Page 71 of Wolf's Whisper

"It's not your fault. It's his. He should've known better."

I bit my lip, feeling even more awful than I had before. So not only had I hurt Ashleigh, but Aspen looked equally as ashamed of himself as I was. Well, that's not how I'd expect a heated make-out session to end.

"I genuinely thought you were okay with sharing."

Ashleigh sighed, rubbing her forehead in exhaustion. "I thought I was. I mean, it's not like I expected you two to never kiss... It's just... Seeing it is much harder than I expected."

I placed my hands on top of hers. "I would never have even considered it, if you hadn't..."

"I know... I agreed to this. Hell, I proposed it. But the reality is just harder to stomach. Especially if his Alpha comes out to play. It's not safe. Not for him, not for you."

Carefully, I pressed myself against her. Compared to Aspen, she was soft and curved. Her curls wild, but her hands tender. Her eyes deeper than anything I'd seen before, cool and cold, yet somehow, they burned brighter than all the stars combined. Like blue suns or icy fire. She was fierce, but gentle at the same time. With stunning features and her hoarse voice, she was almost too perfect.

I smiled. She was so different from her brother, but equally as beautiful in her own way. Maybe even a little more so.

"I want you," I mumbled.

"But..."

I let out a deep sigh. She was right, there was a but. "But... My wolf won't listen."

With a sad smile, she caught my gaze. Her blue eyes were deeper than the lake, or any ocean I had ever seen. "Neither does mine. I want to share. I'm trying... But seeing you with him, seeing him wrapped around you, his hands all over you... Something snapped."

I chuckled humourlessly. "If only we didn't have wolves, right?"

Ashleigh's head suddenly snapped up, a strange glint in her eyes. "Wait a minute...." She turned on her heels and strode towards her brother. Carefully, the group watched, scared of what she might do. Her hand moved towards his neck and for a moment, I was afraid she'd strangle him. But then she coiled her fingers around the amulet resting on his chest and with a sharp snap, tore it away from him.

"I should've taken this from you a long time ago," Ashleigh spat, making Aspen flinch.

"You can't take it from me, I need it," he tried, but she wouldn't have it. She shook her head, her dark curls dancing in the wind. "You're not in control. You can't hold your Alpha back."

Aspen let out a mangled whine, resembling a strangled cat. "Yes, I can."

"I don't think so."

"I know how to deal with the Alpha. I need my amulet."

"You weren't in control. You could've hurt Akira!" Ashleigh shouted.

Her brother recoiled. "I wouldn't have."

Danny stepped in, pointing at me. "Can you guarantee that? Can you assure our safety? Can you promise Akira's safety?"

Aspen clenched his jaw, his face contorting in a pained expression. "Fine." he admitted, pushing Regan out of the way as he retreated back to the campsite.

The redhead turned to Ashleigh, extending her palm. "Give it."

My mate narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"

"You can't keep the necklace either. Give it to me."

Ashleigh snorted loudly. "I don't think so. It's my brother's."

"E-Exactly why you s-shouldn't keep it," JP added in carefully, immediately taking a step back as Ashleigh glared angrily at him. Funny. He had no trouble killing five men at the same time, but my usually gentle mate intimidated him?

"He's right though. You can't have both. We've seen the effect it has on you."

Stubbornly, the dark-haired beauty shook her head. "I was a lot younger. I can take it."

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