ASHER'S POV

"Why did you bite your hand?" He asked with a sniffle. It was the first thing he said to me since I rescued him. I looked away toward the water, unsure of how to respond. He was too young to understand these things. Hell, I was barely sixteen I didn't even know about half these things.

"Are you feeling better now?" I changed the subject. Poor thing didn't look a day over seven or eight. This was definitely going to scar him. I watched his tiny little head bob up and down in affirmation.

"Good," I said. "My name is Asher Fisher. What's yours?"

"My name is Jonah Oscar Stone." He said looking up at me with big golden eyes.

I gave a small smile. The name fit him nicely.

"Alright, Jonah, Where are your parents?" I surveyed the beach, but this section was empty.

"Oh, um... They are out with friends." He said looking away from me. I furrowed my brows.

"And they just let you roam the beach alone?"

"No," Jonah said looking at his feet. "I was supposed to stay at home, but-but there was this cat and I wanted to pet it!"

"Ah, I see," I said noting that he was looking away from me because he knew he was at fault. I believed his story too because it was probably the same cat I saw while I was walking home. In fact, if I hadn't seen the cat by the ocean. I would have never of seen Jonah's hands wailing around-

I shook my head. I couldn't think about what ifs, at least, the boy was safe now and that's all that mattered.

"You know you should have listened to your parents, you were in very big trouble back there," I lightly scolded.

"I know," He said looking up at me with sorry eyes.

"Do you want me to take you home?" I asked. Jonah nodded and reached out his hand for me to grab it. I hesitated. If it was only for a few minutes I should be fine.

As we walked, Jonah started to talk about all kinds of things that make kids his age excited about life. I could tell by the way he spoke, that he'd been holding in his thoughts for a very long time. I nearly frowned thinking that this kid was probably very lonely, but I kept on a good face for him and just let him jabber until his heart's content.

"Why don't you go up to your room and put on some dry clothes?" I said once we reached his house. The boy nodded and turned to go upstairs. "Oh, and don't leave the house again until, your mom and dad get home. Not even for cats you want to pet."

Jonah froze on the middle step. He looked back over at me with furrowed brows. "You're leaving?"

"Uh," The sound was all I could muster. I couldn't tell him it was because of the way he smelled. That would be too confusing for the kid, not to mention I wasn't some sort of creep. My best option was to get away from him as soon as possible.

Jonah's face suddenly dropped and his big doe eyes welled with tears.

"Wh-what I mean to say is," I stammered. His expression practically broke my own heart. "I need to change too. I'll come back once I'm dry and you could tell me all about that new Hot Wheels car you mentioned earlier.

It was like I had bought him a thousand of his favorite Hot Wheel cars. The boy was beaming, his lips spreading from ear to ear. He said,"Okay!"

I caught myself smiling as I shut the door behind me.

I wasn't even five feet away when I heard the front door slide open. I turned around just in time to see Jonah was about collide into me.

"Ooph," I said when his head slammed into my stomach.

"Thanks," Jonah nuzzled his nose into my stomach. I let out a sigh and put a hand on top of his wet head.

"I'll be back soon."

***

I had to leave his room. If I stayed any longer, his scent would have been too strong for me and I wouldn't be able to control my self again. I walked down the hall and my eyes caught a vending machine. I pulled out my wallet and I pressed the button for water. I slipped another bill into the machine and hesitated. What kind of drink does he like? He was still young, maybe he hadn't lost the taste for sugary drinks yet.

Fifteen years. I had managed to avoid him for a good fifteen years. Sure, I spent some sleepless nights wondering what I'd do if I saw him again, and how I would apologize, but when I became old enough, those nights were distracted by alcohol and one night stands. Mates were a distraction and if I didn't catch him this morning, I would have probably kept ignoring my urges for him.

As I stood there, unable to decide what drink to pick for him, my mind was replaying what had just happened in his room.

He was sleeping just a few feet away from me. A golden lock of hair had fallen onto his face and it took everything in my power to not touch him. The last thing I wanted to do was wake him.

"Well if it isn't Fisher, back from the dead!" A familiar voice brought me back to reality.

"Wood?" I said with knitted brows looking up at the doctor standing by the door. My expression quickly changed as memories of high school flooded my brain, a grin forming on my lips. Ezra Wood was a short, but feisty kid back at school. Everyone knew him as the Omega who thought he was an Alpha. He only ever hung out with Alphas and never let his genes get in the way of what he wanted. "Wow, it's been years!"

"Sure has," Ezra said pulling me into a hug.

"You're a hot shot doctor now, huh?" I said pulling away from him.

"And looks like you own half the town now," He challenged. This wasn't high school it wasn't as easy to get away with saying things like that.

"As of four months ago, yeah," I let out a small laugh through my nose, letting him know his words didn't offend me.

"I'm sorry to hear about your father," Wood grimaced.

"Don't be," I remarked. "He's still managing to get me out of trouble, even when he's dead."

I gritted my teeth thinking about my old man. If he hadn't been a ragging alcoholic I wouldn't have to be in this mess in the first place. When I had to explain myself to the cops, I made a quick call to my lawyer for good measure, but most of the older staff at the station already knew me and I was free to leave within the hour.

"Yeah, you got yourself in a bit of a pickle this time," Wood said turning to face the boy.

"Will he be okay," My tone softening.

"He's going to be okay, just in for a shock." Wood said studying my expression. After a beat something clicked and a small smile pressed on his lips. "You're a lucky guy, Fisher."

"Wish we had met again under better circumstances..." I said keeping my eyes focused on the boy in front of me.

"Again?" Wood tilted his head in confusion.

"Story for another time," My eyes narrowed as he squirmed uncomfortably in the bed. Was he having a bad dream?

"Want to get drinks when things settle down?" Wood asked facing me.

"Sure," I said finding it difficult to turn my head. It was like I was in some sort of trance. I gave Ezra a quick smile, "It really is nice seeing you again,"

"Same," Wood said. "I'll give you some privacy, just holler if you need me,"

Once the doctor had left, I lost all self control. My legs moved toward his head and it wasn't long after that my knuckles brushed across his cheek. It was strange seeing him all grown up, but still retaining many of his boyish features, like his round face and button nose. My eyes landed on his lips next they were a soft shade of red, supple, and a little chapped. I frowned when my eyes glanced over his neck next. His mark was covered in gauze, yet some blood still managed to seep through.

Alright, losing control was my fault. I'll admit that, but the second I got a whiff of him, the human side of me just disappeared. When I could think clearly again, there he was under me and everything felt... Good and right. Then that Beta showed up. It was strange he didn't back down and who was he to Jonah? The thought put a fire in my stomach.

"I'm sorry, I'm late." I whispered as my fingers dragged along his arm. He twitched when I reached his the back of his hand and I paused for a moment to see if he would wake up.

"That's okay, you're here now," He mumbled before nuzzling into his pillow. I took a step back. I knew he was half asleep, but those words seemed to melt away at a knot in my chest that I had for so long, I thought it was a part of me. I sat on one of the various guest chairs letting relief wash over me.

My moment of bliss ended shortly after. When Jonah actually woke up, his cute sleepy face twisted in confusion before, he nearly screamed his entire head off and caused the cavalry to come barging in. The boy actually had the nerve to yell at Ezra, who actually looked like he felt bad for the kid. I wondered if growing up had fixed up his attitude, or if he always had a soft spot for Omegas and I just never noticed it before.

"He's not my mate," Jonah said cutting off Ezra. The words snapped me out of my thoughts. He was mad and I felt like shit because I knew it was my fault.

My guilt quickly turned into annoyance and then anger as Jonah continued to badger me after Wood left. I tried apologizing, but he wasn't having any of it. A low growl escaped my lips and fear leaked into his pheromones. I forced myself to take a step back with a sigh. Fighting wasn't going to solve anything.

When I looked at the boy again, his expression had shifted. Curious golden eyes looked me up and down. I couldn't control my lips from curling upwards as he realized what he had just done. His peach skin turn beet red and I knew I was in trouble. I needed to leave. I mumbled something dumb before heading for the door.

For the first time in fifteen years, I heard my destiny mate call my name and it nearly shattered my heart.