Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Theo paused in the corridor outside Poppy Miller’s office, the morning sun spilling in through tall windows. His stomach twisted at the memory of everything that had happened yesterday. He’d terrified Serena, run wild into the forest, and abandoned the kitchen for hours.
He half expected a formal reprimand—or even to be fired. I deserve it, he thought. He exhaled and tapped lightly on the door, bracing for the worst. Inside, the office was modest yet orderly, with a sturdy wooden desk, a bookshelf, and a waiting guest chair. Poppy Miller, head of the academy’s administration, looked up as he entered.
“Please, have a seat,” she said. Her tone was businesslike but not unkind. She waited until he settled into the chair across from her before she spoke again. “I wanted to talk to you about your rescue last night. You guided two lost hikers back after dark, which may very well have saved them from serious harm.” A gentle smile curved her lips. “That was commendable, Theo.”
The word commendable cut through the knot in his chest. For a moment, relief flickered inside him. Poppy’s expression turned more serious. “Yet in doing so, you left the kitchen unattended for several hours.”
Theo felt heat crawl up his neck. “I… yes, ma’am,” he managed. His heart pounded as she continued.
She lowered her voice. “I’m aware of the incident in Portland. The meltdown in a public park?” A trace of concern touched her features. “That can’t happen here, Theo. You’re in charge of the kitchen, but you’re also essential to our SAR team. If you can’t handle both, we need to know sooner rather than later.”
Every muscle in Theo’s body tensed, shame pooling in his chest. I’m not fit for polite company. The idea lodged in his mind like a splinter he couldn’t pull free.
“I… understand your worry,” he said, voice heavy. “I don’t mean to abandon my responsibilities. It’s just—” He struggled with words, seeing flashes of himself charging through the woods in a half-frenzied state.
Poppy folded her hands on the desk. “I’m not judging you, Theo, but the academy needs safety and reliability. We can’t afford repeated episodes. Do you understand?”
He nodded mutely, shame churning inside him. He’d promised himself he’d never let the beast loose again. Yet he’d failed twice since coming to the academy. “I’m trying. I am. I admit I lost control. I just met my mate at the academy, and it’s a lot.”
Poppy’s eyes widened slightly. She wasn’t a shifter, but she’d worked at Fate Mountain Academy long enough to know the significance of a fated mate. “I see. So the emotional turbulence from that bond is contributing to your stress?”
Theo exhaled, a shaky laugh escaping his throat. “You could say that.” He thought bitterly of how his inner grizzly had terrified his fated mate.
Poppy’s face softened. “I’m no expert on mate bonds, but I can imagine the intensity. Still, you have to understand our position. For everyone’s safety—including yours—we need you stable. Otherwise, you or your mate have to go.”
She opened a folder on her desk. “Officially, I have to document that you left your post without notice and nearly lost control. However, given the circumstances, I’m willing to treat this as a warning—provided it doesn’t happen again.”
Theo left the office feeling both grateful and hollow. Poppy hadn’t fired him or stripped him of responsibilities, yet his mistakes loomed over him like a thundercloud. He walked through the hallway, ignoring a few curious glances from passing trainees. His fists clenched at his sides, each step echoing with the knowledge that he’d terrified his mate, lost himself to the bear, and risked his position in one day.