Dominic's POV
Ashen fell asleep before he could even muster the strength to curse at me.
I smirked, but it wasn't out of amusement. No, something about seeing him like this—completely exhausted, vulnerable in a way he never allowed himself to be—made something tighten in my chest.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I looked down at him. His face was peaceful now, free of the usual sharp glares and stubborn frowns.
He was beautiful.
And he was mine.
Not that he'd accept that yet.
My jaw clenched as I thought about his heat, the way his body had completely ignored the suppressants he'd relied on for so long. It wasn't just some accident. This was nature correcting itself. His body knew what it needed, even if his mind refused to accept it.
I traced a slow gaze over him, taking in his flushed skin, the way his lips were still slightly parted from panting. His scent—normally so carefully controlled—was thick in the air, intoxicating.
I wanted him.
Fuck, I wanted him.
But I'd promised.
Clenching my fists, I forced myself to move, adjusting the blankets over him. If he woke up to find himself too exposed, he'd probably try to kill me in his usual dramatic fashion.
I sat on the edge of the bed, watching him for a long moment before finally exhaling.
He was going to fight this.
Fight us.
But it was too late for that now.
Ashen was mine, whether he admitted it or not.
And I was never letting him go.
Ashen was avoiding me.
Not just in a subtle, I don't want to deal with you right now way no, he was outright refusing to look at me.
The moment he woke up, his entire body went rigid. He shifted away from me, yanking the covers around himself like they were armor. His gaze stayed glued to the wall, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he might crack a tooth.
I sighed, scrubbing a hand over my face. "Ashen—"
"Don't," he snapped, his voice hoarse.
I raised a brow. "Don't what?"
His fingers curled into the sheets. "Don't act like this is normal."
I stared at him for a beat before exhaling. "You think I see this as normal?"
His silence was answer enough.
I stood, crossing my arms. "I know you're trying to make sense of this, and I know it's easier to pretend like it's not happening. But ignoring it won't change the fact that something is wrong with your suppressants."
Ashen finally flicked his gaze to me just for a second before looking away again.
That was progress, at least.
I sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to crowd him. "I know someone who can help. A woman who specializes in omegas and heat cycles. She can figure out what's going on."
His body was still tense, his hands gripping the sheets like they were the only thing anchoring him.
I softened my tone. "It's okay. We'll get through this."
Ashen let out a slow, unsteady breath. He didn't say anything, but I saw the slight movement of his head—a nod, barely there, but it was enough.
"Get dressed," I said, standing. "Let's go."
For a long moment, he didn't move.
Then, finally, he forced himself upright, his shoulders squared like he was marching into battle.
I smirked. "That's my omega."
"I'm not your omega," he hissed, glaring.
I just chuckled. "Sure, sweetheart. Keep telling yourself that."
The drive to Mira's cottage was tense.
Ashen sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, glaring out the window like he was contemplating throwing himself out just to escape me. His jaw was tight, and every time I glanced at him, I could see the subtle way his fingers trembled.
He was scared.
Not of me. Not even of what was happening to him.
He was scared of losing control.
I sighed, gripping the wheel tighter. "This woman has helped omegas before. She'll give us answers."
Silence.
Not surprising. Ashen had been silent since I practically had to carry his exhausted body to the car. Last night had drained him,his sudden heat, the hours of me helping him through it, the confusion and frustration he tried so desperately to hide afterward.
And now we were here.
Mira's cottage was nestled deep in the forest, hidden away like some secret only a few knew about. The moment we stepped out of the car, the heavy scent of herbs and earth surrounded us. The old omega was waiting for us on the porch, rocking in her chair, her piercing gaze settling on Ashen before drifting to me.
"You finally brought him," she murmured, standing slowly.
Ashen stiffened. "You know who I am?"
Mira smiled. "I know many things, little one."
I guided him inside before he could change his mind, and we sat across from her in the small, warm cabin. The moment we did, she sighed and shook her head.
"You don't need to tell me why you're here."
Ashen tensed. "Then tell me why this is happening to me." His voice was sharp, demanding. Desperate.
Mira studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Because your omega feels his mate."
Ashen flinched.
Mira leaned forward, her expression soft but unwavering. "You've spent your life hiding him away, forcing him down, pretending he doesn't exist. But he does. And he's tired of being locked away from his mate."
Ashen swallowed hard.
"He's fighting back," she continued. "Bringing you into heat is the only way he knows how."
Ashen's breathing grew heavy. "No." He shook his head. "That's not—no. That's not how this works."
Mira tilted her head. "You think so?"
He turned to me, eyes blazing with fury. "This is your fault!"
Ashen's sudden outburst didn't surprise me. His whole body was tense, hands clenched at his sides as he glared at me like I was the cause of every problem in his life.
I raised a brow, crossing my arms. "Really? My fault?"
"Yes! If you weren't my mate, this wouldn't be happening! If you had just rejected me, my body wouldn't be,be betraying me like this!"
Mira, the older omega we had come to see, chuckled softly from her seat. "Oh, little one, you're not being betrayed. Your omega has simply had enough."
Ashen turned his glare on her, but she remained unfazed, sipping her tea like this was a regular occurrence.
"What does that even mean?" he snapped.
Mira set her cup down and gave him a patient look. "It means your omega ,the part of you you've been suppressing all these years,knows his mate is right in front of him. He's tired of being ignored, tired of being locked away. So now, he's fighting back." She shrugged. "Bringing you into heat is the only way he knows how."
Ashen's breathing was ragged, his entire frame trembling. "No. That's not,it's not supposed to work like that."
I tilted my head, watching him carefully. "It makes sense to me
He turned back to me, furious. "Of course you think it makes sense! You want this to happen!"
I didn't deny it.
It's still your fault he said
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do explain how I forced your body into heat, Ashen."
His glare sharpened. "If you had rejected me, this wouldn't be happening! If you—"
"I tried to reject you," I cut in smoothly. "But you didn't let me."
Ashen's mouth snapped shut.
Mira watched him with something like pity. "You'll keep having sudden heats, little one. They'll get stronger. More painful. And they won't stop until you finally give in and mate your Alpha."
Ashen went still. Completely still.
Then, with a low, shaky breath, he shot to his feet. "We're leaving."
I sighed, but I stood too. "Ashen—"
"No." His voice was sharp, cutting. He was already heading for the door. "I don't want to hear any more of this."
I exchanged a look with Mira. She just gave me a knowing smile.
"See you soon, little one," she murmured.
Ashen ignored her and stormed out.
I followed him to the car, but the second I closed the door behind me, he snapped, "Don't say a damn word."
I smirked. "What? Not even 'I told you so'?"
His glare could have set the car on fire.
I chuckled, starting the engine. "Fine. But we will talk about this."
Ashen didn't respond. He just turned his head toward the window, breathing a little too fast, his hands clenched a little too tight.
I didn't push him.
Not yet.
But he wasn't getting out of this so easily.