Page 21 of His Stubborn Mate

“Sheriff Miller, my name is Amanda Adams. Donald Albright has just abducted a friend of mine and has demanded I meet him…”

“That’s not happening,” growled Miller.

Amanda rolled her eyes. Apparently, Eva’s description of over-the-top alpha males was not exaggerated. “Save it. I’m going. I called Rance but got his voicemail. I’m supposed to meet Albright in three hours and would really appreciate backup. I’m sending you the GPS coordinates. What’s you’re ETA?”

“You’re going to need to stand down. We can’t get there that fast. Keep trying to get to Rance or the other rangers on Kodiak. I’ll see if I can find a way to get to you sooner. Where are you now?”

“I’m at my clinic, but I’m not waiting for anybody. If they’re here when I’m ready to leave, great. If not, I’m going after my friend.” Before Miller could respond, Amanda ended the call. She grabbed the tranquilizer pistol, checked the darts, and loaded it quickly. The plan formed in her mind—she would face Albright, but she wouldn’t play by his rules.

She waited until it was time to leave. She phoned Rance, Randy, and anyone else she could think of before driving to the coordinates Albright had provided, her heart pounding with every passing second. The secluded spot deep in the forest was perfect for an ambush, and she knew Albright would be ready for her. But she couldn’t let that stop her.

When she arrived, Amanda was forced to park the truck a short distance away as she must have driven over something buried in the snow. She heard the tire pop, and when she stopped to see the damage, saw it rapidly losing air. She had no choice but to approach on foot, the tranquilizer pistol held tightly in one hand, shoved in the pocket of her parka. She moved quietly, her senses heightened, the forest around her eerily silent.

She spotted Albright’s SUV parked in a small clearing, and her heart sank when she saw Eva inside, her hands still bound, the collar preventing her from shifting. Albright stood beside the vehicle, his expression one of smug satisfaction as he watched Amanda approach.

“You’re early,” Albright said, his voice dripping with condescension.

Amanda ignored his taunt, her focus entirely on Eva. “Let her go, Albright. This doesn’t have to end badly.”

Albright chuckled darkly. “Oh, I think it does. But not for me.”

Before he could make another move, Amanda acted. She pulled the tranquilizer pistol from her pocket, raised it, and fired, the dart hitting Albright square in the chest. He staggered back, surprise flashing in his eyes before the powerful sedative began to take effect.

Amanda rushed to Eva, fumbling with the collar’s lock, but it wouldn’t budge. “Damn it!” she cursed, her fingers trembling as she tried to force it open.

“It’s no use,” Eva said, her voice strained but steady. “He’s got the key to this damn thing in an inside pocket of his parka.”

Amanda looked around frantically, her mind racing. Albright was still conscious, though barely, and she knew they didn’t have much time. “We have to go. Now.”

Eva nodded, her movements hindered by her bound hands, but she managed to climb out of the SUV with Amanda’s help. Together, they made their way into the forest, moving as quickly as they could.

Behind them, Amanda heard Albright’s groggy voice, his anger clear even through the effects of the tranquilizer. “You think this is over? I’ll find you!”

Amanda didn’t look back. She kept her grip on Eva’s arm, pulling her deeper into the woods. The sound of Albright’s footsteps grew louder as he gave chase, and Amanda’s heart pounded in her chest. How had he recovered so quickly? That dose of sedative should have put him on his ass for an hour or more, and yet, he was already chasing them.

The forest was a blur of shadows and dappled sunlight as Amanda and Eva raced through the underbrush, their breaths ragged, their hearts pounding in sync with the rapid thud of their footsteps. The trees loomed overhead, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, but Amanda barely noticed them. Her focus was on the terrain ahead, the uneven ground beneath her feet, and the sounds of pursuit behind them.

Eva stumbled beside her, her movements hampered by the zip ties around her wrists and the collar that prevented her from shifting. Amanda tightened her grip on Eva’s arm, urging her to keep going. “We’re almost there,” Amanda panted, though she wasn’t sure where they were or how much farther they might have to run.

The ground sloped upward, and Amanda’s heart sank as she saw the steep rock face ahead of them. It was the only way forward, a sheer cliff that towered above the forest floor. They had no choice but to climb.

“Can you make it?” Amanda asked, finally reaching into her pocket for a small pen knife with which she cut the zip ties that bound Eva’s wrists. Eva nodded; determination etched on her face despite the exhaustion.

“We have to,” Eva replied, her voice tight with emotion.

Amanda didn’t waste another second. She scrambled up the rock face, her fingers searching for holds in the rough surface. The climb was steep, and every muscle in her body screamed in protest, but she pushed through the pain. Behind her, Eva followed, slower, but just as determined.

Halfway up, Amanda chanced a glance over her shoulder and saw Albright emerging from the shadows of the trees below. How the hell had he recovered so quickly? His eyes were wild with fury, the effects of the tranquilizer seemingly wearing off. He spotted them on the rock face, and a vicious grin spread across his face.

“You can’t run forever!” Albright shouted, his voice echoing off the cliffs. “You’re only making this harder on yourself!”

Amanda gritted her teeth, refusing to be intimidated. “Keep climbing, Eva,” she urged, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

They reached the top of the rock face, their hands raw and scraped from the climb. Amanda helped Eva over the edge, both of them gasping for breath as they looked down at Albright, who was already beginning his ascent.

“Go!” Amanda hissed, pulling Eva along the narrow ledge that edged the cliff. There was no clear path, but Amanda knew they had to keep moving. Albright was relentless, and if he caught them, there would be no mercy.

They moved along the rockface, their backs pressed against the cold cliff, the drop below them dizzying. The ledge narrowed, forcing them to move slower, but Albright was gaining on them, his movements fueled by rage.

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