As the day wore on, Bella couldn’t shake the unease from the morning encounter. Ethan and Asher were convinced they’d sensed their mate, and the intensity of their wolves’ instincts only made her more aware of how dangerously close she was to being discovered.
Evening descended over the campsite as Professor Ward called the group together for a hike. Bella welcomed the distraction, hoping that being in a larger group would put some distance between her and Ethan and Asher’s suspicions. But as they trekked deeper into the forest, she could feel the weight of their gazes lingering on her.
They moved through the trees in silence, their footsteps muffled by the thick forest floor. Bella tried to focus on the trail, but every so often, she’d catch a glimpse of Asher’s intense gaze or feel Ethan’s sharp focus honing in on her. She could practically feel the questions simmering beneath their calm exteriors, questions she knew she couldn’t answer.
Suddenly, Professor Ward stopped, gesturing for everyone to gather. "All right, everyone, we're splitting into groups to cover more ground. Stay on your assigned trails, and if you encounter anything unusual, return here. This area is known for wildlife sightings."
Of course, Bella thought with a pang of worry as Professor Ward listed the groups. It had to be her, Ethan, and Asher in the same group again. She gave a tense smile as they set off together, each step heavy with unspoken tension.
The sun dipped lower as they walked in near silence, the trees casting long shadows across their path. Ethan and Asher seemed restless, their eyes darting to the trees, muscles taut as if anticipating something. Bella kept her head down, hoping to avoid any conversation, but eventually, the silence broke.
"Ben," Ethan said, his voice low, "you said you didn’t see anyone this morning. But you were acting strange—almost like you were hiding something.”
Bella’s stomach twisted. She feigned an easy laugh. "I told you, you guys were just seeing things. The forest plays tricks sometimes."
Asher's gaze was steady, unwavering. "Maybe. Or maybe there’s more to this forest than we realize."
She tried to ignore the prickling feeling of his gaze and focused on the path ahead, quickening her pace slightly. But they kept up, closing in, their steps falling in sync with hers. She could feel her heart pounding as her nerves frayed further, caught between their rising instincts and her need to stay hidden.
They reached a clearing, the trees opening up to reveal a view of the valley below, blanketed in twilight shadows. Bella stopped to catch her breath, but before she could relax, Asher and Ethan exchanged a look. It was the kind of look that spoke of unspoken words and decisions made without consulting her.
Ethan took a step forward. "Ben, there’s something we need to know. About you."
Bella swallowed, feeling trapped. "What do you mean?"
Asher's voice was steady but held an edge. "This morning... our wolves sensed something different about you. They recognized something. And we want answers.”
Her heart hammered against her ribs as Ethan stepped closer, his eyes flashing with barely controlled intensity. "If you’re hiding something, now’s the time to come clean, Ben."
Bella forced a casual shrug, though her voice shook slightly. "You two are seriously reading way too much into this. I'm just… me."
But Ethan wasn’t buying it. His wolf seemed to pulse beneath his skin, a barely restrained power. “Our wolves don’t lie, Ben. And they’ve been watching you—no, they’ve been sensing you."
“Why don’t you just tell us?” Asher’s voice held an almost predatory calm. "Whatever you’re hiding… we’ll find out eventually."
Bella felt cornered, her options dwindling as she glanced at the shadows stretching across the clearing. But then, as if in answer to her silent plea, a noise echoed from the trees—a rustling that drew all their attention.
Ethan and Asher stiffened, their instincts sharp. "Did you hear that?" Ethan murmured.
Before anyone could react, a massive figure broke through the underbrush—a wolf, towering and wild, its coat dark and eyes glinting in the twilight. Bella felt a surge of relief at the distraction but immediately tensed as Ethan and Asher both shifted, their focus now on the intruder.
The wolf prowled closer, its movements eerily calm. Bella felt the presence of both Ethan’s and Asher’s wolves stirring, protective and alert, as if recognizing a threat. But the strange wolf stopped just short of the clearing, its gaze fixed on Bella with an unnerving intensity, almost… familiar.
Ethan growled softly, his voice laced with aggression. “Who are you?”
The wolf tilted its head as if acknowledging the question. It let out a low, rumbling growl before turning and disappearing into the shadows, leaving the clearing as silent as before.
Ethan and Asher exchanged a glance, their unease mirrored in their expressions. “That wolf…” Asher began, his voice uncertain.
Bella cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “Maybe it was just… curious?”
Ethan shook his head. “No. That wolf wasn’t just curious—it was looking at you, Ben. Like it knew something.” He took a step closer, his gaze intense. “You can deny it all you want, but there’s something different about you.”
Asher nodded, his voice softer but no less insistent. “We’ll keep digging, Ben. Whatever you’re hiding… we’ll figure it out.”
Bella swallowed hard, feeling the weight of their determination. She couldn’t let her guard slip now, not with them so close to the truth. But as they made their way back to camp, she couldn’t help but wonder about the strange wolf—and the secrets it, too, seemed to carry.
