[ Ashton's POV ]
Zethu ran.
I barely caught a whisper of her retreat before she disappeared into the trees, like an instinct she couldn't fight… an instinct to get away from me.
My wolf howled inside me, a deep, mournful cry. My mate didn't want me.
I wanted to chase after her and tell her it was okay, to tell her that I would give her space, but if I went after her, space would be the one thing I wouldn't give her. And the truth was that I was aching to hold her; standing by her side without touching was torturous. And it hurt even more to see her reject my proximity.
Damn it!
I dragged a hand down my face. I pushed too hard. I knew she had been through a lot and that ghosts of unspeakable abuse haunted her mind. And yet, a simple invitation to visit the town had sent her bolting like I wanted to hurt her too.
I needed to do something with my hands.
