HIDDEN (FIGHT OR FLIGHT)

Chapter 10

DAMON'S P.O.V.

The warmth of the afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting soft shadows on the floor of our hideout. Felix had gone to work and Vincent who had surprisingly become very attached to him, had tagged along for the fifth time in a role. I was home alone with Bear. I stood at the window, trying to focus on anything but the flutter in my chest. Bear had been acting… strange lately. Or maybe it was just me. Ever since I saved him, his presence had stirred something in me, something I hadn’t felt before. But I wasn’t about to let it show.

“You’re staring again.”

His deep voice broke the silence, and I quickly looked away from the window, pretending I hadn’t heard him.

“Staring at what?” I muttered, crossing my arms as I leaned against the wall, trying to look casual. He knew how to get under my skin, and I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction.

"At me," he said, his voice laced with amusement as he stepped closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. His dark hair fell lazily over his forehead, and those stupid moonless-night black eyes of his twinkled like he had caught me in the act.

I scoffed, refusing to meet his gaze. "Why would I stare at you? There's nothing to look at."

Bear let out a laugh, that rich, deep sound that sent a shiver up my spine. I hated how it affected me. Or, more accurately, I pretended I did. "You’re a terrible liar, you know that, Damon?"

"Yeah? Well, you're—" I paused, searching for something clever to throw back at him. "You're annoying."

"Annoying?" Bear leaned in a little too close, his breath warm on my ear as he whispered, "You know you like it."

My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel the heat creeping up my neck. He was right. I did like it. But I wasn’t going to admit that. I straightened up, stepping away from him. "In your dreams, Bear."

He grinned, following me across the room like a cat stalking its prey. "Actually, Damon, you are in my dreams." His voice dropped an octave, making my pulse quicken. "And let’s just say… it’s a good time."

I shot him a glare, but the corners of my lips twitched, betraying the amusement I was fighting to suppress. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

Bear shrugged, leaning against the doorframe with that easygoing confidence he always carried. "Impossible? No. Persistent? Definitely." He tilted his head slightly, his eyes locking with mine, daring me to look away. "Come on, Damon. You can’t fool me. I see the way you react when I’m close."

I snorted, folding my arms again, a futile attempt to shield myself from his charm. "React? The only reaction you’re getting is me trying to figure out how to kick you out of this cabin."

Bear chuckled, pushing off the doorframe and closing the distance between us once again. This time, he didn’t stop a foot away. He was right in front of me, towering over me with that stupid, confident grin still plastered on his face. "You sure about that?" He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch was soft, unexpected, and it sent a jolt through me.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "Bear, if you don’t back off, I swear—"

"What?" he asked, his voice low and teasing. "You gonna hit me? Because I’ve seen how you look at me when you think I’m not paying attention. Seriously you need to consider what Vincent told us because it's sure having a serious effect on me as we speak."

I bit the inside of my cheek, fighting the urge to punch him just to wipe that smug expression off his face. But then again, that would mean touching him, and I wasn’t sure I trusted myself to do that without giving away too much. Maybe he was right maybe the mate thing applied to the both of us; maybe he was my... No! I didn't have time for that, maybe this whole mate thing was just in my head and clearly his because Vincent mentioned it. It wasn't anything to worry about.