“Does Diane know you can’t shift?” Tah asked softly and the menace in his voice was so much scarier for the quietness of his tone.
“Yes,” Kenzie answered in surprise, her gaze clashing with Diane’s. “You’re on speaker. We can both hear you.”
“Did you think Holt wouldn’t tell us when he found out what you’d agreed to?” Tah demanded.
“Fuck,” Kenzie seethed.
“How far away are you? Holt and Murphy will come get you,” Tah stated.
“No,” Kenzie said quietly.
“Excuse me?” Tah asked, his voice rigid with disbelief.
“I said no,” Kenzie repeated, her gaze bouncing around them as she inhaled. “It’s too late, anyway,” she admitted and Diane felt a chill run up her spine. “We’re close. I’ve picked up his scent, which means he’s already caught Diane’s at this point. It won’t be safe for anyone else to be around.”
“Fuck!” Tah shouted the expletive and Diane heard a loud cracking sound and wondered if Tah had just punched something. “I want you back here as soon as possible, and we will have a long talk, Kenzie. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir,” Kenzie muttered.
“Diane.” He said her name softly.
“Yes?”
“Be careful. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you,” he told her.
“I’ll be fine,” Diane said, not sure if she was assuring him or reassuring herself. “I’m his mate. Zane won’t hurt me.”
“I pray you’re right,” Tah grunted. “You two have tied my hands, now. All I can do is wait to hear from you or risk the possibility of getting people killed by sending others after you. This is a hell of a fucked up mess.”
A loud hiss rocked the woods followed by a growl that sent more shivers coursing through Diane. Holy fuck!
“It’s too late, Tah,” Kenzie reiterated, wide eyes meeting Diane’s. “He’s closer than I thought. I need to find a place for Diane to camp so I can keep an eye on them. We’ll talk to you when we get a chance.”
Kenzie hit the end call button on Diane’s phone and shoved it at her. “Hurry up. We’re out of time. Hope you know how to pitch your own tent.”
The predatory call of Zane’s animal filled the air again, making Diane feel stalked. Time was up. Soon, she’d know for sure if Zane was her mate or not. She took a deep breath and followed Kenzie at a jog.
Chapter Five
Fuck! That was the mantra going through Diane’s head. As soon as they’d hit the small clearing, Kenzie had done a dump and run, leaving Diane on her own. She’d known she’d be alone at some point, had even anticipated it, but the reality was far more frightening than she’d imagined.
It had been almost an hour since had Kenzie left and there was still no Zane. Diane wasn’t sure what that meant. Had she been completely wrong about being Zane’s mate? Maybe he’d just been nice to her? Maybe she was the only one who felt heat between them?
She kicked at the ground and glared at the tent. If she was wrong, then it would offer no protection against an enraged, primal panther. Tying one of the front flaps back, she tossed her backpack and the extra food bag inside, out of the way. She knew she was supposed to tie the food up or something, but she wasn’t a camper, damn it! And Zane should already be here to protect her!
She glanced around and had not a clue what to do. Kenzie had been so certain Zane was coming for her. Another thought skated through her mind. What if it wasn’t Diane he was after? What if he’d gone after Kenzie? What if they’d all been wrong, and he saw her as a threat?
“Kenzie!” she yelled as loudly as she dared. “Kenzie, are you out there?”
Her phone vibrated in her pocket, scaring the shit out of her and making her jump with a squeal of terror. Good grief, she was freaking herself out.
“Hello?” she answered.
“I’m here.” Kenzie’s voice came through the line. “I moved up higher, trying to get upwind of you. Be careful. Your voice carries really well here.”
“Maybe to someone with enhanced senses,” Diane hissed. She could barely hear herself over the staccato beat of her heart. “How far away are you?”
“Far enough that hopefully Zane won’t feel threatened anymore by my presence so near his unclaimed mate,” Kenzie uttered. “But close enough to get to you quickly if needed.”
“He’s not here,” Diane muttered. “Are you sure that was him we heard?”
“It was him all right,” Kenzie confirmed. “And he’s there. Trust me.”