No one said anything, and Tah nodded.
“Then it’s settled. Welcome to the pride.”
Ariel and Griffin both seemed to relax then smiled.
“What about Gideon?” Diane asked and Ariel’s gaze met hers.
Diane had no problem seeing that the other woman was still upset that Zane had refused to bring Gideon back with them or to let Diane look at him.
“Gideon isn’t much of a joiner,” Ariel said, and Clara snorted a laugh.
“Gideon walks the fringes. He doesn’t like large groups and has a tendency to leave when the mood strikes him,” Clara said. “He’s here for now, but I don’t expect him to stay.”
“Orsai and the Professor would like your input on the poison he was hit with,” Tah told Diane. “The Professor said there was something familiar about it, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He thought you might be able to.”
“I can head down now,” she offered, but he shook his head.
“Stay,” he ordered. “Gideon demanded he be placed down with Lydia and Dillon. We wanted to put him in the labs, but he was adamant, and I refused to have him pushed. I think he’s apprehensive there might have been more than poison in him.”
“Like what?” Zane asked.
“The something familiar, but not quite?” Diane asked and her mind worried over the possibilities. Was it another form of feral cat fever? The ramifications of that in the hands of a hunter were mind-boggling! Then she shook her head. Hadn’t Clara said her uncle had stolen the virus Dillon had managed to get his hands on from a group of hunters who’d captured Thomas and pumped it into him? Diane was pretty sure her memory was accurate. What if the hunters were still working on it?
“Diane.” Tah called her name, jarring her from the roller coaster of her thoughts.
“Yes?” she asked.
“I can see your mind spinning. What are you thinking?” he asked.
“Maybe nothing,” she warned.
“The light in your eyes says otherwise,” Reno stated.
“I was thinking if the Professor thought it was familiar… Well, I thought about what we’ve been dealing with—”
“Feral cat fever,” Clara said, and Diane saw Logan’s arms tighten around his mate.
Diane nodded. “Didn’t you say your Uncle Thomas brought it back when a group of hunters tried to use it on him?”
Clara nodded.
“Jesus,” Tah grunted. “This is all we need.”
“Clara’s aunt was still alive then,” Diane reminded everyone. “Imagine the amount of time they’ve had to research and work on ways to mutate it, ways to hide it within something else.”
“Like poison,” Reno stated.
“This will rip Gideon apart,” Ariel said and started to rise from the couch. “He doesn’t have a mate.”
“Sit down,” Tah said.
“I need to go to him, tell him what you guys are thinking,” Ariel argued.
“Sit down!” Tah roared, and Ariel’s ass hit the couch again, her mouth dropping open.
“If you want to be a part of this pride, you will learn to listen and obey when I give an order. I will discuss things with the council. I will consult with everyone when it is needed. But I will not be disobeyed when I give a direct order. Is that clear?”
Ariel nodded, as did Griffin when Tah turned his gaze on the other man.
“I’m betting Gideon has already guessed as much and that’s why he requested to be put where he is. He’s a smart man, one I would prefer to have at my side. We will do everything we can to help him,” Tah stated. “Have faith in Diane and the Professor just as we do.”
Ariel’s gaze locked with Diane’s again, and she could see the uncertainty in the other woman’s eyes.
“I know you’re still angry I didn’t look at him when you asked me to, but I believe part of you understands. This is a dangerous world. As a shifter, you know that even better than I do. I’m just learning, just beginning to belong. I’ve done nothing to earn your trust, yet, but I promise you, I will do everything I can to help Gideon,” Diane vowed.
“Diane has the trust of this entire pride,” Zane said in a tone that dared any to argue.
“Diane is family,” Tah said.
Diane blinked rapidly to hold back tears. She’d always wanted a big family. Now she had one, and she’d be damned if she’d lose one member while she was the one taking care of them. She felt renewed purpose surge through her.
Maybe it was Tah’s statement or maybe Ariel just saw some of the conviction on Diane’s face, but the other woman finally nodded.