"Crap," I mumbled. "Bear?"
No answer, obviously, but I hoped he heard me and would come back. He didn't. Maybe I hadn't yelled loud enough.
"Bear!" I called, jogging to catch up with him.
My heart sank when the tunnel split into a fork. The glowing mushrooms lit up both paths, making it unclear which direction Bear had gone in.
I swore under my breath. Bear was stressed, so I doubted he realized he left me behind. He probably thought I was right behind him like I'd been this entire time.
I balked, unsure of what to do. Even as a deer, my sense of smell wasn't sharp enough to pick out Bear's scent, especially among the strong aroma of earth.
I wrung my hands, waffling too much to make a decision. Dammit, why couldn't I have just paid attention?
"Hello."
The voice scared the life out of me. I swore, jumping a foot in the air. It took me so off guard that I landed on my ass. When I spun around on the ground, my heart was pounding.
"What the—"
That was all I managed to get out before I saw who was standing behind me. Or rather,what.
The person, if I could call them that, wasn't human. Their pale grey skin, sharp black claws and black horns made that clear.
I only knew of one individual who fit this description, but I never thought I'd actually meet him.
"Animus?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Oh, good, you already know of me." He smiled thinly. "That saves me a lot of time."
Oh, hell no. What was he doing here? And what did he want fromme, of all people? I had no interest in messing with spirits.
I shook my head as I stood up. "Sorry, you must be looking for someone else. I better get going."
"Not so fast, omega."
My eye twitched in irritation. Nobody called me that, not even a spirit. I spun around to glare at him.
"Donotcall me—"
Animus rolled his diamond-colored eyes as he cut me off. "What else am I supposed to call you when I don't know your name?"
I ground my teeth. "It's Ashe."
"Oh, I know."
"What? Then why did you ask?" I sputtered in frustration.
Animus grinned. His white fangs glowed in the dim tunnel. "Because you mortals are so easy to rile up. I've never met a single one of you that isn't."
What the hell? Was the point of this malicious spirit simply to annoy the fuck out of me? Because he was doing a good job.
I glanced over my shoulder to the forked path. Screw Animus, I needed to find Bear.
"You wish to catch up with that alpha, don't you?" Animus asked.
I levelled a glare at him. "Yes. Though I don't know why that's any of your business."
Animus examined his long black claws. "I've also yet to meet an omega who does anything other than fawn over alphas." He grinned wider. "Get it? Fawn?"
