Saving the Beast(63)

“Thank you,” Diane said and kissed Orsai on the cheek before he stepped back once again.

“Gideon is in the storage basement,” Orsai informed them. “I’d be pleased if you’d meet me there as soon as you can,” he told Diane.

“They’re prisoners here?” Zane asked while Diane’s eyes widened. Clara must be beside herself.

Orsai shook his head. “He is there by his choice. I’ll let Tah explain everything to you. Abby is in her room resting. Amia is with her. Everyone else is in the front room except for us, David, Vic, Holt and Kenzie. I believe they’ve been waiting for you.”

“And I’m losing patience,” Tah called with a rumble.

Diane shook her head. Even private conversations weren’t always private, not around here.

“On our way,” Zane called.

“Check on Abby after,” Tah said, walking down the hall toward them. “She’s resting and so is our daughter.”

Happiness radiated off him. He was the most relaxed Diane had ever seen him. She’d known Abby’s pregnancy was taking a toll on him, too—with the stress and worry over Abby’s safety and the newness of dealing with a shifter pregnancy. Still, she hadn’t realized how much, until now. It was good to see him looking so…at ease.

“Congratulations,” he told Diane and Zane. “At least we know how to ensure your health during pregnancy, now. You shouldn’t suffer with the discomfort and extreme fatigue my Abby did. You’ll be well taken care of.”

“I know I will,” Diane agreed, glancing at Zane again. How did she get to be so lucky? The amazing man beside her and now they were having a baby.

“Come.” He waved them to go ahead of him. “We have a lot to discuss and many decisions to make.”

Diane took in the room when they entered. Finn and Murphy were over by the window engaged in a conversation that seemed as if it could lead to an argument. Reno and Logan stood off to one side, heads bent in conversation, as well. Clara sat on one of the sofas with Ariel and Griffin—the two shifters who had been travelling with Gideon. Orsai didn’t follow them in and Diane figured he was heading back to the storage area where they used two of the rooms for makeshift cells. One held Lydia, the other held Dillon.

Finn looked up as they entered the room and crossed to them. He took Zane in a hard hug.

“Thank you for what you did for me. Not just for coming after me with Murphy, but for keeping him levelheaded and out of trouble along the way. I owe you,” Finn stated.

“You owe me nothing,” Zane countered. “I know you both would have done the same for me.” He glanced at Diane. “You did when you let my mate come looking for me.”

He glanced around the room, pulling Diane close to his side. She cuddled into him, loving that she could.

“All of you. You all could have stepped in and forced Diane to stay.”

“They would have had to lock me up,” Diane muttered and felt the reassuring squeeze of his fingers where he held her.

“So thank you all for caring enough to let her go.” He turned back to Tah. “Thank you. I’d like to make a request, too.”

“What is it?” Tah asked.

“That you go easy on Kenzie,” Zane said.

Diane watched Tah and saw the flash of pain in his eyes. He knew. Angel must have been there. But did Angel tell him everything?

“We’ll discuss Kenzie later,” Tah said. “I will say this here and now in front of all of you. There will be no secrets. We are family. We are only as strong as we allow ourselves to be. Secrets build walls of isolation. No one here is alone.” He nodded to Diane and Zane. “Go ahead and take a seat. Abby, the Professor and I spent a lot of time last night discussing everything I’m going to bring up. So when I speak to you, I speak on behalf of the three of us.”

Diane followed Zane across to one of the empty chairs. He dropped in it and tugged her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her so that she was snug against his chest. Clara stood and walked over to Logan. He immediately turned to her and pulled her back against his front. Diane shared a look with Clara and smiled when the other woman winked at her. It was nice to be one of the mated couples there. She wiggled on Zane’s lap and felt his cock twitch under her. There were definitely amazing perks to it.

“First off, I want you all to welcome Ariel and Griffin. They traveled here with another shifter searching for Clara. They have both requested permission to stay and join our pride. After speaking with them, Clara, the Professor and Abby, I see no reason why they shouldn’t. Is there anyone here who feels differently?”