Mated in the Island

CHAPTER 8: Perfect Torture

LEONARDO

    A possessive growl escaped my mouth even before I knew it. My wolf got really pissed off as we watched our mate being touched by another man. I have to admit the feeling is unpleasant, and a big part of me wanted to rip J apart. And it made me jealous to see my mate looking at someone like that instead of me. It pains me to witness that she's looking at someone else full of love and passion. I deserve that look, I deserve that touch, and I deserve that love! 

    "I told you to claim her, but you did not listen! You're such an i***t!" My wolf whinged.

    "Can't you see the situation here? It isn't very easy! She is Jorge's bride!" I reminded my wolf, and I'm glad that he decided to keep his mouth shut.

    Of all people, why does it have to be her?! And why did my mate not wait for me? Or does J wait for his mate? Does she really hate having mates, or is it because of her situation right now? This is totally f****d up, and I must do something about it. Fast! I cannot let this f*****g mate bond ravage my friendship and alliance with Jorge. I can feel it in my bones, the power of our bond. If I do not act fast, it will totally consume me, and all hell breaks loose.

    Every person in the restaurant was staring in the direction of our table. Some are confused, and some are in shock. And thank Goddess that all the guests here are werewolves.

    "What was that about, Leo?" J asked, c*****g an eyebrow.

    "I argued with my wolf, and he surely didn't like what I said." I lied and hoped J would believe it.

    "Yeah, right." He said, rolling his eyes. I suddenly felt anxious about his reaction because I don't know what to say. But luck is still on my side. The food arrived at such perfect timing and diverted all J's attention.

    "Special treat for you and your guest, Alpha." The chef said as the waiters placed different kinds of delicacies on our table. The smell of the food is mouth-watering, and they all look so good and delicious. 

    "Thank you, chef. You are the best!" Jorge complemented.

    "It's my pleasure to serve you with a five-star meal, Alpha, and of course, our future Luna." The chef said pleasingly. Hearing the words "our future luna" made me raise an eyebrow. If only they knew.

    "Thank you, chef," Natalia said with a bright smile. That smile! Damn it! I should stop looking at her if I want to make things work in my way. Seeing her radiantly beautiful smile and looking at her mesmerizing eyes makes me want to claim her on the spot. So that all these f*****g werewolves will know that the one they are calling their future Luna is mine!

    "So!" Jorge said and loudly clapped his hand, which pulls me from my ridiculous thoughts. Then Jorge started explaining the dishes one by one.

    "This is seafood paella, my dearest Natalia's favorite." He said and took a glimpse at Natalia, which earned him a sweet smile from her.

    "This is buttered garlic shrimp. This one is salt and pepper king crab. This one is calamari fritti. And of course the famous chicken adobo. Majority of foreigners like this food, and if I am not mistaken, if you will mention Filipino food in front of a foreigner, they will immediately say adobo." He explained, and Natalia was grinning while listening to Jorge's explanation. Is that how much she's in love with him, that she finds humor in everything J will say even by just explaining the foods? Am I the only one having trouble fighting the mate bond? Her expressions and actions clearly show that she is not getting affected by our bond unless she's very good at hiding it.

    "Can't wait to try them all!" I said, sounding so thrilled, but in the back of my mind, I just want this lunch to finish so that I can get the hell away from them.

    "Natalia, why don't you do the honor of serving our guest your favorite food?" Jorge suggested.

    "Su... Sure!" Natalia stuttered, and she did not dare to look at me. She started putting her favorite seafood paella on my plate, with her eyes focused on the food. I guess my assumption about her not getting affected is wrong. Then an idea came to my mind.

    I gently hold her hand, the one that she's using in serving the food, and gently said,

    "That's enough," That's the only time Natalia started looking at me, completely surprised. Then she quickly pulled her hand away from mine. The spark is there! I felt it, and I am one hundred percent sure that she felt it too cause she will not react like that if she didn't.

    "Thank you," I added.

    "You're welcome. I hope you will like it and the rest of the food." She said politely and acted formally.

    "I will." I grinned at her eyes, and she returned them with a wry smile without breaking our eye contact.

    "Let's eat!" Jorge squealed, and that's our cue to end our staring contest.

    This lunch is a big mistake. I couldn't enjoy every single bite of the food, even if it tastes delicious. And It makes me sick to see J putting food in Natalia's mouth like feeding a baby. And Natalia is caringly peeling shrimps for J and feeding J as well. I don't know how long I can stand their exaggerated cheesiness, and my temper is starting to reach its boiling point.

    I thought inflicting physical pain is the perfect torture. Well, f**k that! Aiming for the heart is the perfect one.

    "Do you like the food, bro?" He asked.

    "Are you ok?" He immediately added as he looked down on my plate. I haven't noticed that my fork is already bent from my tight grip and that I stopped eating. 

    "Yes, bro. Just having a little headache. Most likely from jet lag." I quickly explained.

    "Oh, yeah. How could I forget? Natalia and I were discussing that the three of us should go for paraw sailing later, but I think it's better if you take a good nap first." J said with a sign of concern in his tone while Natalia took a sip of her water nervously.

    "Yeah. I certainly need that." I deadpanned. I'm glad to hear J said that. I'd rather sleep than ending up as the third wheel on that paraw sailing trip!

    "We'll just check the status of the wedding arrangements then. While you're taking a rest." J told me, then shifted his attention to Natalia, who is looking uncomfortable.

    "You ok with that, honey, or is there something else you need to do or buy?" J asked her.

    "I'm ok with that, honey." She replied sweetly.

    "Just give me a call, bro, as soon as you're awake. Don't oversleep like last time." He teased.

    "Don't worry, I won't," I said.

    "I'm not really feeling well, bro. Will you guys excuse me?" I added.

    "Sure, sure! Go ahead. Just call me or the reception if you need anything. Just get well, bro." J said, growing more concerned about me.

    "Thanks, bro. And nice meeting you, Natalia." I said and hurried my way back to my room. 

    I couldn't stay with them much longer. My heart is shattering into tiny pieces seeing them so close to each other. 

    This bitterness should end. I don't want to wake up to another day full of emotional s**t! It's time to put an end to this bond. It's now or never--I have to reject her tonight!