Page 72 of Wolf's Whisper

Regan placed a hand on her shoulder. "You can't," he added, sternly but gently. His voice made it clear that while he was looking out for her best interests, he also wouldn't take no for an answer. Ashleigh narrowed her eyes into slits. With attitude, she threw the necklace against Regan's chest. "Fine. So who'll take it then?"

Silence.

The whole group awkwardly shuffled as Regan held the amulet in front of him like it was a dirty sock. You could almost hear crickets chirp as they all uncomfortable exchanged glances.

"What's so special about Aspen's necklace?" I asked, breaking the silence. Five heads turned my way, staring at me intensely.

"What?"

"Should we tell her?" Darren whispered in Danny's ear, earning a nudge against his shoulder.

"Shhhhh," Danny hissed, clamping her hand over his mouth.

Ashleigh awkwardly tied up her long hairs in a ponytail, deliberately avoiding my gaze. Regan was studying the sky and JP kicked a rotten tree stump.

"Tell me what?" I asked, my question lost in the wind.

Without even acknowledging that I spoke, the group kept chattering by themselves.

"We should," Regan added, also earning a glare from Danny.

"I-I think Ashleigh should d-decide."

Hearing her name, Ashleigh snorted. "Why me? This is about all of us."

Darren nodded in response. "She's right."

Another glare from Danny. "She's your mate. You'll do whatever you think is right, anyway."

"I wouldn't!" Ashleigh defended herself, angrily pulling the necklace from Regan's hands. "It doesn't matter if she's my mate, it's about this stupid thing!" she groaned in frustration, pointing at the amulet.

"D-Do we have another choice?" JP reasoned, rubbing his hand over his chin. The rest of the group turned to him, all glaring angrily. That just meant he was right and won the argument.

"Don't think we do," Regan admitted, looking at me.

"Umm, hello, I'm right here?" I tried, waving my arms at them. For a brief moment, I gained their attention as they all stared at me wordlessly. But then they went right back to their usual bickering.

"I-I can wear it f-for you," JP chirped in, earning himself a scoff from Darren. That was uncharacteristic. He usually was very polite and respectful towards Danny's other mates.

"No offence, JP, but it's not made for humans," Darren weighed in, shaking his head in dismissal. What wasn't made for humans? Why were they always so vague? And if it wasn't for humans, maybe I could help? I wasn't human after all.

"Can I help?" I proposed, earning myself shifty glances from the whole group.

"You...?" Danny asked, quickly interrupted by Ashleigh's protest.

"No! You're not putting this on Akira!"

"It might be the only way," she tried again carefully, but Ashleigh wasn't taking it.

"We can't ask JP again, it's not safe," Danny firmly said, her hand resting on JP's chest protectively. Darren and Regan nodded, and as they did, I noticed how they positioned themselves slightly in front of their comrade. It would've been cute, if they weren't ganging up on my mate.

"Ashleigh, tell me what I can do," I interrupted, moving to Ashleigh's side to show my support and loyalty to her. As long as I was around, she wouldn't stand alone. Ever.

"There's nothing you can do," Ashleigh stubbornly said, dismissing my proposal.

Danny nervously ran her fingers through her hair. "It might be the only way..."

"I won't allow it!" my mate protested, stirring something inside of me.

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