“What?” Tah almost roared. “He mated her?”
“It appears so,” Zane said.
“And left? He walked away and left her?”
Zane nodded.
“That fucking bastard! How the fuck does that happen? Why?” Tah demanded, exploding from his chair and pacing around the room.
“It wasn’t easy for him,” Zane said. “I was there. I saw the look on his face when he forced himself to leave.”
“Then why leave?”
“To protect her. You heard who he is, an avenging angel. You think hunters haven’t heard of him? Aren’t searching for him? They’d hit pay dirt if they discovered he had a mate and took her instead.”
“And protecting her means staying away from her,” Tah said and groaned, one hand coming up to rub the back of his neck.
“Kenzie was devastated when she woke up and he was gone,” Zane said.
“Woke up?”
“She had passed out by the time Diane and I got to them. Diane sat with her while I helped Angel deal with the carnage. When Kenzie awoke…” Zane shook his head. “I’ve never seen her so broken. It scares me. It pissed Diane off. She was ready to go after him.”
“I agree with her,” Tah said. “If I’d known when he was here… I’m trying to understand his reasoning. But he’s not protecting her. He’s just as likely to get her hunted and killed by leaving her as he is to take her with him. She’s smart. Hell, she’s a fucking Marine!”
“He thinks he’s doing what’s best for her,” Zane stated.
“What a fucking mess,” Tah grumbled.
“Maybe I should have let Diane kick his ass,” Zane said.
Tah gave a brief smile. “Diane is loyal and tough. You have a great mate in her.”
Zane nodded in agreement. “I’m a little nervous about the pregnancy and becoming a father.”
Tah really grinned then, and his smile filled the whole room. “Thankfully, we learned a lot with Abby’s pregnancy. Diane will require regular infusions of your blood to help keep her body stable during the pregnancy. She’s strong and healthy. And being a father… I can’t express the joy I get looking into my daughter’s big brown eyes, or holding her in my arms with her mother snuggled up beside us. I never knew it was possible to feel like this.”
“It’s good to see you so happy,” Zane said.
“It’s funny how one thing can ease the burden on your shoulders. When Abby was sick and we didn’t know what was going to happen, when I feared I’d lose her, everything stressed me out. Now, knowing I have her at my side, I feel capable of handling anything.”
“I’m glad,” Zane admitted.
“You’ll make a great father,” Tah told him. “And our children will be close in age. Should I wish a daughter on you, so mine will have a best friend?”
Zane laughed. “As long as mother and baby are healthy, boy or girl doesn’t matter to me.”
Tah smiled, paced away and turned back with a serious look on his face. “What are we going to do about Kenzie?”
“Watch her. Protect her. Love her,” Zane answered. “All the things we’ve always done.”
“Do you think her mate’s bite might change things for her?”
Zane sat up straight as he thought about it. “I’d have to talk to Diane, but anything’s possible. Angel’s bite could definitely bring on her beast. I’ll speak to my mate about it. I know she’ll want to keep a close eye on Kenzie, anyway.”
Tah nodded. “We’ll have to tell everybody. Kenzie has to be protected. Abby will be mad as hell when I tell her.”
“I almost said no when she told me she wanted to go ahead alone, that she needed some time alone. So much sorrow was in her eyes, so much pain,” Zane said.
“We’ll stand beside her. Be there, anything she needs,” Tah swore.
Zane agreed. “I promised Angel I’d watch after her. She’s the reason he gave us a place to go.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Tah agreed. “It would be easy to hate him for this,” Tah admitted. “But I feel sorry for him. He’s lost more than he realizes by leaving Kenzie. She deserves better than a mate who claims her then leaves her. I’m not sure I could give Abby up. I don’t think I’ll ever have that strength. Hell, she is my strength.”
“I understand,” Zane agreed. “I tried to stay away from Diane. It almost cost me the woman meant for me and only me.”
“I’m glad she found you,” Tah said.
“About that,” Zane said and frowned. “Did you know the Professor gave her a shot before she left?”