Saving the Beast by Lacey Thorn Read Free Book Online Page A

knew the others respected Kenzie. So tiny or not, Diane felt as if she’d be safe with Kenzie.
    “What do you say?” Diane asked, turning to Tah with a pleading gaze. “Will you let me go look for Zane? Will you let me try to save him?”
    “Are you sure?” Tah asked one last time, and his gaze bounced between Diane and Kenzie.
    Kenzie spoke first. “Zane would do the same for any one of us. I’ll take his mate to find him.”
    “Diane?” Tah prompted.
    “I believe I’m his mate,” she said, then shook her head. “I am his mate, and I need to go to him before I lose him for good.”
    “I don’t like this,” Tah admitted. “It doesn’t feel right to send two of you out there alone. Not when we have no idea what you might find.”
    “So we implement daily check-ins like you did when Reno left,” Diane said. “If anything happens, we’ll have a way of getting in touch with you immediately.”
    Tah stood and stated at her for so long that Diane felt like squirming. She bit her bottom lip to keep from begging more. She didn’t want to defy Tah, but if it came down to it, she knew she would.
    “How soon do you want to leave?” Tah finally asked.
    Diane smiled and crossed to him, surprising them both when she hugged him tight. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
    “I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” Tah countered. “I really hope you are his mate, and I hope you bring him back to us.”
    “I am,” Diane said. “I will.”
    “I can be ready to go as soon as you want me to,” Kenzie said.
    “I’d like to talk to you first, Kenzie,” Tah said. “Go over a few things with you.”
    Kenzie nodded.
    “I’d like to talk to Diane, as well,” the Professor said. “Follow me to my office,” he told her and turned and left.
    Abby grabbed Diane and hugged her close. “Find your mate and bring him home,” she whispered.
    “I plan to,” Diane whispered back.

 
    Chapter Four
     
     
     
    “Damn!” Kenzie grumbled as the Professor slid the needle from her arm. “Hope you’re happy,” she told Diane with a glare. “I’m heading out of here before he decides you need another shot, and I end up taking it first.”
    The Professor grunted, not meeting anyone’s gaze as he grabbed another needle and put more of the liquid in it. Diane knew he was angry with her again. Kenzie turned and left the lab, and Diane felt guilty. Kenzie had come down to ask a quick question and had ended up taking a shot meant for Diane when she’d blanched at taking it. The Professor hadn’t wanted to give it to Kenzie, but the other woman had been insistent so Diane would feel better about taking her own shot.
    Funny thing was, Diane had given plenty of shots to wounded animals in her time, but every time she was forced to take one, she turned into a child complete with sulking fits. She didn’t like needles.
    “I still don’t understand why I need a tetanus booster?” Diane grumbled as the Professor prepped her arm for the shot he was so adamant she needed.
    “Better safe than sorry is the phrase I believe most people use,” he said as he slid the needle in. “You have no idea what might occur once you’re out there. This is just a precaution. Kenzie will be fine,” he muttered, almost as if talking to himself. Then he glared at Diane again. “Shifters and their mates have remarkable healing capabilities. We’ve both seen that. You on the other hand are not mated yet and are still susceptible.”
    “I’m sorry,” Diane told him.
    He glanced at her as he took care of the used needle. “For wanting to leave me all alone to fend for myself down here?”
    She squirmed and felt her face flush with heat. How did he manage to make her feel like a little girl being scolded for disappointing her parent?
    “I’m hoping once you and Zane are mated all that will cease, and you’ll decide to stay here.”
    “If I’m his mate, then yes, I’ll stay wherever he wants,” Diane admitted.
    The Professor