Page 25 of My Pucking Mates (Pucking Werewolves #4)
R una’s excitement is a living, bubbling thing cascading through our bond, mixing with the love and wonder my brother has, feeling how happy she is to see the ocean.
She didn’t want to drive the short distance to the private beach that’s part of the property we’ve rented, so the three of us are walking hand-in-hand along the lush, green pathway.
Runa walks between us, holding each of our hands, swinging them back and forth with the steps she takes, carrying us closer and closer to making her dream come true.
The smell and taste of salt, of the ocean, grows heavier with every step we take; the moonlight glowing around us in the crisp night air as the sound of the water lapping at the shore reaches us.
At the sound, Runa perks up even further, glancing at each of us before she takes off, sprinting the final distance of the path.
Breaking through the green curtain of palm and monstera leaves that open to the private cove, Runa’s breath catches.
The cove is even more magnificent than the pictures Dolos and I had seen.
It was one of the main reasons we picked this house, though I’m pleased with how enamored our mate was with the observation deck.
The beach is made up of black sand from the volcanic activity on the islands.
The Goddess must have known we’d be here because the moon currently sets in the sky perfectly centered by the cliffs surrounding us.
The water steadily rolls against the shore, creating the whispering sounds humans pay to listen to while they sleep.
I’m watching Runa take in the scene before us, and Dolos, who is also watching her.
Her forehead creases and her eyebrows scrunch in concentration before she suddenly slams her hands over her mouth, staring at us with wide, glossy eyes.
Do you see that?! s he whisper-squeals through our bond, causing me to chuckle because we’re the only two that can hear her.
Yes, Precious, the cove is beautiful, but it has nothing on you, I purr, earning a snort from Dolos. Why are you whisper-shouting at us?
Her hands fall from her face, her jaw dropping. How have you not noticed them? s he asks in the same aggravated undertone, gesturing towards the beach in front of us.
Dolos and I obediently redirect our attention to the beach, and at first, I don’t know what she’s on about.
As I stare at the black sand beach, looking for what she’s talking about, I notice…
well that doesn’t make sense. The sand looks like it’s moving.
Returning our attention to our mate, Dolos blurts out loud, “Why is the sand moving?”
Runa obnoxiously shushes him, being much louder than he was in her attempt to keep him quiet before elaborating, The sand isn’t moving! Look closer. Focus on one spot of movement near you, she instructs us, her voice full of awe.
Concentrating on one of the moving areas only a couple of feet from where we stand, I see what has her body thrumming in a mixture of protectiveness, happiness, and love.
Crawling out of and across most of the sand covering the beach are baby sea turtles crawling for the ocean.
Sending thanks to the Goddess for making this even more special for our mate, I step behind Runa, carefully watching my steps, and wrap my arms around her.
She leans into me, resting her hands on my arms, and fuck, I once again find myself feeling things I’ve never felt before.
Things that are inappropriate to be thinking already.
We just claimed her. But her protective instinct over these creatures has me thinking about little creatures we might have some day.
Our moment isn’t broken, but it does change, because I’m reminded that this bond is not just Runa’s and mine.
It is also Dolos’, and he makes it known by pushing me slightly to the side, sliding in behind her, and also wrapping his arm around her, her body now leaning into both of ours as we watch the tiny animal skitter across the sand.
We continue to watch Runa, completely transfixed by what’s happening, when we feel her begin to worry, the bitter feeling filling our senses as it floods our bond.
“What’s wrong, Darling?” Dolos asks quietly as not to feel her wrath by being too loud again.
Her eyes dart around the cove, wringing her hands in front of her. Every muscle in her body looks coiled to spring into action at the drop of whatever she’s panicked over. “We’re not the only ones that have noticed the babies.”
The way she says babies has that thing I was feeling, twitching deep within me. It’s not the time to explore this , I remind my wolf who I’ve decided to blame for reacting this way.
When her words finally register, I notice what she sees.
There are island predators closing in from the sky and the sand. Birds and crabs are beginning to gather, watching the hatchlings make their way toward the ocean, following the light of the moon.
A crab jerks towards one of the baby sea turtles, and Runa’s muscles fire a fraction of a second later, batting the crab across the sand and away from the hatchling it was within reach of.
“Help me!” she cries, darting towards a bird that landed next to another turtle.
She turns and faces us with a fierceness I haven’t seen her wear, her eyes full of a wild fury, and it takes a conscious effort not to get hard at the sight.
“What do you expect us to do? Run all over the beach all night while they hatch?” Dolos asks, totally stunned by her sudden need to protect the tiny beings.
I’m smart enough to keep my mouth shut based on the look on her face. She turns to him and crosses her arms with a huff, eyes still scanning the beach for dangers. “That’s exactly what I’m asking you to do. Is there a problem with that?” she bites.
Barking out a laugh, I shoo away a bird while Dolos’ jaw hangs open at being scolded by our mate.
Her sheer determination hits me square in the chest through our bond, and I know she means business.
No matter why it means so much to her, we’ll make sure all of them make it safely to the ocean. After that, their survival is on them.