Saving the Beast(18)

She regretted not getting the chance to say goodbye to Abby. Diane had wanted to check on Abby one last time before leaving. Orsai and the Professor were there. She knew Abby would be in good hands if she went into labor before Diane returned. Hell, Abby was probably in better, more qualified hands with Orsai than she would be with Diane.

The engine cut off and Kenzie hopped off quickly, glancing around. “This is as far as we can take it. Let’s grab these bags and get going. I want to make as much time as we can before we need to stop.”

“No scent of him?” Diane asked as she grabbed her share of the bags and slung them over her arm. Kenzie reached for the rest and immediately set off into the woods at a brisk pace.

“Not yet, but we would have known if he was this close,” Kenzie said.

“If you don’t find his scent tonight, will we camp together?” Diane asked.

Kenzie shrugged. “Have to see. I think the safest thing for you is to be away from me, just in case Zane picks your scent up and heads toward you. Female or not, he might not like me with you.” Kenzie inhaled and glanced at Diane. “Especially now.”

Kenzie was keeping them at a quick speed as they moved farther and farther away from the cabin. Was the other woman in a hurry to get rid of Diane?

“Why especially now? Because he’s primal? I thought you were still supposed to be safe since you’re female?” Diane didn’t want to put the other woman in danger.

“Normally, yes. But you’re getting ready to come into heat. I can smell the change in your body.”

Diane shook her head. “No, not for another few weeks, yet. I have longer cycles but they’re regular.”

Kenzie gave her a funny look then turned her glance back in front of them. “I’m telling you, you’re getting ready to ovulate. Probably the next couple days. The scent is strong. If Zane is anywhere near us, he’ll smell you and head straight to us. I hope you’re ready for a wild male.”

“What do you mean?” Diane asked, fear catching in her throat. She couldn’t be ovulating. It wasn’t time. She recalled exactly what Abby had told her about being with Tah when she was ovulating. Diane swallowed and fisted her shaking hands at her sides.

Kenzie looked apologetic. “Zane is completely dominated by animal instincts at the moment, which means he might be a little…forceful when he takes his mate.” She looked embarrassed to speak so bluntly with Diane. “Add to that the fact you’re coming into heat…” She shrugged again. “Any control Zane might have been able to maintain could disappear completely. He’ll have one thought in mind and only one.”

“Me?” Diane asked with a voice suddenly weak.

“Claiming you,” Kenzie said. “In any and every way he can.”

“Oh, God,” Diane panted, stopping and leaning against a tree as she tried to catch her breath.

“I didn’t smell it on you until we were already out here, or I would have warned you,” Kenzie said, coming up beside her. “It’s good in a way.”

Diane choked on a laugh. “How is this good? What if he’s so far gone that I can’t reach him? Will he still take me? Mount me and coerce me whether I want it or not?”

“Diane, he won’t rape you. Mates don’t do that,” Kenzie assured her.

“Are you sure about that? Have you ever known of another mated couple in this exact position? One ovulating while the other’s under the influence of the feral cat fever virus?”

Kenzie shook her head.

“Then we have no idea what I’m walking into.” Diane groaned as she pushed away and began walking again. Her mind was filled with everything Abby had shared with her about mating with Tah while in heat. Diane knew cats. She understood how the barbs worked on the male feline’s penis. She also remembered the look on Abby’s face and how the other woman had assured Diane the sex had been pleasurable. Unfortunately, hearing wasn’t the same as knowing, and her already strained nerves only frayed more with the uncertainty.

Kenzie resumed a quick pace, and Diane kept up as her mind spun with possibilities. She had no idea how far they’d walked, her thoughts and the occasional conversations with Kenzie managing to keep Diane distracted. Thankfully, it seemed as if Kenzie knew exactly which direction they needed to head in, or she was just making a good guess.

“If you’re cycles are normal, then why are you getting ready to ovulate?” Kenzie asked when they stopped briefly for a drink of water. “Maybe it’s your body’s way of making sure your mate can find you,” she offered.