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Mundoo's thoughts were in a whirl. He wasn't entirely sure how to proceed, or even if time would change how he felt about the situation. For the longest time, he'd ignored his feelings; the ones he'd buried deep down, but he found he simply couldn't anymore. He'd been able to forgive Nyoni, to let her go because he'd convinced himself that she was a free spirit, meant to roam the land unburdened and without being held back by anyone or anything.

Her return and proclamation that she meant to stay (even if she had adopted the title of story seeker) threw his carefully constructed thoughts scattered to the four winds. She wasn't really a free spirit if she was willing to stay, and at the same time, that meant that she'd left him because she wanted to, not because she needed to.

Confused, upset and just a little bit angry, Mundoo kicked at the sand before him. He'd been planning to retire to the Usher's caves in an attempt to hide away from everyone, but his mate's voice stopped him short. He turned around, confusion deeply edged onto his features, as if he'd not expected her to follow, for some reason or another. He had no idea what to say, so he said nothing and waited for her to catch up instead.

His frown seemed to indicate he wasn't entirely sure what she was getting at, "That... was the plan, yes. I was going to leave," he didn't quite understand what was so wrong with that, but then again, he had no idea exactly what Aviva's problem was, "I needed time to think the situation over before I opened my mouth and said something I might later regret," a snort came out of his nose, "Yeah, well, I'm not playing at being brave. I rather be a coward and think things through. I don't think this pride will mind how brave or cowardly I am."

Apparently she had hit some sort of nerve, because his eyes narrowed down to slits, "And I thought you didn't care either - that you took me for what I am. I'm sorry if I can't handle this right now," that said, he took a step away from her, as if about to retreat away from her and head back to the caves he'd been aiming for, "Besides, it seemed like you were handling the situation just fine and that you got along well enough, from my point of view. You two don't have history. You could probably be friends easily."

Unfortunately enough, everything wasn't okay. Which was why he felt he really ought to retreat and ponder things through; he'd never been keen on entering a battle blinded by emotions, and right now, he was so blinded by them that he was seriously considering not answering his mate and simply leaving. She was managing to strike rather sore nerves and she probably didn't even realize it.

"I'm not asking you to be strong for me or anyone. I'm asking you to give me space to think!" as she spoke again he snarled and stomped his foot in front of her, probably the most violent he'd been in front of her. Anger and hurt flashed across his features and he looked at her like it was the very first time he was looking at her, yet not in a good way, "It's great to know how much faith you've set on me, Aviva, or how much you trust me. If I'd known, I wouldn't even have pondered feeling angry at Nyoni for showing up today," a pause as he narrowed his eyes, "That would have been nice. Yes. I would have appreciated if you'd allowed the storm inside me to have settled down before you... thought to throw accusations my way. I would have appreciated a little bit of trust and faith from you. I would have appreciated you treating me differently from how everyone treated me when they saw me near their prides."

He shut his mouth and again pondered leaving the scene, but stopped and simply backed away from her, still looking angry and hurt, like a wounded animal, "I thought better of you."

As she retreated away from him, he too did likewise, pulling away from her further and further, both physically and emotionally with each step he took. his ears remain flattened against his head, hidden in his dark mane, his eyes unreadable still, "It's the same. Mistrust. Lack of faith, pointed at," he pulled away further still, and turned around to leave. He stopped however, silence looming over them before he turned to look at her over his shoulder, "You might not be scared of me, but you don't trust me. It's the same to me. Don't judge me for needing to time and space when it's obvious YOU have not put the past behind you. At least I have, for the most part."

Again he became silent, but he managed to keep his gaze on her, "I almost snapped at her. I almost growled at her. This pride doesn't really like that sort of thing. Some of us need time to calm down anger. It was anger I was feeling, not love, if you must know."

That said, he turned fully and began to pad away, leaving her there. She might feel wounded, but so did he. It was very probable he was later going to regret it, but right now... he could not stay and look into her eyes knowing she still didn't trust him, after all this time.

Never once did he look back. Not now. He couldn't, shouldn't turn around, because he knew deep down that if he did, his resolve to leave would break despite everything. Despite the hurt, the anger and the confusion... he'd have stayed, and this wasn't want they needed.

Right now, they both apparently needed to go think over things, figure out their feelings and later act on them once they were sure a hundred per cent.

He headed towards the Usher caves, where he knew no one would bother him. As far as he knew... no one was dieing and only the other Ushers travelled them. Surely he'd get some peace and quiet there so he could ponder this situation, which had suddenly become ten times more complicated in the last few minutes.