Chapter 2

Axon

Rip, rip, rip . The sound of the solete bird's feathers being ripped from its carcass was sharp but pleasant. It felt good too, like a way to let out some of my pent-up frustration.

I stopped for a moment to catch my breath and as I did so, I listened for Ashley's footsteps or her voice, or anything really. This had become my new pastime. Drinking in Ashley's existence through every sound she made.

Right now I didn't hear anything. She used to always be talking or laughing with someone, but lately she'd been keeping to herself. It was like all the joy had been stripped from her, just like I was stripping the feathers off this bird.

"Is the animal still alive? Is that why you are treating it so roughly?"

My sire's voice cut through my thoughts. His tone was light as always, as if he didn't have a care in the world. And why would he? My mother was happy, which meant he was happy as well.

My parents had always had a good relationship, one I aspired to have myself one day, but now I wasn't so sure that was possible. I couldn't even touch the one female I wanted most, and I was pretty sure she hated me now after what happened.

I hadn't meant to shift when she fell on me. It just happened. Her body was too much in the best way possible. I loved the feel of her skin under my fingertips, but whenever we touched, it sent me into a sensory overload.

I should not have run away like I had. I should have walked with her to the mountain, or chased after her at least. I should have apologized for not helping her, but I didn't, and now she hated me.

"It is dead," I answered my sire. My words were short and clipped. I had no reason or need to mask my feelings in front of my sire. He was a kind and loving male who had always supported me.

"Then why are you upset, my son?" His voice was gentle and soothing.

"She will not speak to me."

"Ah, Ashley." My sire knew about my feelings for the hu-man female. I had told him and my mother how I admired and longed for the tall hu-man with light-colored hair and curvy body.

"Did she receive your gift of Valentine?"

"I do not know," I sighed. "I called for her and when she did not come out, I set it outside the hu-mans shared cavern. The next time I walked by, it was gone."

"I see." My sire's expression turned pensive as he thought for a moment. "I'd say give her time. She might speak to you again before you know it."

He turned to me and asked, "What do you plan to do when she does?"

"Sire," I gave him an exasperated sigh. He liked to pry more answers out of me than I was usually prepared to give, but I guess that is what parents do.

"I'm just asking. You never know, I could be helpful in this matter. You don't see your mother complaining, do you?"

That made me smile. My mother was very happy, indeed.

"I was planning on telling her the truth, that I long to be next to her, to hear her speak, see her smile, have her scent fill my nose, but that for some reason I can't touch her."

"You have not tried that before?" My sire looked surprised, and I felt ashamed. I didn't want to believe my sensory issues could impact my relationship with Ashley so much, but they have, and I couldn't run from that truth any longer.

"No," I sighed.

"I have found honesty works best with your mother. Hopefully, it will work for you as well."

My sire grasped my shoulders and gave me a tight, reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you," I bid my sire goodbye as he left the room.

Why was it my parents could touch me and yet Ashley could not? It didn't make any sense. Whenever Ashley touched me, it sent me into a sensory overload. It was like every good thing I'd ever experienced, all being poured into a simple touch, an exquisite touch, but also a touch that burned.

My spine tingled just thinking about it. When she'd fallen into me a few weeks ago, it felt like I'd been taken under by a waterfall of warm, pleasant sensations. My muscles relaxed, my headache eased, my stiff spine loosened. It was marvelous, but then I started to drown in the pleasantness of it all. What had felt relaxing suddenly felt numbing and, I panicked.

If only I could turn down the intensity of her touch. I would come up with a solution somehow, and if not, I'd tell Ashley the truth. She deserved that much, at least.