Page 35 of Ash

"No." He shook his head again, struggling with his thoughts and her words. "No, it's not about that."

"Really, Ash, you don't have to go to any extent to make me feel better. I'm not anyone worth that kind of effort."

"Of course you are." He felt a weight in the center of his chest at her words. At her own disregard for herself.

She turned her gaze away, lowering it to the floor.

He could almost see the defeat in her body.

How long had she believed that about herself.

Believed that she wasn't worthy of that kind of consideration.

He had to fight off the anger building in his veins. It wasn't just his own feelings he was fighting, it was the feelings of his bear as well. Separate they were formidable, but together, they were quite literally a force of nature.

"But thank you. You're very kind."

He saw the kindness in her eyes.

Heard the gentle tone of her voice.

While she didn't think that she was worthy of kindness, she gave it freely.

His heart ached for her.

"Suzannah."

Saying her name did something to him.

It felt as if a wall that he hadn't known was there was suddenly gone.

It wasn't that the wall faded away or dissolved.

It exploded with enough force that it stole his breath away.

He wondered if she felt it, too. The look in her eyes, the surprised part of her lips, and the kick in her pulse as it started to pound through her veins.

"I've been taught to be kind, but that's not why I say these things to you. It's not why I want you to understand how truly wonderful you are."

"But, why-"

"You're the most amazing person in the world."

She retreated, leaning back from him. "How can you say that? It doesn't make any sense. You don't even know me."

He felt her frustration buffeting him like a wild wind.

She shook her head. "I don't understand how you could know that."

This isn't going well.

His bear tried to reassure him.We haven't had practice with our mate.

Our mate. Ash reminded himself. He didn't know how to be a mate to her, but she also didn't know who she was to him.

And so he told her.

"You're our mate."

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