Chapter 5

*Ben's POV*

Mal and I spent the whole afternoon together at the Enchanted Lake just enjoying each other's company, feeding each other strawberry's and laying side by side together on a blanket while cuddling. No one knew about this place but us. It was our special place, our place where we went to whenever we needed to escape the rest of the world. It was a calm and serene place; no one would ever bother us here.

As I lay there with Mal in my arms I kept wondering how I got so lucky. Mal isn't just my true love, she's my soulmate. I've never felt this way about anyone before. Even when I was dating Audrey I didn't feel this way, I may have cared about her but I didn't love her. We just never clicked, not like me and Mal do. We complete each other, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.

"What're you thinking about?" Mal asked.

"How lucky I am to have you" I replied smiling.

"I think I'm the lucky one, I never would've known what real love felt like if it hadn't been for you" Mal said.

"I love you Mal, did I mention that?" I replied reminding her of when I serenaded her in front of the entire school.

"You might've mentioned it" Mal replied teasingly.

I leaned in and pressed my lips against Mal's for a brief kiss.

"Just think, if you hadn't made that proclamation to give us VK's a chance to live in Auradon we never would've met" Mal said.

"Yeah" I agreed.

"Which reminds me, do you remember earlier I said I had an idea to run by you?" I asked nervously.

"Yes" Mal replied slowly.

"Well, I've chosen the next four VK's to come live in Auradon."

"Ben, you seem nervous. Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this? Who did you choose?" Mal asked.

"Dizzy and Anthony Tremaine, Harry Hook, and Gil" I replied nervously.

"What?! Ben they helped Uma capture you, you could've been killed!" Mal exclaimed.

"I know having them here will be a risk, but you have to know I would never invite them here if I didn't have a plan" I reassured her.

"What plan would that be?" Mal asked.

I told Mal about my plan to find Uma.

"We'll keep a close eye on them" I promised.

"If you think it'll help us find out what Uma's planning, I'll support you" Mal grudgingly agreed.

"But soon as they cross the magical barrier I'm not letting them out of my sight, I don't trust them" Mal admits.

*Mal's POV*

The ride back to Auradon Prep was silent. I couldn't stop thinking about Ben's plan, it had me unsettled. After Harry and Gil had helped Uma capture Ben back on the Isle, I couldn't help feeling anxious about them coming to Auradon. I don't want those two anywhere near Ben, especially Harry. I didn't know how to tell Ben the real reason why Harry wanted to kill him back on the Isle of the Lost, but I know I'm going to have to tell him sooner or later.

Soon as we arrived back at the dorms Ben walked me to my room. As we stopped in front of my door Ben pulls me in for a hug and kisses my forehead.

"Don't worry, everything will be okay" Ben reassures me.

"I hope so" I said nervously as Ben cupped my face.

"I love you" Ben said lovingly.

"I love you too" I replied softly.

I pressed my lips against Ben's. Ben drops his hands from my face and wraps his arms around my waist. As I wrap my arms around his neck getting lost in the kiss, the door to my room opens. Ben and I break apart to see Evie standing there smiling at us.

"You guys just can't keep your hands off each other, can you?" Evie asked teasingly.

"Nope!" we both said in unison.

"Well goodnight Mal, see you tomorrow" Ben said.

"Goodnight" I replied.

Soon as Ben left I filled Evie in on Ben's plan. Evie wasn't happy about it either but she understood Ben's reasons. We have to find Uma before it's too late.

"Have you told Ben why Harry wanted him dead?" Evie asked.

"I didn't know how to" I confessed.

"Mal!" Evie whined.

"I'm going to tell him, don't worry. After everything that happened back on the Isle, I'm not letting Ben out of my sight, I'm going to protect him" I promised.

"We'll all protect him" Evie promised.

"Thanks Evie" I said sincerely.

"Your welcome. Besides, if it wasn't for Ben's proclamation we'd still be on the Isle of the Lost. We owe Ben so much. You, Jay, and Carlos may be my best friends but so is Ben, and I know Jay and Carlos feel the same about Ben. No harm will come to him; I promise" Evie said sincerely.

I pull Evie in for a hug. I made a silent vow to myself that I will always protect Ben, no matter what.