Page 65 of Wolf's Whisper

My father had been right about me, I was a freak. But for the first time, I somehow didn't seem to mind. This pack seemed to be just as insane as I was and they seemed to be doing okay. Well. Relatively okay.

Walking sticks were turned into tent frames and spare furs and coats became bedding. Before long, a warm and cosy fire was crackling away in the middle of our camp. Lovely. I closed my eyes, enjoying how the warmth of the fire started relaxing my aching muscles. After the fight, my whole body had been strained and only now, I felt like I could let go of all the stress and anxiety I had been carrying. Maybe I could even have a dip before dinner.

I turned towards the group, hoping they wouldn't mind me taking an early bath. "So, where’s this lake?"

Regan pointed over his shoulder. "Just over the hill."

"You'll love the waterfall, Akira." Danny smiled, pointing towards a vague part of the forest. Wait, there was a waterfall here? I needed to see that. I wanted to see it right now. Going alone sounded like a stupid idea though. I seemed to have a knack for picking up strangers. I didn't want to repeat my fiasco with Cece. Chesca. Damn it.

I glanced from Ashleigh to Aspen. This could be a great opportunity to get some alone time with my mate, but then again, I really needed to talk to Aspen. I needed to find out if he had been able to follow my struggle with his Alpha. And besides, Ashleigh said she was okay with sharing. She explicitly asked me to help him, so she couldn't be mad at me for spending some alone time with him, right?

"Aspen? Want to show me the way to the lake?" I sweetly asked Aspen, trying to catch his gaze. He stared right through me, his eyes vague like he hadn't even heard me. I placed my hand on his lower arm, his head snapping up, almost like I’d burned him. His eyes dark and hard, until he realised it was me. "I want to see the waterfall. Come with me?"

Flecks of light orange appeared in his eyes. Hesitantly, he looked at his sister, who gave him an encouraging nod. Strained, almost like an old man, he got up from his log and motioned for me to follow him. I waved at Ashleigh, sighing in relief when she gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up. Ooof, at least she understood that I was trying to help.

"Is there really a waterfall in the Aladwin forest?" I asked, trying to break the silence, cheering up a little at the prospect. I loved waterfalls, but back in my village, we didn't have any. The only one I’d seen, was when my father took me on a trip. A lump appeared in my throat as I recalled the memory. Back in the day, when he still loved me.

"There is." Aspen nodded, refusing to meet my gaze.

"What's it like?" I tried again, hoping it would spark a conversation somehow.

"Big."

I groaned. Freaking wolf. "Anything besides big?"

Aspen finally turned his head towards me. "There is water."

I snorted out loud, almost choking on my own spit. "Really? Water, Aspen?" I coughed out, hitting my chest to clear out my windpipe. Wouldn't that be ironic? Surviving a sneak attack from Chesca and making it out of an ambush, just so I could die because my uvula let me down? A death like that would fit me though. Nobody would be surprised if that was how I passed away. In fact, I could imagine a couple of people who’d be rather thrilled if I met my demise in such a foolish way. Death by spit. Yes, sounded like me.

Aspen gently patted my back, concern painted on his face. So he did have different expressions left than just "broody". Thank the spirits.

"You okay, Akira?" he whispered, his amber eyes finding me for the first time.

"I've been better," I spluttered, gasping for air.

"I can imagine."

"How've you been?" I inquired, jumping on a chance of conversation.

Aspen looked at me intensely, his amber eyes speckled with darker flecks. "Not bad. "

"A lot has happened.... I mean... A lot."

He nodded, running his hand through his hair. "I guess."

Well, he was certainly chatty. If I had to spend the whole morning with a sulky Aspen, I'd surely throw myself from these cliffs.

Hoping to keep the conversation going somehow, I clutched his arm for support and racked my brains for a topic that could amuse him. I wanted my cheeky wolf back. "Hey, did I ever tell you what the lie was?"

"Huh?"

"From the game in the cave?"

"Oh. I suppose, you didn't."

I smiled. At least he was engaging. "So, I lied about the tripping. It was my sister who tripped me."

"What were the truths again?"

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