Page 73 of Wolf's Whisper

"You won't allow it? I'm not a kid. I can make my own decisions," I argued for myself. A flashback of being attacked by Chesca ran through my head. "Granted, they aren't always great, but I don't need you to decide for me like a spoilt little child. Tell me what's going on!" I demanded, firmly planting my hands on my hips to seem more confident.

My beautiful mate smiled, completely ignoring my tantrum. Tenderly, she brushed a lost strand of hair behind my ear. "I wouldn't dare ask this of you, Akira," she mumbled, her voice softening as she said my name.

I pressed myself gently against her, locking my grey eyes with her blue ones. "Ask me anyway."

"I can't."

Aspen's Alpha, and putting Ashleigh and the rest of the pack under his grip, I needed to redeem myself. I needed to show them that I wasn't a burden. I had to make it up somehow. "Ashleigh. Please... I just want to help. You don't have to tell me why, just tell me what I have to do."

JP quickly cut in. "I-I don't think you can a-ask her without telling her w-what it is."

Darren nodded. "He's right. She needs to know."

Hesitantly, Ashleigh eyed the necklace resting in Regan's palm. "I could just take it," she tried. But, instantly, she was met with a lot of protest. Both Danny and her men clearly thought that was a bad idea.

"Looking for someone to wear it? I'll wear it," I impatiently snapped, pulling the amulet out of Regan's hands and throwing it over my head before anyone really knew what was happening. The five of them squealed in surprise and grabbed at the necklace around my neck.

"Woah, woah, keep your grabby hands to yourself!" I yelled, shielding the amulet and darting backwards.

"Take it off!" Danny exclaimed, clawing at me. Well, more at the trinket around my neck, but I didn't feel like she'd care if she scratched me.

"Back off," Ashleigh shouted at the redhead, pushing me behind her back so she could shield me with her body.

Darren growled at my mate, baring his teeth at her. "She can't know!"

"Know what?" I yelled back, cowardly hiding behind Ashleigh's soft back. As much as I disliked asking for her help, I wasn't about to face an angry Danny head on. I knew better.

Regan put up one of his big hands, silencing both Danny and Darren. He tilted his head to the side and stared at me. "You don't feel it?"

"Feel what?"

Ashleigh turned towards me, studying me carefully. "You don't sense it?

Annoyed, I let out an exasperated huff. "Sense what? Come on, use your words!" I barked, losing my patience. Why did they always do that? Couldn't they just explain what was going on, even for once?

"The necklace... Doesn't it... I don't know. Don't you feel different after putting it on?"

I lifted the amulet and twirled it between my fingers, getting a good look at it for the first time. It was a simple round totem carved out of bone. It had some graceful decorations on the sides and an elegantly carved wolf's head in the middle. Immaculate.

"What am I supposed to feel?" I inquired, not sure what they meant.

Darren and Danny exchanged odd glances, before turning to me. "Anything? No tingling, no electricity, no sparks?"

I shook my head. "Nope, nothing?"

"Strange."

"Why?"

Danny shrugged, throwing her red hear over her shoulder. "Just surprised."

"So what's the secret?" I asked, noticing how the whole group suddenly exchanged more awkward glances. "What? You didn't think I forgot about it, right? I'm already letting you keep the secret of your shift, even though I seriously think you should be telling me. But at least tell me what this amulet thingy is about?"

"Oh-oooh..." Danny let out a loud gasp, before clamping her hands over her own mouth and hiding behind Regan and Darren. JP suddenly seemed very busy studying the rotten tree mush he had made and Ashleigh, well, Ashleigh was looking everywhere but me.

"What?" I asked, studying the group. Why did they become so twitchy all of a sudden? Was it something I said? All I did, was ask about the secret of the necklace and mention their shifting. Wait... "Does the amulet have anything to do with why you all can shift?"

Danny's loud gasp gave it away more than anything. Bingo.

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