Page 16 of Wolf's Whisper

Chapter 5. Mate

As if she could feel my gaze on her back, she brought her head up from her dinner and winked at me. She placed her free hand on my thigh, only slightly squeezing it. Oh my god. She was touching me. Ashleigh was touching me!

A sudden voice broke our moment. "Yo, stop all the lovey dovey crap!"

I forced my eyes back up as I was met with a furious Aspen. His usual light eyes were completely blackened as he grabbed Ashleigh by her collar.

I jumped up as I placed my hand on his chest, not liking one bit how he threatened my mate. I didn't care he and his sister had their own ruffles every now and then, but this seemed more than just a spat.

"Hey, careful," I warned him, but he wasn't paying any attention to me. And as it turned out, Ashleigh didn't need my protection. She yanked herself free and with a hard shove, had him almost tumbling back.

"What is your problem, dude?"

Aspen his eyes blazed as he charged toward her again. "Hands off my mate!"

What? Did I hear that right?

"Your mate? You mean my mate!" Ashleigh bellowed back, her hair falling in dark curls down her back as she protectively stepped in front of me.

"You must be mistaken. She is mine," Aspen growled, surprising me again. Did Aspen really think I was his mate? Because as far as I could tell, my little wolf only seemed to have claimed Ashleigh. I mean, she seemed a little confused in the beginning, but with Ashleigh standing so close to me, it was quite clear.

"Guys?" I tried to interject, but they were now both bearing their teeth at each other. I threw a helpless look at the rest of the gang, hoping they would come help me out.

Almost creakingly, Regan got up from his log as he stretched his limbs. It was almost like watching a piece of furniture come to life. With a determined look, he made his way over, the look on his face clear he wasn't up for another sibling fight.

I thought he would separate the twins, but instead, he swung his arms over their shoulders and pointed them towards me.

"Akira. Who is your mate?"

Well, that was no help. Thanks, dude.

A lump appeared in my throat as both Aspen and Ashleigh's eyes pierced into me. I knew Ashleigh was my mate, no doubt. But the idea of disappointing Aspen and breaking it to him that he was mistaken, nearly broke my heart. I had really grown fond of him, as annoying as he was.

"... Ashleigh..." I softly muttered. "Ashleigh is my mate..."

The dark-haired girl pumped her fists in the air with a loud "yesssss!" as she did a little happy dance.

I threw an apologetic look at Aspen. There were many things I could lie about, but who was and wasn't my mate, was not one of them.

His amber coloured eyes caught mine. They were bright and innocent, inquisitive. Exactly like in his wolf form. And then his posture changed. He opened up his shoulders, surprising me at how broad he actually was. I could see the muscles roll under his shirt as his eyes blackened.

The whole playful and cheeky vibe around him disappeared, as it made way for something much more raw and powerful.

What was happening? Was this man surging with power really the same Aspen who had just been spanked by a pine-tree?

I heard a faint "oh-oh" from behind me, but before I could even wonder what that was about, he spoke. "You sure I'm not your mate?"

And before he even uttered his first words, I knew the answer to that question.

Mate. My wolf whispered as the only thing I could do, was nod speechlessly. Indeed. Mate.

But as soon as that thought passed through my head, I felt an unnerving doubt settle onto me. Could this be? Was this right? Was Aspen my mate? But then again, no, that couldn't be. It was Ashleigh. Definitely Ashleigh.

So what did Aspen just do to make my wolf whimper like that for him?

As I stared at the two of them, my gaze flicking over their faces, I begged my wolf to speak. But all she did, was repeat the same word over again. Mate. And she clearly meant both of them.

"I don't understand..."

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