Page 71 of Wolf Heart

"It's stupid,” I tell him. "I don't know why I'm thinking about it."

"Maybe it's not stupid,” Aspen says.

Can I trust them? I take a deep breath, hoping to loosen the tightening in my chest with my confession. "I'm worried you guys are keeping secrets from me," I rush out. That Raven left because he's on his way to screw me over.

"What do you mean?" Dex takes the final step toward me and takes my hand in his. "We promise we have your back, Juniper."

"I know it sounds stupid, but I don't want you guys keeping secrets from me," I say.

"Secrets?" Dex releases my hand. "We're wolves, Juniper. Sometimes secrets are what keeps us alive."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about." I drop my gaze to the ground, the rabbit trail we're on only causing me to feel more lost.

"We already told you we'd help you find your mother," Dex says.

"That's not what I'm worried about," I snap. "Sorry," I say, trying to calm my emotions. "It's just that your pack is only the three of you and I can't help feeling... lost. Like I don't belong anywhere." I cross my arms over my middle. For a little while with them, when one or both of them were kissing me, I felt special. Like I had when I was little.

Aspen steps in front of me and pulls me toward him, my hand in his grip. His face is close to mine and he slips a hand around my waist and pulls me close to his body. I have no idea what he's going to do until his lips press against mine.

As I start to kiss him back, his hand on my waist, Aspen's tongue pushes between my lips. Dex comes up behind me and I'm sandwiched between them.

Heat flares through me, the desire to have them both way stronger than the fear. I need the feeling of not being alone. Of being cherished.

I grab the front of Aspen's shirt, my nails digging into the fabric.

He pushes his tongue inside my mouth and I shiver as the taste of him floods into my senses. Wild, hungry, and mesmerizing. His hands cup my ass and I can feel how hard he is against me.

After a moment, Aspen steps back, looking at me with such longing in his blue gaze that liquid heat pools low in my belly.

"Juniper," Aspen says, leaning his forehead against mine. "You have to trust that we wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

"We'll do whatever we can to protect you," Dex adds then kisses my shoulder from behind.

"You're right," I agree and I push aside the unease slithering in my gut. "And I hope you guys know I'm not trying to get into your business or anything. I'm just... scared."

"What can we do to convince you?" Dex asks, walking around from behind me to face me. He picks up my hand and Aspen the other so we're making a circle. "No one will harm you; we promise."

"You can't promise that," I choke out, my throat constricting.

"Oh but we can," Aspen adds. He turns my hand over, kissing my palm and Dex does the same.

Tingles spread up my arms to my chest. Both Aspen and Dex's eyes flare, their wolves scenting my arousal.

In answer, my wolf growls low and loud even though I want to peel off my clothes and let them have their way with me.

"We just have to convince your wolf of the same." Dex smiles.

My breath is high and short and I feel a buzzing in my chest like I've run a marathon. "Convince her of what?" I ask, breathlessly.

"You're ours,” Aspen answers.

Fear floods in my chest and I pull my hands away. "We need to find Raven and my mother." Fix me so I can be whole. So I can be one with a pack as I've craved my entire life. So I can break the bond with my wolf and Michael's so I have a chance to live in peace.

Dex and Aspen share a look like they're communicating without words again.

"You can't." Dex relents, taking a step closer, shaking his head.

"I have to." I squeeze out past the lump in my throat. "I'll die if I don't find my mother." If I don't shift.

"No, you won't." Aspen steps forward and wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a hug. "We'll find her. Just you wait."

I'm so close to him. I need to get away from him and Dex. I pull back and take a step back from them both.

My heart crashes around in my chest like the bars of a cage around a frightened bird, caging me in, keeping me away from freedom.

I clutch at the base of my throat while forcing myself to be brave. After everything that has happened, this is the moment that I've been building toward since I was a little girl.

Two wolves want to claim me, but I can’t accept them. My wolf has chosen Michael and it doesn’t matter what I want. What my desire yearns for. Without my wolf, the ability to shift, I’m nothing except a wannabe and I’ve been living on the edge of this world far too long.

“We need to find Raven and reach the witches.” I lift my chin despite my heart constricting with fear. Facing off lost ones and werewolves are one thing; witches are a whole other shit-fest.

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