Would he have time to get back to Diane, get her to safety, and come back with help for Kenzie? Not likely. He continued until he was in front again, pausing for a brief minute before starting his circuit again. The numbers didn’t change and the stench of blood only grew stronger. His lips peeled back, flashing his canines, and he felt the burning in his joints that preceded a shift. He was edgy and twitchy as fuck. His mind was chaotic. The only thought he could focus on with any clarity was his mate. He was tearing apart, and the only one who could prevent it wasn’t with him.
The animal had changed tactics. It wanted to run, to get to Diane as quickly as possible. It was his only thought. The man worried he might be missing something and leading hunters right to her. He couldn’t risk it, risk her. So he fought to hold on, fought to think, fought against the fever burning in his veins and the animal that sought control, once more.
Until something tickled his nose. A scent that shouldn’t be there. A scent that should be locked up safely in a cabin several miles away from here. He inhaled deeply and moved back as the rumble in his chest threatened to leave in a hiss and growl that would expose him to the hunters he was watching.
His mate was close. And she wasn’t alone.
Chapter Nine
Angel moved quickly but managed to make sure Diane was able to stay right behind him every step of the way. She was grateful for that. He seemed to have picked up a scent that upset him as they moved, and now he stalked forward with a stealth she found frightening. His chest vibrated with low growls he didn’t seem aware he was making. He glanced back at her again, and she swore his eyes glowed brighter. His cheeks were dark with color, and he looked as if he was beyond angry. He appeared ready to kill.
They moved farther, and he stopped, pointing to the tree at his back. She slipped behind it, pressing herself tightly against the bark while he did that inhale thing again. If possible, he looked even more upset when he titled his head and glanced over his shoulder toward her again. Diane trembled, praying Zane was okay. Don’t let them be too late to help Zane and Kenzie.
Angel’s chest rumbled with displeasure again, prompting Diane to speak up.
“Are you okay?” she asked as quietly as possible.
He turned on her with eyes that glowed neon. “I didn’t expect this,” he grunted, his canines flashing like sharp daggers at the sides of his mouth. “I didn’t think it was possible.”
Despite the anger emanating from him, she sensed a bit of wonder in his voice. What had him so off balance?
He shook himself. “It doesn’t matter. It can’t matter,” he muttered. “Good news is we’re almost there. Bad news is it seems panther boy has caught our scent, and he’s not happy with either of us. And there’s a good chance he’s leading them right to us.”
“Oh, God,” Diane said, her voice shaky.
Angel sighed. “I didn’t plan to do this, but I have no choice, now.”
“Do what?” she managed to ask before he grabbed her and jerked her to him.
She wasn’t prepared. He hadn’t touched her once since she’d opened the door for him. It had made her lax, made her feel a false sense of safety it seemed. Her breasts collided with his chest, and he gritted his teeth as if he were the one in pain. He dipped his head toward her, and she strangled on her own breath as panic set in. He was going to kiss her. God, no!
She tugged against his hold, clawing at him as she struggled to break free. She wanted to scream but bit her lip to hold it in. The last thing they needed was to have every hunter nearby heading straight toward them. And Zane? What would he do if he heard her scream? She could get her mate killed.
Angel’s head dropped past her lips, though, and he rubbed his cheek and hair over her neck and throat then along her shoulder. He reached out and pulled her shirt aside and rubbed the spot where Zane had marked her. She shuddered and felt a wave of nausea hit her that almost knocked her to her knees. She gagged and fought against his hold.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, and he looked it. His too bright eyes were tinged with sadness.
But any sympathy she might have felt was cast aside when he tossed her over his shoulder and began moving faster through the trees.
“I know you’re pissed, but I need you to be quiet. If you want your mate to stay alive, then muzzle yourself, Diane,” he grunted.
Diane slammed shut her lips, trapping the scream she’d been about to let loose inside. How had he known she was going to scream? There was more to Angel than he was giving away. What was it about him?
“Stay here and stay quiet,” he ordered as he dropped her softly onto the ground behind a tree. “Your mate’s not far behind us. I had to circle and sprint to get ahead of him. Sorry if I jarred you.”