“I’ll let Tah know you’ll be heading back. I noticed Kenzie’s phone was smashed. Didn’t know if Diane had one or not.”
“Thanks,” Zane said.
“I’ll be long gone when you get there. You have a hell of a woman for a mate. She’s bright, but thinks with her heart.”
Zane nodded in agreement. “I’ll take care of her.”
“I know you will. I owe you for what you’re doing for me. If there ever comes a time when you need me, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll come.”
“I will,” Zane told him and they gripped forearms before Angel turned and walked away into the trees.
Zane stood there until the other man had disappeared from sight. What a mess. He wondered if Kenzie would believe him when he told her how much pain her mate had been in when he’d left? Would she care or take comfort in knowing he was hurting, too? Somehow, he didn’t think she would. If anything, knowing Angel was in pain would only hurt her worse.
He headed back toward the cabin and walked around the outside, looking for the gear Angel had placed there. He lifted it all easily and made his way to the porch. One sniff and his mate’s scent filled his nostrils. His cock flexed against his zipper and Zane felt another surge of need for Diane. It wasn’t as strong as it had been. Did that mean the fever was quieting? God, he hoped so.
He stopped at the door and waited, easing the gear out of his hands and listening for movement. He knew Diane had heard him on the porch, but she remained silent. Maybe his mate had learned her lesson. He grinned and lifted one hand to knock softly on the door.
Nothing. No sound or movement from the other side. Good girl.
He knocked again and this time let her know it was him. “Diane.”
The door flew open and his mate was there, barreling against his chest and holding him tight.
“Whoa,” he grunted, gaze searching the inside. “What’s wrong?”
“He bit her and left her. I saw the bite. How could he do that, Zane? And you were gone? I was worried that…”
She cut herself off as her big hazel eyes met his. There were tears there, gathering at the corners and wetting her lashes with each blink she gave.
“You were afraid I was leaving you?”
She nodded, and he wrapped her tighter against his chest.
“Never, baby. I’ll never leave you again. I promise.”
“I couldn’t handle it if you did. God, I blew up at everyone when you were gone. I yelled at the Professor, at Tah and all of them. I fell apart when you weren’t there.”
“Then I’ll be there, so much that you’ll beg me to get out from under your feet.”
“Not likely,” she said, and he felt the wet of her tears on his chest.
“Let’s get in,” he said and eased her away so he could gather the gear he’d dropped and carry it inside.
She shut and locked the door behind him. He glanced over at the bed on the other side of the cabin to check on Kenzie.
“Has she awoken yet?” Zane asked.
Diane shook her head. “Did Angel say what happened?”
“Not really.”
“I liked him. But I can’t like him for leaving her.”
“He asked if we’d watch over her and, for what it’s worth, I saw how much it tore him apart to leave her,” Zane offered softly.
“Good,” Diane said and more tears spilled over. “He doesn’t deserve for anyone to feel sorry for him. Damn him.”
“I told him we’d take care of Kenzie,” Zane said.
“Damn right we will,” Diane agreed. “She came out here for us, to help me find you and bring you back to us. I owe her everything for that.”
“We do,” Zane reminded her.
“I don’t understand,” Diane muttered. “How can he leave? Why would he need to?”
“When he introduced himself, what did he say?”
“He said his name was Gabriel but most people called him Angel or referred to him as ‘the Angel’. And he said he’d been tracking the hunters here.”
“Most people think of him as a legend, someone created to give shifters hope of justice being served.”
“He’s a liger,” Diane whispered, and her eyes were huge.
“You saw him shift?” Zane demanded and growled at her nod. “I’m starting to feel a little primal again.”
“I may not be an M.D., Zane, but I am the doctor here. I see people in all states of undress. You’re going to have to get used to that.”
He growled again, and she reached out to smooth her hands over his chest.
“I’ll never look at any of them as I do you,” she promised. “They’re friends, patients. You’re my mate, my lover, my heart and soul.”