Saving the Beast (22 page)

“He’s more than that,” Ariel said. “He’s a legend, a hero, a soothing balm to a broken spirit. For some, he’s all that keeps them going.”

“And some legends are important,” Tah agreed. “He takes his role very seriously. He stopped to see me and left a warning. The hunting group was part of the Blanes. They’re looking for us in this area. For every one we kill, they will send more. Colorado is no longer safe for us.”

“What are you saying? We need to leave?” Finn asked.

Tah nodded. “Angel had an idea of where we might go and a name of someone who will help us.”

“Where?” Diane asked.

“West,” Tah said. “A ranching community on the border of Oklahoma and Texas. No woods for enemies to hide in. Just wide open spaces where the dust gives you away miles before you arrive. Abby and I would like to at least check it out. I need my mate and child safe. It’s our hope that as a pride, all of you will want to come, as well.”

“When do we leave?” Murphy asked.

“How soon?” Diane added. “We’ve got tests running and files, not to mention live samples we’ll need to see about relocating.”

“I’d say within the month,” Tah told them. “If anyone doesn’t want to go, please take the time to come to me. I don’t want to lose anyone. You’re all family.”

He looked around the room and met all their eyes. Diane had no doubt that she and her mate would be traveling west. She hoped everyone else would, as well. The thought of anyone of the people she’d grown to know and love leaving made her sad. The irony of that wasn’t lost on her. She’d been ready to leave just a few short days ago. But that was when Zane was gone. Now, with him there and mated to her, she didn’t even consider leaving.

“We’re in,” Murphy said, and Finn nodded in agreement.

“We’ll go with you, as well,” Griffin answered for him and Ariel.

“Diane?” Zane asked.

“Of course, we’re going,” she said.

“I’m glad to hear it. That just leaves Vic, Holt and Kenzie,” Tah said. “I’ll talk to them today. In the meantime, we all have jobs to do. Security will be increased for the next four weeks that we’re here. I want no chances of hunters getting in here. Logan has a schedule of the new rotation we want set up. Any indications of a breach, call immediately. Hell, I want you to report if you have a bad feeling about something. Understood?”

Everyone nodded.

“Ariel, Griffin, see Logan to be added to the schedule. He’ll fill you in on everything you need to know.”

Everyone began heading out of the room, Ariel and Griffin following Logan and Clara. Reno was with Murphy and Finn. Diane eased up from Zane’s lap to go check on Abby before heading down to consult with the Professor and Orsai on Gideon.

“Zane, I’d like you to stay,” Tah said.

Zane shared a look with Diane, and she knew the same thing was going through both their minds. Tah was going to talk about Kenzie. Diane needed to make a point of hunting for her friend and making sure she was okay.

“I’m going to check on Abby then head to the storage area to see your Uncle and the Professor,” Diane told her mate.

“I’m here if you need me,” Zane whispered in her ear as he bent to her.

“I always need you,” she whispered back and loved the way his lips quirked up in a smile.

“Same here, baby,” he told her then dropped a chaste kiss on her lips.

“We’ll go in the office,” Tah said and Zane nodded.

Diane hurried down the hall toward Tah and Abby’s bedroom. One quick peek and she needed to get to the basement storage rooms. There was a lot to do before they left Colorado behind.

Chapter Fifteen

Zane followed Tah to his office, walking through the door and heading toward the comfortable seating area. If Tah planned to delve into what Zane expected then he planned to be comfortable. On one level, Kenzie would be upset about them discussing her without her there. Zane knew her well enough to know she expected it, though. She also knew they cared for her and would only talk about her in order to help protect her and keep her safe. He’d made a promise to her mate, and he intended to keep it.

He heard the door click shut behind him and Tah joined him, dropping into one of the chairs beside Zane.

“What happened with Kenzie?” Tah asked.

“Have you spoken with her?” Zane questioned.

Tah shook his head. “Reno said she looked haunted when she got back last night. She apologized and went to her room. I don’t think she’s been out since. Reno said there was something off about her.”

“Last night?” Zane asked.

Tah lifted a brow. “She didn’t get here until after my daughter was born and you and Diane were downstairs for the night.”

Zane felt like cursing. Where had she been the whole time? God, he hated feeling useless when it came to comforting her. “Did Angel mention anything about her to you?”

Tah sat forward then. “He asked if she was important to me. I told him she was family. He seemed satisfied with that, told me he’d given you a number if anyone ever needed to get in touch with him. What the hell’s going on, Zane?”

Damn it! It wasn’t his place to divulge what had happened. Angel should have been the one to let Tah know what was going on. Barring that, it should be Kenzie. Of course, Zane had seen for himself how devastated Kenzie was that Angel had mated her and left. Fuck!

“You’re making me uneasy,” Tah warned.

“I don’t know what happened when Angel went in after Kenzie. I was with Diane. I know neither of them came out the same.” Zane blew out his breath and met Tah’s gaze. “I also know Kenzie came out with a bite mark on her neck she didn’t have before.”

“What?” Tah almost roared. “He mated her?”

“It appears so,” Zane said.

“And left? He walked away and left her?”

Zane nodded.

“That fucking bastard! How the fuck does that happen? Why?” Tah demanded, exploding from his chair and pacing around the room.

“It wasn’t easy for him,” Zane said. “I was there. I saw the look on his face when he forced himself to leave.”

“Then why leave?”

“To protect her. You heard who he is, an avenging angel. You think hunters haven’t heard of him? Aren’t searching for him? They’d hit pay dirt if they discovered he had a mate and took her instead.”

“And protecting her means staying away from her,” Tah said and groaned, one hand coming up to rub the back of his neck.

“Kenzie was devastated when she woke up and he was gone,” Zane said.

“Woke up?”

“She had passed out by the time Diane and I got to them. Diane sat with her while I helped Angel deal with the carnage. When Kenzie awoke…” Zane shook his head. “I’ve never seen her so broken. It scares me. It pissed Diane off. She was ready to go after him.”

“I agree with her,” Tah said. “If I’d known when he was here… I’m trying to understand his reasoning. But he’s not protecting her. He’s just as likely to get her hunted and killed by leaving her as he is to take her with him. She’s smart. Hell, she’s a fucking Marine!”

“He thinks he’s doing what’s best for her,” Zane stated.

“What a fucking mess,” Tah grumbled.

“Maybe I should have let Diane kick his ass,” Zane said.

Tah gave a brief smile. “Diane is loyal and tough. You have a great mate in her.”

Zane nodded in agreement. “I’m a little nervous about the pregnancy and becoming a father.”

Tah really grinned then, and his smile filled the whole room. “Thankfully, we learned a lot with Abby’s pregnancy. Diane will require regular infusions of your blood to help keep her body stable during the pregnancy. She’s strong and healthy. And being a father… I can’t express the joy I get looking into my daughter’s big brown eyes, or holding her in my arms with her mother snuggled up beside us. I never knew it was possible to feel like this.”

“It’s good to see you so happy,” Zane said.

“It’s funny how one thing can ease the burden on your shoulders. When Abby was sick and we didn’t know what was going to happen, when I feared I’d lose her, everything stressed me out. Now, knowing I have her at my side, I feel capable of handling anything.”

“I’m glad,” Zane admitted.

“You’ll make a great father,” Tah told him. “And our children will be close in age. Should I wish a daughter on you, so mine will have a best friend?”

Zane laughed. “As long as mother and baby are healthy, boy or girl doesn’t matter to me.”

Tah smiled, paced away and turned back with a serious look on his face. “What are we going to do about Kenzie?”

“Watch her. Protect her. Love her,” Zane answered. “All the things we’ve always done.”

“Do you think her mate’s bite might change things for her?”

Zane sat up straight as he thought about it. “I’d have to talk to Diane, but anything’s possible. Angel’s bite could definitely bring on her beast. I’ll speak to my mate about it. I know she’ll want to keep a close eye on Kenzie, anyway.”

Tah nodded. “We’ll have to tell everybody. Kenzie has to be protected. Abby will be mad as hell when I tell her.”

“I almost said no when she told me she wanted to go ahead alone, that she needed some time alone. So much sorrow was in her eyes, so much pain,” Zane said.

“We’ll stand beside her. Be there, anything she needs,” Tah swore.

Zane agreed. “I promised Angel I’d watch after her. She’s the reason he gave us a place to go.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Tah agreed. “It would be easy to hate him for this,” Tah admitted. “But I feel sorry for him. He’s lost more than he realizes by leaving Kenzie. She deserves better than a mate who claims her then leaves her. I’m not sure I could give Abby up. I don’t think I’ll ever have that strength. Hell, she is my strength.”

“I understand,” Zane agreed. “I tried to stay away from Diane. It almost cost me the woman meant for me and only me.”

“I’m glad she found you,” Tah said.

“About that,” Zane said and frowned. “Did you know the Professor gave her a shot before she left?”

“A tetanus booster,” Tah said, but Zane shook his head.

“Nope. He gave her something to force ovulation, thinking it would bring us together quicker.”

“What?” Tah roared again.

“He sent her out there like a lamb to slaughter, knowing I was primal and making the situation even worse by forcing her into heat.”

“That conniving bastard,” Tah muttered, hands fisting at his sides. “When will he learn to stop meddling in everything?”

“She was a virgin,” Zane added softly.

Tah’s gaze flew to his and locked on. “You didn’t hurt her, did you?”

Zane shook his head. “But no matter what the Professor says, he couldn’t have known for sure that I wouldn’t.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” Tah said. “I know it would have destroyed you if you had.”

Zane nodded. It would have. Hurting Diane would kill him.

“Seems like the Professor and I need to have another talk now that I’m not so easily distracted by my concern for Abby.”

“I know I don’t have the right, but I’d like to ask you a favor,” Zane said.

Tah shook his head. “You can ask me a favor anytime. If I can, I’ll do it for you.”

“Will you talk to Kenzie before you tell everyone?”

“Of course, I will,” Tah stated. “You didn’t even need to ask.”

“One more thing,” Zane said. “Something Angel made a point of making me aware of.”

“Making sure all of us can defend ourselves,” Tah grunted. “Yeah, he told me.” The look on Tah’s face made Zane think it hadn’t been a pleasant conversation. “I was remiss in that. We’ll take care of it.”

Zane nodded and stood. “I’ll go check in with Logan then see where you have me in the rotation.”

“We didn’t put you in, yet,” Tah said. “How do you feel? How’s the fever?”

“Still there,” Zane admitted. “But eased. I’m back at peace within myself for now.”

“As long as you’re with your mate?” Tah asked and Zane nodded again. “I think it might be better for now if you stay close to the house. We’ll take it day by day and see how you feel as more time passes.”

Zane hated the idea of not pulling his weight. “As long as there’s something I can do around here to help out.”

“We’ll be packing most of the house over the next few weeks,” Tah said. “Not to mention with hunters getting that close to us, I want tighter security inside the house. No one gets in. No one.”

“I’d be happy to keep an eye on the house,” Zane said.

Tah nodded. “Plus Abby will have to go to Denver before we leave to take care of the paperwork involved with inheriting the money from the Professor’s estate. I’d like for you to go with us.”

“I’d be honored,” Zane said.

“I’d like you and Logan with me, along with Clara, and I’m guessing Diane,” Tah said, and Zane agreed.

He wouldn’t be comfortable leaving Diane behind.

“I’ll leave Reno in charge here with everyone else. Once everything is signed and taken care of, we’ll leave.”

“Are you okay with leaving here?” Zane asked.

Tah shrugged. “We don’t have a choice. I think we all knew it was only a matter of time before the hunters discovered where we are. We’ve been lucky they didn’t come sooner. I just hope they continue to flounder until we’re able to leave.”

“Me, too,” Zane agreed. One thing was certain, he’d do anything required to protect his mate. Anything.

Diane knocked softly and stuck her head around the door to peek in. Abby and Amia sat on the bed while Abby held the baby to her breast.

“Diane, come in,” Abby said. “Join us.”

Diane crossed to the bed and took in the rosy color on Abby’s cheeks before glancing down at the baby.

“You both look good,” she said. “Healthy. How are you feeling?”

“Fantastic,” Abby said with an engaging grin.

“I’d like to take a few minutes and check on you, if you don’t mind. Just to be sure everything is healing as it should,” Diane said.

“Can you wait until I’m done feeding Regan?”

“Regan? What a beautiful name,” Diane said.

“Regan Marie,” Abby said. “Regan is for Reno and Logan, and Marie for the Professor.”

“Marie?” Diane asked, not understanding how that name related to Professor Mueller.