Saving the Beast (18 page)

“Arrows!” Diane exclaimed and went to move closer. She was betting the hurt arm was the one hanging at his side. He was wounded and had still had placed himself in front of the other two. She’d barely taken a step before Zane stopped her with a grip on her upper arm and hauled her back to him.

“Hunters,” Gideon said in explanation. “I’ll heal.”

The girl glared at him. “Normally, yes. But they seem to have been laced with something, some type of poison maybe,” she said with a shrug. “He’s not healing like he should, and he’s—”

“Fine,” Gideon almost roared, cutting the girl off. “I’ll be fine.”

“Zane,” Diane whispered, looking up at him. “He’s hurt. You know Clara’s been waiting for him.”

But Zane shook his head and held her at his side. He glanced back at the trio of shifters. “Wait here. If I catch your scent behind me, I will consider it a threat to my mate and you won’t like how I deal with her being threatened. Stay here, and we’ll send someone back for you.”

Gideon nodded, but the girl put her hands on her hips.

“Just take him with you then,” she demanded. “He needs medical care. Surely, you have someone who can take a look at him.”

Diane smartly kept her mouth shut this time.

“I don’t smell any poison,” Zane stated.

“Odorless,” the girl countered.

“We’ll wait,” Gideon said. “I caught the scent of hunters.”

“Dead,” Zane said.

The girl wasn’t done. “If anything happens to Gideon because you took your sweet fucking time getting someone back here, I’ll make sure you pay.” Her hard gaze skimmed over to Diane.

Two roars rocked the woods simultaneously—Zane’s and Gideon’s—and they sounded eerily alike. Zane took a huge step forward.

“Are you threatening my mate?” he snarled.

“Back off,” Gideon growled back, stepping closer to Zane. “Ariel, shut the hell up and stand down!”

Ariel glared at both of them, sent another heated glance toward Diane, then edged back when Zane let loose a long hiss. Her mate was pissed. Diane took a step forward but stopped when that rumble of displeasure was turned on her.

“I just want to take a look,” she said. “That’s all.”

Zane glanced back at Gideon. “Lift your shirt,” he ordered.

“I’m fine,” Gideon said again. “It will wait.”

Diane let her glance skate back to Ariel and the girl mouthed one word at her.
Hurry.

“Let’s go, Zane,” she urged, and he backed toward her.

“Wait here,” he said again, and Gideon nodded.

Diane held her tongue until they were a distance away. Zane was moving fast and startled her when he suddenly stopped and pressed her against a tree.

“Don’t ever make the mistake of disobeying me when I tell you to stay somewhere,” he gritted out. “I don’t care who we meet, shifter or human. Until I am certain you are in no danger, you will stay where you are told.”

“Technically, you told me to stay at your side,” Diane reminded him and was rewarded with a deep growl of displeasure. “Clara mentioned Gideon, Zane. And he’s hurt. I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do to offer immediate aid to him.”

“He’s a shifter. His body will fight to heal him until he dies. Trust me, if the hunters have taught us anything, it’s just how long and painful it can be for a shifter to die from wounds. Gideon, if that is who he is, will survive until someone comes for them.”

“Despite your assurance, I would have preferred to see for myself what his wounds look like,” she informed him. “If you don’t think it’s safe, then you say that. I’m giving you some slack here because of the virus but don’t make the mistake of ordering me around all the time. I’m your mate, your partner, and I expect to be treated as such.”

“I’m sorry,” Zane said. “Sometimes the need to keep you safe overwhelms every other thought and makes me into a controlling asshole. I promise I’ll work on it. I just know that I need you to listen to me and try to understand every command I make is to ensure your safety—our safety.”

She met his gaze and finally it hit her. “You don’t think he’s Gideon?”

“I don’t know. I know he’s a shifter who asked after Clara but offered no real information other than he hasn’t seen Thomas. General information anyone could have. I understand what Angel meant when he described how easy it was to get you to open the door. You can’t be that trusting. It could get both of us killed,” he warned her.

“I’m sorry,” she finally whispered and leaned into him, cuddling against his chest. “I didn’t think about that. I just assumed shifters were friends.”

“Dillon is a shifter and look what he did,” Zane reminded her.

“You’re right,” she agreed. “I won’t forget again.”

He stared down at her for a long moment before lowering his head and taking her under with the ferocity of his kiss. He rocked her to her toes, zinging every part of her along the way. When he pulled away, she was clinging to him, afraid her trembling legs might give out beneath her.

“If anything happened to you,” he said and shook his head, a look of intense pain flashing through his eyes. “It would kill me,” he whispered.

“I understand,” she told him. “I feel the same.”

He eased away from her and took her hand again. “Let’s go,” he said. “We’ll talk more about this later.” He sent her a heated gaze. “In the privacy of our bedroom.”

Diane grinned at his words, and Zane lifted an eyebrow at her. She could hear the unspoken
what?
in his gaze.

“Our bedroom,” she said. “I like the sound of that.”

“Me, too,” he agreed, placing another kiss on her lips. “Me, too.”

Chapter Twelve

Diane and Zane were greeted by Murphy as soon as they arrived.

“Perfect timing,” he said, looking anxious.

“What is it?” Diane asked, skirting around Zane and moving toward Murphy. “Is someone hurt?”

He shook his head. “Abby’s in labor. Started early this morning, but the baby doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to arrive.”

Diane felt a jolt of excitement even as she worried. The baby was coming early. And she was here to help the little one greet the world.

“Where are they?” Diane asked.

“Abby’s bedroom,” Murphy said. “She refused to leave it.”

Diane turned to Zane, and he nodded before she said anything.

“Go,” he said. “I’ll see you after.”

She launched herself at him, loving the way his arms automatically opened to catch her, the way he lifted her against him and bent his mouth to hers. Hers. Zane was hers. She turned as soon as her feet hit the ground, forgetting about Gideon and the other two. Zane would take care of that. She glanced back once more as she hit the porch and saw Murphy hugging Zane close and slapping him on the back.

She opened the door and ran into Logan and Clara.

“Thank, God!” Clara said. “Abby’s in labor, and I think she’s waiting for you.”

Diane laughed. “Abby can’t control her labor, but I’m excited I’m here in time.”

“Did you find him?” Logan asked.

“Yes,” Diane said with a nod and a grin split her lips. “He’s outside with Murphy, and I’m betting he’ll want to see the two of you as soon as possible.”

“What’s up?” Logan asked, going on full alert.

“We met some company on the way back,” Diane said.

“Who?” Clara was the one who demanded.

“Talk to Zane,” Diane said, already heading toward Abby and Tah’s bedroom. “He’ll explain everything.”

Clara caught her hand briefly and gave it a squeeze. “I’m glad you’re back, and that Zane’s with you.”

Clara grinned and Diane didn’t have to say they were mates. She was certain Clara could smell that for herself. Clara looked as if she wanted to say something else, but she didn’t.

“I’m happy to be back,” Diane admitted, realizing just how much she’d missed everyone. How had she ever thought leaving here, leaving them would be a good idea?

“Diane!” Tah’s bellow carried down the hall and had her hurrying faster toward the bedroom.

Orsai opened the door for her and smiled down at her. Before she could move past him, he had her wrapped in a hug. “Welcome to the family, little niece,” he said. He glanced past her. “Where is my nephew?”

“Outside,” she said.

He kissed her softly on the cheek. “Thank you. You are a blessing. Not just to my nephew, but to all of us.” He nodded toward the bed behind him. “I believe the child waits for the comfort of the one whose voice is known.”

“What?” she asked, making him laugh softly.

“You, Diane. I believe the child has decided none but you will help bring him into this world.” He nodded. “It is as it should be.”

“Diane!” Abby yelled and began moaning.

Diane moved quickly and headed to the bed. Tah sat beside his wife and mate, holding her hand. His eyes were wide, fingers shaking, as he inhaled and exhaled rapidly. It took her a moment to realize what it was. Fear. Tah was terrified. The Professor sat on the other side, looking anxious, as well. No one else was in the room.

“Diane,” Abby moaned again, panting.

“I’m here,” Diane said, walking toward them. “I’m right here.”

“Zane?” Abby asked between pants.

Diane smiled. “Fine. Outside right now.”

“Thank God,” Tah groaned. “And thank God, you’re back.”

“Go,” Abby said to her mate, but Tah shook his head.

“I’m not leaving you. Everything else can wait,” he informed his mate.

“How long?” Diane asked.

“Hours,” Tah answered. “She’s getting exhausted.”

“First babies can be stubborn,” the Professor said, and Diane got the feeling it wasn’t the first time he’d said that.

She glanced around. It looked as if they’d brought up all the equipment they might need from the labs to the bedroom. Abby going into labor had once scared Diane, but now she felt calm and in control. It was apparent to her just how much Zane being gone had affected her.

“Dilated?” she asked.

“She was at seven when I checked ten minutes ago,” the Professor said.

“Has your water broken yet?” she asked.

Abby nodded. “Mucus plug is gone, too.”

“Well, then,” Diane said and turned toward the bathroom. “Let me wash my hands and grab a set of gloves, and we’ll see if you’ve dilated more.”

“Fuck!”

Diane heard Tah exclaim as she shut off the water and hurried back into the room.

“I’d say that’s a hell of a contraction,” the Professor said. He grabbed a towel and handed it to Diane to dry her hands before holding up a glove for her to stick in her hand.

“Grab me some fresh bedding,” she said. “Towels, too. As many as you can find.”

The Professor moved, but Tah stayed at Abby’s side. Their gazes were locked on one another. Diane knelt at the bottom of the bed and lifted the sheet up to check on Abby. She had her knees bent already with her legs open.

“You’re fully dilated,” Diane said, moving fast. “And I see a head of hair. You’re baby’s almost here.”

She glanced up at Abby.

“I think we were both waiting for you,” Abby grunted. “We’re ready, now.” She moaned and bit down on her bottom lip.

“Professor!” Diane yelled. “I need those towels!”

“I’m here,” the Professor said, handing her several thick towels before heading toward the equipment.

She didn’t have to ask to know he was getting everything she’d need to suction and cut and clamp the cord. She shoved one towel under Abby, then placed another one on top to catch the baby.

“Next contraction I want you to push,” she told Abby. She’d witnessed so many births, but all of them were cats. This wasn’t the same. But now, in the moment, Diane felt confident in her ability to bring this child into the world.

Abby cried out, and Diane watched the baby’s head crown. As the head cleared, Diane began suctioning the mouth. Thankfully, there was no cord around the neck. She cleared the nose as Abby gave one final push. She tapped the sole of the baby’s foot, and a loud wail filled the air. The Professor stepped in to help, clamping the cord off in two places while Diane took in the flailing fists and red face.

“Tah,” she said, glancing up. “Would you like to cut the cord?”

Tah looked shaken as he took the surgical scissors the Professor held out and with the older man’s guidance, cut the cord between the clamps, separating mom and baby. Diane took over from there, wrapping one of the towels around the baby. There would be plenty of time to clean up later. Now it was time for this perfect little baby to meet mom and dad. She held the squalling bundle out to Tah.

“Meet your daughter,” she whispered.

“A girl,” he whispered, taking her and looking as if he might pass out.

“A girl,” Abby said with awe and held her arms out for the baby.

“You said it was a boy,” Tah grunted at his wife.

Abby shrugged, her eyes glued to her daughter, but she winked at Diane when their gazes met. Had Abby known all along?

“We have a daughter,” Tah said to his mate, and Diane witnessed something she’d never expected to see.

After handing his daughter to his mate, the big man went to his knees beside the bed and lowered his head to the mattress with tears coursing down his cheeks while Abby threaded one hand through his hair. He took it and kissed her fingers before Abby brought it back to the bundle in her arms. It was such a private moment for Diane to observe. Her eyes watered, as well, and she quickly turned her attention to seeing to the afterbirth and taking care of Abby.

“Ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes,” Abby cooed. “Aren’t you just a perfect little angel? You’re going to have glossy brown hair and big brown eyes just like your daddy. And what a grip you have. Strong like your daddy, too. She’s perfect, Tah.”

His head lifted and there was so much emotion on his face, Diane felt intrusive again.

“She’s perfect like her mother,” he whispered.

Working together with the Professor, they had Abby sutured and cleaned up, resting comfortably on clean sheets.

“I’ll leave you guys alone for a bit,” Diane said. “I’ll be back in a bit to clean your little girl up for you. It’ll take your milk a little bit to come in all the way, but you should let her suckle. There’s colostrum, which is rich in antibodies and very good for her right now.”