"What? No," Ashe snapped. He ran a hand over his face to soothe his anger. "Sorry. Ugh. Seriously, I'm not mad at you. I'm pissed that you think you're not worth an apology."
I raised a brow. "So you are mad at me."
Ashe glared harder than I thought a deer shifter could glare. It burned holes on either side of my head. He sat back on the floor with me, forcing my gaze.
"Who told you that crap about not being worth anything?" he demanded.
"Nobody you know," I replied.
"Tell me."
Were omegas usually this tough?
My hands faltered. "My parents."
Another flash of fury crossed Ashe's face. He was pissed. And then, as if realizing something, the rage passed, like a storm cloud changing its mind. He clenched his eyes shut for a moment then blew out a long breath.
"Bear, you know that's not true, right?" Ashe said. "You have worth just by existing."
Without thinking, I snorted. Ashe grabbed my shoulders.
"If you weren't there when the mountain lion attacked me, what would've happened to me?" he asked.
I frowned. "I don't want to think about that."
"Just answer me."
Something fluttered in my chest. My da had said the same thing to me countless times, in a louder, angrier tone. But Ashe's command, stern as it was, had an undercurrent of care.
"You... might be dead," I signed slowly.
"Exactly." Ashe's hard edges softened. "You saved my life, Bear. Isn't that enough to prove you're important?"
As he spoke, he inched closer. Closer.
Too close.
I was suddenly quite aware of Ashe's face mere inches from mine. My face went hot. There was so little distance between us that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin.
Did he realize what he was doing? Probably not. It had to be an accident. Why would he lean in like this on purpose?
I swallowed. My throat felt thick and an unusual sensation prickled my skin. Below my stomach, a low fire burned, spreading down to the space between my thighs.
I shouldn't be getting hard from this. That was absolutely mortifying. Who got a boner while having a heartfelt talk?
I could not, under any circumstances, let Ashe see my budding erection. If he saw, it would all be over. He'd think I was even more of a freak than he probably already did.
I stood up fast, trying not to sway from the lack of blood in my head, then signed so fast that the gestures were sloppy.
"Need to go hunting. Stay here. Be back soon."
Then I shifted and ran out of the hollow.
9
Ashe
Well,that was embarrassing.
