She hoped his dog was okay.
She loved that dog.
You love him as well.
She sniffled.
Even though Liam hadn’t told her the truth, she couldn’t stay mad at him. He’d gotten underneath her skin and helped her to realize what love was all about. She hadn’t known him long, but she knew him long enough to know that she had feelings for him.
“What if I told you I’m fifty? Twenty years older than you.”
Everything made a lot more sense now. In a way, Liam had been trying to break the news of what he was to her. Asking her questions about wolves, her thoughts, her views. Anything that would help her get used to the thought of him being a wolf.
Was it so bad to think of him like that?
She was only at his home and the forest for a short time, but she’d felt that connection. With Liam, at his home, part of his pack, she’d felt at home. No place had ever felt like that to her. All of her life, she’d felt like the outsider, not really fitting in with anyone.
At least she got a taste of that just once.
You can’t let go. Don’t give up. Don’t let them win. Fight. You’re better than this, Rebecca. Stop being scared.
Liam will come.
He wasn’t there.
He’ll come.
You’re his mate, and from all your reading on mates, he will come for you because he wants you, he loves you, and he’ll hurt Payne. He’ll protect you.
Opening her eyes, Rebecca sat up.
Taking a deep breath, she stared straight ahead.
She wouldn’t give in or let them win.
She was stronger than this.
When Liam came, she’d be ready for him. When he got her home, he had a whole lot of explaining to do.
Chapter Nine
Of course, Rebecca hoped the commotion Payne went to check on was Liam coming to her rescue. It was a selfish thought, because as much as she wanted out of her prison, she didn’t want Liam hurt. They were expecting him, and probably had some elaborate trap waiting, just like they’d used Alphie to entrap her.
She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but one of the men walked by her cage, smoking a cigarette. He sneered at her. “Looks like we’ve got one of Liam’s men. Won’t be long until we have the rest, including the alpha.” He blew out a cloud of smoke. “I suggest you get comfortable and settle in for the long haul.”
Rebecca slunk, feeling boneless from the disappointment. Once alone again, she couldn’t help but cry. Her life was a joke. Before meeting Liam, her daily life had been no different than living in this prison. She wished she’d been braver, taken more chances, but her damn anxiety always held her back.
Her arms cramped from holding them across her chest. No way would she give any of these creeps a free view of her nudity if she could help it. Even if they were grossed out by her rolls. The only man who mattered, the man who made her feel like a queen, was Liam.
“Hey.”
Rebecca turned to the whisper. There was another naked woman on the other side of the bars. She wondered how many women were held captive here, but knowing she wasn’t the only one made her feel less alone.
“Hi,” Rebecca said.
The woman looked both ways, then stood up from her crouch. She had a gorgeous figure, the kind Rebecca could only dream of having. Her long, dark hair fell over both shoulders, partially covering her rounded breasts. She started picking the lock. What was going on? Was there a grand escape attempt? Rebecca didn’t want to get hurt in the crossfire since she wasn’t fast or stealthy.
When the lock opened, the woman pushed open the bars and curled a finger for Rebecca to come. She held up her chains, showing her there was no escaping. Not for her. Instead of running away, the woman joined her in the cell and went to work at the locks around her wrists.