Page 100 of His Wild Mate

When Emmett said those words to me it sent waves of pleasure through my body. But when he said them, waves of revulsion hit me.

Keep him talking, Paige.

“Do you have a name?”

“Eugene.”

He seemed pleased that I asked and not at all suspicious. That was a weakness. He wanted me to like him. Showing him a little attention would lower his defenses.

Taking inventory of the room, I saw the chair I was sitting on, a small bed along one wall, and a wood burning stove in the opposite corner. There was a pot and a pan hanging on the wall, both cast iron. And next to the stove was a fire poker.

I had everything I needed to end this man.

Pain sliced through my heart. Once I did this, I was going to have to run, and I could never return. I didn't know where we were or what awaited me outside this room, but I knew it would be another count to my murders and the end of my time in Collier.

I would never see Emmett again.

To kill a wolf of a Pack was a great offense to the Alpha. They didn't take kindly to it, even when it was truly self-defense. I'd found that out quickly when I'd killed the man my parents had tried to mate me off to. I'd been a naïve child back then. I wasn't anymore. I knew exactly what I was about to do and the consequences that would come.

Emmett was best friends with Thomas, but I knew that wouldn't exempt me from a trial. Thomas would seek his retribution for killing a member of his Pack in cold blood. That's how they'd see it at least.

That meant that if I stayed with Eugene and let him do unthinkable things to me, I would never see Emmett again, but I wouldn't be alone. If I killed him, I would still never see Emmett again and I'd be back on the run, alone.

I didn't even have to consider my options. I couldn't have Emmett either way, but I sure as hell didn't want this guy. I'd take being alone any day.

Now all I had to do was appear to comply and strike when the moment presented itself.

“Eugene, how did you find me?”

I could see my use of his name excited him and another wall went down. This was going to be too easy. I preferred a challenge where I knew my threat was high. It helped me sleep better at night. But I had no issues with killing this man who had stalked me and threatened my mate.

He was going to die.

I didn't even need to channel my wolf for this. It would be as easy as breathing.

I remained silent while he prattled on about how he had done it.

“Remember the first time we met?”

I didn't, but I wasn't going to admit that. He took my silence as a yes and continued.

“Brady thought he could have you, but I was never going to let that happen. I was proud of how you fought off that bully, leaving little for me to do. Jerron took me by surprise and, unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish him off for you before Will stepped in and pulled us away. I hated to leave you out there all alone. You needed me, and I’m sorry. They insisted Sam checked me out before I could leave even though I tried to tell them you hadn't hurt me. You could never hurt me, Precious. By the time I returned, Emmett was already there.”

He growled angrily.

“Go on,” I encouraged as he continued to pace and talk.

“It was clear Emmett wanted you for himself, but I could never allow that to happen. I found a bag you'd dropped along the way deep out on the range. And I ripped up your shirt hoping it wasn't a favorite, and trailed it from the barns to the house calling every unmated male to you.”

I gasped, but it only made him smile triumphantly.

“I knew that Emmett was trying to be territorial and when Austin and James arrived, I knew the Alpha wasn't far behind. Drastic measures were necessary if I were to safely rescue you.”

He stopped walking and looked over at me with a smile.

“Yes, that was me, Paige. I did it for you. But then the Alpha issued that awful order and thwarted my plans. I knew then I would need patience, but I was confident we'd be together in the end, and he we are. I’m not dumb. I knew what I was doing every step of the way.”

I nodded and was rewarded with another smile as he slowed his pacing and began to relax a little. I knew exactly what I was doing too.

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