The hike stretched on, the trail winding deeper into the forest, and with every step, Bella could feel Ethan and Asher’s attention bearing down on her. Their calm, human sides seemed willing to let things slide for now, but she knew it was only a matter of time before their wolves took control again, demanding answers she wasn’t ready to give. The air was thick with unspoken words and tension that she felt in every glance, every accidental brush of shoulders.
By late afternoon, the group found a secluded clearing surrounded by tall, ancient trees. Professor Grant announced they would set up camp there for the night and assigned a few pairs to gather firewood and water. Bella silently hoped she’d be paired with anyone but Ethan or Asher, but as luck would have it, they were instructed to set up their tent together on the far edge of the clearing.
The three of them worked in silence, Bella keeping her focus on the tent as she tried to avoid the palpable tension between them. But she could feel their eyes on her, the way they watched her every move as if she might reveal something with the slightest slip.
After setting up camp, they joined the rest of the group by the fire. Bella sat on the opposite side, grateful for the small reprieve. The warmth of the flames and the soft murmur of voices almost let her forget the tension that lingered, the uncertainty of what might happen when they returned to their tent for the night.
As darkness fell and the stars emerged overhead, the group relaxed, sharing stories and laughter. Ethan leaned back, watching the fire with an almost detached look, but every so often, his gaze would drift over to Bella, sharp and searching. Asher, seated beside him, seemed similarly lost in thought, though his expression was more guarded.
When the group finally decided to turn in, Bella felt a sense of foreboding creep over her. She knew that sharing a tent with both of them, especially after the night before, was a risk, but there was no other option. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and stepped inside the tent, settling down between Ethan and Asher as she had the night before.
For a while, they lay in silence, their breathing soft, the sounds of the forest filling the night. Bella tried to relax, telling herself that maybe—just maybe—their wolves would stay dormant tonight. But as the minutes ticked by, she felt a subtle shift in the air.
It started with Ethan. His breathing deepened, slowing in a way that was almost unnatural, and she could feel the energy radiating from him shift, his body becoming still, controlled. She glanced over, and in the dim moonlight, she caught sight of his eyes. They were no longer Ethan’s; they were the piercing gaze of his wolf, sharp and aware.
Before she could react, Asher stirred beside her, his own breathing changing, the same stillness settling over him. Bella’s heart pounded as she realized both their wolves were now in control, fully awake and very aware of her presence.
“Little one,” Ethan’s wolf murmured, his voice low, almost like a growl. “You’ve been running from us, haven’t you?”
Bella’s mouth went dry, fear and instinct clashing within her. She wanted to move, to get away, but their eyes held her captive. There was a raw intensity to their gazes, a need that was both magnetic and terrifying.
“I… I don’t know what you mean,” she managed, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’m just here on this trip, same as everyone else.”
Asher’s wolf chuckled, a dark, knowing sound that sent a chill down her spine. “Is that so? Then why do we feel this… barrier between us? Why can’t we sense your wolf?” he asked, his voice carrying a strange blend of curiosity and frustration. “It’s like you’re hiding something… like you’re not one of us.”
Bella’s pulse raced as she tried to deflect. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just… me. There’s nothing else here.”
Ethan’s wolf shifted closer, his gaze sharp, penetrating. “You can’t fool us. Our instincts never lie,” he said, his tone possessive, as if he were staking a claim. “There’s something about you. And we won’t rest until we understand what it is.”
The intensity of his words made her heart pound harder. Ethan’s wolf was relentless, and she could see the gleam of something dangerous in his eyes, something that was no longer held back by the man he shared a body with.
Asher’s wolf leaned in, his face inches from hers, his gaze studying her every feature, as if he could decipher the truth from just looking. “Why do you resist us, little one?” he murmured. “Do you fear us? Or are you hiding something we need to know?”
Bella’s voice came out as a whisper. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just me, just Ben.”
Ethan’s wolf tilted his head, eyes narrowing as he regarded her with suspicion. “Ben, yes. But you don’t smell like a human, nor do you smell fully like a wolf. You’re… something else.”
Panic surged within her. She’d been careful, so careful, to keep her scent hidden, but their wolves’ instincts were too sharp. She knew that if she kept up this game, they’d see through her facade.
“I—” Bella started, searching for words, but before she could form a sentence, Asher’s wolf leaned even closer, his voice dropping to a soft, almost soothing tone. “It’s all right, little one. You don’t have to pretend with us. We know you’re different, and we don’t mind. We only wish to understand.”
Her mind reeled. There was no way she could reveal the truth, not here, not now. She’d spent so long hiding, so long building this identity, and now it was unraveling right before her.
Desperation flooded her. “Please,” she whispered, unable to keep the tremor from her voice. “I don’t know what you’re looking for, but it’s not here.”
Ethan’s wolf let out a low growl, frustration evident in his eyes. “You’re making this difficult, little one. But no matter. We’re patient.”
With that, both wolves withdrew, though their eyes stayed locked on her, intense and unwavering. It was as if they were giving her space but also making it clear that this was far from over.
In the silence that followed, Bella struggled to regain her composure, her heart pounding. She could feel their wolves watching her even as they settled back into place, their bodies relaxed, yet their eyes holding a promise that sent a shiver through her. They would wait, but they wouldn’t let this go.
Bella lay still, every muscle tense, as the realization sank in: her secret was on the brink of being exposed, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep the truth hidden from them.
