Shifters Gone Wild: A Shifter Romance Collection

by Skye MacKinnon

  "Regan? Any thoughts on the matter?" I sarcastically asked, wondering what kind of people I had found myself in the midst of. If this wasn't weird, I didn't know what was.

  Regan adjusted his seat and added. "Ash and Aspen always get into fights. This one doesn't even crack their top five of craziness."

  I pulled up an eyebrow. "Really? So what other things have they done?"

  "T-T-The time Ashleigh burned off his eyebrows was p-pretty funny."

  The tall man nodded. "Or when Aspen tied Ash's hair to a tree in her sleep."

  I scratched my head. "That doesn't sound so bad?"

  "Oh, but then he threw a whole bucket of water over her. And when she tried to run after him, the tree took a big chunk of her hair. It took months to regrow." Darren chimed in.

  "Ouch, that sounds painful."

  Regan nodded again. He was a big nodder. "Yes, Ash was livid. We had to tell Aspen to knock it down a peg."

  "So the fights were over?" I asked, simpleton that I was.

  Danny tore herself away from Darren. "Oh dear heavens, no, that was only the beginning. We call it The First Great War."

  "Hmm..." I hummed in disbelief. Surely, it couldn't have been that bad?

  "Oh y-yes. It was a b-bad year. It involved a l-l-lot of angry bees, more burned off eyeb-b-brows, and one time, a m-moose."

  I threw another look at the twisted twins and found Aspen now hidden high up in a tree, while Ashleigh seemed to be furiously hacking it down, slivers of wood flying everywhere. What a weird bunch. How did I get involved with them again?

  Oh right, wolf in pain, sadness, yada yada.

  At least she was making tinder. I could grab it, run away from these crazy people and start my own campfire again.

  "Just ignore them. They will calm down soon," Regan advised as he went back building a miniature house out of moss and sticks.

  "You sure we don't need to go and... I don't know, help?"

  Darren laughed. "Oh no, I made the mistake once of interfering in one of their fights. They both came after me instead. Aspen threw an axe at my head."

  "Oookay..." Staying away from them, it is. I gave my log-chair another shove and decided to let the kids play.

  "Sooo... How do you all know crazy twins?"

  Darren and Danny finally pulled apart.

  "I have known the twins basically from birth. They were my neighbours. They burned down my house once. It was interesting," Regan casually said, like people going around and burning down houses was a regular thing.

  "Alrrrrighty?" I think...

  "I met Ashleigh a long time ago. She tried to cut off my ponytail, so I hit her and we have been best friends ever since!" Danny chirped in, and again, I wondered about the sanity of the group.

  Darren grinned as he folded his arms behinds his head. "I met them both when I started going out with Danny. I thought they were kind of weird in the beginning, but you get used to it real quick. Don't worry about it," he reassured me.

  Well, if Darren could get used to it, so could I, right? I turned to JP who seemed oddly quiet, even for his part. "How did you meet the twisted twins?"

  A smile broke through on his face. "I-I wasn't a very p-popular kid... I g-got bullied a lot. A l-lot. A-Aspen and Ashleigh got rid of my b-b-bullies. I never really had much f-friends in my entire l-life. B-But now I have a family."

  He smiled as Danny kissed him tenderly on his cheek and wrapped her arms around him.

  “You’re all my family," JP added, his stutter oddly gone.

  A warm and comfortable feeling fell over our little group and although they all seemed crazy, I got a brief glimpse of why they all stuck together.

  "Aaaaarrrggghhh!"

  A scream echoed through the night as Ashleigh finally managed to take down the tree, and Aspen with it. With a loud crash, the tree smacked into the frozen ground and the naked man tumbled out onto the branches

  "Oww, oww, owww, needles in my butt. Needles in my butt!"

  A laugh clear as water accompanied the screaming and I felt the wolf inside me stir. An intense longing filled my chest as I looked at the female figure hitting her brother with a fan of branches.

  I shook my head in dismay as I decided to just listen to the group and let them cool off.

  "Hi guys," Aspen cheerily said as he ran back to the group, scattering pine needles everywhere he went.

  "Here, pants," Regan rumbled as he threw a set of khaki coloured pants towards the crazy boy. For the first time in days, I actually saw Aspen with pants on. What a change!

  Not a moment later, Ashleigh re-entered the camp and with a wink, sat down next to me. My wolf suddenly wide-awake as she briefly brushed against my leg. I couldn't help myself. I wanted to talk to her. I needed to talk to her. I mean, for god's sake, she was my mate!

  "So... Ehhmmm..." I started, losing my nerve as her crystal blue eyes found mine.

  "Yes?"

  "Errghmmm..." I coughed, choking on my own spittle.

  She patted me on my back and the moment she touched me, I felt the wolf inside me run rampant as she tried to jump out of my body.

  "Better?"

  "Eghhmmm... Yeahh..." I squeaked, already mortified that I was embarrassing myself in front of her. But then I remembered she had been spanking her brother with a tree not even five minutes ago and I reasoned she was probably used to something.

  Come on, Akira! I reprimanded myself. I wasn't going to turn into a lovestruck fawn. No, play it cool. You got this, girl.

  "So you and your brother don't get along, huh?" I smiled, hoping I sounded casual and breezy.

  She tilted her head as she looked at me. "What do you mean? We are super close," she said, looking utterly confused at me for even assuming otherwise.

  "I... Ehmm... Nevermind."

  "Mmkay," she grinned, as she chewed down on another piece of meat. She still had a lost twig of pine stuck in her long hairs, but it made her even more beautiful.

  I felt my lips curl up in a smile, as I studied her features. Was this really my mate? Was this beautiful piece of art really meant for me?

  Mate

  As if she could feel my gaze on her back, she brought her head up from her dinner and winked at me. She placed her free hand on my thigh, only slightly squeezing it. Oh my god. She was touching me. Ashleigh was touching me!

  A sudden voice broke our moment. "Yo, stop all the lovey dovey crap!"

  I forced my eyes back up as I was met with a furious Aspen. His usual light eyes were completely blackened as he grabbed Ashleigh by her collar.

  I jumped up as I placed my hand on his chest, not liking one bit how he threatened my mate. I didn't care he and his sister had their own ruffles every now and then, but this seemed more than just a spat.

  "Hey, careful," I warned him, but he wasn't paying any attention to me. And as it turned out, Ashleigh didn't need my protection. She yanked herself free and with a hard shove, had him almost tumbling back.

  "What is your problem, dude?"

  Aspen his eyes blazed as he charged toward her again. "Hands off my mate!"

  What? Did I hear that right?

  "Your mate? You mean my mate!" Ashleigh bellowed back, her hair falling in dark curls down her back as she protectively stepped in front of me.

  "You must be mistaken. She is mine," Aspen growled, surprising me again. Did Aspen really think I was his mate? Because as far as I could tell, my little wolf only seemed to have claimed Ashleigh. I mean, she seemed a little confused in the beginning, but with Ashleigh standing so close to me, it was quite clear.

  "Guys?" I tried to interject, but they were now both bearing their teeth at each other. I threw a helpless look at the rest of the gang, hoping they would come help me out.

  Almost creakingly, Regan got up from his log as he stretched his limbs. It was almost like watching a piece of furniture come to life. With a determined look, he made his way over, the look on his face clear he wasn't up for another sibling fight.

  I thought
he would separate the twins, but instead, he swung his arms over their shoulders and pointed them towards me.

  "Akira. Who is your mate?"

  Well, that was no help. Thanks, dude.

  A lump appeared in my throat as both Aspen and Ashleigh's eyes pierced into me. I knew Ashleigh was my mate, no doubt. But the idea of disappointing Aspen and breaking it to him that he was mistaken, nearly broke my heart. I had really grown fond of him, as annoying as he was.

  "... Ashleigh..." I softly muttered. "Ashleigh is my mate..."

  The dark-haired girl pumped her fists in the air with a loud "yesssss!" as she did a little happy dance.

  I threw an apologetic look at Aspen. There were many things I could lie about, but who was and wasn't my mate, was not one of them.

  His amber coloured eyes caught mine. They were bright and innocent, inquisitive. Exactly like in his wolf form. And then his posture changed. He opened up his shoulders, surprising me at how broad he actually was. I could see the muscles roll under his shirt as his eyes blackened.

  The whole playful and cheeky vibe around him disappeared, as it made way for something much more raw and powerful.

  What was happening? Was this man surging with power really the same Aspen who had just been spanked by a pine-tree?

  I heard a faint "oh-oh" from behind me, but before I could even wonder what that was about, he spoke. "You sure I'm not your mate?"

  And before he even uttered his first words, I knew the answer to that question.

  Mate. My wolf whispered as the only thing I could do, was nod speechlessly. Indeed. Mate.

  But as soon as that thought passed through my head, I felt an unnerving doubt settle onto me. Could this be? Was this right? Was Aspen my mate? But then again, no, that couldn't be. It was Ashleigh. Definitely Ashleigh.

  So what did Aspen just do to make my wolf whimper like that for him?

  As I stared at the two of them, my gaze flicking over their faces, I begged my wolf to speak. But all she did, was repeat the same word over again. Mate. And she clearly meant both of them.

  "I don't understand..."

  An angry Ashleigh flashed before my eyes as she slammed her fist against Aspen's. With a confused look on his face, he just stared at his sister, like he wasn't sure what was happening.

  I caught his eyes once more and realised they were as bright as they had always been. Did I imagine that surge? Had he done something to me?

  “You’re not allowed to put her under your Alpha spell!" Ashleigh yelled at her brother.

  I looked at the both of them and for the life of me, I suddenly couldn't figure out why my wolf had cried out mate to Aspen. Watching them together, it was crystal clear that Ashleigh was my one and only mate.

  Was it true what she was saying? Was Aspen an Alpha and did I just fall under his command? Wasn't it a true mating?

  I noticed Danny had stood up as well. She placed a hand on Ashleigh's shoulder as she gently peeled her away from Aspen.

  "You know as well as I do that not even an Alpha's command can force the bond."

  She turned towards her best friend and for the first time, I saw a crack in Ashleigh's strong appearance. With a broken voice, she yelled. "It isn't fair!"

  Danny pulled her in an embrace as she rubbed her soothingly over the back. "I know it isn't... I’m sorry."

  I looked at the group, still not entirely sure what the hell was going on here. Was it even possible to have two mates? And if so, why didn't I feel that bond to Aspen before? Why had my wolf recognised Ashleigh immediately? And why when I looked at Aspen now, didn't I feel a thing anymore?

  "Can someone explain what is going on here?" I asked, my voice cracking a little as I stomped my foot into the ground. I didn't care if this made me seem like a child, I wanted an explanation and I wanted it now.

  Danny gently pulled out of Ashleigh's embrace as she walked over to me. She placed both her hands on my shoulders, a heavy sigh escaping her mouth.

  “You’re either the luckiest or unluckiest person in the world. You found both your mates. And at the same time."

  I frowned my eyebrows as I stared at the twins. "Both?"

  "Yes. The way it looks, Ashleigh is your first mate and Aspen... Well, there is no doubt in my mind. He is your second."

  "What do you mean with first and second?"

  Danny shot me an odd look. "Your two mates."

  As I tilted my head to the side, confused about what she meant, she furrowed her brows. "You do know us wolf-shifters each get two mates, right?"

  I shook my head. "Nu-uh, nobody ever told me?"

  "Oh dear..." she sighed, scratching the back of her neck, pondering over how to explain this to me. "Well... To put it simply... We all have two mates, but they aren't equally ranked. As I’m sure, your wolf only picks up on Ashleigh, since she is the one meant for you. But Aspen... Well, he is your... To use an ugly word: "back-up"?" she said, making air quotes with her fingers. That word alone earned her a distasteful snort from Aspen, as he obviously didn't like being called my back-up.

  "Like you noticed, if you’re in the presence of your first mate, your second one won't even ping on your... Radar? But since Aspen... Well... Since he is an Alpha, I guess it kind of gives him an extra... Push? I'd say it makes him able to compete on the same level as only a first mate should."

  I groaned. Really? Just my luck. Or unluck. Misfortune? Definitely misfortune.

  I turned to Aspen. "Why didn't you say so before?"

  Aspen grimaced. "I was never planning on finding my second mate. And when we met, I just wanted to get to know you first. Like a person, before I let my wolf come out."

  "I've seen you in wolf form before. Why have I never felt it?"

  He shrugged. "I suppose since Ashleigh was always this close by? And my Alpha form lies beneath the surface. I keep him there."

  I turned to Ashleigh, as I threw my hands up in exasperation. This was just freaking perfect. "What about the whole one soulmate thing, you know, two halves of a whole, mated for life, only one perfect fit?"

  Ashleigh seemed to have gathered her composure as she walked over to me. She placed two fingers underneath my chin, urging me to look in her eyes. "Look, it is quite simple. Every wolf has one perfect fit. One perfect mate, one meant to be. But we are more than wolves, we are shifters. And what we want, the human part of us, that doesn't always overlap with the cry of our wolves. Our wolves would mate without any second thought. They are and will always be the perfect fit. But the human part of us makes it all a bit more complicated. We are much more fickle and picky. So to prevent our race from dying out, you get a second mate. There usually is no good reason to settle for your second mate unless your first has died, is an Alpha, or in some cases, is a freaking asshole. Even the worst of our kind have mates, but their second mate can be the out they need."

  I squinted my eyes, not really understanding it all. If you could choose not to be with your mate, then what was all the fuss around it? "So I can choose not to be with my first mate?"

  A pained look appeared on Ashleigh's face, like the thought alone had stung her deeply. To be honest, just saying it made the wolf in my chest ache a little. There was no way I wouldn't choose her.

  "Everyone can, but it usually leads to an unfulfilled life. The only thing that comes close enough to fill that hole is a person that possesses your second mate and is a good fit for you personally."

  That new-found knowledge certainly made my head spin. I always thought if you found your mate, that was it. You were done. But things just became much more complex.

  "And coincidentally, you two are my mates...?" I sceptically asked, glaring at the duo in front of me.

  A sour grin appeared on Aspen's face. "Correct. Funny world we live in, don't you think?"

  Funny world, indeed. If funny was another way of saying fucked up.

  Ashleigh's fingers gently brushed against my arm. "It is late... Why don't we all talk it over tomorrow when we are all rested?"
>
  I nodded, suddenly realising how freaking tired I was. Catching some sleep wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Especially if it meant escaping this two mate thing and the two people that supposedly were mine.

  Morning

  The next morning I woke up and for once, realised I didn't feel as stiff or as cold as the nights before.

  The slender arm slung over my stomach was probably the reason why. Well, not just the arm, mostly the woman attached to it. Ashleigh must've cuddled up to me when I fell asleep because no way I could've fallen asleep with her so close to me.

  Since she was still asleep, I had time to study her beautiful features. Her sharp nose and the scattering of freckles on the apples of her cheeks, which was surprising since she had such dark hair. Her lips were plump and pouty, the colour of ripe cherries. I wondered if she would taste like cherries or wild strawberries. Or maybe a mix of the two?

  There was just something utterly beautiful about her. But then again, her male counterpart wasn't that bad looking either. Now those were some beautiful genes.

  I smiled as I closed my eyes, loving how I both my front and back were nice and toasty.

  Wait.

  I shot up as I turned to my other side.

  "Goodmorning, pumpkin," Aspen greeted me, looking ridiculously handsome for the morning.

  How did he look like a model straight out of a catalogue, while birds mistook my hair for a nest? No fair...

  Also not the point!

  "Morning..." I stuttered, as I felt stirring from the other side. With a yawn, the other half of the delightful duo woke up.

  "Mmmorningggg," she mumbled, sleepily rubbing her eyes.

  "Ehmm... Morning?" I said again, as I looked from one twin to the other. So I had slept all night with those two cuddled up to me?

  "Did you sleep well?" Ashleigh purred as her fingers grazed over the back of my hand, her long hairs falling over my shoulder.

  "Yes, how was your beauty sleep?" Aspen chimed in, oddly cheery for having just woken up.

  "Great," I muttered as I quickly dusted myself off and got out of the cuddly pile of twins. Aspen sure was much snugglier now that his sister was here. Must be his competitive nature...