Page 53 of Wolf's Whisper

I threw a concerned look at the man in front of me. Aspen was quiet. So quiet it was freaking me out. I mean, I get that after you've killed someone you don't throw glitters in the air and fart out unicorn dust, but still. It was spooky. He only seemed half there.

"So this has happened before? And he'll be alright?" I asked Ashleigh, whose concern was edged into her face.

She scrunched her nose. "Usually, he becomes gloomy and unresponsive for a couple of days, before returning to his usual self. But I have never seen him like this. It is like..."

"Like he isn't even there," I finished her sentence, earning me a grateful look.

She nodded, a sad smile playing around her lips. "Exactly..."

"Do you need some time alone with him?" I inquired, wondering if it would help Aspen get back to his cheery self.

Ashleigh shook her head, her dark curls dancing in the wind. "There is nothing I can do to help him... The only thing that might work..."

I tilted my head to the side, waiting for her to finish her sentence. "Yes?"

She curtly chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Nothing. Never mind."

I let out a heavy sigh. Why did people always do this? "No, tell me."

A pained look flashed over Ashleigh's face. "The only thing that might snap him out of it is... Is you." She bit her lip as she seemed torn. "This is what makes it so hard. I want him to get better. I do... But I don't want to share you... Then again, how can I not? He is my brother and I would do anything for him. Or at least, I always thought I would. But now I've met you, I'm not so sure anymore. And that kills me," she confessed, glancing at Aspen who was gazing into the world like it wasn't even there. Like he wasn't there.

"But what if..." I started, ready to protest her proposal, but as I glanced at Aspen, I realised I would never decline the opportunity to help him. He was surrounded by a melancholy that seemed to separate him from the world, but underneath that shield, I could feel his raw power pulsate. It was still there, right underneath the surface, ready to lash out at any given time.

He was suffering. For what he did to Chesca, for the things he had done in his past, for the way he had tainted his soul. How could I not help him?

Ashleigh followed my gaze, smiling. "There are no what ifs... He is my brother and if this is what I need to do, I will do it."

I felt my breath hitch in my throat. "Do what?" I asked quietly, actually needing to hear her say this. This was not something you'd want to make wrong assumptions about.

My raven-haired mate gritted her teeth down. "I won't try and keep you away from him. I know you're drawn to him."

Before, it would have sounded like an accusation. Now it was simply a statement. One I couldn't deny. We both knew it was true. No matter how strong my bond was with Ashleigh, with Aspen's Alpha around, I would always be a little torn.

Ashleigh sighed, brushing her dark curls away from her face. "Like we've always done, Aspen and I will share..."

I should have rejoiced after hearing this. This is what I had wanted, no? For the twins to stop fighting over me and for my wolf to find a way to be with both of them. If I didn't have to choose, if I could have them both, how could my wolf not get on board with that?

But somehow, I only felt dread settle in. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen or the way I had imagined it to go down. This wouldn't make Ashleigh happy. Not really.

But these were just the cards we were dealt. And we just had to make do. Ashleigh had no choice but to help her twin brother. And I had no choice either. Regardless of how long I had known them both, regardless of who came first or second, they were both my mates. If there was a chance for me to help Aspen, I had to try. For him and for Ashleigh as well. Even as fucked up as our situation was.

If I could help, I should.

I turned to Ashleigh, but before I could say another word, the group abruptly came to a halt. So abruptly, I actually ran into JP's back. Losing my footing, I stumbled backwards. A yelp almost escaped my lips, but the hand suddenly clamped over my mouth prevented it.

"Shhhh... C-Can you hear that?" JP whispered, nudging upward.

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