Page 4 of Beast Bear

Logan explained how top-rope setups gave trainees a forgiving margin for error, unlike real field rescues where anchors might be improvised. One trainee clipped in and began ascending while another acted as belayer, managing rope tension below.The trainee’s nervous laugh as she inched upward mirrored Serena’s own excitement.

Serena stepped up to the wall next, her heart thrumming as she double-checked her harness clips and chalked her palms. Travis, who’d been assigned as her buddy, stood at the base, belay device secured. He gave her a reassuring nod.

Serena started up the wall slowly, testing each foothold before shifting her weight. With every pull of her arms and push of her legs, she gained confidence. Below, Travis kept the rope taut but flexible, calling out occasional tips when she hesitated. “Left foot on the green hold, Serena! There you go!”

Each time she inched higher, the tension of the rope in Travis’s capable hands reminded her she wasn’t alone in this climb. A surge of appreciation welled up—this was teamwork in its purest form, and it ignited that same calm focus she relied on when tending to patients under pressure. Step by step, her nerves eased, replaced by a quiet thrill of accomplishment.

Pausing halfway to catch her breath, Serena looked down to see Travis maintaining a perfect belay stance, his gaze tracking her every move. When she made the final push and tapped the anchor at the crest, a wave of triumph rippled through her. She glanced down, meeting Travis’s eyes. In that moment, with her muscles burning and the mountain air filling her lungs, she felt exhilarated, like she was exactly where she needed to be.

After about an hour of top-rope practice and belay drills, they progressed to a short rappel practice, guided by the calm yet firm voices of Logan and Alicia. The staff set up a designated rappel lane on the right side of the wall, complete with an overhead anchor and a thick rope threaded through a solid belay device.

A few rubber mats lay at the bottom to cushion the final step-off. One by one, the trainees stepped to the edge, some blanching at the abrupt drop. Others, too eager, bounced too hard against the wall, turning the exercise into a clumsy pendulum.

When Serena’s turn came, her heart hammered as she approached the ledge. The sun was high enough now that it cast a mild glare across the top, and the sudden exposure made her legs tingle. Alicia clipped Serena’s harness into the rappel rope, reminding her to center her weight and keep her descent hand firmly on the rope behind her hip. “Your right hand controls everything,” Alicia said quietly, tapping Serena’s gloved palm. “If you let go or grip too loosely, you risk a freefall—so keep that friction.”

Her pulse thrummed as she tested her first foothold. The thought of finding her mate here at the academy flashed through her mind, and her legs wobbled. Theo’s beast might be as overbearing as her father, and she was no one’s captive. Yet she couldn’t silence her inner cougar’s desire for a mate.

Serena inhaled, leaning back until the rope took her full weight. The harness dug into her waist and thighs, unfamiliar pressure points that felt both reassuring and restrictive. She forced her eyes down, spotting Logan at the base, offering her a nod. Around her, the hiss of another trainee’s rope provided a steady soundtrack. “Deep breath,” Alicia reminded.

Lowering herself inch by inch, Serena marveled at how simple motions could feel so monumental. Every slight slackening of her hand let the rope feed through the device, sending a tremor of adrenaline up her arms. Her boots squeaked against the climbing wall’s panels, searching for footholds as she walked backward. The first few steps felt shaky, and she bounced,smacking her left knee. She gritted her teeth and paused, adjusting her stance.

“You’re doing fine,” Alicia called from above, voice firm yet encouraging.

Serena swallowed, focusing on her descent hand. She locked it fully to halt her motion, then released tension little by little. The rope slid again, more controlled this time. Her feet found a good angle, and she began a steadier rhythm—bend the knees, ease off with the brake hand, take a measured backward step. Despite the tension in her shoulders, a flicker of confidence bloomed.

Roughly halfway down, she dared to glance at her surroundings. The late morning light bathed the field, and she caught glimpses of the other trainees practicing knots or sipping water. Her earlier fear shifted into a cautious thrill. If she could handle this controlled environment, she could someday manage a real wilderness rescue.

Finally, the rubber mats grew larger in her vision. She flexed her right hand more firmly, slowing to an almost halt, then leaned her legs against the wall to land softly. Logan stepped in to steady her. “Nice job,” he said, giving her harness a quick check. “You had a shaky start, but you adapted. That’s what matters.”

Serena exhaled as a wave of relief and pride washed over her. Her limbs felt light, buzzing with the aftershock of adrenaline. She glanced up at Alicia, who offered a thumbs up from the top. She unclipped from the rope and stepped aside.

Some trainees froze at the edge, breathing hard, while others over-bounced off the wall. Logan and Alicia circled among them, adjusting harness loops, coaching hand positions, and offering a “Well done!” to those who landed softly.

After everyone finished, Logan projected his voice over the clank of gear. “That’s all for now. Great work, everyone. Rope Rescue I continues tomorrow, same time.”

Serena walked away from the climbing wall with stiff legs and a fluttery sense of accomplishment. She felt the pleasant ache of hard work in her shoulders. Her stomach growled as she neared the cafeteria building, and she shifted her daypack on her shoulder with a weary sigh.

Her phone vibrated inside the pack. She stopped and pulled out her phone. Theo’s mate.com username lit up the screen. He had sent a friendly message, inviting her to a picnic lunch. He said he was done with his food prep and had a few hours off. The text mentioned that he saw her at the climbing wall and that she deserved something special after all that effort.

Her heart gave a small thump. She had told herself she would keep her distance, but the invitation made her inner cougar stir with restless energy. She hesitated, staring at the phone with her thumbs poised above the keyboard. Her stomach rumbled again, reminding her she was too hungry to think straight. She read his words once more, feeling both flattered and apprehensive. He was suggesting they get to know each other, and part of her wanted to run in the opposite direction. Another part of her was already itching to accept.

She took a breath and typed a short reply. She paused, then deleted a few words, frowning at how uncertain she felt. In the end, she settled on the simplest truth. “Sounds good. I’m starving. Where should we meet?” She added a small smiley face before hitting send. A rush of something like relief coursed through her. It felt good to say yes, even if it left her oddly vulnerable.

Theo’s answer arrived almost immediately. He told her to meet him in the meadow by the big oak tree near the field pavilion. She imagined the spot, picturing the lush grass. Her cheeks warmed as she thought about sharing a picnic lunch there with him. At the same time, she couldn’t help feeling like she was walking into a prison sentence.

Chapter

Five

Serena followed a gently windingpath to the edge of the meadow. In the distance, she spotted a grand oak tree. Theo knelt on a picnic blanket in a cool patch of shade under the canopy. Sunbeams slipped through the leaves, dancing across his face in shifting speckles of light. As she crossed the field, she inhaled the aroma of sweet clover, mingling with the scent of multicolored wildflowers.

As she approached, she noticed a wicker basket beside him. “Hey,” he said, standing. “Thank you for coming.”

“I was on my way to lunch when you messaged me. I figured… why not?” She gave him a slight smile.

Theo rose to greet her, his gaze intense—pupils dilating in a way that made Serena’s inner cougar growl. Though he wore a warm smile, she caught a hint of restlessness in his stance, like he was bracing for something.

Theo offered her a seat, opening the wicker basket. He pulled out containers that held fresh salads with mixed greens, crisp cucumbers, and sliced cherry tomatoes. Theo then retrieved twohearty sandwiches layered with roast beef and melted cheese. He arranged it all neatly on the picnic blanket.

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