Page 70 of Wolf's Whisper

Chapter 17. Jealousy

Oh no. Ashleigh. My beautiful mate, my first mate.

With blazing eyes, she clawed at her brother, peeling him away from him. "Are you insane?" she yelled, hitting his chest.

"Ashleigh," I tried to calm her, but when her eyes spat fire at me, I immediately darted back. Best not interfere then.

"How dare you? You know this isn't right!" she shouted at her brother. Guiltily, Aspen looked down at her, watching how she hit his chest with her fists.

"It just happened," he mumbled, running his hand through his wet hair.

"Happened? How does something like this just "happen"? What, she stumbled on a rock and fell on your cock?" she yelled sarcastically, kicking the mountain that I'd been pressed against only moments ago.

From the tree line, Danny and her men appeared, drawn by the noise Ashleigh was making. "What's going on?" Darren called out, his arm wrapping around my mate's waist to pull her away from Aspen.

"Let go off me, I'll kill him!" she threatened , clawing at his face. With a terrified look, Darren released Ashleigh and quickly hid behind Regan. If you could put a face on regret, it was his.

Concerned for Aspen, I pulled Ashleigh back by her arm, earning myself another glare. "You!" she bellowed, her eyes hard and angry.

Now I'd done it.

"You said you were okay with sharing..." I interjected softly, looking guiltily at the ground. Aspen had finally started to resemble his old self and I wanted to help him. If I had known she'd get this angry and upset, I wouldn't have done anything with him. Fuck, now I felt like a proper ass.

"You humping my brother isn't exactly what I meant by "share", Akira! Damn it!"

"I'm sorry, I... I didn't plan for this to happen..." I whimpered, feeling tears well up. No, Akira, don't cry like a child that’s just been scolded. Don't cry in front of everyone. Don't show them how weak you’re.

"Would you have gone all the way?"

"...I..." My brief hesitation spoke volumes.

"I see," she mumbled, turning away from me and with a defeated look and hunched shoulders, she walked away from the group.

"Ashleigh!" I called, pushing Aspen and Danny out of the way, running after her. I grabbed her by the wrist and made her face me. "Don't walk away from me!"

Angrily, she yanked her arm away from me. "Don't touch me with the same hands that were just on my brother."

Ouch. Her words stung like a slap in the face. I guess I deserved that. "I promise you. I would've never, ever, ever, ever, done something like this if I didn't think you were okay with it." Oof, at least I managed to get out a full sentence.

"I'm just hurt that you'd... That you'd even could," Ashleigh muttered, her jaw clenching as she glared at her brother.

"I..."

"I guess it was to be expected. The Alpha always gets what he wants," she spat out bitterly, throwing her dark curls over her shoulder, much in the same fashion as Danny. "I guess, like always, I'll just be your second."

I glanced at Aspen and felt my stomach churn. With Ashleigh standing so close to me, even the thought of kissing Aspen made me dry-heave. I clamped her hands and pressed them against my shirt, my shirt still damp from my dip. "You're not second. You're not even first. You're my only. You have to believe me," I tried to convince her, my attraction towards Aspen completely faded.

Stupid, stupid, treacherous wolf, making me all hot for Aspen.

"I..." Oh no, the first tear fell from my eye and rolled down my face. Angrily, I wiped it away, refusing to show how pathetic I was. Pull it together, Akira. I'm so, so, so sorry," I hiccupped, my voice breaking as I tried to get through my apology. Come on! "I thought you were okay with this. If not, I would never. You have to believe me. Please," I begged, praying she'd believe me. I couldn't live with Ashleigh never forgiving me.

Her face softened. "Don't cry," she mumbled guiltily. With a softness I hadn't expected, she gently swiped her thumb over my cheek, wiping away the traitorous tears from my face. Why was I such a crybaby? Making Ashleigh feel sorry for me wasn’t the outcome I wanted. I wiped my face and tried taking her hand again. And this time, she didn't slap it away.

"I'm sorry, Ashleigh... If I’d known..."

She placed a finger on my lips. "I know. It's his Alpha. It takes many forms."

I tilted my head in confusion. His Alpha? But he had been so happy and joyful? I thought this Alpha was dark and possessive and oh... His growl echoed through my head as I remembered his roaming hands and lustful eyes. I touched a tender spot on my neck and was almost sure he'd left a love bite. Damn it, his Alpha had come out to play and I, I hadn't even noticed. My own head too clouded with lust and desire, to notice how hard and urgent he had been.

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