I was a strong alpha grizzly. And here I was, falling apart in the arms of an omega deer just because he'd apologized to me.
Pathetic.
"Hey, it's okay," Ashe murmured. The note of confusion in his voice was still there, but the warmth and sympathy was stronger. "Everything's okay. Nothing bad is happening, right?"
Bad? No. Weird and complicated and baffling? Yes.
"Oh," Ashe said softly. "Bear, are you crying?"
Shit. I didn't want him to see. Of course I'd gone and screwed that up, too.
I wiped my hairy arm across my eyes, trying to erase the evidence, but it was too late. Ashe knew what a mess I was. There was no way he'd want to waste his time with me after this.
"Bear, look at me."
Ashe was gentle but firm. He wouldn't take a non-answer this time.
I faced him, trying not to be hyper aware of the hot tears clinging to the corners of my eyes. His mouth curved into a frown and his liquid eyes were wide and compassionate. What I saw in his expression wasn't pity, but concern.
Was he... worried about me?
The gentleness of his gaze was too powerful. It was like staring into the sun. I had to look at something else. The splash of freckles across his face drew my attention. They were like a band of stars dancing in the night sky, but prettier.
Gods, he was so beautiful.
"Communicate with me," Ashe said. "Please. I can't know what you're thinking otherwise."
Why did he care? Why did he care when nobody else did?
I raised my hands, too caught up in my feelings to care that they were trembling. "You took me off guard."
"How?"
I hesitated. "You apologized to me."
"I don't understand."
"No one's ever done that before."
Ashe stared at me. "You're joking, right?"
"No."
Ashe's mouth fell open and his brows knit together. "What the hell? Why not?"
I shrugged. "Don't know."
But that wasn't quite true. I knew the reason why, as miserable as it was to admit.
I signed the words carefully. "Because I'm not worth an apology."
Ashe's face flushed deep red with fury. He bolted upright, his hands raised in an incredulous gesture. "What the hell, Bear? Don't say shit like that. It pisses me off."
I was taken aback by his reaction. Why was he so angry? But it was odd. He didn't seem angry atme.Usually when I upset people—when I upset my parents—their rage was directed at me, because where else would it go?
Ashe huffed, breathing hard through his teeth.
"Are you mad at me?" I signed. I wanted to know for sure.
