She might as well get an ego boost out of this. That way, when he killed her, at least she’d feel good about herself. That train of thought made her panic. Her heart raced, and she felt sweat drip down her brow.
She’d sent Corey a text. Right? As smart as he was, maybe he’d be able to figure out what happened. Maybe he’d come save her. Her only hope was the man who’d broken her heart. The man she’d vowed never to speak to again.
Chapter 11
Corey’s phone pinged with a text from Willow. He stared at the screen.
“Help.”
That’s all it said.
Help?
He called her phone, but it went straight to voicemail. That was odd. Something must be wrong. His heart sped up until it was pounding as he had a realization. The stalker hadn’t been in Seattle.
Why had he been so blind?
Corey called the lodge, and the evening receptionist answered.
“Could you call Willow Rhine’s suite?” he asked.
“One moment,” she said. Corey waited. “That guest checked out.”
“When?”
“About an hour ago,” she said.
“Did she say why?”
“I wasn’t on duty then, sir. I wouldn’t know. But Kelly did mention a guest had thrown her keycard at her.”
“Willow wouldn’t throw anything at anyone,” Corey stated.
“I don’t think it was intentional. Kelly said the woman was really upset.”
“She fell right into his hands. It’s all my fault.”
“Excuse me, sir?”
“Thanks for your help.”
He started to dial. Levi didn’t answer. Damn. Levi always answered. He started out of the cabin, hurrying out into the night. His phone rang as he opened the door.
“What is it?” Levi asked.
“Willow’s been taken. We need to assemble the crew.”
“Taken? How? Why?”
“She’s been kidnapped by a stalker. We need to find her.”
“I’ll alert the crew and call the chief of police. We’ll get your mate back safely. Don’t worry.”
“I’ll find out what I can from here,” Corey said.
Corey dug further into Charles Shaw’s past. The man had worked in New York at Willow’s publishing company. But what the people at her company probably didn’t know was that he’d been arrested for stalking another woman almost ten years ago. Corey was able to crack into sealed files from a case in Pennsylvania. No ordinary person would be able to access those files.
Shaw had been a minor at the time and had the case removed from his record after he served some time in juvenile detention.
He hadn’t had to mention it when he got a job as an editor for Willow’s company. No one knew.
Who had he been stalking? A poet who’d graduated high school two years before him.
After he’d gotten out of juvy, he’d gone on to college to study English. Big surprise. And after he’d graduated, he got a job as an editor at a publishing company in New York.
Few people knew the identity of the ghostwriters who worked for the company. But somehow, he’d been able to find out that Willow wrote most of Sandra Collins’ books. Corey had to put a stop to whatever evil plan he had for Willow.
The stalking case in Pennsylvania had ended with a minor assault, but the girl’s roommate had walked in on Charles Shaw holding the young poet captive. The roommate had called the police and had probably saved the girl from a much worse fate.
Corey gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. That psycho would not hurt his mate. He slammed his fist on his computer desk.
“Damn it!”
He would never let anyone hurt his mate. His beautiful Willow. The realization bowled him over.
Why had he been so stupid? No matter what he believed about fated mates, Corey knew he was in love with Willow.
That’s why he’d broken it off. His bear growled inside his mind, reminding him that his mate was still out there. He had to find her. He had to save her and bring her home.
They’d figure everything once she was out of danger. He vowed that he would never take her for granted again. The thought of that crazy man laying a hand on her drove him to the brink.
He opened up the files on his computer and started to analyze the GPS location of Willow’s phone, using the data from her last text.
When she’d texted him the word “help”, her phone had been on the highway headed back to Portland about fifteen miles out of Fate Mountain Village.
He quickly texted the location to Levi. His phone rang right after he sent it.
“I’ve spoken with the chief of police,” Levi started. “A kidnapping is a dangerous police matter, and they want to take over the case. However, he does want to interface with you on the rescue since you have access to information they don’t. And he’s invited the crew out to help search the woods.”
“Sounds good, Levi.”
Corey got on the phone with the police chief and relayed his information from Willow’s GPS.
“I’ve got a squad car in that location,” the chief said. “It looks like a car skidded off the road there and tore down a steep hill. That was probably them.”
Corey gasped, thinking of Willow in a car accident. He could feel her fear in his chest. He knew that man had her.
The chief was a shifter like his crew, and so was much of the police department. The Rescue Bears had worked with the Fate Mountain Police on rescues before.
“The area around there is dense and hard to get through. We’re glad the Rescue Bears are assisting on this one. Is there any more information you can give me on where to look?”
“I’m inputting the data for my system to analyze now.”
There was a knock at the door, and Corey hung up the phone with the police chief. When he opened the door, he found his crew all standing outside.
“We’re setting up Alpha Station here,” Levi said, walking through the front door.
The crew were dressed and ready for a rescue. He also noticed that Shane, Angus, Drew, and Zach were all packing heat.
It gave Corey confidence to know that his crew were going out to find Willow. His mate. His love. Corey’s heart clenched when he thought of how foolish he’d been. To her and to his crew.
But he didn’t have time for self-recrimination now. He had to find her.
Levi began to direct the crew, interfacing with the chief of police via walkie-talkie. Levi was a good leader and kept things organized and on track in a way Corey never could. He admired his alpha for his leadership, and he would always be loyal to Levi for that and for so many other reasons.
Two teams went out from Corey’s cabin. Drew and Zach would take one route, and Angus and Shane took the second.
His system was still parsing data, trying to figure out Charles Shaw’s motives and movements in those woods.
It would take time to analyze all the data, and until he had some clue, all he could do was sit there and watch the files load on his screen.
When the field operatives left, he was alone in his cabin with Levi. As Levi spoke with the teams, Corey had a growing sense of shame spiraling inside his chest.
He’s been so blind about his mate. Everyone had told him and he hadn’t listened. He’d been so angry that his crew had conspired against him to bring Willow here. But now, he was only angry at himself for rejecting that gift.
“I’ve been an idiot, Levi,” Corey said, rubbing his eyes behind his glasses.
“We all make mistakes.”
“Not like this.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. We’ll find her. She’ll be fine.”
“I knew she had a stalker. I even knew that he was no longer in his area. I was too blinded by my stupidity to see what was in front of my face. I broke her heart and sent her away to be kidnapped.”
“Corey, the guys never should have tricked you two into meeting.”
“You weren’t in on it?”
“
Not until it was too late. If I’d known before she arrived, I would have put a stop to it.”
“Even Angus was in on it,” Corey said.
“They all were. But don’t hold it against them, Corey. They just wanted you to be happy.”
“I don’t hold it against them. I’m grateful. I never would have met her if they hadn’t done it. I’ve been stubborn and pig headed. I’m not proud of that.”
“Corey, you’ve told me about your parents. I understand your reservations about mating.”
“But you thought I would come around too, didn’t you?”
“I did. But I figured it would be on your own terms, not when the rest of the crew tricked you into it. That wasn’t really fair.”
“I’ve realized that Shane was right. It’s time for me to get over the past. What my father did has nothing to do with Willow and me.”
“What will you do when we find her?”
“I’ll ask her to be my mate. If she says yes, I’ll claim her. Marry her and keep her close for the rest of our lives.”
“Good for you, Corey. I’m happy for you.”
“Don’t congratulate me yet. We have to find her first. And she has to accept me.”
Corey felt a hard lump in his throat. He was terrified he’d destroyed his chances at love. But he was even more terrified that his stupidity had put Willow in serious danger. They had to find her. Now.
“I’m sure she’ll come around.”
“The guy who has her is a real sicko. There’s no telling what he’ll do. I’ve input all the information I have on him into my random probability generator, and it should give us a better idea of where he’s headed.”
Chapter 12
Charles dragged Willow through the forest. Her whole body ached from the crash and the forced march through the dense brush.
Willow was beyond afraid, and a survival instinct deep inside her took over her body. If she’d had to think too much about what was happening, she would have collapsed into a frantic little puddle. At least if she was moving, and doing what he asked, she could keep herself somewhat safe from him.
“Why are you doing this?” she gasped as he pulled her up from her resting place under a tree.
“Because I’m the only one who can appreciate you for your genius. The publishing company didn’t appreciate you. God knows that shifter didn’t appreciate you. That man will never see you for what you really are.”
“And what is that?” she asked as she trudged through the dark underbrush.
“A goddess. And a genius.”
“Hate to break it to you, but I’m neither of those things.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. And that man you were with, he was wrong too.”’
“He’s confused.”
“He’s an idiot.”
“Corey Bright is anything but an idiot. He’s a genius.”
“Any man who would send you away crying is an idiot.”
“He had his reasons. Things you wouldn’t understand.”
“I don’t care about his shifter issues. All I care about is you getting what you deserve.”
“What do I deserve again?” she asked.
“You deserve a man who will worship you as I do.”
“I don’t want to be worshiped.”
“You need to be worshiped. A woman like you needs a man like me to show her what she’s worth.”
“I already know what I’m worth,” she said.
She knew she was worth more than this. That was for sure.
She could feel at the core of her being that Corey would find her and save her from this psycho.
The fated mate bond was strong between them, and she knew he was on his way. She didn’t know what would happen after he found her. Maybe she’d just go back to Seattle and go on as always. But she knew she would never be the same.
She was falling in love with Corey and she’d never be able to forget him. It would haunt her for the rest of her life. The pain of it ached like an unhealable wound deep in her heart.
“We have to hurry,” Charles said.
“Where are you taking me?” Willow asked.
“Somewhere we can be alone.”
She shook her head, trying to find the strength to carry on. Charles continued dragging her through the forest, and Willow grew more tired with every step. The morning sunlight was bright overhead. She was exhausted and trying to keep herself from crying with every aching footstep.
They came to a clearing, deep in the forest, with a campsite and tent set up. He hurried toward the tent and shoved her down into a foldout seat.
“Where the hell are we?” she asked.
“We are at the camp I prepared for you earlier today. This is where you will fall in love with me. This is where I will give you everything you deserve.”
“You’re demented,” Willow muttered.
The tent zipped open behind her, and a moment later Charles came back to light a fire in the fire pit.
“Is this some kind of campground?”
“I’m not telling you where we are until I know that you finally understand what I’m trying to do for you,” he said.
“How is keeping me prisoner worshiping me?” she asked, staring over the flickering new flames.
“You are confused. You need to be taught. I’m the only one who can teach you,” he said.
He knelt in front of her, grasping her hand and staring into her eyes.
“Willow Rhine, I know you. I know how you love. I know how to touch you,” he said.
“You realize reality and fiction are two different things, right?”
“You and I both know that you couldn’t write those things if you couldn’t feel them,” he countered.
“That doesn’t mean I would ever feel those things for you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
He gritted his teeth and reached up to grab her neck, squeezing until she couldn’t breathe. She gasped, trying to speak. She closed her eyes hard, regretting that she hadn’t just played along.
She heard a roar in the distance. It was unmistakably grizzly. Charles looked in the direction of the sound, and Willow kicked out at him, pushing him away and tilting the chair over backwards. She twisted herself out of the chair and began running toward the forest edge.
She made it to the cover of the trees when she heard the police telling Charles to put his hands up. She turned to see men overtake the campsite. Then a big brown bear paced through the camp, sniffing the air.
Willow didn’t know how, but she knew it was Corey. A grateful tear slid down her face, and she started to run to him. The bear sniffed the air and started toward her. They met in the grassy clearing beyond the campsite in the morning sunlight. She could see his eyes flash as he approached.
“Corey,” she whispered.
She was both afraid and intrigued. She needed to touch him, hug him, and stroke his fur. She stepped forward as he sniffed, groaning softly. Willow ran her hand along his muzzle and then wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close to her.
“You found me,” she said into his fuzzy ear.
Before she knew what was happening, the bear retracted in her arms and she was being held by a very naked geek. She looked up at him, his eyes not disguised by his glasses.
Drew threw a blanket around Corey’s shoulders, and Corey tied it around his waist. Willow couldn’t help but peek at him, even though she tried to divert her eyes from his body.
“We need to get you back to the lodge,” he said, his voice all business.
All her feelings for Corey welled up inside her. The longing, the pain. The fact that he’d made it so clear that he didn’t want her. It all spiraled inside.
She fully understood her heroine now. She knew how she felt when the hero walked away. The feelings flooded her senses, and she knew she had to get them down on paper. She had to pour her emotions into her story. Maybe then she could understand what to do in her life.
“Do you know wha
t happened to my laptop?” she asked, growing nervous that she’d lost her book.
“We recovered your belongings from the car crash.”
“Where are they?” she asked, walking past him to the campsite.
“Back at the lodge,” he said.
Charles Shaw was handcuffed, and the cops read him his rights. The Rescue Bears were standing back, looking confident in their rescue gear.
Willow turned back to look at Corey, wrapped in a thermal blanket. He’d come down here to find her. Even with a team of cops and the rescue crew out here, he came too. That had to mean something. She shoved the feeling aside. He’d made it clear that he didn’t want her. What she had to focus on was finishing her book, getting it to the editor, and getting on with her life. No matter how much she wanted Corey, she knew it was for the best.
“We need to get you checked out and back to the lodge,” Corey said.
“I’m fine,” Willow said. “I’m just tired. I need my computer so I can work on my book.”
“You want to work at a time like this?” he asked.
“I had a breakthrough while I was out here. I need to get it down. Tell me my computer is all right.”
“Um. I didn’t turn it on.”
“Is there something you aren’t telling me?”
“Let’s just get you back to the lodge.”
“Where are we?” she asked as they walked past the campsite and onto a dirt road beyond.
“Backpacking campsite. But there’s a Forest Service access road right by it. We just drove in.”
They walked down to a collection of vehicles, and he opened the passenger door of his compact truck. She slid inside, putting on the seatbelt.
Corey sat across from her, the metallic thermal blanket he wore crinkling in the silence between them. She had so much on her mind, she didn’t even know where to start.
Their bond spiraled back and forth between their hearts. She took a deep breath, feeling the profound tug toward him. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. Being close to him made her come alive with desire and inspiration.
She wanted him so badly. Why did he have to play with her heart? She knew he wanted her too. His insistence that they stay apart was hurting them both.
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