Page 78 of Forever Theirs

Fuck.

In below-freezing temperatures, which my light coat was useless to ward against, plus wet boots, socks, and now pants, I was royally screwed with zero clue about what to do next to save myself from being eaten or dying of hypothermia.

The ripping of material and loud huffs of heavy breathing had my stomach sinking. I was trapped where I was, freezing mist coating my face and body, going numb until Mr. Bear was done. Time slowed as I sat, muscles tense and tight from the cold, listening to the bear shred through my pack’s contents, no doubt eating all the yummy snacks I purchased from The Nest while the snow continued to fall, sealing my fate.

By the time the munching stopped, the snorting and stomping of heavy steps long faded, and I dared to peek around the boulder, everything was covered in a pristine blanket of white, minus the terrifying paw prints that led back toward the way the bear came.

I slumped back against the rock, hand to my chest as I gulped down lungfuls of air. Fuck, that was close. Never once in all the times I’d hiked in my life had I encountered a bear this close. In the past, we’d kept a significant distance between us and them when out on location for the magazine which was why I didn’t even think to bring bear spray.

Idiot. I was a damn idiot.

Knowing I needed to get myself out of the shallow, icy water immediately, I slowly stood, muscles and joints protesting, and eased from my hiding place. A frustrated grumble escaped that sounded way louder with the silent snow pouring from the sky and surrounding quiet. That jackass bear shredded everything. There wasn’t a single thing to salvage. Even the pack itself was ruined.

After scooping up the remains, my body now trembling and fingers numb, I tied the thick, ripped ribbons of canvas together into a makeshift sack to keep the trash from spilling out and started toward the trail.

Only to quickly realize it was gone.

Well, not literally gone, but hidden somewhere under the inches of snow that had accumulated and added to the thick patches of icy, dirty snow that had yet to melt from previous storms that dotted the area. It hit me like a punch to the gut as I frantically scanned the area for any hint of where the trail had started. I was truly, thoroughly fucked. The already poorly marked and hard-to-navigate trail was daunting before the snow; now it would be dangerous as hell to even attempt to start the hike down.

Could I attempt it and pray to the Alaskan gods that I was on the right path? Sure, but that was an amateur mistake. Seasoned hikers knew to stay put so they didn’t potentially wander off the trail, becoming lost and far from the path where rescuers would look first.

I was stuck. Dropping the useless pack, I stomped to a set of rocks away from the water and sat on the opposite side to use it as a shield from the whipping wind.

“Damnit, Aspen.” My fogged breath pushed back into my face where it was tucked against my chest. I tightened both arms around my shins, curling into an even tighter ball to preserve what little body heat remained. A thicker coat, gloves, and a hat would’ve been great, but unfortunately, I’d left it all in the cabin, not thinking the weather would turn as quickly as it did.

It was fine.

I would survive this and laugh about it later.

Hopefully.

Maybe.

Rocking back and forth to keep the blood flowing to my extremities, I berated myself over and over. All I had to do was wait for the guys to be free, and they would’ve come with me. But no, Mrs. I’m a Capable Adult had to prove my competency and independence by coming here all alone and, bonus, unprepared for snowmageddon. Okay, this was probably not snowmageddon to Alaskans, but it felt like it to me.

Sharp, jagged edges of the rock I leaned back against pierced through my light jacket and sweater, poking at my spine as I shifted along the damp ground. I glared at the asshole snow. Once beautiful and calming, now all I wanted to do was flip it the bird.

For the hundredth time, I debated saying fuck it and trying to make my way down the mountain. Shaking my head, melted droplets of snow flicking onto my already-wet jacket, I forced myself to stay put. Staying where I was until someone came for me was my best option, even if that meant ever so slowly turning into a human popsicle.

Lungs tight, I worked to huff warm breaths into my frozen hands before tucking them back under my armpits. Someone—or two someones—would come looking for me. That, I was certain of.

Hopefully before I turned into the crazy guy at the end ofThe Shining.

Fuck, Miles was going to be furious. That thought had renewed heat thawing me from the inside out.But my heart sank thinking about Aiden. He probably blamed himself for this, even though I was the dumbass who didn’t listen to their warnings.

Minutes turned into what felt like hours of waiting, fighting to stay awake as my heart rate slowed. I eyed the sky, wishing I could see the sun to attempt to guess at the time. Surely by now the guys had realized I was gone, right? But that didn’t mean they knew where to look.

Damnit, why didn’t I leave a note for them?

Oh, that’s right. Fucking creepy Charles.

My brows pulled in tight as I stared at the snow around me as if it had all the answers. What the hell was he doing at my cabin anyway? It felt fishy that he stopped by to check on the place when I was there and alone. But how would he have known I was there unless he had cameras or something?

Blowing out a breath, I tucked my chin in close. None of that mattered now. Nothing mattered but getting the hell off this trail and back with my guys.

In front of a fire.

Beneath a thick blanket.

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