unable to bind.mated to none.father to Eztli, Lixue, Petra, Citlalli, & Itzel.Taviora

He always knew she wouldn't be able to fully express her thoughts and that's why he wanted to be the best listener he could be. He started learning more about body language and reading an expression mostly because of his growing friendship with her as a pup. He wanted to be able to communicate with and understand wolves of all natures. He didn't like the idea of a barrier between him and the wolves he could potentially become friends with. Not to mention there were a lot of killers out in the world that were so feral, they didn't have much of a vocabulary. He wanted to understand them so he wanted to read them. He wanted to be able to communicate with them even, all before he made his grand move. He knew that Tuari probably had a lot on her mind and she was so determined to get it out there anyway she could. She was touching him more than usual and while he didn't mind, he also didn't want to send the wrong signals. He didn't know what he wanted at this point and he didn't want to victimize her because of his own uncertainty. She didn't deserve that. She deserved so much more.

He knew he was the one to open the can of worms in the first place but really, he wouldn't have wanted to hold it in much longer. The hints were getting stronger and he was tired of knowing he had two girls looking at him the exact same way. It was his mess and he needed to start cleaning it up. He cherished their friendship more than anything and he was afraid he would lose her over this. That was the last thing he wanted. He didn't know what he'd do without her in his life. It felt incomplete somehow without her. He felt bad that her imprint had left her because at least he knew when he was here that she was happy. She had his friendship then and someone to turn romantic thoughts to. Now it was all getting jumbled up and he didn't know what to do or where to turn. No matter which way he looked, someone would get hurt and he only blamed himself. His parents were the perfect role models. Imprints and in love. He had heard the stories a thousand times.

His mom had at first tried to push Coza away because of the age difference. She didn't want him to be anchored to her when he was young and vigorous but he would have none of it. He pursued her anyway and finally she gave in and they had their own happily ever after. They were in love all the way till Moth was gone from this world but he could see it in his dad's eyes still. Even with her gone for years, Coza was still ever in love with her and it was a thing of legends. Dexter would never have that same bond because he couldn't imprint but at points like this, he almost felt like he could. He chose to pursue Talien from the moment he met her. This thing with Tuari...totally hit him out of nowhere. It didn't mean it didn't feel any less strong though. Winter was definitely not helping matters. He was restless and overcome by urges he couldn't always control. And they were both so beautiful. Each in their own way could steal his very breath away at any given moment.

He could sense something shift in her expression when he mentioned Talien and wondered what would happen if they were to ever cross paths. Would they be friends or would Tuari never try because of the way she felt for him? He was sure under any other pretenses, they would become good friends. Talien had such a big caring heart and she was so charming and easy to like. Tuari was usually open minded and playful, making jokes even without needing words. But he sense something more serious in her expression at the thought of another girl in his life. Was it jealousy? He couldn't be sure. How long had she been feeling things more than friendship for him? He could only wonder cause of course she couldn't tell him, at least not in the traditional way. He was getting more and more panicky the longer he sat here with her. He was used to the silence with her but this was a new kind of silence. This was awkward tense silence, not the usual comradry he was used to. He felt the insane urge to get away before things got worse, to escape.

So that's what he did, or tried to do anyway. He knew somehow that it was wrong to leave and yet it was the first impulse that ran through him at that moment. He could read the pain in her expression plain as day. He knew if anything, she should be the one who gets to run away and yet she wasn't and it was just making him panic more. Maybe he was the weak one here. That made sense since he was the reason they were all in this mess to begin with. He was calling himself a coward with every stride he took away from her, knowing that he didn't deserve to be the one who runs away. And yet in the next instant, he heard someone running and when he glanced back, he almost tripped over his own feet and face planted. It was Tuari! And she was hot on his heels. She was faster than him, no doubt, so there was really no sense in trying. He started to slow down, expecting her to do the same so he was shocked into silence when instead he felt the hard collision of a body hitting his full force. Before he knew it, he was flat on his back, gasping for breath as he stared wide eyed up at her.

He would have said something, anything, but instead he had the mouthful of teeth in his face so as soon as his mouth opened, it slammed right back shut.

"T-Tuari?"

He had never seen her like this. She looked angry. No, she looked pissed. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears which broke his heart and yet she was glaring right down at him like she just might be tempted to take a bite out of him. Then her mouth started forming words and it was all he could do to furrow his brows as he tried to really pay attention. It was hard not to focus on the big teeth so close to his eyes but he could have sworn she was telling him not to run. He gulped.

"Only if you promise not to eat me."

He almost whispered the words. As the tears started to fall from her eyes, he let out a low whimper. He had to fight the urge to reach up and lick the tears away cause he hated seeing her like this. He hated it more because he had done this. He started to wonder if by running, she thought he was running from her. That was the furthest thing from the truth. He was running to keep himself from losing her. He didn't want to say anything he'd regret. He wanted to work out his feelings then reconvene but it seemed she had others things in mind. Maybe by running, he gave her the impression that he didn't want to be around her anymore, that he didn't want to hear her out and he didn't want to listen anymore. He had shut her out. Just great. Now he felt like even more of a stupid idiot. He was trying to keep his friend but instead he was doing everything he could to ruin their friendship.

Then she started forming words again and he concentrated again. At last her teeth were slightly covered this time. Great, now she was blaming herself! He couldn't stand it. He started to squirm beneath her, huffing and groaning because he didn't want to push her or hurt her. He just wanted to stop her from thinking this was her fault because it wasn't. The minute she got off of him, he flipped back over to his stomach and straightened up. Then he scowled and sniffed, shaking his head.

"No more of that. Seriously....you scared me. And no more apologizing. It's not your fault. I should have seen the signs. I should have said something earlier. I'm a horrible friend. It's not the season to be talking about children. I mean, look at us! We're still practically kids at heart ourselves. I shouldn't be a parent. I'm too immature."

He waited to gauge her reaction, trying to read her expression.