Page 25 of Beast Bear

Theo lifted a hand in frustration. “Then look at Kai,” he said. “He is behind all of this.”

“Enough,” Poppy said, voice firm. “We have to resolve this before the charity climb, or there will be no academy left.” She turned to Theo, her gaze unyielding. “You have an hour to gather your things and leave. I will not say it again. The police will be contacting you.”

Theo stood frozen, the weight of her words pressing down on him. He looked at the anchor kit parts in the inspector’s hands and felt fury and disbelief swirl inside him. The unfairness of it stung like a festering wound.

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Serena hesitatedfor a moment as she watched Theo take a duffel bag to his car. Her mind reeled with questions. When she reached the porch, she found Theo leaning against the frame, his shoulders slumped. “What happened?” she asked, though part of her already knew.

Theo turned his gaze to her. For a moment, he looked too exhausted to answer. Finally, he spoke. “They fired me,” he said. “They think I’m behind all the sabotage.”

Serena’s stomach twisted. “Fired you? Why?”

He swallowed hard. “They found the missing medical kits in a kitchen supply closet. I never saw them in there,” he said, his expression tight. “They decided to inspect my cabin and found anchor kit parts under my bed.”

Serena’s eyes widened. “I saw them yesterday. I know they are from the anchor kit that went missing.”

He clenched his fists. “You saw them and didn’t tell me?” His anger simmered, and she noticed his eyes darkening. “Someoneset me up. If you’d told me, I could have done something sooner.”

She raised her hands in a placating gesture. “I didn’t know what to think. I was shocked.”

His gaze flickered with hurt. “You think I did this? I’ve been framed. How can you not see that?” His voice rose, and fur began to ripple down his arm. His posture grew rigid, as though he was fighting to keep from shifting.

Serena pulse raced. “Theo, calm down. You’re losing control.”

He took a shaky breath. “I need you to believe me. Someone wants me out of the academy. I’d never hurt anyone here.”

She felt torn between pity and fear. She thought of her father’s imposing rage whenever he felt challenged. Theo wasn’t her father, yet the threat in his stance made her instinctively recoil. “I need to go. We can talk about this later.”

He stepped forward, reaching for her. “Please. Don’t go. You have to believe me.”

Her heart thundered as she realized she’d backed into a wall. Memories of her father loomed large in her mind, fueling her panic. “I can’t…” she whispered. “I can’t be around you when you’re like this.”

She skirted around him and rushed away, nearly stumbling on the porch steps. Theo called her name, but she couldn’t bring herself to look back. All she could see was the danger that flickered in his eyes. Tears blurred her vision. She felt foolish for letting her guard down so quickly.

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

Serena’s pace was frantic,and her shoulders looked stiff with anxiety. Theo’s thoughts churned with panic as he caught up to her. He reached out with half-shifted fingers that had already begun to extend into claws.

His grip was far too firm, and he felt the tips bite into her flesh. Blood welled up beneath his clawed fingertips, painting faint red streaks on her skin. She hissed in pain and whirled around, tears streaming down her cheeks. She tore free from his grasp and glared at him.

“Don’t you ever touch me again,” she said, her voice shaking. “Don’t speak to me. We’re done.”

Shock and horror coiled through his entire body. The finality in her words slammed into him like a physical blow, and his mind reeled at the thought of losing her forever. He opened his mouth to speak, but his throat burned, and no sound escaped.

It was as though someone had stolen every breath from his lungs, leaving him adrift and desperate. His inner bear raged beneath his skin, demanding he do something, anything, tokeep her from walking away. Yet he stood there, hollow and motionless, unable to stop the heartbreak that now consumed him.

He took a shaky step closer, voice quavering with heartbreak. “Please, Serena,” he pleaded, “I’m begging you. Please don’t leave me like this. I need you...”

His words came out in a broken whisper, tears threatening at the corners of his eyes. He stood there trembling, every fiber of his being focused on that plea, hoping she would see the truth in his eyes before it was too late.

She let out a shaky breath, grasping her bleeding shoulder. “No, Theo,” she whispered, “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t stand all this anger and confusion. I’m sorry.”

She turned and walked away, the crunch of gravel sounding painfully final. “Serena,” he moaned.

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