Saving the Beast(36)

She struggled but finally got the mattress off the frame and flipped on its side against the wall. Grabbing the broom from the corner, she crossed over and hit the mattress with all her might. Dust filled the air, choking her and making her cough and wheeze. Maybe Zane had had the right idea after all. Still, the mattress was already up at this point. She beat the hell out of it with the broom, venting her sexual frustration.

Where was Zane at now? Was he okay? Had he shifted back into his panther? Would he? What if something happened to him? She’d thought she was losing it before when he’d been gone, but that would be like a picnic compared to how she’d feel now that she’d tasted him, mated with him. She dropped the broom and heaved the mattress until it fell back on the bed. With a bit of tugging she had the mattress in place again. It wasn’t clean by any means, but it was definitely better than it had been. Now she could see following Zane’s order to rest.

She walked across to where he’d put the gear and took the sleeping bag, releasing it and laying it out on top of the bed. She curled up inside and let her eyes droop closed. She was sure she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep, but her body had other ideas. Within moments, her racing thoughts settled, and she drifted off with visions of Zane pleasuring her again filling her mind.

She wasn’t sure what woke her, but she bolted awake with her heart in her throat. She sat eerily still, waiting, listening for something she wasn’t sure she’d recognize even if she did hear it. Maybe it was the fact she was straining so hard to listen, or maybe it wouldn’t have mattered, but when the hard knock came at the door, she screamed with real fear.

“Whoa, whoa,” a deep male voice called from the other side of it. “Didn’t mean to scare you. You okay in there?”

The doorknob rattled as he obviously tried it, and Diane bit her nip nervously. What was she supposed to do now? Zane had been adamant that she keep the door locked. He’d known there was someone else out there, and that definitely wasn’t his voice. Who was it? And why the hell had she given herself away with a damn scream?

The wood shook with his next knock. “Are you okay in there?” he demanded again.

Fuck! He knew she was there. What did she do?

“Yes,” she finally managed, easing off the bed and back onto her feet. She looked around for something to use as a weapon just in case he managed to get inside. The cabin was one room, no windows. Surely she would be okay.

“Good. Good,” the man said, and she could almost picture him leaning against the door while he talked to her. “I’m Gabriel, but most people call me Angel.”

She snorted a laugh at that. Who was this guy?

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Really funny,” he grunted. “What’s your name?”

She didn’t answer. She had the broom in her hands again. Not much of a weapon, but the only one she could find. She had no idea where the phone was that she’d brought with her. Hell, she hadn’t even thought of it while she was with Zane. She wondered if Kenzie had called Tah. She prayed so as she didn’t relish the idea of him coming after them or sending someone. She didn’t want anyone’s blood on her hands.

“I’m not a bad guy,” the voice spoke again. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just saw the cabin and thought I heard someone inside.”

Had she been talking in her sleep? Moaning? Good grief with the dreams she’d been having of Zane, anything was possible.

“I get it. You’re not going to open the door for me. Smart. I would have told you the same thing. But I need you to listen to me, Diane, because I don’t have a lot of time here. Shit’s about to get real fucking serious, and I need you with me when it does. No, scratch that. Your mate’s going to need you. I’ll just be the guy keeping you safe until we get to him.”

He knew her name. Shit! Who was this guy? Gabriel? Angel? She didn’t know him, didn’t recognize the name or the voice. How the hell did he know her name?

“Who are you?” she asked, coming over to stand by the door.

“I’m usually referred to as Angel. Sometimes they put a ‘the’ in front of it.” He sighed, and she could hear a bit of frustration in the sound. “I’m not going to hurt you, Diane. I swear. Zane’s walking into some really serious shit—a group of hunters out this way doing some recon. He’s not going to be completely focused, and that could cost him. We need to get to him.”

Zane was confronting hunters? She had to help. Zane had already informed her his focus was centered on her, which would be great if he were still with her. Shit! What should she do?