Chapter 16. The Lake
The stench of death followed us even after we left the battlefield. It was almost like it got soaked into our very beings. Or it could just be that we were all covered in blood, dirt, and sweat. Maybe just that.
In any case, I was more than happy to leave the pile of dead bodies behind. Just thinking about all the lives we took made my stomach turn. Especially when I remembered the face of my kill. The life I stole.
I shuddered and pushed the memory down. Deep, deep down, locking it in an imaginary box that I buried far away in my conscious. I couldn't afford to feel guilty. I couldn't let myself think about what I’d actually done. It would destroy me. Pretending it hadn't happened and running away from the problem was so much easier.
So I just focused on placing one foot in front of the other, moving along with the pack.
"I stink," Darren muttered, pulling up his nose as he wafted fresh air under his armpits. Elegant.
"Death isn't the best perfume, no," Danny agreed, sniffing her own shirt and almost retching from the stench.
JP nodded, picking at a spot of dried blood. "M-Maybe we should make a slight d-detour to the lake?"
"I agree with JP. At this rate, you'll all kill me with your stench. Or I'll kill myself with my own," Ashleigh mumbled, gagging as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
Interesting how after the haze of killing wore off and the battle became a repressed memory, the reek of death seemed to bother us more and more. I guess we finally had space in our heads to worry about it.
"A dip in the water would be great. I can smell all of you and I don't mean that as a compliment in any way whatsoever," I weighed in, earning a glare from Darren.
"Oi, I'm not... Oh, who am I kidding. I stink," he shrugged, waving fresh air to his face and retching as there was no clean air around us. We were just one smelly carnival of death. Now that's something you don't think often. But joking about it was easier than dealing with the fact that it was at least, partially, true.
Regan pointed to our left. "We can detour for a night. Lake should be up ahead."
Stupid ambush. If they hadn't attacked us, we might've been able to get out of the forest by nightfall. Instead, we were caught in the web of trees for at least another day. At this rate, I would never even lay eyes on the Winter Stone.
"Aspen? You okay with us rerouting?" Ashleigh asked her brother, nudging him out of his slump.
"Huh? Yeah, sure," he muttered bleakly, his eyes glazing over almost immediately. Damn, he was really taking it hard. He seemed to be having a much harder time shaking off our battle. I wondered if he had been able to follow my train of thought while I was under his Alpha's influence. Had he felt how murderous and conflicted I'd been?
I needed to talk to him about that. I needed to find out if he had seen my darkest of thoughts.
"Are we setting up camp and staying another night close to the lake?" I inquired, trying to think up a plan on how to get some alone time with Aspen. It was freaking hard to get some privacy with the whole group being so tight-knit.
Regan peered up into the sky, scratching the slight beard he’d grown over the past few days. "We should."
The whole group collectively groaned. Clearly, I wasn't the only one who was ready to get out of the forest. I was dying for a long view, unrestricted sun on my skin, and sitting down without branches poking my butt.
"A-After tonight, we should be out of the f-forest, r-right?"
The whole group looked hopefully at Regan and sighed in relief when he nodded. Thank the spirits. Only one more night trapped between the trees and then we'd get a change of scenery. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
Uncharacteristically, the trek to the next camping spot was rather quiet and I was certain that everyone was processing the events of the morning. It was unbelievable that everything had transpired in such a short amount of time. It was as if time seemed to pass differently in the forest. Maybe it did. We wouldn't be the first group of travellers who never made it out of Aladwin or got completely derailed.
A memory from long ago flashed through my mind. I must've been eight or nine, but I remembered a group of men appearing from the forest with thick, uncombed beards. Later, my grandpappy explained that they'd been lost in the forest for months and had warned me to always keep a clear mind when inside the woods.
I had to admit, my mind had been heavy and cloudy ever since Aspen killed Cece. Well, Chesca. I kept using the wrong name. Chesca. Chesca. Chesca.
A refreshing swim would be good to clear my mind from the latest fog. Witnessing my first kill, feeling Aspen's command, becoming possessed by his Alpha, and having my own kill all in the span of a couple of days, were not exactly events that would keep my mind healthy.
The clearing we chose to set up camp was almost as depressing as our campsite before the cave. But it beat sleeping in the mud. At least I'd have a tent to myself. Ish. If I didn't share with Aspen or Ashleigh, that is. But the idea of crawling in a cold tent by myself definitely wasn't as appealing as being cuddled by either of the twins. It wouldn't be the worst thing to be snuggled. And we wouldn't be sleeping next to Danny and her men. I was sure they could use some privacy of their own.
I wondered how their sleeping arrangements were before I joined the group. Did Aspen and Ashleigh always bunk together? When Aspen's first mate was still alive, did she sleep in between the twins?
Jealousy twisted my stomach in a tight knot at the thought of anyone else sleeping with Ashleigh. Dear heavens, I hoped she didn't cuddle with my woman. I'd kill her all over again.
Oh wow, that was a possessive thought. I should really clear my head and think about something else. Something like Darren's food. At least, I hoped he would cook. His food was to die for. Not literally die, but close enough. Yup, something was definitely wrong with me. Instead of freaking out about all the fighting, my near-death experience, or Aspen's solemnness, I seemed to be back to my sarcastic self and making jokes about death.
My father had been right about me, I was a freak. But for the first time, I somehow didn't seem to mind. This pack seemed to be just as insane as I was and they seemed to be doing okay. Well. Relatively okay.
Walking sticks were turned into tent frames and spare furs and coats became bedding. Before long, a warm and cosy fire was crackling away in the middle of our camp. Lovely. I closed my eyes, enjoying how the warmth of the fire started relaxing my aching muscles. After the fight, my whole body had been strained and only now, I felt like I could let go of all the stress and anxiety I had been carrying. Maybe I could even have a dip before dinner.
I turned towards the group, hoping they wouldn't mind me taking an early bath. "So, where’s this lake?"
Regan pointed over his shoulder. "Just over the hill."
"You'll love the waterfall, Akira." Danny smiled, pointing towards a vague part of the forest. Wait, there was a waterfall here? I needed to see that. I wanted to see it right now. Going alone sounded like a stupid idea though. I seemed to have a knack for picking up strangers. I didn't want to repeat my fiasco with Cece. Chesca. Damn it.
I glanced from Ashleigh to Aspen. This could be a great opportunity to get some alone time with my mate, but then again, I really needed to talk to Aspen. I needed to find out if he had been able to follow my struggle with his Alpha. And besides, Ashleigh said she was okay with sharing. She explicitly asked me to help him, so she couldn't be mad at me for spending some alone time with him, right?
"Aspen? Want to show me the way to the lake?" I sweetly asked Aspen, trying to catch his gaze. He stared right through me, his eyes vague like he hadn't even heard me. I placed my hand on his lower arm, his head snapping up, almost like I’d burned him. His eyes dark and hard, until he realised it was me. "I want to see the waterfall. Come with me?"
Flecks of light orange appeared in his eyes. Hesitantly, he looked at his sister, who gave him an encouraging nod. Strained, almost like an old man, he got up from his log and motioned for me to follow him. I waved at Ashleigh, sighing in relief when she gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up. Ooof, at least she understood that I was trying to help.
"Is there really a waterfall in the Aladwin forest?" I asked, trying to break the silence, cheering up a little at the prospect. I loved waterfalls, but back in my village, we didn't have any. The only one I’d seen, was when my father took me on a trip. A lump appeared in my throat as I recalled the memory. Back in the day, when he still loved me.
"There is." Aspen nodded, refusing to meet my gaze.
"What's it like?" I tried again, hoping it would spark a conversation somehow.
"Big."
I groaned. Freaking wolf. "Anything besides big?"
Aspen finally turned his head towards me. "There is water."
I snorted out loud, almost choking on my own spit. "Really? Water, Aspen?" I coughed out, hitting my chest to clear out my windpipe. Wouldn't that be ironic? Surviving a sneak attack from Chesca and making it out of an ambush, just so I could die because my uvula let me down? A death like that would fit me though. Nobody would be surprised if that was how I passed away. In fact, I could imagine a couple of people who’d be rather thrilled if I met my demise in such a foolish way. Death by spit. Yes, sounded like me.
Aspen gently patted my back, concern painted on his face. So he did have different expressions left than just "broody". Thank the spirits.
"You okay, Akira?" he whispered, his amber eyes finding me for the first time.
"I've been better," I spluttered, gasping for air.
"I can imagine."
"How've you been?" I inquired, jumping on a chance of conversation.
Aspen looked at me intensely, his amber eyes speckled with darker flecks. "Not bad. "
"A lot has happened.... I mean... A lot."
He nodded, running his hand through his hair. "I guess."
Well, he was certainly chatty. If I had to spend the whole morning with a sulky Aspen, I'd surely throw myself from these cliffs.
Hoping to keep the conversation going somehow, I clutched his arm for support and racked my brains for a topic that could amuse him. I wanted my cheeky wolf back. "Hey, did I ever tell you what the lie was?"
"Huh?"
"From the game in the cave?"
"Oh. I suppose, you didn't."
I smiled. At least he was engaging. "So, I lied about the tripping. It was my sister who tripped me."
"What were the truths again?"
I let out an awkward chuckle. "That I fell in horse poop. And that I got my head stuck in a pumpkin."
The corner of Aspen's mouth twitched in amusement. "Really? How?"
"Well, I wasn't really looking where I was running, so I slipped on a pile of poop."
He shook his head, his eyes a hue lighter than before. "I meant the pumpkin."
"Hehe... Sooo, I was hallowing out this pumpkin because my mammy wanted to make soup from it. You know, just regular stuff."
"And?"
"My sister said my head wouldn't fit in the pumpkin's cavity."
"So you tried it on?"
I threw my hands up in the air. "Hey, I needed to know!"
Finally, I managed to draw a chuckle from Aspen. "That is so you," he smiled, lightly shaking his head.
I frowned. "How is that me? What, do I seem like a girl who'd run around with a pumpkin on her head?"
"Well... Yes!"
Not as offended as I should've been, I gave him a gentle nudge. "Well, screw you," I defended myself, mostly just happy that his dark, broody mood seemed to be lifting.
"Maybe another time. Pumpkin."
I groaned. "Oh no, you're not going to start with the nicknames again, are you?" I facepalmed my forehead, but secretly, I was glad some of our old banter seemed to have returned. This was good. I could work with that.
"Have to make you smile somehow, don't I?"
My left eye twitched in amusement as I tried to give him a stern look, but got distracted by the golden flecks swirling in his eyes. Without his broody mood, he looked much younger and more playful. More like the man I’d met in the beginning.
"We're here."
Reluctantly, I tore my eyes away from Aspen and focused on my surroundings. In front of me, a beautiful scene unfolded. The sapphire lake reflected the faint rays of the winter sun and made blue glints dance across the trees and bushes, illuminating the small valley. It was magical.
"Woah... That is..."
"Amazing, right?"
I glanced at Aspen, happy he was talking without me having to drag the words out of him. But then again, with such a breathtaking sight in front of us, it was hard not to.
"It's perfect."
He smiled and softly mumbled: "It really is."
The ground was surprisingly soft underneath my feet and for a moment, I could almost forget it was winter. The little canyon felt like spring.
"Do you think the water’s too cold for a real swim? Or should I just splash in the shallows?" I asked, wondering if I'd have to be happy with a quick cat wash. The idea of swimming had seemed much more appealing before I realised how cold the water would be. Discreetly, I tried to sniff my armpits, but Aspen caught me.
"What are you doing?"
Blushing red in shame, I played it off as stretching. "Nothing. Just, you know. Waving my arms."
"Okay then?"
"So, will I freeze if I take a quick splash?"
Aspen narrowed his eyes and let out a hum. "Maybe."
"Maybe? What is that even supposed to mean?"
"You'll see." He grinned, going back to his silent demeanor. Following a small trail, he descended down to the water, his hand stroking the leaves of the plants. His dark mood apparently lifted. Not that I could complain. I much preferred lighthearted and cheeky Aspen over his dark and ruthless version.
Although it was rather sexy. In some twisted ways, sure, but his bulging muscles were hard to ignore.
Drawn to the lake, I crouched down to feel the refreshing water splash against my skin. I almost hoped the water would be freezing. In a way, I could repent for what I'd done and hopefully, wash away my tainted memories. But instead of the cold tingling I expected, my fingertips were greeted with a lukewarm hug.
"It's warm?!"
Aspen dipped his hand in the lake, a grin stretching on his face. A proper one. "It is. I've always loved it here."
"It's beautiful."
"Magical."
I nodded. He was right. Beautiful didn't do this scenery justice. I waved my hand through the water, already imaging how great it would be to take a swim. I glanced at Aspen. Would he leave me alone? Then again, was being alone in the forest such a good idea? Chesca's vicious smile flashed through my brain and I shuddered. Yeah, better not be alone.
"I can't wait to take a dive."
Aspen tilted his head. "Yeah, sounds like a good idea."
A smile broke through on my face. "Lovely."
"I'll see you in a bit then?" he mumbled, standing back up and stretching his arms. I quickly grabbed his leg.
"Hey, where are you going?"
He frowned. "Leaving so you can bathe?"
I shook my head. "Nooo, don't leave me alone. You remember me picking up Chesca, right? Jump in the lake with me."
He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "But then you'll see me naked?"
My mouth fell open. Wait, since when was Aspen such a prude? Was this really the same man that had shaken his junk in front of my face ten minutes after we met?
"I've seen you naked plenty of times," I said, not exactly sure what his problem was or when he became so shy.
He narrowed his eyes. "This is different."
"Why?"
"Because you'll be naked too."
My cheeks heated up. "Oh..."
Aspen nodded, an amused expression on his face. "Yes. Oh."
"Well, my clothes could use a soak too. I could just keep them on?"
"Not the worst idea you've had. Pumpkin."
I groaned and aimed my shoe at his head. That would teach him to make fun of my pumpkin adventure. He snorted at my bad aim, pulled his shirt over his head, and jumped in the lake before I could throw anything else at him.
Breaking the water, he dove into the lake, disappearing for a brief moment. I held my breath, following the air bubbles, waiting for him to resurface. And then my heart stopped.
With the faint glint of the last sunlight casting rainbows over his body and water trickling down his sculpted chest, he was suddenly a different person. He seemed... Younger. Viral. New.
Wow...
Realising I was just blatantly creeping on him, I quickly turned around so I could hide my reddening face. Dear heavens, was he hot. Clumsily, I kicked off my other shoe and dropped my coat. It would take ages for that to dry, so I'd have to do with soaking myself and my underclothes.
Even though the water wasn't stone cold, I still shivered as I dipped my big toe in. I immediately felt a refreshing calmness wave over me. I gladly sank the rest of my body into the lake, sighing as it enveloped me. Now that was bliss.
With my clothes heavy from the water, wading towards Aspen was like floating without gravity. I could just imagine the lake washing away all the remnants of the battle and taking my sins with it. Yes, this was just what I needed.
Aspen splashed some water on me. "Feels nice, doesn't it?"
I laughed out loud, feeling much lighter than before. "It's amazing."
"I still think the lake is magical. It always takes my worries away."
I made a cup with my hands and threw a handful of water in his direction, making him duck away. "Yes, I feel the same."
With a lazy smile on his face, he let himself fall on his back, creating his own wave. "I love it here. I'm glad we rerouted."
"It was a good idea," I agreed, glad that he seemed to be back to his old self. More or less.
He turned on his stomach and swam toward the waterfall, his body flexing with every powerful stroke he took, his muscles rippling underneath his golden skin. Swift and agile, he made his way to the wild stream of water falling from the cliffs. Happier than I had seen him in a while, he dove under the loud stream, laughing out loud as the water crashed on his shoulders.
"Woooohoooo!" he howled, embracing the water as it thundered down on him. He made it look far too fun not to try. Hopping through the water, I joined him under the wild shower that was the waterfall and immediately moaned in relief. The stream was like a hard massage, hitting all the right spots and tight knots in my back. Dear spirits, this was heaven on earth.
"It's good, right?!" Aspen shouted, barely topping the loud thunder of the cascade of water.
"It's amazing!" I yelled back, surrendering to the throws of nature. I had been mistaken before, thinking his Alpha was power. No, this was power. Pure, uncut, raw power straight from the source. Now this, this was magic. "I could just stay here forever!"
"We can try!"
"Imagine Danny's face when we tell her we're not leaving!"
Aspen threw his head back in laughter. "She'd hit us both!"
"Hard!"
He let out another laugh, one that seemed to come from deep within his stomach and sank down into the water. With only the top of his head sticking out. It was such an amusing sight, that I got into a fit of giggles.
He waded through the water, diving under every now and then coming back up for air. Without warning, he let himself fall hard on his back and swam under water, his powerful strokes showcasing his strength. "Look, Akira, I'm a salmon!" he screamed, happily swimming against the current, not deterred in the slightest.
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. Sure, there were many other words to describe a man. Handsome. Good-looking. Attractive. Sexy. Suave, even. But somehow, none of them were right. 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. At 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."
I turned in his arms, peering in his amber eyes. They were much darker than usual, but in comparison, he seemed to be in complete control this time. "Is that so?"
"I'm sure of it," he confidentially smirked, pressing himself harder against me. I shivered. Sure, the lake was cold, but it wasn't the water that made me tremble. I think it had more to do with the hard chest pressed against me.
"What makes you say that?"
"You wanted to play. I play," Aspen whispered darkly, his hot breath tickling the shell of my ear. I gulped, my hands rested on his waist. His muscles tight and almost rolling underneath my fingers with every movement he made. Before I even knew it, my back hit the rocky mountain wall next to the waterfall. Roughly, the stones dug in my skin. Not ungently, somehow.
He pushed my chin up, flecks of gold dancing in his eyes as he pulled me closer into him. "I want you," he growled, before capturing my lips with his, engulfing me with a wave of heat and passion. The taste of summer exploded on my tongue as his danced with mine, he pulled me along in a tango to a song I hadn't heard before. His muscles were flexed and hard as I ran my hands over his, wanting to pull him closer to. Needing him closer. He was wild, untamed, almost too much. Almost unbearably too much. Perfectly too much. He was everything I had expected him to be and more. He was summer in the flesh.
I nipped at his bottom lip, hoping I was coming across playfully instead of inexperienced. The low growl emitting from his chest and his hand falling from my lower back to my thigh, told me I’d succeeded. I'd worry about not knowing what to do, or never having been further with anyone, but Aspen didn't give me time to worry. I didn't need to worry. He knew what he was doing.
His strong arms snaked around me, pulling me up from the water. I wrapped my legs around his muscled torso and without even breaking the kiss, he waded to the shore. With every step, my body rubbed against his, my cheeks colouring in embarrassment as I was sure he could feel my heat against him. My back hit the rocky mountain wall as his front hit me. His muscles rippled as he pressed himself against me, another part of him hardening with every kiss. His tongue swept over my lips, not even asking for access, but demanding it. And I, I gladly granted him everything he wanted.
"You okay?" he panted against my lips, taking a brief moment to check if we weren't moving too fast. As much as I appreciated the sentiment, this was not the time for talking. I tangled my hands in his hair and pulled him back into me, crashing my lips hungrily on his. Talking was for later. Right now, I wanted him to do other things with his mouth and tongue. The hardness occasionally sliding over my lower stomach, definitely agreed with me.
"Mine," he growled, impatiently kissing my lips one more time, before leaving a hot trail of kissing all over the side of my face and down my neck. A shiver ran down my spine as he roughly sucked on a spot near my collarbone, sending tingles straight down to my core. I scraped my nails over his back, his muscles rippling under my touch as he grazed his teeth over my skin.
Before his lips could travel any lower, a loud branch snapped behind us. Both snapping out of the trance we were in, we jumped apart. The rough stones behind me scraping my back as Aspen almost dropped me.
Ashleigh.