The following day was tense, the air thick with unspoken words as Bella—still appearing as Ben—tried to avoid Ethan and Asher. She felt raw from the previous night’s confrontation. Now that they knew she was Bella, their mate, she could feel a new, potent energy radiating from both of them, almost like a constant hum she couldn’t escape.
The sun had barely begun to rise, casting a pale glow over the campsite. Bella took a deep breath of the cool morning air, hoping it would clear her mind. She thought she’d be able to put some distance between herself and them, at least for a little while. But before she could slip away, she heard footsteps approaching.
“Trying to sneak off again?” Ethan’s voice was smooth but with a sharpness that made her pause.
She turned around to see him and Asher standing nearby, both looking at her with a mixture of exasperation and something deeper—something that made her heart beat faster and her throat tighten.
“No, just… just clearing my head,” she managed, trying to keep her voice steady.
Asher took a step closer, his gaze piercing. “We need to talk, Bella. No more hiding, no more pretending. We meant what we said—if we’re going to protect you, we need to know everything.”
Ethan’s expression softened just a bit, though his frustration was clear. “And if you think you can just brush us off or keep avoiding this… think again. We’re in this, all of it.”
Bella swallowed hard, nodding. She knew they were right, and the last thing she wanted was to deepen the rift her lies had caused.
“Fine,” she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper. “But understand that everything I did—keeping this hidden, pretending to be Ben—was because I thought it was the only way to stay safe.”
Asher’s jaw tightened, and he looked away for a moment, as if trying to gather his thoughts. “You didn’t have to go through this alone, Bella. We would have stood by you no matter what.”
A pang of guilt hit her, but before she could respond, Ethan spoke up.
“Look,” he began, running a hand through his hair in frustration, “we get it. You were afraid. But you’re our mate. That means something to us. And it should mean something to you too.”
Bella’s eyes softened, and she hesitated, trying to find the right words. “It does mean something to me… more than you realize. But I thought it would be easier for both of you if I stayed distant. If I kept up the disguise.”
Asher shook his head. “Easier for us? Bella, do you have any idea what it’s been like—constantly feeling this connection, feeling something is off but never knowing what?” His voice lowered, an edge of pain slipping through. “We could feel you, and yet, you weren’t really there.”
She looked down, unable to face the intensity of his gaze, guilt gnawing at her.
“You’re right,” she admitted. “I should have trusted you both. But I’ve been running for so long… it’s hard to just stop.”
Ethan reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We’re not asking you to change overnight, Bella. But from now on, no more running.” His grip was firm, a promise in his touch. “You have us, whether you’re ready to believe it or not.”
The sincerity in his voice melted some of her resistance, and she felt her heart soften, walls beginning to crumble.
“Okay,” she whispered, finally meeting their eyes. “I’ll try. But… you have to understand that this is all still new to me. The idea of a bond, of mates, it’s… overwhelming.”
Asher’s expression softened. “We get that. But just remember, Bella, we’re in this together now.”
Ethan’s lips curled into a small, reassuring smile. “And we’re not letting you out of our sight. Not anymore.”
Bella managed a faint smile in return, feeling the warmth of their presence, of their unwavering loyalty and protectiveness. For the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope—a possibility that she didn’t have to face her battles alone.
Asher’s eyes held hers, his gaze steady and reassuring. “One step at a time. We’ll get through this… together.”
And with those words, the tension that had hung over them began to ease, replaced by a quiet understanding. For the first time, Bella felt like she had a place, a team who would stand by her. The future remained uncertain, but for now, she wasn’t alone.
