They surged into the forest along the familiar paths Henry had patrolled for years. Ivy ran beside him, their paws striking earth in a synchronized rhythm. Pride swelled in Henry’s chest.
Henry locked onto Vance’s scent trail. The man’s human awkwardness in the forest made him pitifully easy to track. Broken branches and disturbed undergrowth marked his passage like a neon sign.
When the human trail veered toward what looked like easier ground, Ivy angled to cut off Vance’s escape route. Henry broke through the dense underbrush, his larger bulk clearing the way.
When she spotted a shortcut through a rocky outcropping, he trusted her lead without hesitation. They communicated through subtle body language, coordinating the hunt with an intimacy that transcended their human relationship.
They cornered Vance in a clearing where Henry had found the false boundary markers. Vance stumbled, chest heaving, still clutching his messenger bag. His eyes went wide with terror as two grizzlies emerged from the shadows, cutting off any escape.
Henry shifted back to human form, confronting Vance. “The documents. Hand them over.”
Vance’s gaze darted between them, wild with panic. For a moment, it seemed he might comply. Then, with a desperate whimper, he tried to dart past Ivy’s bear form.
Ivy cut off his escape route and pinned the terrified contractor to the ground. The messenger bag tumbled free. “You don’t understand...” Vance’s words came between sobs, his resistancecrumbling. “They’ll destroy everything I’ve built... my family’s company...”
“Who’s ‘they,’ Vance?” Henry kept his voice level despite the urgency thrumming through him.
“I can’t... They’re too powerful. They have connections everywhere.”
The sound of approaching sirens grew louder, accompanied by the bobbing of flashlights through the trees. Henry could hear voices. The police department was responding to the nature center’s alarm.
He leaned closer to Vance. “It’s over.”
48 Hours Later
Henry stood in the construction trailer at the nature center, watching Ivy sort through inspection reports with the same methodical focus she’d shown during their hunt. Emergency repairs on the windows had already been completed.
The final inspection had proceeded on schedule. Vance had been taken into custody, though his cooperation with the authorities stayed limited. He continued to display a palpable terror of the unnamed “they” behind the conspiracy.
“The sabotage equipment was sophisticated,” Ivy said without looking up from her papers. “Whoever supplied Vance with those specialized drill bits knew exactly what they were doing.”
Henry nodded, remembering the messenger bag now sealed in evidence. Its contents remained hidden behind legal procedures, but he suspected those documents held answers about the larger threat to Fate Mountain. Porter’s sudden absence from town—his offices closed “for renovation” since news of Vance’s arrest spread—suggested he was deeply involved in the conspiracy.
“The grand opening’s still on schedule,” Ivy added, finally glancing up with a tired smile.
Henry moved behind her chair, resting his hands on her shoulders. Through the window, he could see construction crews completing repairs. “We saved your nature center.”
Henry felt something fundamental shift inside him. Protecting Fate Mountain had been his solitary mission for years. Now, standing guard meant something different. It meant protecting his mate, and everything she held dear.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Ivy Bright pulledinto the nature center’s parking lot the morning of the grand opening. She’d chosen her sunshine-yellow dress deliberately, its cheerful color a declaration of her steadfast optimism. Today marked more than just an opening—it was proof that their community could overcome those who sought to exploit it.
She walked through the still empty exhibition hall, her footsteps echoing in the silence.
The security measures were subtle but present. After what they’d uncovered about Porter’s shell companies and Vance’s terrified confessions about the unnamed “they” behind the conspiracy, the institute wasn’t taking chances.
Ivy paused at the entrance to the main hall. The building held the scents of fresh paint, polished wood, and hope. Despite everything, they’d made it to this day. The nature center would open as scheduled.
Henry appeared in the doorway, wearing his formal ranger uniform, the crisp lines making him look official. Two monthsago, this gruff ranger had growled at her enthusiasm and dismissed her project as a threat to his wilderness. She couldn’t believe how far they’d come
The next several hours brought the controlled chaos of final preparations. Construction crews arrived, many who’d worked overtime after the vandalism. Whispered conversations rippled through the workers: “...heard the FBI took boxes from Porter’s office...” “...Vance’s family lost everything, but at least he’s cooperating...” “...they say there are more shell companies they haven’t found yet...”
The last educational displays were secured, interactive exhibits tested one final time. Staff moved through the building checking lights, adjusting signs, and making sure every detail was perfect. When the clock struck noon, Ivy took a deep breath and nodded to Henry, who stood by the main entrance.
“Ready?” she asked.
