Page 40 of Wolf's Whisper

"My family has had a one-child policy for as far back as we go. There have never been twins in any of our lines before. I wasn't wanted."

Ashleigh bit her lip as her eyes glazed over. "My parents loved me, of course, they did. They always tried to treat me the same way. And don't get me wrong, I love my brother. I love him to bits. He was always the one sticking up for me, trying to make me feel equal."

Another silence befell us. I patiently stared at her, knowing this wasn't the end of the story. But when she kept quiet, I tried to catch her gaze again.

"But?" I asked, gently encouraging her to keep going.

"But... Besides being the first-born, Aspen is an Alpha as well... As much as he loathes having that kind of power, he can't control it. Not well. Not always. And I can't blame him for it. He is first, he will always be first."

I frowned my brows as I hadn't realised how insecure Ashleigh felt about her relationship with her brother. Whenever they fought or bickered, it always seemed like she had the upper hand.

She snorted, briefly shaking her head. "I have worked my whole life to be better than him. Faster, smarter, stronger. When he is just Aspen, my brother, I am. But when it comes to Alpha Aspen, I will never measure up," she sadly said, like she had read my mind. "This is why he is so aloof and relaxed. He knows he doesn't have to try. Whereas me..."

“You’re you," I quipped in, taking a step closer to her. "And you’re the one I want."

"How can you be sure?"

I placed her hand on my chest, as I drew my wolf to the surface.

Mine. She growled possessively, immediately connecting to the black wolf inside Ashleigh. The dark-haired woman audibly swallowed, before meeting my gaze.

"Thank you," she softly murmured, the corner of her lip tugging up in what was her first real smile since we started our conversation.

"Anytime," I breathed, the world stopping as she pushed a stray lock of hair from my face.

"Do you know how beautiful you’re?" Ashleigh whispered, making my cheeks heat up. Only she would think so.

"Please, you’re the beautiful one here," I smiled back, loving how her eyes lit up. She chuckled briefly, shaking her head in amusement. And as she did, I was suddenly surrounded by the scent of wild strawberries. My favourite.

I bit my bottom lip, trying to contain the smile threatening to break out on my face.

"You really are something else," my dark-haired mate grinned, her thumb still caressing my cheek.

A shadow fell over my face. It took me a second to realise Ashleigh was the one casting it. She was bringing herself closer to me, her lips inching closer and closer.

Was this it? Was she going to kiss me?

I hastily wettened my lips, a nervous jolt jumping through my body. Would we be alone long enough for us to finally? How would it feel like? Was nobody going to interrupt us? No jealous Aspen, no nosey Danny?

Before any more thoughts could run wild through my head, Ashleigh's warm lips found mine.

I stopped. The world stopped.

My wolf exploded in happiness as she rampaged through my chest together with her mate, both howling as they ran after each other.

Ashleigh's soft lips moved against my own, warm, gentle, moist. She did taste like a combination of cherries and wild strawberries and I couldn't help but sigh against her.

How had I managed to go so long without kissing her?

As she nipped at my bottom lip, a shiver shot up my spine as I could feel myself slowly unravel. Perfectly unravel into her.

Of course, Ashleigh. How had I ever had any doubts about that?

Her thumb stroked my cheek once more, before she pulled away, leaving me hopelessly wanting more. She let her forehead rest against mine and for a moment, we just breathed. We breathed each other. And we stood still, in the midst of a silent world. Just her. Just me. Just us.

She was the first who broke the silence. "We should go inside," she murmured, her voice almost disappointed.

I nodded in agreement suddenly noticing how cold my limbs had grown. How long had we been standing here?

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