Toke's POV
Jealous! I'm freaking jealous of my own wolf! I know it's stupid; he is as much me as I am him, but nevertheless. That feeling was spreading out in my chest. I should have been over the moon right now! Rubbing in my friend's faces that I got the runaway, I got all of her! I could still taste her on the tip of my tongue, and it was enough to make my cock twitch in anticipation.
Just freaking perfect! I, Toke, am the first in ages to find my mate. My true, destined mate. The person is supposed to be my other half! And that woman prefers my wolf?! The four-legged creature with canines that drools like an idiot? Fury snickered in my head. His grin was so wide it might just pop out of my head very soon.
"Oh, put some ice on that ego and dick of yours! You said it; I am you; you are me. So, she likes US!"
I sulked; I was freaking sulking as a damned child as I kicked yet another stone. Sent it flying over the uneven ground right outside the village center. I'd even let my pride aside, desperate like a little puppy, when I saw the marks on her skin. And she fucking asks me to shut up and bring Fury back? So much for caring for her health and well-being! My next victim was a tiny black stone; it flew like a falling star and disappeared into the thick grass. Fury rolled his eyes, but he didn't fool me! I still felt that pleased grin plastered on his god damned Fury face!
"What did you expect? I gave her exactly what she needed, and you tried to take that away from her? Making it to be something bad. Look, meat lump, calm down! You read her file! Did you really think she would trust you just because you claim her as our mate? Nobody has ever cared for her, not really. The ones that pretended they did exploit her let her down, forgot her, or decided she wasn't important anymore! She is not a starving little kitten. She won't come running and lick your hands because you offer food. Purr and rub against you; see you as her hero, savior, and all that. She's a beaten kitten, one that will scowl toward your hand, waiting for it to hit. To throw something, to gran her so hard her fur falls off in chunks before locking her up. She will run if you're not careful. But scream and claw your face off if you corner her. Not even this world has shown her that people can be better than that! Not yet! So, suck it up; use your head! We are keeping her, so I won't let you fuck this up! You hear me?!"
The grin had been replaced with a deep growl, and now it was my turn to roll my eyes at his theatrical performance. No need to growl at me! However, I knew he was right. All he said made sense in a way I haven't really thought about. I've got myself a broken mate.
"Fuck you; she's not broken! You are broken! How slow can you be? Huh? The Alpha has no idea how to woo a girl. Slow down, show her what we are, how you are. What this place is for us, the people, the pack. Show her what it can be for her."
"No need to yell! Oh yeah, go hide! Curl up like the furball you are!"
I shouted back as he retreated, and I slumped down on the small hill overlooking the open sea. Seconds, I only got seconds before my heart and soul nearly left my body! The sneaking sensation of peace and quiet was interrupted by a sudden sound, and I fell face-first down in the grass as I attempted to spin around, get up and try not to shit myself at the same time. Pushing myself up, my eyes land on her. Biting her lip, trying not to laugh again, the utter confusion and shock slowly calmed. Now I just felt stupid and embarrassed instead. Great! Playing it cool, I sat up again. Brushed my clothes and let my eyes rest on the waves dancing with the sunshine while trying to calm my heart and burning cheeks. How did I not smell her or hear her? God, I really need to pull myself together. Stop acting like a stuttering teenager with no idea how to talk to the opposite sex.
"Didn't mean to scare you! But you do know, talking to yourself is fine; the problems appear when you don't get the answers you want!"
I tried not to smile as her sweet voice taunted me behind my back, her whole being reeking with amusement. It was hard not to be smitten by it. Cool, stay cool, and in control, I lectured myself as I drew my breath.
"I didn't, and Fury was an ass. What are you doing here??"
Fuck, too harsh. To cold! Idiot! The energy changed the moment the words left my lips, and I regretted it as fast. The energy I felt from her now reminded me of Fury's words. Not fear, not anger. Resignation and maybe a bit disappointed. She didn't expect anything else of people; why should she of me? I quickly spun around to meet her. The smile I pictured just seconds ago was now thin lips pressed together, and her jaws clenched as she looked away.
"I don't know anyone here. I didn't know where to go. Okay. I'm sorry I disturbed you."
A sensation that almost broke me washed through me. Pushing my guilt and regrets aside. Overwhelming feelings, making me feel lost, alone, and vulnerable. Her feelings, how she felt. For a second, it seems like all of it wrapped around her as she crosser her hands over her chest. Devoured her and protected her at the same time. I had to take deep breaths not to jump her. Not to act too rashly and press her into my arms.
"That came out wrong! You scared my ghost out of me! Come, sit down. I want to show you something!"
I did my best to smile, not grin, not to turn into a squealing kid. She seemed to think it over before she took a couple of hesitant steps toward me and the little overhang I had been sitting on. My mind was racing as fast as my heart! Show her what? What should I show her? Maybe I should just whip out my.. Nope! That won't make things better! My palms started to sweat as she sat down beside me, and I had no idea why I had said that. Blank. My head was blank! How hard could it be to use my head?
"Wow! I don't think I've seen something so beautiful and pure!"
I frowned and looked down; her eyes followed the deep waves. The dark blue, nearly black water blended as the water rose up and down, creating small tops of white foam. The sunlight reflected in her blue eyes, the heart of the ocean reflected in them, and I realized the view had saved me! My shoulders relaxed, and I leaned back, taking in the same views as her. So effective, yet so simple! Why didn't I think of that?
"If you look over there, that's some of our fishing boats! We usually use spring, summer, and fall to gather what we can from the ocean. Everything from fish, seals, shells, crabs, even whales, and seaweed. These boats are heading for the deeper water, so fishing. You see over there, the small boats going around that little hillside? They are looking for seals and sea birds. Just around that corner is a more secluded and rockier beach. And if you look up, you see all the seagulls and birds flying around over there? It usually means the seals are there."
A new calm came over me as I pointed and told her about the places we could see from here. The words came out so easily, and it made it even better to see how she devoured every single word. How her eyes lingered on the sights, I pointed out. She seemed to appreciate it!
"What's over there?"
I followed her finger as she pointed towards the other side of us. Where the waves were higher, the foam was wild and discolored as the ocean threw itself against the massive stones.
"Nothing important. It's the land of the barbarians, just a different pack."
I did my best to make it sound like it indeed was nothing to worry about, that even if there had been peace for over ten years now, we did not get along. A pack I hoped she would never meet.