Page 36 of Wild Tangled Hearts

He gives a stern nod, then glares at Kurt. “Your water canteen is empty. Fill it up before we leave.”

The two men hold each other's gazes until Kurt finally sighs and walks away.

“Alex,” I say, reaching for his hand.

He flinches and pulls back, his gaze dark, before he scrubs his hands over his face and exhales heavily. “Let's talk when we get back to headquarters. Okay?”

I nod, not knowing what else to say. He’s clearly having second thoughts about us, and I feel like an idiot.

The hike is long and arduous, a trail that winds through dense woods and rugged terrain, demanding our full attention. It seems even more treacherous and demanding than the day before. Alex remains ahead of us, his back rigid as he forges ahead. The silence between us is like an unspoken chasm, and I can't help but feel a growing sense of unease.

Despite the physical challenge, Kurt's relentless attempts at conversation persist.

"You know,” Kurt says, walking beside me even though the path is narrow and meant to be hiked single file. “There's something incredibly sexy about a woman who can handle herself in the wilderness."

I don’t answer him because I’m too worried about the cliff to my left to try and bait off his advances.

Kurt flashes an arrogant grin that's become increasingly annoying. “There's a certain spark in your eyes that's hard to resist, Bella."

I glance ahead to see Alex walking stoically, his eyes fixed on the trail. “Listen, Kurt. You seem nice—”

He keeps talking, seemingly unaware of my multiple attempts to brush him off.

And I can't help but wish for solitude to collect my thoughts. Kurt's relentless flirting is increasingly grating, and my mind keeps drifting back to Alex, who remains moody and withdrawn. It's a challenging hike in more ways than one.

My patience with Kurt's advances wears thin, distracting me from the treacherous path. It's a precarious balance between managing my irritation and keeping myself from stumbling.

“Look,” I start, ready to lay into the guy. “I hate being rude, but—” Suddenly, my foot snags on a protruding root, and I lose my balance.

Panic surges as I begin a chaotic descent down the steep hillside. Each roll and bump is a tumultuous journey, the unforgiving terrain of twigs, brush, and rocks amplifying the terror of my fall.

The world becomes a dizzying blur, my heart racing with the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My attempts to grab onto anything are futile as I tumble downward. Time seems to stretch as I helplessly roll, the sensation of weightlessness mingling with the jolts of pain.

Finally, with a jarring thud, I suddenly halt against a massive tree trunk. The impact knocks the wind out of me, and I lay there gasping for air, my vision blurred and my head spinning. My chest aches from the shock of the collision, and I clutch it, attempting to steady my breathing.

As I lay there, gasping for air, I hear the frantic sound of footsteps approaching. Through the haze of pain and dizziness, I see Alex rushing down the hill toward me. His features are etched with panic, and the fear in his eyes is unmistakable.

He reaches me in seconds, dropping to his knees beside me. His touch is gentle as he assesses my condition, his hands moving carefully to check for any signs of injury. "Bella," he says, his voice remaining steady despite the worry in his eyes. "Don’t move."

"I'm...fine," I reply, my voice shaky. But when I try to sit up, every muscle in my body hurts, and I wince.

Alex's fingers tenderly brush against my cheek, offering comfort despite the pain. "Let me check," he says, his tone reassuring.

He carefully examines me, his hands moving methodically to assess potential injuries. After what feels like an eternity, he looks up at me with relief. "Nothing's broken, and I don’t think you have a concussion. But I’ll call for an airlift—”

“No way.” I wince again, managing to sit up fully. “I’m fine. I can walk.”

He grips my elbow as I try to stand. “I don’t want to risk anything.”

Our gazes lock, and for a brief moment, I’m embraced in the warmth of our undeniable connection. It's as if his defenses have crumbled, revealing the vulnerability, fear, doubt, and worry lurking in his eyes. For a fleeting instant, it feels like everything between us might be okay, that the connection we shared before still exists.

But the illusion shatters when one of the hikers calls down to us, forcefully yanking me back to reality.

The deep frown returns and Alex’s jaw clenches. “You think you can make it back to headquarters? We still have a good hour's walk.”

I take a few tentative steps and nod.

A fierce internal battle plays out in his eyes before he concedes with a sigh. "Just stay with me from here on out."

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