Page 36 of Beast Bear (Return To Fate Mountain #2)

Chapter

Thirty-Six

Theo parked his car on a narrow logging road not far from the academy grounds. Tall pines loomed overhead, and thick brush hid his vehicle. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the clearing in twilight. He rested his palms on the steering wheel, feeling the weight of the evening settle over him. Time was running out. The charity climb was tomorrow.

He thought of how Kai had turned the academy against him. Gritting his teeth, he ran through his plan to gather evidence against Kai. At dawn, he would hike through the woods to the academy, find a place to observe Kai’s movements, and record the evidence he needed to clear his name.

A sense of urgency coiled in his stomach. If he failed, he didn’t have a backup plan. He would remain the academy’s scapegoat. Any chance of having a normal life and reconciling with Serena would vanish. He picked up his phone. It was fully charged from his car, but he had no cell service in this location. He would send Serena and Logan the photos of Kai’s sabotage as soon as he had a signal.

The mate bond tugged at his chest with surprising intensity, as if his inner grizzly sensed her presence. He squeezed his eyes shut, memories of Serena’s tear-streaked face assaulting him. The terrified child in the bank ran through his mind. He had become the monster he hated. Guilt flared, mingled with sorrow and a fierce hope that he could regain her trust.