That evening, the three of them set up a small campfire, their shadows flickering in the dim light as they sat together in an easy silence. The tension between them had settled into something warmer, something Bella hadn’t felt in a long time—trust.
Ethan threw a few more sticks onto the fire, his expression thoughtful as the flames grew brighter. He glanced over at Bella. “So, Bella… or Ben…,” he said, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips, “what are we calling you now?”
She laughed softly, the sound surprising even herself. “I think we can drop the ‘Ben’ now. Bella works just fine,” she replied, smiling as she looked at both of them.
Asher nodded, his gaze softening. “It suits you better.”
Bella felt her cheeks warm under his intense gaze and quickly looked away, watching the flames dance instead. Despite everything they’d been through, she couldn’t deny how deeply she cared for them both. The realization was both thrilling and terrifying.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “For not turning your backs on me, for… understanding.”
Ethan’s hand brushed her shoulder. “It’s what we’re here for. Besides, you’re part of us now, like it or not.”
Asher nodded, leaning back on his hands as he looked up at the sky. “And we don’t just abandon our own,” he added, his voice steady. “Especially not our mate.”
The word still sent a shiver through Bella. Her wolfless state had always made her feel like she was missing a part of herself, like there was a void she could never fill. But now, as she sat with Ethan and Asher, she felt something warm settle into that emptiness—a sense of belonging she hadn’t thought was possible.
Ethan stretched, lying back and folding his arms behind his head. “Alright, Bella. It’s your turn,” he said with a grin. “We’ve bared our souls. Let’s hear something about you.”
Bella hesitated, glancing between them. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything,” Asher replied, his gaze unwavering. “But start small. Anything you’re comfortable sharing.”
She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “Well, I guess… I’ve always felt like an outsider,” she admitted. “Even before I was on the run, I never really felt like I belonged. Being without a wolf, I was… different.” Her eyes flickered up to meet theirs, and she saw a flash of understanding.
Ethan’s eyes softened. “Not anymore. You’re different, sure—but you belong with us now. Wolf or not.”
Asher nodded in agreement. “Your strength goes beyond what any wolf could give. And it’s why we respect you.”
Bella felt a warmth spread through her chest. She’d spent so long guarding herself, believing that she had to face her battles alone. But here were two people willing to stand by her, to defend her even when she’d hidden her true self.
After a moment, she managed to speak. “Thank you. Both of you. I don’t know if I deserve it, but… thank you.”
“You deserve more than you realize, Bella,” Ethan said, his voice gentle. “And we’ll be here to remind you of that.”
They sat in comfortable silence, the crackling fire the only sound as they took in the moment. Bella felt an unfamiliar sense of calm, a peace that came from knowing she no longer had to pretend, no longer had to keep running. For the first time, she wasn’t alone.
Asher eventually cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So, about this journey,” he began, looking at both Bella and Ethan, “there’s still a lot we don’t know about who’s after you and why.”
Ethan nodded, his expression serious. “And it’s not just about protecting Bella. There’s something bigger here, something we don’t understand yet.”
Bella felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew they were right. Whatever force was hunting her wasn’t going to stop just because she’d found allies. But with Ethan and Asher by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope.
“We’ll figure it out together,” she said, meeting their eyes with newfound determination. “No more secrets.”
They exchanged a nod of agreement, and Bella felt a weight lift off her shoulders. For the first time in a long time, she felt ready to face whatever lay ahead—because she wasn’t facing it alone.
