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“Fine.”I stood, slapping Tori sharply on the ass as she moved away from me.She squealed and shoved at me but laughed as well.I loved the sound of her laughter.It seemed to be happening more often now.The only thing I liked more was the sounds she made when I made her come.
Tori picked up her spear after taking a drink.I told her to bring the water bag with her, and we’ll find a place to refill it while we look for something to hunt.I hadn’t been down to the edge of the island in many years, but the sound of trickling water was on the peripheral of my hearing, so there needed to be something close.
Where there was water, there were animals.
I debated teasing Tori about the asha being near the water supply just to make her jealous again.But she was holding a spear with a look of determination plastered on her perfect face, and I decided to save that particular tease for later.The fact that she had beenjealousover me was thrilling, and it made me feel good.It didn’t surprise me it was the asha and not any other species that had drawn that out of her.They were beautiful, and evidently evolved to attract males.Perhaps the same things that drew males to them also made females weary.Even though Tori had been initially drawn to their song just as I had when they first arrived, she was still jealous.
For me.
Now may not be the right time to tease her so soon, but that wouldn’t stop me from using it against her in the future.If only to see her cheeks flush and her little hands curl into fists at the indignation of my mere suggestion that she wasjealous.
Heading toward the sound of water, I kept my gaze low to search for tracks of signs of wildlife around the area.There were many, but only one I recognized.
Swooping my gaze upward toward the sky, I squinted through the haze of the rising sun and waited.It was early morning, and they would be feeding soon before sleeping for the day.
If Tori wanted a challenge, I’d give her one.
And maybe a part of me liked it when she needed me.
Pointing upward as a shadow passed over us, Tori followed my gaze.“Vultures?”she asked.
“Volti.”
Tori shaded her eyes with a hand on her forehead.“It looks like a vulture.”She then glanced at me.“Isthatwhat you want me to hunt?”
“Yes.”
She offered me a sideways glance, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.“Why do I feel like you’re setting me up for failure?”My smile faltered just for a moment as I was caught out in my game.Tori jumped on the spot and pointed her finger at me.“Ah-ha!Youaretrying to set me up.What’s the matter?Don’t like the idea that I can fend for myself?”My jaw tensed as I ground my teeth together, hating that she could read me so easily.Her expression changed, softening, although the smirk remained.“Oh my God, that’s it, isn’t it?You’re worried if I learn to hunt and forage, I won’t need you.”
I started to regret not teasing her about the asha when I had the chance.
Tori grabbed my wrist and yanked until I bent at the hips so we were face to face.“How many times am I going to have to tell you I’m withyou?”I simply held her gaze, not trusting myself to speak.With a slight shove, she let go of my face, her grin back in place.“That is unless you piss me off.Now, let’s get some food.”She shoved my arm playfully.“Feed me… your mate is hungry.”
Tori giggled at the rumble that surged in my chest at hearing her use the wordmate, and I managed a smile.The past few days had been tumultuous.I’d gone from being a protector and a guardian, to finding the personality and side of me I had forgotten, to being overrun with desire to the point of being barely more than an animal until it all left me feeling uncertain of myself and everything I did.
All I really knew for sure anymore is that I wanted Tori.I wanted her to stay and bewithme.She said she wanted the same thing, but she would still pine for her home planet.
I only hoped I was enough for her.
***
Setting a challenge to Tori to hunt a volti wasn’t something she was willing to back down from, and I should’ve known.We waited longer than we should have for one of them to settle for its feed, and at least she allowed me to assist her in lining up the angle for her spear.Standing behind her with my arms wrapped around hers, guiding her, felt so good I almost took her again right there.
But she was right—my mate needed to eat.
She threw the spear and missed but not by much.
Ready to take the kill, I threw my larger spear a split second later, connecting with the volti’s chest and sending it tumbling back to the ground after it moved to take off to the sky again.
“Bullshit!”Tori cried out, and I smiled.I couldn’t tell if she was angry she had missed or impressed I hadn’t, but either way, her insistence on using language to ease her frustrations amused me.
“You did well,” I said as we moved to collect the kill.I began cleaning the carcass on our way back to where we had a collection of wood, ready to make a small fire.“You were so close.”She huffed air out through her nose, said nothing, and I chuckled again.“It takes practice.”
Still, she said nothing but glared at me when I laughed again.
This only made me laugh more.I loved her little tantrums.
“One day,” she said, using her hands to help propel herself over a large stone.“I’ll be a better hunter than you.”
