TAMED | FREENBECKY

37

All day Becca told herself she'd keep her promise and leave Freen before dark. She wanted to prove that she was worthy of Freen's trust. The best way to do that was to follow Freen's instructions exactly. This monthly ritual was something Freen had perfected over time. Years of experience had taught her what needed to happen to keep everyone safe. Yet when the moment came and Freen told her to go home, Becca couldn't.

Seeing Freen strapped down, writhing in pain as nightfall approached, made walking away easier to say than to do. She understood why Freen didn't want her to witness the transformation, but after the day they'd just spent—building a primal connection Becca could feel in her bones—she couldn't bear to abandon Freen to the torment of the moon.

She wanted to stay. To help, somehow.

"No. You agreed to go." The panic in Freen's voice tore at her heart. "It's time. Go!"

Tears welled in Becca's eyes and she didn't try to hide them. She knew Freen could feel her anguish. "I hate seeing you like this. I don't want to leave you alone."

Freen gritted her teeth and her face turned red. "Listen to me. In about fifteen minutes, I won't know who you are. You won't be safe around me."

"You won't hurt me." Becca had no idea where she got her confidence as far as that statement went, but she believed it to the bottom of her soul. Especially after today, having shared what felt at times like some kind of primitive mating and bonding ritual, Becca just couldn't imagine Freen causing her harm. "Maybe my presence will help with the transformation, too. Like it did today, with the arousal."

Shaking her head furiously, Freen squeezed her eyes shut against the tears that had started to fall. "You promised me, Becky. Don't break your promise."

"But I just—"

"We can talk about it tomorrow." Freen opened her eyes, which were so haunted Becca shivered as soon as they fixed upon her own. "I can't protect you tonight—not even from myself. And I need to know you're safe. This will be so much easier for me if I know you're out of danger."

It was clear she wouldn't be able to talk Freen into letting her stay. Going back on her promise could damage their relationship irreparably. No matter how intensely they connected, their relationship was still new. Becca expected Freen to be honest with her, so she needed to demonstrate loyalty and honesty in return.

"Okay," Becca said. She swiped the tears from her face quickly, putting on a brave front. "I'm sorry. I just love you. This is so...hard."

Freen's eyes had gone wild. She was slipping further and further away. "I love you. Now go."

With a teary nod, Becca bent and kissed Freen on her damp cheek, then turned and walked swiftly out of the guest room. She shut the door behind her, then put the key to the cuffs in her pocket as Freen had instructed. She walked to Freen's living room, glancing out the window at the darkening sky. According to Freen, the transformation would happen any minute now. Becca hoped tonight would go as planned, and that Freen would be safe until she returned in the morning.

Becca's cell phone rang inside her backpack, which still sat where she'd dropped it just inside the front door. Heart pounding, she rushed across the room to unzip the bag and dig the phone out. Praying she wouldn't see Dasha's name on her caller ID, Becca feared someone had discovered her absence. When she checked her phone and confirmed that Dasha was calling, she exhaled and answered the phone in as casual a voice as she could manage.

"Hey, Dasha. What's up?"

"You're not home. That's what's up." Dasha sounded like she was trying hard to keep her tone neutral, which meant she was very angry. Becca wouldn't have expected anything less. "I'm standing in your living room and you're not here. So where the hell are you?"