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mate. When we were down in the lab and I was removing the tracker from Amia, you all burst in.
Reno shifted into his tiger. You went to your lion. You put yourself between him and Abby.
 I did, but I also challenged him to try and calm him down, Tah stated.
 Reno was focused on one thing. Amia, his mate. Clara immediately went to Logan, stepping in
front of him. Then he pushed her behind him. There were others in that room, but you all went to your
mates.
He nodded, but she could see he was thinking, remembering that time in the lab.
 And Zane stepped in front of you, Abby said.  I remember him baring his teeth at Reno when
his tiger looked at you. It was when I realized Zane was a shifter, as well.
 Did anything change after that? Or did he still avoid you? Tah asked, and Diane knew he still
wasn t buying that she could be Zane s mate.
 The night Murphy and Zane brought Finn back, Abby spoke up again.  While everyone raced
out to see Finn, you went to Zane.
Diane nodded.  I needed to make sure he was all right.
 I was slower getting outside than everyone else, Abby said, pointing to her belly.  I watched
you go to him. I saw the look you two shared. And when I walked in with him, I noticed something. I
don t think I even realized what it was until just now.
 What? Diane asked.
 I think he was purring. Softly, very softly, but I heard it, Abby said.
Abby s words hardened Diane s resolve. She was going after Zane.
 I want to go after him, she said.
 No, Tah answered immediately.
 Tah! Abby admonished while Diane just blinked.
 Unless we know beyond a shadow of a doubt she s his mate, we can t risk it, Tah told his
mate.
 I think that s my choice, Diane argued and saw surprise register on Tah s face.  I want to go
after him.
 Diane, Tah said.  I can t let you do that.
 Then you ll have to lock me up and keep me prisoner here, Diane told him and realized she
meant it.  But consider yourself warned, I ll try every chance I get to leave.
Tah looked shocked, then thoughtful.  You feel that strongly about it?
 I feel that strongly about him, Diane said.  I feel like I m losing my mind with worry over
him. I can t eat. I can t sleep. I can t work.
 Sounds like a mate to me, Abby spoke softly.
 Let s discuss it more after the baby s born, Tah said.
 No, Diane disagreed.  I need to leave now.
 There s no way you can leave when Abby is so close to giving birth. We need you here.
Diane shook her head.  No, you don t. No offense, Abby, but you have the Professor and Orsai
both here for you. She turned to Tah.  Zane has no one, and everyday we wait brings us closer to
losing him for good. I may already be too late. Another seven to ten days and he ll be gone for sure.
Please. Please let me go to him.
 Diane  Tah began but Abby cut him off.
 Let her go, Abby said.  She s right. I m in good hands here. Zane needs her, and we need
both of them.
 And how exactly is that going to work? Tah asked.  How do you plan to find him?
 Clara suggested it would take a shifter to find him, Diane admitted.
 You talked to Clara about this? Tah lifted an eyebrow at her in question.
 Yes, we talked about it. She s the one that helped me to open my eyes and realize what I might
be to Zane.
 Might be. Tah latched onto her uncertainty.  If you re not, you could be walking into a death
sentence and taking one of us with you.
 There might be a way to avoid that, the Professor spoke as he pushed the door wide and
stepped in.
Diane wondered how long he d been standing there, eavesdropping.
 I should have known you d be involved in this, Tah said with a weary sigh.
 Actually, Diane didn t confide in me, the Professor said, and Diane swore he appeared a
little hurt by that.  I was coming up to discuss something else and caught the gist of what you were
discussing. I wondered myself a time or two if Diane and Zane were mates. Orsai and I discussed it.
 And? Tah prompted.
 Orsai believes she is. He s been waiting for Diane to realize it.
 He spoke to me last night, Diane admitted when the Professor glanced at her.
 How is it I keep missing this stuff? Tah asked and Diane knew he was referring to not
realizing what was happening between Logan and Clara at first, either.
 Because you re focused on me, Abby said, looking up at her mate.
 I m always focused on you, he said, leaning down and kissing her brow.
Diane watched and yearned. She wanted a taste of that type of love for herself, with Zane.
 I need to go after him, she said again.
This time, Tah didn t give an immediate no.  I m not sure how to do that, he said instead.
 Anyone who goes with you will be putting themselves at risk, as well. And what if you re all
wrong? What if you aren t his mate? He could kill you, Diane.
 He won t, she said. Mate or not, there was something between them. She believed without
question Zane wouldn t hurt her.
 Maybe Zane wouldn t, Tah spoke as if reading her mind.  But Zane s not in charge right
now. You ll be going to meet a full-grown panther. One that may or may not know you re his mate.
 He ll know his mate no matter what form he s in, the Professor stated.  Orsai has assured me [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]