Page 10 of Wolf's Whisper

Chapter 4. Ashleigh

The sound of a dry branch snapping echoed through the silent winter night. Startled, I jumped up and grabbed the stick I had been using as a walking cane.

"Who is there?" I yelled into the darkness as I held the branch out in front of me protectively.

"Relax, don't stress so much," Aspen said as he stretched his legs towards the fire.

I turned towards him. "Didn't you hear that? Someone is coming."

He put his hands behind his head as he made himself comfortable. "Yeah, no need to worry."

I snarled and poked his leg with my stick, earning an angry look from him. I was about to poke him again as I heard approaching footsteps so I decided that my stick had a better use than to poke a carefree Aspen with.

From the darkness, I saw a shadow appear, so I hid myself behind a tree as I watched the approaching figure. I tightened my grip on the stick and prepared myself for an attack.

With my breath held, I listened for the person making its way closer to our camp. The snow creaked and creaked and suddenly, silence. I slowly peeked from behind my tree.

"What are you doing?" a curious voice suddenly asked, almost making me jump out of my skin.

With a swift kick, I targeted the woman who was suddenly standing behind me as I buried my foot in her shin.

"Awww, man!" she howled, as she jumped up and down on one leg in pain.

I raised my stick and as I put some distance between us, I yelled. "Watch it, lady!"

She extended her arms towards me as she backed away from me. "Woah, relax. Am not here to hurt you."

"Lee-Lee! You’re finally here." I suddenly heard from behind me.

Aspen had gotten up and was now approaching the woman standing in front of me. A grin appeared on his handsome face as he pulled her into a tight hug. I heard her squeal as he happily kissed her cheek.

Mine. I heard my wolf jealously growl inside of me as Aspen hugged the girl. So they knew each other? Why was she touching him?

"What took you so long?" he inquired as he took the girl in a choke hold and ruffled his knuckles through her hair.

"Get off me!" she yelled as she squirmed herself free and stomped him against his arm. "Wasn't my fault, Aspen. A little Danny drama, as usual. They are only a couple of minutes behind."

He shook his head and scoffed. "Typical. But am glad you’re finally here."

The girl flashed her perfect white teeth and as if she only now noticed me, she took a step forward and studied me from head to toe. A shiver ran up my spine as her eyes travelled over my body and after she inspected me, our eyes met.

They were impossibly blue, piercing blue, glacier blue and another shiver shot through my body.

Mine.

I confusedly tilted my head as I heard my wolf stir again. I thought she meant Aspen, I mean, I felt the thrill when I was with him, the attraction, he drew me in. He called out to me. But when the girl cheekily winked at me, all thoughts of Aspen vanished from my mind as my wolf howled again.

Mine.

I held my hands up at both of them. "Woah, back up a bit here. Aspen, who is she?"

He smirked as he slung his arm over her shoulders for another hug. Again my wolf growled, but this time, I realised it wasn't because of him, it was because of her. He was touching her.

"Lee-Lee, this is my baby sister!"

What?

"Bro, stop calling me Lee-Lee! I’m only thirteen minutes younger than you!" she protested as she shrugged his arm away and slowly walked towards me. So, his sister, huh? Damn, that was one good-looking family.

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