Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter 43 Trap in the Cave
Bella’s POV
"Is there something down there you can use to climb up?" I called down to the trapped man below.
His response came as a broken whimper that tore at something deep in my chest. The raw desperation in his voice made my stomach clench with sympathy.
"There’s some kind of lever here," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.
Derek and I locked eyes for a moment. The intensity of his stare sent an unexpected flutter through my pulse. Maybe we were onto something. These rocks blocking the cave entrance might be more than just debris - they could be part of some ancient mechanism.
The possibility hung heavy in the air between us until Derek broke the silence. "My wolf form can fit through that gap. He’s built for tight spaces, even if it means taking some damage in the process."
His attempt at confidence didn’t mask the underlying tension in his voice. Something cold slithered down my spine.
"Just promise me you’ll be careful down there," I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. freewebnσvel.cѳm
He turned to face me fully, and the look in his eyes made my breath catch. "I’ll be fine, Bella."
The way he said my name sent heat rushing to my cheeks. We stood there, caught in each other’s gaze, the air crackling with unspoken tension.
"You stay safe up here too." Derek had to physically shake his head to break our connection. I found myself stepping back awkwardly, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"Are you two still going to help me?" The old man’s voice cut through our moment, tinged with desperate curiosity at finally having people to talk to.
"Yes, we’re working on getting you out right now," I shouted back, forcing myself to focus on the rescue. "Just hang on a little longer."
"Please hurry," he pleaded, the urgency in his tone making my chest tighten.
Throughout this entire exchange, Derek’s eyes never left mine. The weight of his attention made me hyper-aware of every movement, every breath. My skin felt too warm under his scrutiny.
"I need to strip down for the shift," he said quietly.
The realization hit me like a cold wave. Of course he’d been staring - he was waiting for me to give him privacy. Heat flooded my face as embarrassment washed over me.
I quickly turned and walked toward the cave entrance, my pulse still racing from our earlier moment. Behind me, I could hear the soft rustle of fabric and then the low, rumbling sounds of his transformation.
His shadow on the ground began to expand dramatically. I watched in fascination as it grew larger and more wolf-like. But then something strange happened - the shadow started to shrink instead, becoming smaller and more compact.
That must be what he meant about his wolf being able to handle tight spaces. The ability to compress his form was incredible. frёewebnoѵēl.com
I kept my back turned until the shadow finally disappeared into the cave opening. Only then did I pivot around to see his tail vanishing into the darkness below.
Within moments, I heard the grinding sound of stone against metal. The opening widened just enough for a person to squeeze through.
"I can see light now," the old man called out, his voice stronger with renewed hope.
"Good, I can see you too," I replied, dropping to my knees beside the opening and peering down into the dimly lit space.
The man below looked up at me with hollow, desperate eyes. His bare torso was painfully thin, ribs visible through pale skin. His bald head gleamed with sweat as he raised his trembling hands toward me.
The lighting was still too poor to make out much detail, so I reached for my phone to use the flashlight.
"He’s helping me stand. Can you grab my hands and pull me up?" the old man called out before I could activate the light.
I immediately set my phone aside and repositioned myself to reach down into the opening. If Derek was lifting him from below, this should be manageable.
The moment my fingers closed around the old man’s hands, searing pain shot up my arms. His skin was burning hot - so hot it felt like it might melt mine right off. I bit back a cry of agony, my jaw clenching against the pain.
But I couldn’t let go. If I released him now, he’d fall back into that pit, and at his age and condition, he might not survive another drop.
"Almost there," I gritted out through the pain, trying to keep him motivated. "One more big pull and you’ll be free."
"I’m ready," he whimpered, his voice cracking with exhaustion.
I could tell he was barely hanging on. Starvation had weakened him to the point of collapse. His wolf must have died recently - that was probably the only reason he’d survived this long in that cave.
But as I strained to pull him up, a troubling thought pierced through my adrenaline-fueled focus. If Derek was down there helping push the man up with his supernatural strength, why was I struggling so much? Derek could move boulders with ease. This should have been effortless.
The moment the old man cleared the opening and collapsed onto the ground, gasping and laughing with relief, my blood turned to ice.
"Freedom," he wheezed, spreading his arms wide. "Fresh air has never tasted so sweet."
While he celebrated, I spun back to the cave opening, my heart pounding with growing dread. When I looked down, my worst fears were confirmed.
Derek lay motionless on the cave floor, naked and unconscious in his human form. His body was positioned at an unnatural angle, completely still.
"What the hell?" I whispered, horror creeping up my throat.
Before I could process what I was seeing or call out to him, something rough and strong wrapped around my neck from behind, jerking me backward with violent force.
