I snorted, hiccupping and coughing as water shot into my lugs. "What the hell, Aspen?"
"I'm going against the stream. You know, like a salmon!"
Not able to stay under the waterfall and die from laughing, I left my spot and waded to a calmer part of the lake. "You’re weird."
Aspen jumped up and stretched his strong arms, groaning in delight. Water droplets running down his bare chest. "I'm just enjoying myself."
"I can tell." I smiled, admiring him again. I couldn't help myself. He was just so beautiful. With his warm, golden eyes and his chiseled face, his strong jawline and his slightly crooked smile, he was just beautiful.
A large grin burst through on my face. I hadn't been alone with Aspen ever since we first met. In the beginning, he’d been annoying, whiny, spoilt. But I’d taken a shine to him from the very start. And even though I’d become distracted by his beautiful sister, there was no denying it. Aspen was still a handsome devil that could make me grin like an idiot.
I gave him a gentle nudge, reminded again how hard his muscles were.
"Hey, you were all broody. It doesn't suit you."
He pulled up an eyebrow and briefly chuckled. "Is that so?"
"Yes. I like you much better when you’re all happy and annoying."
"Annoying?" Unimpressed, he threw me a look that drew my wolf to the surface. Surprisingly, I must say, I hadn't expected her to react to him like that without his Alpha around.
"Well... You know, not ‘annoying annoying’. More, umm... Playful?" I blushed, looking away from him.
Aspen let out a throaty chuckle. "Oh, I can be playful, if you want me to be," he growled, making my head snap up.
"Bring it," I challenged, splashing water in his direction and running away. Or at least, trying to. Moving in water wasn't all that easy. With a growl, Aspen dove after me, only barely missing me. I squealed and bobbed away from him again, trying to escape his second lunge. No such luck.
With ease, Aspen snatched my legs from under me, making me kiss the water. Effortlessly, he pulled me against his chest and grinned. "Got you now, Pumpkin," Aspen growled, his breath tickling the shell of my ear.
I swallowed nervously, watching the muscles and veins in his arms dance as he snaked them around my waist. By the spirits, he was gorgeous.
"Only because you cheated," I mumbled, leaning into his embrace.
"I think you let me catch you," he chuckled darkly, his thumb creeping under the hem of my shirt where it gently caressed the soft skin of my tummy.
"And why would I do that?"
His lips brushed over my ear. "Because you want to be caught by me,” he growled, hovering his lips over mine.
Clouded by his raw power, tempted by his touch, a haze descended over me. A shiver ran down my spine as he grazed my bottom lip with his teeth, almost kissing me. I scraped my nails over his back, his muscles rippling under my touch. His wolf was calling for me, I could feel it. He wanted to devour me until I forgot everything but him.
A loud branch snapped, snapping us out of the trance. The tension broke and we jumped apart. The rough stones scraped my back as Aspen dropped me.
I looked up, guilt alive in my chest.
Ashleigh.
Jealousy
Oh no. Ashleigh. My beautiful mate, my first mate.
With blazing eyes, she clawed at her brother, peeling him away from him. "What’s wrong with you?" 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.
"Nothing happened," he mumbled, running his hand through his wet hair.
"Nothing? That didn’t look like it was nothing?" 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 are.
"Would you have actually kissed him?"
"...I..." My brief hesitation spoke volumes. In truth, I didn’t know what would’ve happened. It didn’t even feel like it was me.
"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 don’t know what came over me. 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.
"It's not your fault. It's his. He should've known better."
I bit my lip, feeling even more awful than I had before. So not only had I hurt Ashleigh, but Aspen looked equally as ashamed of himself as I was. Well, that's not how I'd expect a heated make-out session to end.
"I genuinely thought you were okay with sharing."
Ashleigh sighed, rubbing her forehead in exhaustion. "I thought I was. I mean, it's not like I expected you two to never kiss... It's just... Seeing it almost happen was much harder than expected."
I placed my hands on top of hers. "I would never have even considered it, if you hadn't..."
"I know... I agreed to this. Hell, I proposed it. But the reality is just harder to stomach. Especially if his Alpha comes out to play. It's not safe. Not for him, not for you."
Carefully, I pressed myself against her. Compared to Aspen, she was soft and curved. Her curls wild, but her hands tender. Her eyes deeper than anything I'd seen before, cool and cold, yet somehow, they burned brighter than all the stars combined. Like blue suns or icy fire. She was fierce, but gentle at the same time. With stunning features and her hoarse voice, she was almost too perfect.
I smiled. She was so different from her brother, but equally as beautiful in her own way. Maybe even a little more so.
"I want you," I mumbled.
"But..."
I let out a deep sigh. She was right, there was a but. "But... My wolf won't listen."
With a sad smile, she caught my gaze. Her blue eyes were deeper than the lake, or any ocean I had ever seen. "Neither does mine. I want to share. I'm trying... But seeing you with him, seeing him wrapped around you, his hands all over you... Something snapped."
I chuckled humourlessly. "If only we didn't have wolves, right?"
Ashleigh's head suddenly snapped up, a strange glint in her eyes. "Wait a minute...." She turned on her heels and strode towards her brother. Carefully, the group watched, scared of what she might do. Her hand moved towards his neck and for a moment, I was afraid she'd strangle him. But then she coiled her fingers around the amulet resting on his chest and with a sharp snap, tore it away from him.
"I should've taken this from you a long time ago," Ashleigh spat, making Aspen flinch.
"You can't take it from me, I need it," he tried, but she wouldn't have it. She shook her head, her dark curls dancing in the wind. "You're not in control. You can't hold your Alpha back."
Aspen let out a mangled whine, resembling a strangled cat. "Yes, I can."
"I don't think so."
"I know how to deal with the Alpha. I need my amulet."
"You weren't in control. You could've hurt Akira!" Ashleigh shouted.
Her brother recoiled. "I wouldn't have."
Danny stepped in, pointing at me. "Can you guarantee that? Can you assure our safety? Can you promise Akira's safety?"
Aspen clenched his jaw, his face contorting in a pained expression. "Fine." he admitted, pushing Regan out of the way as he retreated back to the campsite.
The redhead turned to Ashleigh, extending her palm. "Give it."
My mate narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"
"You can't keep the necklace either. Give it to me."
Ashleigh snorted loudly. "I don't think so. It's my brother's."
"E-Exactly why you s-shouldn't keep it," JP added in carefully, immediately taking a step back as Ashleigh glared angrily at him. Funny. He had no trouble killing five men at the same time, but my usually gentle mate intimidated him?
"He's right though. You can't have both. We've seen the effect it has on you."
Stubbornly, the dark-haired beauty shook her head. "I was a lot younger. I can take it."
Regan placed a hand on her shoulder. "You can't," he added, sternly but gently. His voice made it clear that while he was looking out for her best interests, he also wouldn't take no for an answer. Ashleigh narrowed her eyes into slits. With attitude, she threw the necklace against Regan's chest. "Fine. So who'll take it then?"
Silence.
The whole group awkwardly shuffled as Regan held the amulet in front of him like it was a dirty sock. You could almost hear crickets chirp as they all uncomfortable exchanged glances.
"What's so special about Aspen's necklace?" I asked, breaking the silence. Five heads turned my way, staring at me intensely.
"What?"
"Should we tell her?" Darren whispered in Danny's ear, earning a nudge against his shoulder.
"Shhhhh," Danny hissed, clamping her hand over his mouth.
Ashleigh awkwardly tied up her long hairs in a ponytail, deliberately avoiding my gaze. Regan was studying the sky and JP kicked a rotten tree stump.
"Tell me what?" I asked, my question lost in the wind.
Without even acknowledging that I spoke, the group kept chattering by themselves.
"We should," Regan added, also earning a glare from Danny.
"I-I think Ashleigh should d-decide."
Hearing her name, Ashleigh snorted. "Why me? This is about all of us."
Darren nodded in response. "She's right."
Another glare from Danny. "She's your mate. You'll do whatever you think is right, anyway."
"I wouldn't!" Ashleigh defended herself, angrily pulling the necklace from Regan's hands. "It doesn't matter if she's my mate, it's about this stupid thing!" she groaned in frustration, pointing at the amulet.
"D-Do we have another choice?" JP reasoned, rubbing his hand over his chin. The rest of the group turned to him, all glaring angrily. That just meant he was right and won the argument.
"Don't think we do," Regan admitted, looking at me.
"Umm, hello, I'm right here?" I tried, waving my arms at them. For a brief moment, I gained their attention as they all stared at me wordlessly. But then they went right back to their usual bickering.
"I-I can wear it f-for you," JP chirped in, earning himself a scoff from Darren. That was uncharacteristic. He usually was very polite and respectful towards Danny's other mates.
"No offence, JP, but it's not made for humans," Darren weighed in, shaking his head in dismissal. What wasn't made for humans? Why were they always so vague? And if it wasn't for humans, maybe I could help? I wasn't human after all.
"Can I help?" I proposed, earning myself shifty glances from the whole group.
"You...?" Danny asked, quickly interrupted by Ashleigh's protest.
"No! You're not putting this on Akira!"
"It might be the only way," she tried again carefully, but Ashleigh wasn't taking it.
"We can't ask JP again, it's not safe," Danny firmly said, her hand resting on JP's chest protectively. Darren and Regan nodded, and as they did, I noticed how they positioned themselves slightly in front of their comrade. It would've been cute, if they weren't ganging up on my mate.
"Ashleigh, tell me what I can do," I interrupted, moving to Ashleigh's side to show my support and loyalty to her. As long as I was around, she wouldn't stand alone. Ever.
"There's nothing you can do," Ashleigh stubbornly said, dismissing my proposal.
Danny nervously ran her fingers through her hair. "It might be the only way..."
"I won't allow it!" my mate protested, stirring something inside of me.
"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.
Shifters Gone Wild: A Shifter Romance Collection Page 51