Ash's POV
I pulled away from Dale’s arms so fast my back hit the wall, tears still streaming hot down my cheeks, my voice cracking as I mumbled, “I need to go, I can’t do this right now, I just can’t.”
Dale reached for my arm, his grip gentle but firm, golden eyes pleading as he stepped closer, voice low and urgent.
“Ash, please, don’t run again, we need to talk, there’s so much I still have to tell you, don’t shut me out like last time.”
Before I could yank free, Rowan was there, cutting through the hallway crowd like a storm, his tall frame suddenly between us, shoulders tense, jaw locked tight, his voice low and edged with something cold and dangerous as he looked straight at Dale.
“What’s going on here? why’s he crying, what did you say to him?”
Dale bristled, stepping forward,
