Diane’s eyes widened as she nodded. Oh, God! She prayed Kenzie was okay.
“We need to go. If she didn’t warn you, chances are she couldn’t. I don’t have time to read you the riot act like I should. If your mate’s any kind of man, he’ll turn you over his knee and paddle your ass for opening that door to me.”
Diane gasped, stepping back again and glaring at Angel. Zane? Spanking her?
“Oh, yeah. And you deserve it. That was stupid, very stupid. I’m betting you were told implicitly to not open the door for anyone but him.”
She flushed, and he nodded.
“He’s going to be very angry with you.”
“You’re a very frustrating man, Angel. I don’t think I like you very much.”
He grinned then, and it was devastating. If she weren’t already mated, that look would make her knees weak.
“Nah, I’m a teddy bear. You’re going to love me before this day’s over. Might even make that man of yours jealous.” He winked at her, grinning like a kid full of mischief, and she felt her lips twitching to join him.
“How do you know what you know?” she asked.
“About your pride? Tah?” He shrugged. “News travels fast among shifters.”
“We’ve heard nothing,” she said.
“That’s because you’re the news,” he offered. “I plan to meet your Tah before I leave again. They’ve waited a long time for him to show up.”
“They?”
He shrugged again. It was becoming annoying. “I’m a loner. I wait for no one.” He glanced around, his gaze settling on her gear in the corner. “Gather what you need. You won’t be heading back here.”
“Why not?”
“He’ll take you back to the pride, now. Not only are there hunters, but you’re still in heat, he’s still got fever, and you, my dear girl, failed to follow orders.” He grinned again. “Oh, yeah. We’re going to find one pissed off panther.”
She hurried over and grabbed her pack. She was trying to decide if she should take the tent and sleeping bag when Angel interrupted her.
“Leave the rest. You don’t need it.”
But that was just it. They probably couldn’t afford to lose any gear right now. Money was tight and would remain so until Abby went to sign those papers in Denver.
“Trust me,” Angel said and there was something in his gaze that made her want to. “You don’t need it. Not anymore.”
She slowly nodded and walked toward him. What was it about him that made her feel safe yet unsure at the same time? She wasn’t afraid he would hurt her, which was strange enough. She felt safe but leery. Did that even make sense?
“Who are you, Angel?” she asked again.
“Whoever I need to be,” he said softly, and she swore she saw just a bit of sadness in his eyes before he blinked and it was gone.
“Now listen up, and I mean listen because you’ve already shown how well you follow orders. When we leave here, we might be heading right into a battle you’re ill-prepared for. I blame your mate and your leader. Tah’s failed in this, and I’ll let him know it. I need you to follow my instructions to the letter. No room for interpretation. To the letter, Diane. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“Good. Now, you’re to stay right behind me. I want no more than a foot between us at all times. No matter what you hear, what you see. If I move, you’re right on me. Got it?”
She nodded.
“If I tell you to walk away from me for some reason, you do it immediately. If I tell you to stay some place, there will be no questions. Only obedience. Are we clear?”
She glared but nodded again.
“This is a full party of hunters. I counted thirteen men, all armed for war. I don’t know what you’ve seen, but I guarantee you it wasn’t a party like this. These are lethal men, killers who will see you and use you as a means to an end.”
“Can I have your gun?”
“Do you know how to shoot?”
She chewed her bottom lip nervously, before shaking her head.
“Then no,” he answered matter-of-factly. “Are you ready?”
Her mind raced. Was this the right course of action? Should she go with him or wait until he stepped out the door and try to shut and lock it behind him? Why the hell didn’t she leave the door shut to begin with?
“I would have broken it down,” Angel said as if he could read her mind. “If you’d given me no other choice, I would have. You’re not safe here on your own. If Zane weren’t feeling so overwhelmed by you and out of control, he’d have known that. Remember as long as that fever runs through his veins, he’s not thinking as clearly as he should. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression thinking with the wrong head?”