Chapter Eleven
Diane was worried about Kenzie. The other woman hadn’t said a word since she’d woken this morning, but her eyes spoke volumes. Diane had been sitting with Zane at the table when Kenzie had finally moaned and sat up, thankfully pulling the cover with her. She’d glanced around the cabin, looking past Zane and Diane as if she were searching for someone else. Her hand had crept up to touch the mark Angel had left on her. Then she’d slowly lain back down.
Diane had gone over to see if Kenzie needed anything but the only reply she’d gotten was a nod or shake of Kenzie’s head. She’d refused food or water. She’d refused to let Diane look at her. Diane’s heart was breaking for the other woman, and Zane was no help the way he sat and brooded at the table.
“I need to get dressed so we can leave.” Kenzie’s quiet voice interrupted Diane’s thoughts.
“I’ll be outside waiting,” Zane said and, after dropping a swift kiss on Diane’s lips, made his exit.
“Zane brought your bag in,” Diane said, grabbing it and carrying it over to the bed. “I…I don’t know what happened to the clothes you were wearing when they caught you.”
Kenzie shrugged, sitting up and letting the covers fall this time as she reached for the backpack Diane held.
“How did they find you?” Diane asked.
Kenzie’s hands stilled for a moment then began pulling fresh clothing out. “I wasn’t paying attention like I should have. They got me with a dart, knocked me out almost instantly. I woke up here.” Kenzie glanced over at the wall then shook her head as if dislodging something from her memory.
“Are you okay?” Diane asked softly, sitting on the bed beside her.
Kenzie reached up and placed her hand over the mark on her skin. “Was he really here?”
“Yes,” Diane nodded.
“And he left,” Kenzie stated.
All Diane could do was nod, biting her lips to keep herself from crying for Kenzie. Diane sat quietly while Kenzie stood up to dress then sat back down to pull on socks and shoes. When she spoke again, there was a world of hurt in her voice.
“He’s not coming back for me.” Kenzie’s voice was so soft Diane almost didn’t hear it.
The look of devastation and longing on the other woman’s face had Diane reaching out and hugging Kenzie to her. Kenzie shuddered, and it was as if a dam broke free inside her at Diane’s touch. Tears spilled out and the other woman fisted a hand at Diane’s shoulder to hold in the sobs. Diane held her, shedding tears with her as they both clung to one another. It was a long moment before Kenzie sat up, wiping her cheeks with her fingers and brushing them on her jeans.
“Thank you for being here for me,” Kenzie said.
“You’re my friend,” Diane told her. “I’m here anytime you need me.”
Kenzie nodded. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about this.”
“The crying or everything?” Diane asked.
“I’d say everything,” Kenzie said. “But I know that’s not likely.”
Diane shook her head. There was no way they could keep the fact Kenzie was mated secret from everyone.
Kenzie smiled sadly. “I’m not expecting anyone not to talk about the man they call Angel. They need to know he was here and that he took the hunters out. Word will travel, and his legend will grow bigger. Shifters need that, and hunters need to fear that. But I wish no one would know that for a very brief moment, I had a mate named Gabriel. And he left me.”
“Kenzie…” Diane began but stopped when Kenzie turned to her with deep-brown pools, imploring her.
Kenzie looked at her with pain reflected in her gaze. “I don’t want anyone to know he rejected me.”
“He didn’t reject you,” Diane said. “Don’t think that. From what Zane said, it took all Angel had to walk away. He was hurting, too.”
If anything that made Kenzie look sadder.
“He was heading to talk to Tah when he left yesterday. I’m… He probably let Tah know,” Diane said.
Kenzie just nodded again and looked away. After a moment, she stood up and began gathering her gear. “I’d like to leave. Too many memories here.”
“Okay,” Diane said and went to the door to call for Zane.
He was there immediately. He searched Diane’s face before glancing toward Kenzie.
“Everything okay?” he asked them.
“We’re ready to leave,” Diane said when Kenzie remained silent.
He nodded, giving Diane’s shoulder a squeeze before walking over to Kenzie. He bent low and whispered something to her. Diane saw her blink more tears back before giving Zane a watery smile and hugging him.