The morning after the party, Bella—still hidden as Ben—awoke with a strange sense of unease. The night’s events lingered in her mind like a hazy dream, vivid yet fragmented. She remembered the way both Ethan and Asher had looked at her, their expressions shifting between warmth and detachment. It was as if there were two sides to each of them, and each side saw her differently. Their words, so sincere yet out of character, echoed in her mind. She couldn’t ignore the feeling that something deeper was at play, but she had no idea what it could mean.
Slipping into her usual clothes, Bella tried to push the memories to the back of her mind. She had enough on her plate already, navigating college life as someone she wasn’t, keeping her secrets guarded, and trying to make sense of her new world. The strange pull she felt around Ethan and Asher was just a distraction—one she needed to avoid.
As she made her way to the library to catch up on her studies, her mind returned to Ethan and Asher. Despite herself, Bella couldn’t deny the connection she felt with both of them, though she had no idea why. She was just about to lose herself in her books when Ethan appeared in front of her, his usual confidence softened by a look of hesitation she hadn’t seen before.
“Ben,” he began, shifting uncomfortably, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. “About last night… I know I was acting a bit strange. I don’t remember everything, but I feel like I said something—well, different. Did I?”
Bella paused, unsure how to respond. She thought of his wolf-like intensity, the strange warmth in his gaze when he’d told her she was “important.” But she couldn’t just tell him what she’d seen; he might think she was losing it.
“No,” she replied carefully, giving him a reassuring smile. “You were just being yourself, Ethan. Don’t worry about it.”
Ethan seemed to relax, though a trace of uncertainty lingered in his expression. “Right. I just… never mind.” He flashed her a grin, his usual playful charm returning. “Just wanted to check in, that’s all.”
Before she could respond, Asher appeared beside them, his eyes flicking between Bella and Ethan with a faint, guarded curiosity. He looked at her with that same intensity he’d shown last night, though his expression remained cool and detached.
“Ben, can I have a word?” he asked, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Bella glanced back at Ethan, who gave a nonchalant shrug, though his gaze held a hint of something unreadable. She nodded and followed Asher to a quiet corner of the library, where he regarded her with an expression that bordered on serious.
“About last night,” he began, his voice low. “Did anything seem… off?”
Bella blinked, taken aback. First Ethan, now Asher. Both of them were questioning her about the same strange incident. Could they feel the connection too? She decided to be cautious, choosing her words carefully.
“Not really,” she replied, forcing a casual smile. “It was just a party. Why?”
Asher’s gaze held hers, his blue eyes piercing. “I’m not sure. There are just… gaps. Moments I don’t fully remember. And for some reason, you’re at the center of them.” He paused, his expression shifting slightly as if he were struggling to articulate his thoughts. “It’s strange. I feel like I’ve known you longer than I actually have.”
Bella’s heart pounded at his words, the weight of his gaze almost too much to bear. She had to remind herself to breathe, to keep her facade intact. Asher’s words resonated with a truth she couldn’t fully explain, a sense of familiarity that went beyond their brief time together.
“Well, we’ve been seeing a lot of each other lately,” she replied lightly, trying to deflect. “Maybe it’s just that.”
Asher looked unconvinced, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. But before he could press further, the sound of Ethan’s voice cut through the silence, drawing their attention.
