Page 101 of His Wild Mate

“He kept you locked away from me. He had wardens watching over you every second of the day. But at last, I got my opportunity when they all left you alone. That was supposed to be it, I was only going to sneak inside and rescue you, but you escaped while I wasn't looking. Were you running away from him, Paige?”

I swallowed hard. I wasn’t at the time he was referring to, but I was guilty of running before that, though he had no way of knowing that.

“Yes, that's what I thought. I'm very good with locks, but once I was inside and realized you were gone, I'll confess I may have lost my temper a bit. Then I tried to track you. I watched you, Paige, out there all alone. But you were already returning to him. Why? Why would you do that?”

There was nothing I could say that wouldn’t set him off, so I merely shrugged. His predatory glares were freaking me out.

He sighed. “I was concerned you may have developed feelings for him, but I can see now you have not.”

Because you're a dumbass who only sees what you want to see,I thought.

“I saw the Sheriff putting up cameras, like that was going to dissuade me from getting to you. I knew exactly where they were and how to avoid them. I dressed appropriately after that and was sure to hide in the shadows. I listened as he forced you to have sex with him, disgusted and counting the days until I could save you.”

He had listened to us? He'd been that close? I shivered.

“I know. I know. You'll never have to deal with him again. From now on it will only be you and me, forever.”

I'd rather die, but I didn't tell him that.

“As to how I found you, well that was simple. I put a tracker on his vehicle. I knew everywhere he went after that. I warned him of my intentions and boldly staked my claim. You saw it right?”

“Yes,” I admitted.

“Splendid. I hope you liked it. It was all for you, Precious. But then he tried to take you from me and hide you away. I had to confess I was very angry at first, but look what an amazing opportunity this has been. I'm very thorough and methodical. Few people even know this room exists beneath the storage shed at the base of the mountain. It was in the city plans though. I found it easily, but no one else will because they aren't as smart as me.”

We were still on the mountain. That was good news. I assumed Emmett would have come back by now, though I had to admit, I had no way of knowing what time it was. Minutes or hours, heck days could have passed, and I wouldn't know.

There were no windows and no door in the small room, but there was a ladder leading to a door in the ceiling. And I had to believe that the smoke from the wood stove had to be venting somewhere above ground. That meant there was hope that Emmett would find me despite what this asshole thought. I knew my mate wouldn't give up until I was found.

Eugene started to relax.

“I'll admit I'm getting tired. Perhaps we should snuggle down in bed and nap. Then we’ll be ready to leave and start our new life together once the storm breaks.”

There was no way in hell that I was getting into bed with him. Over my dead body.

I knew it was now or never. In a flash, I jumped up and grabbed the fire poker. I stabbed it out toward him, but he managed to evade my attack.

“What is the meaning of this?” he boomed.

Not hesitating for even a second, I tore the frying pan off the wall and used it as a shield as I lunged at him again.

“Precious, what has come over you?”

“I'm not your precious, and I amnotyour mate. I never will be.”

There was no feeling of rejection within me, but he roared with anger.

“If I can't have you, no one will.”

Blood pumped through my veins like a raging fire.

He tried to overpower me, but I was too quick. I swung the fry pan up into his face. He wasn't fast enough. It slammed into him, breaking his nose and sending him sputtering backwards.

My wolf cheered me on as I took advantage of the moment as he stumbled to the floor. Dropping the pan, I raised the poker over my head and thrust it into his chest with a loud, feral scream.

His body twitched twice and then stilled as I stood over him and watched the life drain from him.

Panting, I sat back down, letting the adrenaline wane. My body was heavy, and I was suddenly very tired.

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