Page 37 of Wolf's Whisper

What had happened? Why were they so violent, so angry? Was this really the same Darren that had admired a stray winter flower?

I wanted to back away from this lunatic that I didn't know but was reminded again of the body pressed against me. I turned my head and was met with a set of yellow eyes. Cece.

"They want to hurt me, Akira. Don't let them," she whimpered, looking like a scared child.

Again I turned towards my mate. "Ashleigh! Please?"

This time, she did look at me and in her eyes, I found a vulnerability and a helplessness I hadn't expected. She looked pained and I could tell from her gaze that she wanted to help me, but couldn't.

Why not?

"Kill her."

Another surge of power flooded over me as I suddenly realised what was going on. Aspen. As a natural born Alpha, he was controlling the group. Controlling their moods, controlling their actions. Controlling them.

So was this the real power of the Alpha?

I took another moment to admire Aspen in all his glory. So this was his real face. The man behind the cheeky boy. He was grand, majestic, nothing less than utterly magnificent. And also completely terrifying.

Nails dug into my skin brought my head back as I was reminded again what was going on. I couldn't give in. To anybody. Not even to Aspen.

"Aspen," I called out to him, catching his gaze. His amber eyes almost blackened as they bore straight into me, making my wolf jump up in longing. Mate.

"Please..." I begged, hoping that even if my wolf couldn't get through to Ashleigh, she was strong enough to sway Aspen.

Another timeless second passed as we just stared at each other. And then a twinkle flickered through his eyes as they lightened up, returning back to the familiar amber hue.

Darren's arm fell down as he stopped dead in his tracks, no longer approaching or threatening us with his knife. A heavy tension left my body and I could almost feel the group collectively sigh. The Alpha had retreated.

"Only this once. For you," Aspen growled from behind his gritted teeth. And with those words, he turned on his heels and disappeared into the cave.

I glanced at the rest of the group, wondering if this was an invitation for Cece... For Chesca, to stay with us. Danny shook her head at me and JP threw me a disappointed look, as they followed their leader into the cave. A lump appeared in my throat as I could feel another kind of tension settle onto the group and I already cursed at myself for bringing Cece here. This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't brought her here...

But then again, she was already here and if there was one thing I had learned from growing up in my household, was that being shunned was never the answer. That just because people tell you to stay away from someone, that you should. Growing up lonely and exiled had taught me to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Cece deserved that same right.

I pointed towards the cave, inviting the Puma in, part of me wondering if they would kill her in her sleep and if she'd even still want to stay with us. I could imagine this wasn't the warmest welcome.

She flashed a carefree smile at me like she hadn't just been threatened. She had shrugged off the event like people pressed knives against her throat on a daily basis and somehow, I felt that might have been true.

The girl skipped into the cave, apparently not worried one bit about the murderous intent hanging in the group. I was ready to join her, but then I felt a warm hand on my arm.

"Be careful. She isn't as innocent as she appears to be."

I stared at Ashleigh's hand and then at her face. Her blue eyes were piercing into mine with concern, but for some reason, it made anger bubble up in my stomach. I shrugged her hand away, still utterly disappointed she hadn't stuck up for me and without another word, I turned my back towards her.

If my wolf was strong enough to pull Aspen out of his Alpha state, why hadn't hers reacted the same way?

I couldn't help but feel a huge wave of disappointment wash over me as I realised being mated wasn't enough. It didn't mean you'd get that instant bond Danny seemed to have with not just Regan, but all three of her lovers.

It also meant I could choose Aspen.

But then my wolf stirred and I couldn't help but look at the beautiful woman standing next to me, looking utterly defeated.

On queue, she met my gaze as her glacier blue eyes pierced into mine. And all thoughts I had about Aspen were washed away with her oceans.

Why would I choose Aspen if Ashleigh was right here?

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