Into the Trees
Gabrielle POV:
The retreat centre looks exactly like it always does.
Rows of wooden cabins, tucked between the trees, with smoke curling lazily from a stone chimney near the main lodge. A weathered wooden arch with the words 'Evergreen Camp' carved into the oak.
Teachers unload bags, students spill off the bus, laughter bounces through the clearing like nothing has changed.
Like girls haven’t gone missing.
“Breathe,” Tess murmurs beside me, shouldering her pack. “You look like you’re about to bolt.”
“I’m fine,” I say automatically.
She gives me a look. “You’re doing the thing again.”
“What thing?”
“The 'pretending everything's ok' thing.”
I can't bring myself to admit to her how much her earlier words hurt.
Before I can respond, a teacher calls for attention, voice too bright, too rehearsed.
“Remember, everyone, buddy system at all times. Curfew is strictly enforced. No wandering past the boundary markers.”
Boundary.
The word makes something inside me twitch.
I scan the clearing without meaning to and notice Rowan. He's standing near the edge of the trees, speaking quietly to one of the chaperones. He looks exactly the same as before: calm, distant, in control.
His gaze flicks to me for half a second – assessing. Then it moves on.
“Why is he here?” Tess mutters.
“Helping with logistics,” I say, repeating the lie.
She scoffs. “Right. Because a guy built like that screams s’mores and safety briefings.”
I almost smile.
Almost. That's when I notice a mood shift. A sudden pause in conversation, and a few heads turning.
Then excited whispers start threading their way through the crowd – a ripple of attention sweeping the clearing.
“Who is that?” Tiffany from my Math class murmurs.
“Is he staff?”
“No way, look at him!” She practically drools.
I follow the direction of their stares.
He’s still near the tree-line, arms folded loosely across his chest, posture relaxed but alert, like he’s pretending this is all beneath his notice. I can see why they stare.
Two more girls from my year drift closer, giggling as one pretends to check her phone while slyly taking a photo of him.
The other utters, far from subtly, "Send it to me! Look at him, he's flawless.”
“I call dibs,” Tiffany declares.
Tess lets out a sharp huff beside me. “You most certainly do not,” she mutters.
I blink, “What?”
She folds her arms, eyes narrowed on Rowan. “I saw him first.”
“You met him for thirty seconds,” I point out.
“And yet,” she says, chin lifting, “I've become emotionally invested.”
To the left one of the girls laughs and flicks her hair as Rowan glances her way.
He looks right past her, past everyone – not interested.
For just a second, his gaze catches on Tess.
Something unreadable flickers across his face before he turns away again, already disengaging.
Tess goes very still before shaking her head. Her fingers flex at her sides, restless. Irritated.
“He's not a piece of meat ya know!” she adds for all to hear.
I glance back at Rowan.
He’s already moved deeper into the trees, attention elsewhere. The guy really is all work and no play.
With that, the small crowd groans with disappointment at the disappearance of their eye-candy. and disperses as quickly as it started.
Tess huffs in annoyance. Time to get my hangry girl some food before this turns ugly.
----
The canteen is already buzzing by the time we get there – long tables, trays clattering, voices bouncing loudly off wooden walls. The mood lightened by the presence of the mysterious Rowan.
I grab food mostly out of habit, appetite dulled by that same low hum under my skin.
Tess is halfway through a rant about the unfair distribution of hot men in rural retreats when Connor slides onto the bench opposite us, uninvited.
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” he says, eyes flicking to my tray. “Is this place your scene? Thought you humans liked things a little more… comfortable.”
Tess stiffens. “Wow. Starting strong, Hale.”
He ignores her.
“Relax,” he says lightly, voice filled with mock sincerity. "I'm just being a kind citizen, showing concern for her welfare. Retreats like this can be... rough. Especially if you don’t have anything protecting you.”
My stomach twists. “What do you mean?”
He shrugs. “You know. It's just… facts. Biology. Humans usually prefer places with locks on doors."
Not this again. Now, of all times, he can't help but remind me I’m weak. At least in the eyes of a wolf.
Before he can continue, I interject. “Congratulations,” I say coolly. “You’ve made your point."
Connor’s smile widens, slow and knowing. “Just saying. Stick close to the cabins tonight. Wouldn’t want you wandering off again.”
Again. The word lands wrong. How did he know about...
Before Tess can explode, he’s gone – already laughing with his friends like nothing happened.
I push my tray away.
“I’m not hungry,” I mutter, standing.
“Gabs.”
“I just need air.”
The cafeteria suddenly feels too loud. Too close. Tessa’s voice a blur of sound I can’t process.
I don’t wait for permission. I bolt through the doors. Straight outside. I keep moving until trunks surround me and I'm swallowed by the trees.
Unshed tears burn my eyes as I flee deeper between the trees, picking up pace. I don’t care where I end up, as long as I get away.
My legs carry me deeper than usual. Deeper than I’d ever dared before. That's when I feel it.
Something in the air is pulling me.
I push on. My lungs start to burn, but I can't seem to stop. I bend forward - hands braced on my knees.
I'm drawn to a scent I can’t name. Earthy. Wild. Familiar.
I clutch my necklace out of habit, my small anchor in a world I never fully fit into.
I finally come to a stop. "Stay behind locked doors Gabi," I snark in my most childish voice. "Who does he think he is?"
I take a deep breath, forcing my lungs to slow.
Fuck him. I think to myself. Connor Hale will not ruin this trip for me.
I'm about to turn back when goosebumps erupt over my skin. I'm suddenly aware it's very quiet. Too quiet.
Then–
“You know you really shouldn’t be alone out here,” a voice drawls behind me.
Too late, I realise he was baiting me.
And I walked straight into it.