there are no heroes coming to save you and being kidnapped...isn't so bad when your captor is this hot.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 9, 2025
The Downtrodden Orc and the Human Teacher
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂☺️😍
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
🦸🏻♂️ Hero Spotlight: Nevarth
Nevarth, an Orc of the Ironhooded clan, is the kind of character who carves his soul into clay—only to be told it’s worthless. Every year, he enters the clan’s hunting contest and every year, he loses—often by a margin as petty as a single rabbit pelt. His cousin Judeah, the indifferent chieftain, always wins. Nevarth’s artistry is dismissed, so he crafts weapons instead, burying his creative spirit beneath steel and obligation.
His father is a tyrant of expectations—verbally and physically abusive, obsessed with legacy, and blind to Nevarth’s quiet strength. When Nevarth is forced into a political marriage with the daughter of their enemy clan, it’s the final straw. The word “responsibility” becomes a chain around his neck, forged by a man who never saw him as enough.
---
🦸🏼♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Larisa
Larisa is a teacher, a human newcomer to the Ironhooded clan, drawn by fertile lands and the promise of peace. Her literacy is her gift to the community—a legacy from her late mother—and she finds purpose in educating both Orc and human children. Her warmth and resilience make her a grounding presence, even as she quietly mourns the life she left behind.
---
🔥 Plot Snapshot
When Nevarth throws the hunting contest, rumors swirl. Larisa hears of his father’s rage and sees Nevarth brooding near the schoolhouse. Their first conversation is unexpected—Nevarth, drawn to a human woman for the first time, finds solace in Larisa’s empathy. Their connection deepens over six weeks, despite the looming arranged marriage.
Nevarth tries to break the betrothal, even negotiating peace with the Swordstone clan. But his father’s grip remains unyielding. Larisa, believing she’s just a temporary comfort, doesn’t tell Nevarth she’s pregnant. Their intimacy is real, but the future is uncertain.
Six months later, Nevarth travels to meet his betrothed—only to discover she’s just as unwilling. Still, he hasn’t found the courage to defy his father outright.
---
❤️🔥 What Worked
• 🍼 Normally, I roll my eyes at secret baby plots, but this one earned its place. Larisa’s silence felt justified—Nevarth hadn’t chosen her, and she had no reason to believe he ever would.
• 🌍 The world-building is immersive. The clan dynamics, village life, and interspecies tension are richly drawn.
• 🧠 Character arcs shine. Nevarth and Larisa evolve beautifully, though supporting characters like Noah remain underdeveloped. Nevarth’s father, however, is disturbingly vivid.
---
🤨 Room for More
• 🤦🏻♂️ Nevarth’s decision to leave Larisa hinges on a flimsy misunderstanding—he sees her with Noah and assumes romantic betrayal. No confrontation, no clarification. Just… exit stage left.
• 🧬 The genetics of Orc-human children are baffling. Wilder, Larisa’s son, looks fully human despite his Orc heritage. In a world where Orcs are green, why aren’t the kids at least a shade of sage? It’s a recurring issue in the series that strains believability.
---
🎧 Narration Vibes
Dual POVs, dual narrators: Midnight Michael and Mia Madison.
• Midnight Michael’s voice is deep—perfect for hulking Orc warriors—but he’s not my favorite overall.
• Mia Madison brings Larisa to life with expressive warmth. Her male voices aren’t stellar, but they’re passable and never distracting.
---
📝 Final Thoughts
This audiobook delivers emotional depth, compelling world-building, and a romance that feels earned—even when the plot leans on familiar tropes. Nevarth’s journey from self-loathing to self-assertion is quietly powerful, and Larisa’s strength lies in her compassion. It’s not perfect, but it’s poignant.
---
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂☺️😍
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
🦸🏻♂️ Hero Spotlight: Nevarth
Nevarth, an Orc of the Ironhooded clan, is the kind of character who carves his soul into clay—only to be told it’s worthless. Every year, he enters the clan’s hunting contest and every year, he loses—often by a margin as petty as a single rabbit pelt. His cousin Judeah, the indifferent chieftain, always wins. Nevarth’s artistry is dismissed, so he crafts weapons instead, burying his creative spirit beneath steel and obligation.
His father is a tyrant of expectations—verbally and physically abusive, obsessed with legacy, and blind to Nevarth’s quiet strength. When Nevarth is forced into a political marriage with the daughter of their enemy clan, it’s the final straw. The word “responsibility” becomes a chain around his neck, forged by a man who never saw him as enough.
---
🦸🏼♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Larisa
Larisa is a teacher, a human newcomer to the Ironhooded clan, drawn by fertile lands and the promise of peace. Her literacy is her gift to the community—a legacy from her late mother—and she finds purpose in educating both Orc and human children. Her warmth and resilience make her a grounding presence, even as she quietly mourns the life she left behind.
---
🔥 Plot Snapshot
When Nevarth throws the hunting contest, rumors swirl. Larisa hears of his father’s rage and sees Nevarth brooding near the schoolhouse. Their first conversation is unexpected—Nevarth, drawn to a human woman for the first time, finds solace in Larisa’s empathy. Their connection deepens over six weeks, despite the looming arranged marriage.
Nevarth tries to break the betrothal, even negotiating peace with the Swordstone clan. But his father’s grip remains unyielding. Larisa, believing she’s just a temporary comfort, doesn’t tell Nevarth she’s pregnant. Their intimacy is real, but the future is uncertain.
Six months later, Nevarth travels to meet his betrothed—only to discover she’s just as unwilling. Still, he hasn’t found the courage to defy his father outright.
---
❤️🔥 What Worked
• 🍼 Normally, I roll my eyes at secret baby plots, but this one earned its place. Larisa’s silence felt justified—Nevarth hadn’t chosen her, and she had no reason to believe he ever would.
• 🌍 The world-building is immersive. The clan dynamics, village life, and interspecies tension are richly drawn.
• 🧠 Character arcs shine. Nevarth and Larisa evolve beautifully, though supporting characters like Noah remain underdeveloped. Nevarth’s father, however, is disturbingly vivid.
---
🤨 Room for More
• 🤦🏻♂️ Nevarth’s decision to leave Larisa hinges on a flimsy misunderstanding—he sees her with Noah and assumes romantic betrayal. No confrontation, no clarification. Just… exit stage left.
• 🧬 The genetics of Orc-human children are baffling. Wilder, Larisa’s son, looks fully human despite his Orc heritage. In a world where Orcs are green, why aren’t the kids at least a shade of sage? It’s a recurring issue in the series that strains believability.
---
🎧 Narration Vibes
Dual POVs, dual narrators: Midnight Michael and Mia Madison.
• Midnight Michael’s voice is deep—perfect for hulking Orc warriors—but he’s not my favorite overall.
• Mia Madison brings Larisa to life with expressive warmth. Her male voices aren’t stellar, but they’re passable and never distracting.
---
📝 Final Thoughts
This audiobook delivers emotional depth, compelling world-building, and a romance that feels earned—even when the plot leans on familiar tropes. Nevarth’s journey from self-loathing to self-assertion is quietly powerful, and Larisa’s strength lies in her compassion. It’s not perfect, but it’s poignant.
---
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
March 8, 2023
Nevarth (H), an orc in the Ironhooded Clan, and Larisa (h), a human woman newly arrive to the clan with a group of other humans, carry on a clandestine relationship with one another. Nevarth struggles with his place in his clan and long suffers his abusive father who is determined to marry his son off in an arranged marriage with an orc female in another clan. Misperceptions and hateful words part the lovers before Larisa can share her joyous news with Nevarth and he leaves her behind never knowing of his impending fatherhood. His travels take Nevarth to the Burning Sun Clan and in their pursuit of rebel orcs he ends up face to face with his past. Lovely orc-human romance with a side of heat and relationship drama. Larisa is a strong woman to endure Nevarth's cruelty, raising Wylder on her own, and then accepting him back into her life. Nevarth endured a vicious childhood but was able to become the kind of father he never had. It's always nice to see characters back from previous Protheka books.
March 18, 2023
This was a great book and there were issues that the both had to overcome before they could have a chance at a life together. Larissa is a human that comes we others to the Ironhooded Clan and she start teaching the kids of the clan human or orcs and she loves her job and meeting the Orc called Nevarth has her hoping for more with him and it isn’t long before they are in a full blown relationship and everything was going great until e hurts her and starts pushing her away and then he is gone and she never got the chance to tell him she was pregnant. Nevarth is an Orc in the Ironhooded Clan and his cousin is the Chieftain and his father is very abusive towards him after his mother died and everything he does it’s never good enough and losing to his cousin twice only makes it worse but it’s only bearable because of his relationship with Larissa but when his father tells him that he has arranged a marriage to a female orc from another clan and he refuses and it doesn’t end well and so to get away he must leave the clan and with an misunderstanding with Larissa he walks away. Now he is part of the Burning Sun Clan and he is happy but he misses Larissa and now 1yr later they learn that rogue Orcs are heading for his old clan and so with his clansmen Agrish they race to save them and now seeing Larissa again he knows he made a mistake leaving her behind and he try’s to make things right and to protect her from the rogue Orcs. Larissa has struggled to raise there son Wylder and now a year later Nevarth returns telling them all the are in danger and when he comes to her to explain why he left she wants nothing more than to forgive him and take him back but she needs to tell him about his son first. Can they win against the rogues and can Nevarth win back the heart of Larissa and how will he react when he learns he has a son. Loved it and a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2023
“Don’t let your mind ruin what your heart knows is good for you.”
Larissa is a human who has discovered she has a talent for teaching the clans children - human, and Orc, and her compassionate heart loves watching them grow and learn.
Navreth is an Orc who has struggled to find his place in his own clan, but in meeting Larissa he comes to understand he may have played more of a role in parts of his own past than he realized.
This done in one kindle unlimited book works in part because both characters take the opportunity to start over as a chance to grow, to discover hidden talents, develop skills, find ways to contribute to the clans they are a part of, it is this strength, combined with care for their community that shines through.
Larissa is a human who has discovered she has a talent for teaching the clans children - human, and Orc, and her compassionate heart loves watching them grow and learn.
Navreth is an Orc who has struggled to find his place in his own clan, but in meeting Larissa he comes to understand he may have played more of a role in parts of his own past than he realized.
This done in one kindle unlimited book works in part because both characters take the opportunity to start over as a chance to grow, to discover hidden talents, develop skills, find ways to contribute to the clans they are a part of, it is this strength, combined with care for their community that shines through.
March 11, 2023
Larisa and Nevarth's Story . . .
Larisa’s heart broken when the Orc she loved, Nevarth, misunderstanding something he observed, left her and did not explain his actions. She had just discovered she was pregnant with his child. And he told her he was proceeding with the mating his father had wanted for him with someone from another clan. But their baby gives her a reason to live and raise their son so he will know about his father.
Then time passed and to Larisa’s shock, Nevarth comes back. Will he be ready to fight for his family as she shows him his son. Will he stand up for them against his father? Will the two of them learn to trust each other again?
Larisa’s heart broken when the Orc she loved, Nevarth, misunderstanding something he observed, left her and did not explain his actions. She had just discovered she was pregnant with his child. And he told her he was proceeding with the mating his father had wanted for him with someone from another clan. But their baby gives her a reason to live and raise their son so he will know about his father.
Then time passed and to Larisa’s shock, Nevarth comes back. Will he be ready to fight for his family as she shows him his son. Will he stand up for them against his father? Will the two of them learn to trust each other again?
March 16, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Great world building. I liked Larisa and Nevarth. Some of the other secret babies of Protheka stories I didn't care for that much because the male either jumped to crazy conclusions and ruined everything, or the female was just overly cold and cruel. Here, though there are misunderstandings and assumptions Nevarth makes and creates problems between them, it wasn't over-the-top, and Larisa though hurt and angry about it, didn't become this hard, cold unlikable person. I also really liked Noah and his role in the story despite Nevarth's assumptions about him. Looking forward to the next book in this series. 4 stars.
March 10, 2023
Lovely enjoyable romance story that's about Nevarth and Larisa. This second chance romance was a touchily romantic story I enjoyed reading. Larisa and Nevarth fall in love and become lovers and then he left. Larisa morning the loss believes there no reason to live until she discovers herself pregnant. Then they meet again, years later. Drawn back to her lover but this time she has her son to consider, what will she do? The characters were likable and the storyline engaging and twisty with the drama and romance in this copy I received and volunteer to read and review.
March 24, 2023
I like these little stories. I get my fill of monster smut and it isn’t too long or drawn out.
I do find w this author that she often has sloppy type errors like making the fmc have brown eyes and then near the end of the book, she has blue eyes.
It doesn’t ruin the story.
But it makes me wonder how much she cares about the book if she cannot keep her character traits straight.
Again. Not a big deal.
Just little things like that you might need to overlook. And. As a Kindle Unlimited reader, I don’t much care.
But if you are paying for this book? Yeah. I would care.
I do find w this author that she often has sloppy type errors like making the fmc have brown eyes and then near the end of the book, she has blue eyes.
It doesn’t ruin the story.
But it makes me wonder how much she cares about the book if she cannot keep her character traits straight.
Again. Not a big deal.
Just little things like that you might need to overlook. And. As a Kindle Unlimited reader, I don’t much care.
But if you are paying for this book? Yeah. I would care.
March 5, 2023
This is a very emotional story of troubled pasts and even the present, and of parents making unreasonable demands. The attraction of the two main characters are undeniable. It’s obvious they belong together. But love ie more than just feelings, it’s also about trust. And when trust is lost, it doesn’t take long for things to fall apart. You can easily feel they are both going through as they try to figure out what went wrong with something that once felt so right.
March 11, 2023
It was a good ending to a good story. The MMC was a bit of a fool, not a bit really, but he was a good Orc. I can never dislike him because even though he is big, his heart is fragile. The FMC brightens the story, even through the heartache, her light shines true.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2023
I loved it!
Such a riveting tale. I couldn’t put it down. I got so engrossed in the story that I actually felt like I was apart of the story.
Such a riveting tale. I couldn’t put it down. I got so engrossed in the story that I actually felt like I was apart of the story.
December 31, 2023
2.5 stars
February 7, 2024
I love the secret baby trope
I felt like the orc was more true to being an orc than in some other books. That was nice, as I hate it when orcs are wimpy and too much like humans
I felt like the orc was more true to being an orc than in some other books. That was nice, as I hate it when orcs are wimpy and too much like humans
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews