Chapter 922 Chapter 922
Just that fast, a heavy curtain of awkwardness filled the entire area. He noticed she had her neck covered, which was a good thing; he didn’t need to see that. It was also a bad thing because he wanted to double-check that he hadn’t imagined seeing it the first time. Although, why his brain would do something that cruel as makeup something like that, he didn’t know.
“So,” she looked at the totes on the table. “What can I do?”
He opened his mouth to tell her she didn’t have to stay and help him, but his animal moved closer to the surface, and he decided it would be good to finally figure out what it was about her that was causing his unrest. He was used to working with pretty women, so he knew it wasn’t that. When he realized he was staring at her, he spun toward the table with the lists on it. She wasn’t like the other attractive women. He didn’t want to sniff their hair the way he wanted to hers. “The totes are numbered. The list of what goes in them is here.” He glanced to see that she was right beside him. “I have them all about three-quarters finished. I spread the lists out so if I need the same items, I don’t have to go back and forth ten ties.”
She nodded.
He caught himself inhaling slowly and spun toward the door. “Supplies are in there, " he pointed. “Shelves are labeled.” He motioned to the boxes on the racks along the back wall. “The most common, I keep there along with electronics.” He shrugged. “We had a few leaks in the warehouse, so they’re safer here.”
“You pack these for all of the people out there?”
His animal stirred inside him. He even liked her voice. “Yeah. We used to pick up our supplies at the Alliance headquarters, but then they found some traitors working on the inside, so now it all comes from here.”
“I never understood why like would turn on like.”
He turned and watched her go over and look at the lists.
“Why is it so wrong to be different than others?” She gave him an amused look. “Imagine how boring it would be if everyone were the same.”
Webb’s heart felt like it was beating harder in his chest. “I've said something like that before. I don’t care if people are one form or not. We’re all the same.”
She nodded. “We are – but then we’re not because people can’t see past a physical difference or, with shifters whose bodies can be something else.” She sighed. “I have a bear inside me, but she’ll never come out, so really, am I any different than those without an animal inside them?”
He shook his head. “Some people are good at math or sports, others aren’t, but they’re still judged by what they can or can’t do.”
“It’s a shame.” She picked up a list. “The world could be so much more without unnecessary judgments.”
Webb watched her go over to one of the totes and look inside. He'd never met anyone who thought of things he did, of how great life could be if everyone was accepted regardless of race, appearance, or whether they had paws or feathers. He had the overwhelming urge to go over and hug her.
Scowling at the floor, he cleared his throat. “If you could finish those four, I can unload some uh – stuff and get the truck out of the way.”
She nodded and then glanced at him. “I can.” She smiled.
“Yeah.” He backed up a few steps. “Great. I’ll be out there if you have any problems.”
She nodded but didn't look at him again.
He turned and walked out of the room. He kept going until he knew he was out of sight. That put him at the bay door where the truck was parked. When he reached it, he leaned both hands against that cold metal and then rested his forehead against it. His heart was still beating hard. He put his hand on his chest. Not faster, just more thud than usual. It made each breath feel like it caught in his throat. Closing his eyes, he checked on his animal. He was quiet and calm. How was that possible when Webb felt like he was having a heart attack? “What is it about her?” He whispered.
“Webb?”
He jolted away from the truck at the sound of her voice. ‘Yeah?”
“Sorry to bother you already, but I can’t reach the top shelf. Is there a step ladder somewhere?” She laughed, and the sound sent shivers throughout his whole body. “I’ve never been too short before.”
Blowing out a breath, he started back toward the room. He needed to get it together. “I think there’s one. I'll go check.” It was a lie. He knew there was one. He just needed a few moments to get his head together before he went near her. Maybe he should get Fionna to check him out. He'd never been sick a day in his life, but it would explain the weird feelings he kept having. He opened the warehouse door and headed straight to where he knew the ladder was. “Probably getting the flu.” He nodded. His bear moved through him, and he knew his wishes for illness were laughable, but it was better than the alternative. That being that someone has marked his mate.