The Viking's Mate Hunt

CHAPTER 50

Toke's POV

It didn't turn out the way I planned it to. Yes, it might have been a bit drastic to drug her and keep her down the days following. But the journey was dangerous, and it was all for her! She knew that. I told her, but she still refused to leave. This is my land, my world, not hers. Not the place she is used to. I did what was best for her, to protect her.

I expected her to be a bit mad and confused but not outright furious! These guys are different; I can't show them I'm soft. There is no place for soft or loving in this world. It is survival of the fittest, even among guys like Arcane, Hades, and their crew. I've known them for years since we were small and pack fractions were different, even rogue packs. Times change, and even if I still know these guys and would trust them with my life, I know they live a different life.

The rogue pack lives as our accident ancestors lived. Blood rituals and raids. Kept slaves and praised the old gods. Depended on them, fighting, killing, and even sacrificing. When I decided where to go, I thought their live set would be the hardest for Eir to accept-their old-school view on women and especially. But now it seems she has more difficulty with me.

Yes, I was an ass for not running to her aid, but I couldn't! How would that make me look in front of these men? Jumping up to her rescue the minute she stumbled a little, I hated myself for waiting, but I also knew they had a blast. I would have been deemed the party pooper. I could not have that, not now. We needed them to get us further away, get her away where she would be safe-can't bump around playing with her little fluff rabbit.

Her laughter felt like daggers in my heart as I scowled in her and Hades' direction. I tried to talk to her! After everyone fell asleep, I poured my soul out there in that little dark wooden room. That it was my job to keep her safe, that this was not the world she knew. Things are different here; people are different. This is the world I know, people and beats I know. It was my decision to make; she is my mate. My other half, my specially designed gift from the moon goddess herself!

This was the only way to keep her safe, to keep her away from the barbarians! She had no idea how that pack was, how they treated each other, its kill or get killed. It is no place for a human girl, not even if there existed shifter girls; they would be safe there. That I would spend the rest of my life keeping her away from them, safe and happy. I would make sure she was safe! And as long as we had each other, we would be happy. There is nothing we need besides one another. I also assured her my pack would be just fine!

My dad has been leading them for years, and he has my grandfather to support him. Reminded her that I grew up there; I knew them and the place. It was my job to make sure they would manage without me, not hers. She could relax, take some time to get used to the place, and know she's safe now. Nobody would force her to go anywhere with anyone.

She threw me out, pushed me until I stumbled out in the dark hallway, and slammed the freaking door in my face! Not only that, but she also cussed me out and called me names I'd never even heard before. But I'm guessing none were remotely positive. Called me a two-faced idiot and screamed at me that I had no authority to make decisions for her? I mean, didn't she hear what I just said? Everything I told her? I even said I was sorry for not helping her up; I explained how these guys were! But no, somehow, she didn't want to hear that! No, that didn't matter at all, apparently!

For two days, I had to sleep on that mini bed thing beside the fireplace! It's thin, way too short, and the sticks beneath it are old and crispy! I figured she just needed some time to calm down; we could stay here a little while before we had to leave. At least I was right about one thing; she calmed down. However, she's not talking to me; she glares at me like she's waiting for me to say something. What more can I say? I said it all! It is not my fault she's to god damned stubborn to accept it, to accept that this is her new life and future.

Instead of acting like an adult, adjusting and realizing what I have done for her, she treats me like a rabid dog. Avoids me; she even began to seek out Hades when she needed help or anything. Things I could have easily done for her told her, or shown her. It felt like she was punishing me, spending time with other men right in front of me! And for what? Doing the right fucking thing?

I jumped up and rushed over the moment I saw she rounded the little cabin. Hades was down by the boats, and the rest of the men out hunting. I saw one of them follow her back before turning back to the woods, and she took her little basket with her to the working bench on the back. This had been going on long enough. I've been patient for four days now, four freaking days! In the name of Odin, that's more than enough for any man! I could see and feel she felt better and that her body was strong again. There were no long-term effects of the drug I used, I made sure of that before I used it, and now I've waited long enough! Time was running out; we would have to leave. This was supposed to be a mid-stop camp, nothing more, but she was acting like she lived here now.

Two days tops, and we must leave this place. And we would leave, whether she wanted to or not! But it was time for her to get her act together, to grow the fuck up, and accept the fact I was right this time!

"How long are you going to keep this act up?"

She spun around, and I heard my own voice as I spoke. I knew I sounded way too harsh, but the anger I felt right now was hard to hold back. Her shocked face quickly tightened, and she turned her back to me again and continued what she was doing while she answered. Didn't even bother to look at me!

"it is not an act. And how long do you need to realize what you did was wrong?"

"Wrong? "

I scoffed,

"Seriously? Are you still there? How old are you, really? 14? This is getting ridiculous, Eir, even you have to see that by now. You know why I did what I did, you know why! I said I was sorry and all that shit! But still, you are acting like a wronged toddler! This is not a world for childish girls. You need to grow the fuck up and accept that you don't get a saying in this. And you better hurry! We will be leaving in two days! You can choose how we leave, clean up that attitude of yours and take the journey with us like a normal adult. Or continue this fucking charade, and I will have no choice but to drug you. I'm not dragging you kicking and screaming, making an ass of me and yourself in front of these guys!"

"Oh, so now I have a choice. And what a choice that is, go fuck yourself, Toke! What the hell happened to you? You take me with you, despite the fact that I said NO! You are acting like I'm your possession, a thing you own! Newsflash, wolf-boy, I am not! I'm not going anywhere with you, not when you are like this! You even left your pack to fend for themselves, for what? For a claim and a date at the moonstone? The council will be there; it will be a trail! No room for lies! What the hell are you so scared of?"

I grabbed her shoulder and spun her around to face me, tightening my grip around her arm. Her muscles were as tense as mine, and her eyes were ice cold as they met mine,

"LET.ME.GO!"

"You are leaving; that is my decision. And you ARE mine. The moon goddess made you for me, specially designed you, just for me! You exist for me!"

The anger clouded my vision as I roared in her face, and a scared whine pressed up her throat as she tried to push me away. I was ready to fight when someone grabbed my hands and threw me back. Stumbling back, I crouched down, ready to attack,

"What the in the name of Loki are you doing? Go now before I change my mind and kick you sorry little ass!"

Arcane stood between us, blocking my view of her, and his eyes bored into mine. His fingertips had turned to long black talons, and almost black eyes focused only on me. Why the fucking hell did his beast interfere in this!?