Page 29 of Beast Bear

Alicia’s response carried a subdued excitement. “I’m sorry to call this late, Serena, but I thought you’d want to know. The academyis moving forward with the charity climb. The inspectors finally approved our safety measures.”

Serena sat up straighter. “That’s… good news, I think,” she managed. She chewed on her lower lip, dread coiling in her stomach as she wondered how everything else at the academy was faring. “So the sabotage issues… are they resolved?”

Alicia sighed. “Honestly, no one’s been caught. But we haven’t had any further accidents since Theo left. The police are still investigating, but the academy leadership decided we can’t stay on hold forever.”

Theo’s name triggered a spike of worry and guilt in Serena’s chest. She cleared her throat. “Have you talked to him?”

“No one’s seen him,” Alicia said softly. “He ran off into the woods, and his car is still here. The staff is just… well, people are saying this proves he was behind everything. The police haven’t confirmed it, but they do want to bring him in for questioning.”

Serena’s mind whirled with conflicting emotions. She felt relief that no new incidents had endangered trainees, but the fact that Theo’s disappearance might be interpreted as an admission of guilt made her uneasy.

“I wish…” She did not finish the thought, letting the words trail off. “So, the charity climb is definitely happening?”

“It is,” Alicia confirmed, her tone turning purposeful. “Which is why I need you, Serena. You’re the best paramedic we have. The academy is short-staffed, and you know how critical it is to have a well-coordinated medic team on-site. I was hoping you’d come back.”

Serena hugged a throw-pillow and swallowed, feeling the familiar tug of responsibility. “Alright. Let me think about it,” she said quietly. “I’ll get back to you in the morning.”

“Thank you,” Alicia replied, relief seeping into her tone. “Whatever you decide, I appreciate that you’re even considering it. And, Serena… if you do come back, we’ll figure out how to handle the rest. We miss you around here.”

After saying their goodbyes, Serena ended the call and set the phone on the couch. Outside the small apartment window, city lights glimmered faintly against the dark sky. The idea of returning to Fate Mountain made her heart clench. Still, the academy needed her skills. And Serena had always gone where she was most needed.

Chapter

Thirty-Four

Theo woke in the forest,blinking at the fractured sunlight leaking through the canopy. His mouth felt dry, and his muscles ached as he lifted himself from the leaf-strewn ground. Another night had vanished into the haze of his bear’s wild frenzy. He glanced down at his human body and took in the ragged scrapes and bruises on his skin.

For a long while, he sat beneath a pines, trying to think rationally. He had to accept that he had become a fugitive. The evidence stacked against him made him look like a saboteur. Despite the bitterness, a firm decision grew in his mind. He was done running. He would return to the academy and face whatever awaited him, even if that meant handing himself over to the police.

The thought of walking up to the gates in his battered, naked human form made him cringe. He considered shifting back into his bear. It felt safer. He could move quietly through the woods that led to the campus.

He exhaled a shaky breath, pushing the hair from his forehead, then let the bear rise. The shift was a slow burn this time, almostdelicate after the frenzied nights that had come before. Fur rolled over his arms and back, muscles expanded, and his hands morphed into heavy paws.

His heart pounded as he lumbered closer to the academy. Would they chase him down if he emerged? He thought of Serena, and how she once looked at him like he was the worst kind of monster. Through a thicket, he spotted colorful flags fluttering in the breeze. It was the charity climb route, snaking along a rocky trail. He approached slowly, staying hidden behind thick foliage.

Movement caught his eye. A lone figure crouched near a stack of ropes at the top of a climbing wall. Theo peered closer, shifting his weight. It was Kai. Theo felt a rush of anger. Kai was tampering with something, possibly cutting or loosening the ropes.

Theo’s fury ignited. Kai was the true saboteur. This was the man who had turned the academy against him, who had probably planted evidence in Theo’s office and cabin, then pointed the blame on him. A surge of vindication made Theo want to roar, to charge and end the deception once and for all.

He nearly burst out of the trees. Then he forced himself to remain still. If he attacked, Kai would only accuse him of being violent. Theo’s plan suddenly changed. He had to expose Kai beyond all doubt. If Theo did not act carefully, Kai would slither away from justice.

Theo thought of his phone. It was still in his car, abandoned when he ran off into the forest. A plan formed in his mind. He would retrieve his phone and capture photos of Kai in the act. That evidence would be undeniable.

Sometime later, he stumbled naked onto the staff parking lot where he had left his car days ago. There was no one around, but anxiety knotted his stomach. He spotted his car and grabbed the spare key from the secret compartment under the front door. He yanked open the trunk and pulled on some clothes from his duffel bag.

Relief washed over him when he spotted his phone lying on the passenger seat. He snatched it up, checking it for battery life. It still had just enough charge. He forced down a spike of adrenaline and started back through the woods.

When he returned, Kai was nowhere to be seen. The rope Kai had tampered with sat coiled where it had been left. He stepped closer. These ropes could cause a serious accident if left unchecked.

He snapped a few photos, knowing he needed to alert Logan. Theo’s chest tightened. He stood with his phone clutched in his hand, faced with the task of somehow proving that Kai was the saboteur.

Chapter

Thirty-Five

Serena pulledup to Fate Mountain Wilderness Academy in the early afternoon. She stared out the window at the familiar sight of the main building and the adjoining training fields. She started down the walkway, glancing at a group of trainees practicing knots on the lawn. Memories of Theo and the accidents gnawed at her. She tried to push them away as she headed toward the medic bay.

Inside, Alicia was waiting. The room smelled of disinfectant and stale coffee. The moment Alicia saw Serena, her eyes widened.

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