The Fifth Bond's Unsettling Revelation

I stood in the bathroom, towel wrapped around my body, water droplets still clinging to my skin. The shower had been quick but refreshing, washing away the lingering stickiness of heat that seemed to coat every inch of me. As I reached for my clothes, voices drifted through the slightly ajar door.

"We need to tell her," Rhys insisted, his usually cheerful voice laced with frustration. "Keeping this from her isn't right."

"For fuck's sake, Warner," Jaxon snapped. "We've been over this. It's for her own good."

"I agree with Jax," Silas said, his voice lower. "The timing isn't right."

"She deserves to know," Rhys countered. "How would you feel if everyone was keeping something this important from you?"

Ronan's soft voice joined in. "I hate lying to her too, but—"

My heart pounded against my ribs. They were hiding something from me? Something important? I cinched the towel tighter around my body and pushed the bathroom door open, stepping into the hallway.