Page 33 of Beast Bear

She took a steadying breath. She had no choice but to trust that Logan had swapped every damaged rope, and that Theo could collect the proof they needed. She only hoped that when the day was over, everyone would walk away safe. For now, she was ready to face any emergency that might come her way.

Chapter

Forty-One

Theo crouchedin the shadows just off the main trail, heart pounding as he watched Kai trudge uphill.He set off behind him, keeping his distance. He took care to duck behind the occasional trunk or thick brush. Kai scrambled up a narrow slope that led to the top of the tallest cliff that acted as the course’s final checkpoint.

When he reached a cluster of rocks near the summit, he stopped and craned his neck to see Kai. His worst fears came true. Kai was crouched near the ropes. A small toolkit lay open by his knee, revealing wire cutters, a short blade, and an assortment of spare metal parts.

Lifting his phone, Theo started recording. He zoomed in on Kai’s hands carefully slicing part of a rope. His hands moved with precise, almost surgical motions as he loosened several critical anchor bolts. Theo’s anger burned, but he forced himself to stay still.

He’d seen enough. He stopped recording and tried to send the video to Poppy. A spinning icon mocked him. He checked his signal and saw no service. He gritted his teeth.

The climbers would soon arrive. This was too dangerous. He could not remain silent any longer. Switching his phone’s camera on again, he propped it on a stable rock to capture the view of the summit. Then he stood and stepped out.

“Kai,” he said, voice echoing in the thin air, “stop what you’re doing. You’ve messed with enough gear. I’m not letting you hurt anyone else.”

Kai spun around, eyes wide. Then a mocking smile curved his lips. “Theo. I was just double checking the gear for the charity climb.” He let out a laugh that made Theo’s fists curl.

“You’re lying. I saw you. You cut ropes, loosened bolts—you’re the reason the academy’s in trouble.”

Kai shrugged and stood. “And who do you think they’ll believe? The wild bear who lost control in a city park and is wanted by the police, or me?” He gestured around them. “I could say I found you in the middle of sabotage.”

Theo fought the urge to shift. He steadied his breathing, reminding himself there was a camera rolling behind him. “You won’t get away with it.”

Kai glanced over the ledge. “Tell that to the cops. They’re looking for you, not me. Better get out of here before they show up.” He smirked and secured a harness around his waist.

Theo took a step closer. “Why are you putting people’s lives at stake?”

Kai checked his harness with the casual air of confidence. “I’m done here.” He flicked his rope over the edge, grabbed it with a practiced hand, and turned to flash Theo a final grin. “I suggest you run, friend.”

With that, Kai settled his weight onto the rope and began rappelling down the cliff face, vanishing bit by bit from Theo’s view. The faint clink of metal echoed up the mountain, then faded away. Theo stood there, seething. But the phone he had propped against a rock was still recording. His chest felt tight. He glanced at the sabotaged lines, wishing he had tools to fix them. He had to do something to protect everyone coming up the mountain.

Chapter

Forty-Two

A thin layerof morning sun filtered through the canopy, heating the air just enough to make the first arrivals sweat as they reached Serena’s checkpoint. They trudged up the trail in a small group, breathless and smiling. She lifted her radio and keyed the button. “Alicia, this is Serena at the final checkpoint. The first climbers have arrived.”

A moment later, Alicia’s voice crackled through. “Great. Keep me posted if they need anything.”

Serena set the radio aside and offered the participants protein bars and sports drinks. Some took grateful sips, while others quickly inspected their harnesses, eager to tackle the wall. A few spotters lingered below, ready to guide the climbers.

Serena felt a knot of tension coil inside her. If Logan hadn’t found all of the faulty equipment, someone could get hurt. Theo was still out there, trying to collect evidence. The thought only made her more uneasy.

The climbers moved upward with surprising speed, though their excitement soon mixed with the strain of the climb. Spotters onthe ground offered cheers and occasional warnings. Serena kept an eye on each person, watching them make their careful ascent. Then her gaze snapped to a figure rappelling down at a startling pace.

As the rappelling figure came to the bottom of the cliff, she realized it was Kai. He landed in a slight crouch, stood, and briefly locked eyes with her. A flash of triumph crossed his face before he bolted away down the trail. Serena started after him, but she couldn’t leave her post. She raised her voice. “Kai, wait.”

He didn’t even glance back.

She grabbed her radio. “Logan, this is Serena. Kai just rappelled down the wall and ran off down the main trail. I don’t know what he was doing up there.”

Logan’s response crackled through, sounding tense. “Understood. I’m headed that way.”

Anxiety spiked as she imagined what Kai might have done at the summit. She scanned the top of the wall, searching for any sign of fresh trouble. Her thoughts buzzed with dire scenarios, but there was nothing she could do from down here except watch.

A piercing scream shattered the calm. Serena jerked her head upward. One of the climbers, a middle-aged woman, dangled from a secondary safety line. The main rope had snapped clean in two, and the climber had slammed against the rock. She now hung motionless, unconscious, her body limp in the harness.

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