Things had been going so well—almost too well. The trip to the resort had been a dream: lazy days hiking the wooded trails, evenings around the fire pit with Noah and Claudia sharing old college stories, Stiles sneaking off with Derek for quick, breathless fucks in hidden spots. Allison complained about bugs and bad Wi-Fi, but even she seemed less bitchy, or maybe Derek just didn’t care anymore. Back home, the “lessons” continued—stolen moments that felt less like teaching and more like loving. Stiles whispered “I love you” every time they finished, and Derek said it back, meaning it more each day. He felt alive, wanted, like a man instead of a doormat.

But secrets have a way of unraveling.