Page 36 of Forbidden Virgin Mate

My panic building, I tightly redress my wound with the scarf. I need to get out of here. I look up toward the road, but I can't even see how far I fell because of the snow. Looking down, I think I can see a lower road, but it could also be a stream. I just need to find someone who can help me.

I decide to head down as it's not as far. Hopefully, there will be a road. The sun is starting to rise now, and there might be traffic. If it’s a stream, I’ll follow it. Cabins are dotted all along the rivers here.

My whole body screams in protest as I struggle to stand. I grab the smaller branch that impaled my leg and use it as a stick to support my weight, shuffling and sliding carefully down the hill with tears in my eyes.

All I can think about is Zack and my wolf, crying out for her mate.

Chapter 18 - Zack

The first tendrils of sunlight are creeping through the open blinds as I stretch my arms, instinctively reaching for Tanya's warm, soft body. I’m eager to have her close to me, even when I'm half-asleep.

The feel of freezing cold sheets instantly wakes me, and I bolt upright, scanning the room.

I know instantly that she's gone. Not just from the room but the cabin, too. My wolf senses the distance from our bond and paces irrationally within.

Not again. Has she seriously run off again? Why?

So many thoughts run through my mind, but one overtakes them all. How did she leave? We're in the middle of nowhere.

Without bothering to dress, I race through the cabin to look out the front windows. Just as I feared, my truck is gone.Fuck.

I stand there, dumbstruck for a moment. I can't understand why Tanya would change her mind to the point that she would steal my truck and leave me stranded on the mountain just to get away from me. It makes no sense. We could have traveled back today and talked about whatever’s bothering her.

I reel from the shock and confusion assaulting our new bond. It's disorientating, and I can't shake the feeling that something really bad is happening.

I start looking for my phone through the bags and clothes we shed yesterday, noting that she hasn't even taken all her things. She must have been in a real rush to get out. I remember her saying she was getting a glass of water early in the morning. She must have slipped out then.

I find my phone on the counter, and next to it, a note.

I'm sorry, Zack. For everything. —T x

Sorry for leaving me, I guess. I know she feels the mating bond, too. How can she just walk away from that? How can her wolf let her? Mine is going crazy at being separated now. I just don't understand.

Right now, I need to get off this mountain. My truck has GPS, and I know Saf tracks it sometimes, so she knows where I am and when I'll be back when I'm out hunting. It works better than any phone signal out here.

It's early, but I call her anyway.

"Yeah?" she answers sleepily. I haven't even checked the time, but since the sun's up now, it must be after 6 a.m.

"Saf, I need you to check something for me," I say, trying to keep my voice neutral so I don't worry her. I also don't want to deal with too many questions. "I'm at the cabin, and my truck is gone. Can you track it?"

"Gone?" she exclaims, suddenly more awake. "How? Hang on."

She goes quiet for a minute, presumably checking her app. "It's not online. There's no signal since the lower mountain road. Is it stolen?"

"Sort of," I say noncommittally. "I'm going to go check the lower road. I'll call you back."

"Be careful, Zack. It's been snowing like crazy," she says, sounding concerned.

I smile. The last thing Saffy needs to worry about is me on the mountain, but I don't say that. Instead, I say, "Of course."

We hang up, and I bring up my home security to check the outside cameras. Tanya's truck is still there, and the main gate hasn't been opened. The feeling that something is very wrong starts to grow. Whatever the reason for her leaving, the roads are treacherous, the GPS is offline, and she hasn't made it back to town. I try her number, not surprised when it doesn't connect. She won't have a signal if she hasn't made it off the mountain yet.

I remember it was still dark when she said she was getting some water. If she left then, she should be in range now.

My wolf is riding me hard to find my mate. I don't know why she left, but we can talk about that later. Right now, I just need to know she's safe.

Stepping outside, glad I didn't waste time dressing, I shift into my wolf. I let him break free and race down the track away from the cabin. The snow has slowed, but it's obviously been heavy, as I can barely make out any tracks at all. At the junction, it appears a vehicle went both up and down. Did she double back on herself, or is someone else out here?

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