Page 6 of His Stubborn Mate

But even as she resolved to uncover the truth, a part of her wondered if some mysteries were better left unsolved, if some secrets were meant to remain hidden in the shadows of the wilderness.

Only time would tell.

Chapter Four

Amanda

Amanda sat on the edge of her hospital bed, staring out the window at the snow-covered landscape beyond. The events of the past few days played over and over in her mind like a broken record. She couldn’t shake the image of Rance from her thoughts, the way his eyes had locked onto hers with an intensity that had both unnerved and intrigued her. The mystery of who he was—and why she felt so inexplicably drawn to him—gnawed at her, refusing to let go.

“Amanda, are you even listening?” Eva’s voice broke through her reverie, bringing her back to the present.

Amanda turned to her friend, who was sitting in a chair beside the bed, her expression a mix of concern and mild exasperation. “Sorry, what did you say?”

Eva sighed and shook her head with a knowing smile. “I was asking how you’re feeling. You’ve been through a lot, you know. It’s not every day that you survive a car crash in the middle of nowhere and get rescued by some mysterious stranger.”

Amanda bit her lip, her thoughts immediately drifting back to Rance. “I’ve been thinking about him,” she admitted, her voice soft. “Rance, I mean. I can’t get him out of my head. It’s like… like I’m drawn to him somehow.”

Eva raised an eyebrow, her interest clearly piqued. “Drawn to him? How do you mean?”

Amanda hesitated, searching for the right words to explain the strange connection she felt. “It’s hard to describe. When I was with him, even though I was hurt and scared, I felt… safe. Like he was someone I could trust completely. And there’s something else, something I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s like there’s a part of him that I know, even though I’ve never met him before.”

Eva leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. “That sounds pretty intense. Are you sure you’re not just fixated on him because you think he saved your life? Keep in mind when the evac people got there, you were alone.”

“Then who called them? I couldn’t get to my phone or the radio. And who pulled me out of the wreck? I was pinned in.”

Eva was quiet.

Amanda shook her head. “I’m not wrong. He wasn’t a hallucination. There’s something about Rance.”

Eva regarded her friend thoughtfully for a moment before speaking again. “The only person I’ve ever heard of on Kodiak with the name of Rance is Rance Manville. He’s a bit of a loner, works for the parks department up at Frostbark Ranger Station. I’ve heard he’s been through a lot, and he keeps to himself most of the time. People say he’s rarely seen in town.”

Amanda’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. “That has to be him. Do you know anything else about him?”

Eva shook her head. “Not much. Like I said, he’s a loner. People say he’s been through some rough stuff, but no one seems to know the details. He’s not the kind of guy who opens up easily. Honestly, Amanda, if you’re thinking of trying to find him, I’d be careful. He might not appreciate someone prying into his life.”

Amanda smiled faintly, though her resolve was unwavering. “I’m not trying to pry, Eva. I just want to thank him for saving my life. It’s the least I can do.”

Eva sighed, clearly recognizing the stubborn determination in her friend’s eyes. “All right, but just be careful, okay? I don’t want to see you getting hurt again.”

Amanda nodded, appreciating Eva’s concern but knowing that she couldn’t let this go. She had to find Rance, had to understand the connection she felt with him. It was as if something beyond her control was pulling her toward him, and she couldn’t ignore it.

That night, as she drifted into a restless sleep, her thoughts once again turned to Rance. The dreams that came were vivid and unsettling, blurring the line between reality and the strange pull she felt toward him.

In her dream, Amanda was running through the woods, the cold air burning in her lungs as she raced through the dense underbrush. The trees loomed overhead, their branches like skeletal arms reaching out to grab her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a massive bear, its fur a mottled blend of dark browns, grays, and black so that he blended in with his surroundings. He was barreling through the trees behind her. Panic surged through her, her heart pounding in her chest as she pushed herself to run faster, to escape the beast that was chasing her.

But no matter how fast she ran, the bear was faster. She could feel its hot breath on the back of her neck, hear the thunderous roar that reverberated through the forest. Just as she thought it would overtake her, the bear leaped, and everything around her changed. The air turned icy, a thick mist swirling around her, and suddenly, she was no longer running. The bear was gone, and in its place stood a man—Rance Manville.

He stared at her with those same intense eyes, but there was something different about him now, something wild and untamed. Amanda couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. She could only watch as Rance stepped closer, the mist wrapping around them both like a shroud.

Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the dream shifted again. The mist parted, and Amanda found herself standing in the middle of the forest, the snow falling gently around her. She looked down at her hands, expecting to see them covered in fur, but they were human—her own. And when she looked up, Rance was gone, leaving her alone in the silent, snow-covered woods.

Amanda jolted awake, her heart racing and her body drenched in sweat. The dream had felt so real, so visceral, that it took her a moment to remember where she was. She sat up in bed, trying to shake off the lingering sense of unease. The clock on the wall showed it was just after dawn, the first rays of sunlight creeping in through the window.

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, the cold tile floor sending a shiver up her spine. She needed to clear her head, to shake off the remnants of the dream. Maybe a hot shower would help.

Amanda made her way to the bathroom, the events of the past few days swirling in her mind like a whirlwind. The memory of Rance, of the strange connection she felt with him, was still as vivid as ever, refusing to be pushed aside.

As she stepped into the shower and turned on the hot water, she let the steam envelop her, the warmth soothing her tense muscles. For a moment, she allowed herself to relax, to let the hot water wash away the fear and confusion that had been plaguing her since the accident.

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