Love Unbreakable by Bank Brook

Playing Hard To Get Eloise had hardly applied any force, yet Raegan's delicate
skin couldn't withstand even that mild slap.

In the brief silence that followed, realization dawned upon Eloise.

Eloise observed Raegan's reddened cheek, then her own palm, and understood
the cause.

Attracted by the noise, Bryce confronted Eloise with a fury akin to alion’s, "Eloise,
have you lost your mind? How could you hit

her like that?” Although Bryce bore no fondness for Raegan, he still defended
Raegan.

After all, he was the one who brought Raegan here with him.

If any reprimand was aimed at Raegan, it should come from him, not others.
Eloise had intended to apologize to Raegan.

She was frank but never malicious.

But as soon as she heard those questioning from Bryce who was younger than
her, she retorted immediately, "Why the outrage?

It was unintentional.” "Then offer her your apologies,” Bryce insisted.

Bryce's anger seemed to eclipse Eloise's, and he looked poised to force an
apology by grabbing Eloise's collar.

Terrified, Eloise sought refuge behind Mitchel, clutching at Mitchel's garment in
her anxiety.

Mitchel intercepted Bryce’s hand with a scowl, his voice icy.

"Calm yourself.

It was an accident.” Bryce winced at the pain in his hand, incredulous.

"Mitchel, you're taking her side?” "Yes, is that an issue?" Mitchel's gaze grew
frostier.

"Are we proceeding with our hike or not?” Initially, Raegan didn't mind at all,
aware that Eloise didn't do it on purpose.

However, witnessing Mitchel's overt protection over Eloise shifted something
within her.

She knew the feeling of being defended was undeniably pleasant.

Eloise, grinning broadly, trotted behind Mitchel and taunted Bryce with a face.
Bryce was seething with anger.

He had believed he could have some fun when Hector was away, but he hadn't
anticipated that Hector would assign Mitchel to

watch over him.

Moreover, Mitchel, the typically occupied CEO was monitoring him personally
and even joined his hiking with Raegan.

Such misfortune! Raegan found Bryce's defending her startling.

She was somehow moved, bolstering her resolve to better his opinion of her.
"What's the plan, exactly? Could you tell me now?" Raegan inquired.

Bryce stood, one hand on his hip, gesturing toward the mountain. "See that
peak? If you can withstand two days and a night at the summit, I'l fulfill any
request you have.” "Deal." Raegan's agreement came swiftly, without a trace of
doubt. With a smirk, Bryce warned, "Just so you're aware, I'll only provide you
with a tent. You need to manage yourself. No food or drink from me." He eyed
Raegan’s modest backpack, adding with gravity, "It's not too late to concede and
step down.” Raegan's response was firm. "Don’t worry. I've got this.” Bryce's
scoff was clear. "Cry all you want on the mountain. No one will escort you down."
Raegan disregarded his taunts and set off. Bryce was completely taken aback.
The trail was treacherous, a challenge to navigate. Despite a not-quite-healed
sprained ankle hampering her, Raegan’s stamina was commendable.

She was an accomplished distance runner in her school days. In contrast, Bryce,
climbing for leisure, had hired help for his gear, allowing him to ascend with ease.
Eloise, on her first mountain climb, was abuzz with excitement, chatting eagerly
with Mitchel. Her enthusiasm was infectious, though it soon waned, replaced by a
weary silence. Initially trailing, Raegan steadily gained on the group. Exhausted,
Eloise called out for a break, parched and fatigued.

Bryce, too, showed signs of exhaustion, his forehead beaded with sweat.

As they drank, Raegan pushed on, announcing, "I'll continue upward.”
Impressed, Bryce nodded, resting with Eloise at the trail's

edge.

Further up, Raegan's thirst intensified.

She reached for her water bottle, but a sudden rustle halted her.

The wilderness was unnerving.

She turned around, only to recoil at the sight of Mitchel's looming figure.
Raegan was teetering on the brink of a fall, but Mitchel's swift hand caught her.
The next instant, Raegan tumbled into Mitchel's embrace, the water bottle
escaping her grip.

Surrounded by jagged rocks, a fall could be disastrous.

Instinctively, Raegan clung to Mitchel, her face against his sturdy chest.

And there, against him, she heard the rhythmic assurance of his heartbeat.
Raegan took some time to recognize the overly close nature of their stance. She
inhaled sharply and leaped away from Mitchel”s embrace. Her reaction made
Mitchel's attractive features darken.

He said harshly, "Drop this trick. The mountain's crowded, and 1 have no interest
in you." Raegan had opened her mouth to express gratitude, but his words
stopped her cold. Her complexion lost its color.

Nearby, a group of climbers cast meaningful looks at Raegan, mistaking her for
someone craving for a one -night stand.

Disturbed by their stares, Raegan shot Mitchel a glare, turned around, and
ascended silently.

She soon noticed the same group of men taking a break ahead.

Their gazes were unsettling.

Opting to wait for Bryce, Raegan stopped.

However, those men approached Raegan as she halted.

A sudden anxiety gripped Raegan when one taunted, “That dashing man just
rejected you.

Maybe you'll prefer my company.

We'll enjoy ourselves.

What do you say?" Another man chimed in, “Don't think about having this lovely
lady all to yourself.” They were not only flirting

with her but even attempted to take advantage of her.

With a face etched in caution, Raegan retrieved her walkie-talkie, a gift from
Bryce, and called out, "Bryce, where are you now?"

Silence answered.

The battery was dying, and those men had noticed.

One quipped, "No fear, we're decent folks.

We can negotiate a price.” Anger whitened Raegan's face, and her resentment
toward Mitchel deepened.

His words had painted her wrongly in these men's eyes.

Gripping the pepper spray in her backpack, Raegan asserted, "Move aside.

I need to find my partner.” One of the men intercepted her and mocked, "You little
har.

Your partner deserted you just now." Raegan’'s demeanor hardened.

"Do you wish to verify my honesty?" Those men had come for leisure, not
trouble.

When laying eyes on the stunning Raegan, they attempted to flirt with her.

But they harbored no ill intents.

One relented first, saying, "Easy, miss.

No offense intended.” As he coaxed his friend away, he reassured Raegan, "All
clear.

You can go.” However, the man halting in Raegan'’s track lingered, his eyes
fixating on Raegan.

With a few steps forward, Raegan noticed his gaze still following her.