Chapter 75

Chapter 75
“What?” I frowned, settling on the bed better to see him. “What did you just say?”

“I want to mark you,” he leaned closer, reaching out and tracing the side of my neck that his mark will rest on, and my body shivered involuntarily.

“Toby.” I murmured, unable to find my voice after wearing it out from all the shouting. “I don’t think that is a good idea.”

“Why?” Toby asked absentmindedly, his gaze intent, as though willing me to agree. “We will be bonded together, and it would make communication so much easier.”

“I don’t think so.” I argued, creating a little distance between us so I could think properly, even though it physically hurts me to do that. “It would only cause us more problems. The mark has a way of messing with the mind, and it would only make you crave your partner more and more.”

“All I can see is the more reason why I should mark you.” Toby pressed on, his brows furrowing in confusion as he tried to make light of what I had said, and it was cute watching him struggle for understanding.

“I know, but marking me makes me completely yours, and I don’t think I would be able to rest with such distance between us, and I am sure I will run to you.” I tried to make him see reasons why this would be a bad idea, but it seems he had ganged up with Lia not to listen to any word I said because she keeps pushing for him to mark me, but I had to be the level-headed one here.

“And that will be bad because?”

I shook my head, massaging my temples with my palm as a raging headache came over me because I was not ready to deal with this now. “Let us not do this, Toby. You know why we can’t mark each other now. Let us respect that and instead focus on the thing we can enjoy.” I told him, refusing to ruin whatever happiness we have found.

“Alright.” Toby answered grudgingly, his forehead still wrinkled with annoyance, and I reached out, smoothing the ridges that had formed. “I love you.” He said softly, leaning forward to press a kiss to my forehead, and I closed my eyes as his words caressed my skin, soaking it all up.

“I love you too.” I whispered back, the words now easier for me to say with every time I proclaimed it.

“Now, stop worrying yourself and rest your pretty head; you have a long way ahead of you.”

“I know.” I didn’t need more prompting from him because my eyes had already begun to close, and I curled up beside him, his heartbeat luring me to sleep.

“Goodnight.” Toby whispered in my ear, drawing me close, and I mumbled some words in response, too sleepy to move my mouth to form words.

We woke up the next day quite early, probably from the nerves, but I knew I wanted to spend every waking hour or minute now that I could spend with him before I left.

We had taken a shower together that turned out to be longer than expected because I was trying to imprint his cock in me, wishing we could be joined together in ways that only mattered.

But the sweet moment had left me even longing for more, my insides hollow and empty, quivering for the lack of need of something, and the cold water that descended on my head was not helping much.

“Come on, let us get out of the shower; it is getting cold.” Toby gently coaxed me, his words so soft as if afraid of setting me off, but I could understand him.

My eyes were red, and it was hard trying to control the sniffles. I had been sobbing in the shower—post-nut clarity, they call it. “Okay.” I replied with what little strength I still had and allowed him to lead me outside.

We toweled ourselves dry and got dressed for the day. I took a final look at the room, annoyed that I only got to spend a little time there, but it was time to go.

Toby helped me with my bags, and I took a detour to the new parent bedroom to say my goodbyes. However, it was quick to turn into a disaster, and I had to beg Kane to hold his mate before she would begin to sob.

We headed downstairs to where my car was parked. Toby had arranged for someone to clean it, and now it gleamed under the sunlight. Looking at the flawless appearance was enough to momentarily distract me from my sour mood.

I opened the back door and threw the bag in, and I went to my mate, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him tight. “I will miss you, love.”

“And I will miss you too.” He whispered atop my head, squeezing me so tight in a way that gave me love tingles. “I will make sure to call you every single day.”

“You had better.” I said to him, and reluctantly I left his embrace, dragging my feet towards the car and opening the driver's seat.

I settled into the driver’s seat and closed the door, but Toby remained outside, watching me with an amused expression. My facial muscles only contorted in a frown. Was he happy I was leaving?

I raised my hands, moving them side by side as I waved to him, and he returned the gesture; however, he only waited a few seconds before tapping at my window, and my brows shot up in confusion.

I pressed a button, lowering the window, and fixed my gaze on him, silently waiting for him to speak. But, of course, Toby was in no hurry, taking his sweet time. Finally, he smirked, his eyes lit up in mischief. “Where do you think you are going without me?”

“What?” I glared at him, convinced he was messing with me.

“Were you thinking of leaving me?” Toby continued, the corners of his lips widening into a smile. He was enjoying this too much.

“What is going on here?” I asked, my voice shaky, frustration bubbling up inside me. I couldn’t process what was happening, not when all I wanted was to focus on dealing with my heartbreak.

“I am taking you back.” He announced like he was talking about the weather, but my eyes only narrowed in confusion.

“But you have to be in the pack, and you have got work to do.”

“No, I told Kane, and he let me take the day off. I can’t miss not taking my love along.” This time the smile had spread across his face, and I tried to mirror it.

“Okay.” I was still confused, but I slid out of the driver’s seat and moved to the passenger side. Toby took the wheel, and we started driving out of the pack, but a question was at the tip of my tongue, and it didn’t take long before I was blurting it out.

“Why did you now let me believe you were not going to follow me? Hell, you were even waving me goodbye.”

“I wanted to see that cute pout of yours one last time before I ruined your goodbye plan.” He shrugged, glancing at me, and I playfully squatted his arms.

“I wasn’t even pouting.” I rolled my eyes, but that didn’t stop the smile from spreading across my lips. “How are you going to get back? It is going to be very stressful if you have to run all the way.”

“You seem to have forgotten who you are mated to,” he said, his tone firm, and he glanced my way, giving me a once-over. “Stop stressing over it. It was my choice to follow you, and I will take care of whatever needs to be done.”

An argument lingered on my lips, but I knew he was right, so I decided to let it go. “Alright.”