Bella lay motionless in the tent, her mind racing, every nerve on edge from her encounter with Ethan and Asher’s wolves. They’d been dangerously close to uncovering her true identity, her disguise nearly shattered under their intense scrutiny. For a moment, she’d seen through their eyes—their raw, possessive instincts, their knowledge that something was amiss. They might not have fully realized what they’d uncovered, but their wolves sensed the truth, and that alone was terrifying.
She felt the slightest twitch from Ethan beside her, his breathing steady, seemingly asleep again after the strange possession. Asher lay on her other side, his back turned, his form a dark silhouette against the dim light that filtered through the tent. The familiar calm had returned, but Bella couldn’t shake the feeling that the storm was far from over.
The hours crawled by, and eventually, dawn’s first light seeped through the tent walls. Bella hadn’t slept. Her mind was a tangled mess, filled with questions she had no answers for. How much had the wolves truly sensed? How long would she be able to keep this up before everything unraveled? She thought about her quiet life before this—safe, solitary. Maybe she’d been foolish to come here, foolish to think she could hide among them forever. But the pull to live beyond the boundaries of her old life had been so strong, stronger than the fear she now faced.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ethan and Asher began to stir. Ethan stretched, cracking his neck and squinting as he blinked away the last remnants of sleep. Asher, more reserved, sat up quietly, glancing briefly at her with his usual detached demeanor. There was no trace of the possessive, dominant wolves she’d seen last night, but Bella couldn’t help but notice something new—a flicker in their eyes, as if some subconscious part of them remembered.
“So, ready to hit the trail?” Ethan asked, his voice cheerful, but Bella could feel a hint of tension under his words. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but there.
“Of course,” Bella replied, giving him a tight smile. She’d hoped that with morning light, the events of the night would feel like a distant memory, but their wolves’ words lingered, gnawing at her.
The three of them gathered their gear and joined the rest of the group, who were already breaking down their tents and preparing for the next leg of the hike. Professor Grant gave them a nod, looking slightly impatient as he gestured for them to catch up with the others.
As they walked, Bella found herself drifting toward the back of the group, hoping to blend in and avoid the attention of Ethan and Asher. She wasn’t ready for another confrontation, not after how close they’d come. But she could feel their presence, hovering just within her peripheral vision, their attention subtly lingering on her even as they spoke to others in the group.
As they reached a narrow stretch of the trail that wound up the mountainside, Professor Grant stopped the group. “We’ll be splitting into smaller groups to cover more ground and meet at the ridge,” he announced. “Ethan, Asher, and Ben—take the eastern route. Everyone else, follow me.”
Bella’s heart sank. She’d been hoping to avoid spending more time alone with them, but it seemed fate had other plans. She gave a quick, resigned nod and joined Ethan and Asher on the eastern path, her mind racing with a mix of apprehension and resolve. Maybe, if she could keep the conversation light and focus on the hike, she’d manage to avoid any talk that could lead back to her true identity.
The trail was narrow, winding through dense woods that occasionally opened to reveal breathtaking views of the valley below. Bella focused on her steps, taking in the scenery and trying to enjoy the peaceful surroundings despite the tension coiling inside her.
After a while, Ethan broke the silence. “So, Ben, you’ve been pretty quiet lately. Something on your mind?” His tone was casual, but his eyes held a flicker of intensity that set Bella on edge.
She shrugged, forcing a smile. “Just enjoying the peace and quiet of the woods. Sometimes it’s nice to be away from everything.”
Asher glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Interesting perspective, considering you seem to have been doing a lot of… hiding.”
Bella’s heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to stay calm, trying to ignore the way Asher’s gaze seemed to cut right through her. “Hiding? I don’t know what you mean,” she replied, keeping her voice even.
Ethan laughed lightly, but there was an edge to it. “Oh, come on. You know exactly what he means. You’re not exactly… typical. It’s like there’s this whole side of you we just haven’t seen yet.”
“Maybe I just value my privacy,” Bella shot back, hoping to keep the conversation from going any deeper.
Asher stopped, turning to face her fully. “Privacy is one thing, but it’s as if you’re someone entirely different sometimes. Even our wolves noticed.” His tone was quiet, almost thoughtful, but the intensity of his gaze made her heart race. “It’s like you’re hiding a part of yourself from us… something important.”
Her mind whirled as she searched for a response, something to deflect without arousing more suspicion. “I’m not hiding anything,” she said, meeting Asher’s gaze with a calmness she didn’t feel. “I’m just… figuring things out, like everyone else.”
Ethan studied her, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a serious expression she’d rarely seen. “Your scent,” he said slowly, his eyes narrowing. “It’s different. We noticed it last night.”
Panic flared within her, but she held her ground, not letting her expression falter. “Different? You two must be imagining things. Maybe you had a little too much to drink at the last stop.”
Asher’s eyes narrowed further, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “Our wolves don’t imagine things. They’ve been alert around you since we first met. They’re drawn to you in a way we can’t explain.”
Bella’s heart pounded, and she fought to keep her breathing steady. She wanted to deny everything, to turn away and escape the growing pressure. But even as she tried to maintain her facade, she could feel the weight of their wolves’ connection to her, a primal force that demanded answers.
Ethan stepped closer, his eyes searching hers with a newfound determination. “Who are you really, Ben? Or is that even your real name?”
Bella forced a laugh, though it sounded strained. “Of course, it’s my name. You’re both reading way too much into this.”
But Asher wasn’t convinced. His eyes darkened, his expression fierce as he stepped into her space, his presence intense and unyielding. “You may fool others, but we know there’s more to you. And our wolves won’t let this go until they find the truth.”
Ethan’s hand reached out, brushing her shoulder gently, a strangely intimate gesture that sent a shiver down her spine. “We’re drawn to you for a reason. And I don’t think it’s going away.”
She looked between them, her heart racing as she tried to think of an escape. But deep down, she knew she couldn’t hide forever. Their wolves would keep pushing, keep searching, until they found the truth she’d buried so deeply within herself.
With a heavy sigh, Bella took a step back, trying to distance herself from the intensity of their gazes. “I don’t know what you think you’ve figured out, but there’s nothing more to tell. Just leave it alone.”
Ethan and Asher exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. They weren’t giving up, not until they had answers.
And as they resumed their trek, Bella couldn’t shake the feeling that her time was running out. The wolves’ instincts had been stirred, and she was trapped in their gaze, with no place left to hide.
