Belle POV

"Aria, there is someone here with us," I say. I begin shaking. I am afraid. He pulls me close to him and holds me while we wait to see who pops out of the woods.

He turns to look in the direction of the noise. I can hear his heart beating as I try to listen to whatever lurks in the woods. "I will protect you, Belle," Aria says.

I look back at him. I am older and stronger, but he is soon to be Alpha. I guess I can let him protect me if it makes him feel like the big bad wolf. More branches break, and...