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.
“Who are you?” asked Rebecca.
She smiled, no sense of fear surrounding her despite their predicament. In fact, her confidence was palpable. “My name’s Lilla. I’m Ben’s mate.”
Her mouth fell open. Ben was one of Liam’s friends. One of his pack. “I don’t understand.”
The locks opened one after the other, and Rebecca was free. “Males can be hotheaded at times, especially when mates are involved. Sometimes they underestimate us, think we need their protection.” She winked. “But she-wolves can be just as lethal. And we don’t like to be told what to do.”
She pulled Rebecca up to her feet.
“We’ll never get out of here. There are so many men working for Payne. He could be back at any second.”
What if something happened to Lilla because of her? This wasn’t her fight, and Rebecca didn’t want to be responsible for anything that could go wrong.
“We’ll be fine.”
“Lilla, I’m not a she-wolf. I’m human.”
“I know. Come on.” Just as they took their first steps, that asshole with the cigarette appeared around the corner and caught sight of them. He stopped dead, crushed his cigarette under his boot, then cracked his knuckles. Within moments, Lilla shifted into a snarling beast, her deadly fangs and intent gaze focused on the man. She lunged forward, sinking her teeth into his leg and shaking back and forth. When he cried out in pain, she knocked him down and went for his jugular.
It was over in seconds.
Blood pooled on the concrete, spreading around the body in a morbid display.
Rebecca stood in shock until the wolf let out a low bark to catch her attention. She knew Lilla wanted her to follow, so she stepped around the dead man and chased after the magnificent black wolf.