Page 47 of Wolf's Whisper

Chapter 11. On the road again

I felt everyone's eyes on me as an unknown kind of desperation hung in the air. My legs trembled as I stood up. I was shocked, utterly shocked. So shocked I didn't have any snarky comments left.

Did this really happen? Had he really killed Cece in front of my nose? Was this truly Aspen? Was this the reason why he kept his Alpha locked up?

I stretched out my hand, willing it not to shake as I grazed my fingers over his shoulder blade. He was hot. Sizzling hot.

"Aspen?" I tried, hoping my voice might pull him out of the trance. No reaction. I hesitantly glanced at Danny and Ashleigh, silently asking them what I should do.

They were both begging me with their eyes and while I wasn't exactly sure what Aspen needed saving from, somehow they both seemed to believe I was the only one who could do it.

Not wanting to disappoint them or able to watch Aspen suffer any longer, I circled his body, my fingers gently grazing over his skin. He was truly burning up like a fever had broken out and had taken a hold of him.

As I was standing in front of him, I tried looking into his eyes. That had worked before, maybe it would help this time.

The darkness I found in them left my mouth dry. It was as if all of their original colour had gone. There wasn't a speck of amber left and honestly, it scared me. Where did my Aspen go?

I carefully placed both palms of my hands on his biceps, hoping it would at least help his muscles relax. He was so tensed, he reminded me of a fully flexed bow on the verge of snapping. I didn't want him to snap. I didn't want him to break.

"Aspen... Can you hear me?"

No answer. Just darkness...

I closed my eyes, reached into my chest for the whimpering wolf and drew her to the surface. I hoped she would connect to Aspen's wolf, that somehow, she would manage to snap him out of this state.

Reluctantly, she left my chest and travelled to where Aspen's body connected with mine. I held my breath, scared of what she might find or what I might invite into myself. With a careful bark, she called out to his wolf and as she did, I felt something stir inside him.

I felt a smile break through on my face. It was working! Something inside him was reacting to my wolf. But my joy was quickly replaced by fear as a cold shiver ran down my spine.

There was something rising to the surface, but it was wild and untamed, something utterly dark and terrifying. The same thing that was keeping Aspen in his grip. And it wasn't his wolf. Panicked, I yanked my hands back from his body, only barely escaping the Alpha that had answered my wolf's call.

"I..." I stuttered as I threw a helpless look at the rest of the group. Only then, I realised I was out of breath, how I'd started to burn up. I felt desperation surge through my being; Aspen was too far gone. I couldn't help him. This was way beyond my expertise. I couldn't fight this Alpha, not on my own. I couldn't do anything.

More panic started to rise up from my stomach and tears threatened to spill from my eyes. Was I really this useless? Would we lose Aspen simply because I was a failure?

Had my family always been right? Was I nothing special, nothing more than just ordinary? Was I...

The scent of wild strawberries wrapped itself around me, slowly pushing all my fears and insecurities back down. A warm body pressed itself against my back, dark curls falling on my shoulder.

"I’m here with you," Ashleigh whispered in my ear as she let her hands glide from my shoulders to my hands. "I'll help you."

I could feel myself relax under her touch and without even having to ask, my wolf ran towards hers, seeking the same kind of protection and reassurance as I was.

"One more time?" she asked, embracing me with her whole body. A certain, new kind of safety flooded over me. I could do this. With her here, I could do this. I silently nodded, bringing my hands back to Aspen's body. Instead of reaching for his biceps, I pressed my palms against his chest.

His skin was even hotter than before and I was briefly worried they'd hurt my hands. But Ashleigh placed her own palms on top of my hands, cold like the water from a brook, immediately cooling me down. I wouldn't get burned. She wouldn't let it happen.

I closed my eyes and called for my wolf again. This time, I didn't need to dig deep. She was already there, running around at the surface, and came at my beckoning. But this time, she wasn't alone.

Ashleigh's black wolf ran through my chest as she ran by my wolf's side, accompanying her faithfully, like they had always belonged together.

With her support, I called out to Aspen once more, hoping I would be able to reach through his Alpha and find the wolf within.

Just like before, something raw and powerful surfaced that felt much more vile and menacing than before the whole ordeal with Cece. Like the kill had corrupted him somehow.

I flinched as I felt the power of the Alpha surge through my body and only now understood how the rest of the group must feel under his command. This Alpha wouldn't take no for an answer, wouldn't accept anything but submission. He wouldn't bow for anything or anyone.

But he had bent for me. For his mate, even if I was only his second. This Alpha wasn't my enemy.

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