Saving the Beast(15)

“By non-threatening do you mean female?” Abby asked.

“Yes,” the Professor said. “He would see a male as a potential challenge for his mate. It could set him off and turn into something we’re hoping to avoid. But if we send the right person. He’ll see her as a protector, not a threat.”

“She hasn’t come forward, yet,” Tah said, drawing Diane’s eyes to him.

Tah knew. The Professor had sworn Diane to silence when it came to the blood tests. She wasn’t to share anything with anyone other than the person whose blood she was running. All the shifters had come forward, except one.

There was a knock at the door. Tah inhaled and sighed, sending a glare toward the Professor.

“Come in,” he called.

The door slid open and Kenzie poked her head around. Her gaze clashed with the Professor’s and she stepped in, shutting the door behind her.

“I’ll go,” she said without preamble.

“You don’t have to do that,” Tah said softly.

Kenzie smiled shyly. “You’ve let me keep my secret long enough. It’s time I step forward.”

“Does anyone else know?” Abby asked.

“Holt knows. We’ve been friends for a long time. He’s made it his personal mission to watch over me. I’m pretty sure Murphy sensed it, though he never spoke of it. Zane, as well,” she added with a shrug. “He always had my back in the dessert. It’s only right I have his, now.”

For some reason, Diane got the impression there was more to Kenzie’s desire to help find Zane than what had happened in the dessert. There was something in the glance Kenzie shifted toward Diane when she mentioned Zane.

“He’s primal. He could hurt you. He could kill you,” Tah told Kenzie.

Kenzie shook her head. “No. Not Zane. Not me.”

Diane felt a surge of jealousy. Why was Kenzie so sure she was safe?

Everyone’s gazes turned to Diane.

“Sounds like a mate to me,” Abby offered with a huge grin.

Diane felt her anger grow. Was Abby thinking Kenzie might be Zane’s mate? The thought sent a surge of anger through Diane.

“What?” she demanded when they all continued to stare at her.

Kenzie’s gaze was guarded. Abby was still smiling and Tah had his brow lifted in question. The Professor just nodded.

“You growled,” Abby finally explained.

“I didn’t mean it that way,” Kenzie said, glancing at Diane. “I just meant, Zane is like a big brother to me.”

Kenzie was tiny, the smallest among them at five feet two inches. She was definitely not one who would be seen as a threat. But Diane knew Kenzie was a Marine. She’d fought in the desert with Tah, Reno, Logan and the rest of them. She also knew the others respected Kenzie. So tiny or not, Diane felt as if she’d be safe with Kenzie.

“What do you say?” Diane asked, turning to Tah with a pleading gaze. “Will you let me go look for Zane? Will you let me try to save him?”

“Are you sure?” Tah asked one last time, and his gaze bounced between Diane and Kenzie.

Kenzie spoke first. “Zane would do the same for any one of us. I’ll take his mate to find him.”

“Diane?” Tah prompted.

“I believe I’m his mate,” she said, then shook her head. “I am his mate, and I need to go to him before I lose him for good.”

“I don’t like this,” Tah admitted. “It doesn’t feel right to send two of you out there alone. Not when we have no idea what you might find.”

“So we implement daily check-ins like you did when Reno left,” Diane said. “If anything happens, we’ll have a way of getting in touch with you immediately.”

Tah stood and stated at her for so long that Diane felt like squirming. She bit her bottom lip to keep from begging more. She didn’t want to defy Tah, but if it came down to it, she knew she would.

“How soon do you want to leave?” Tah finally asked.

Diane smiled and crossed to him, surprising them both when she hugged him tight. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” Tah countered. “I really hope you are his mate, and I hope you bring him back to us.”

“I am,” Diane said. “I will.”

“I can be ready to go as soon as you want me to,” Kenzie said.

“I’d like to talk to you first, Kenzie,” Tah said. “Go over a few things with you.”

Kenzie nodded.

“I’d like to talk to Diane, as well,” the Professor said. “Follow me to my office,” he told her and turned and left.

Abby grabbed Diane and hugged her close. “Find your mate and bring him home,” she whispered.