Read Online Saving the Beast by Lacey Thorn - Free Book Online Page B

that’s why they gave me up for adoption. They thought I was normal and wanted me to have a normal life.”
    Kenzie’s face took on a sad expression.
    “But you didn’t?” Diane prompted.
    “No, I didn’t. I told you I have shifter senses. Sometimes my ability to smell or see something I shouldn’t have been able to freaked people out. My adoptive family couldn’t wait to be rid of me. My bags were packed as soon as I hit eighteen. I stuck around until I graduated then took off and joined the Marines.”
    “Oh, Kenzie, I’m so sorry.”
    “It’s worked out for the best,” Kenzie said, but Diane didn’t think so. How would it feel to think you didn’t belong in either world?
    “So how are you going to be able to protect me out here?” Diane asked, changing the subject and hoping to spark something other than sadness in Kenzie.
    “I might not be a fully merged shifter, but I am a Marine. Trust me. I can kick ass with the best of them,” Kenzie assured her with a hard look.
    Diane continued, wanting to banish any remaining crumbs of sadness that might remain. “Well, your story of Zane coming to the rescue hasn’t exactly invoked a confident feeling.”
    “I was drugged.” Kenzie grunted, and Diane did her best to hide a smile. This was much better.
    Diane’s phone started vibrating in her pocket again.
    “I should probably answer, or we’re going to have a whole posse on our tails,” Diane said, pulling free her phone and answering. She hit the button to place the call on speaker.
    “Hello.”
    “What the fuck part of see me before you leave this house did you two not understand?” Tah’s voice was hard and lethal, and Diane was very happy she wasn’t there to see his face.
    “Uhmm. What?” Diane mumbled.
    “Put Kenzie on the phone, now,” Tah commanded furiously.
    Kenzie sighed as Diane looked at her. “I’m here.”
    “You’re most definitely not here or you’d feel the full brunt of my anger,” Tah seethed. “Do you have any clue what you’re walking into? What you’re taking Diane into?”
    “I’m not a child, and you’re not my parent, Tah,” Kenzie fumed. “And yes, we’re both aware of what we’re doing and why.”
    “Does Diane know you can’t shift?” Tah asked softly and the menace in his voice was so much scarier for the quietness of his tone.
    “Yes,” Kenzie answered in surprise, her gaze clashing with Diane’s. “You’re on speaker. We can both hear you.”
    “Did you think Holt wouldn’t tell us when he found out what you’d agreed to?” Tah demanded.
    “Fuck,” Kenzie seethed.
    “How far away are you? Holt and Murphy will come get you,” Tah stated.
    “No,” Kenzie said quietly.
    “Excuse me?” Tah asked, his voice rigid with disbelief.
    “I said no,” Kenzie repeated, her gaze bouncing around them as she inhaled. “It’s too late, anyway,” she admitted and Diane felt a chill run up her spine. “We’re close. I’ve picked up his scent, which means he’s already caught Diane’s at this point. It won’t be safe for anyone else to be around.”
    “Fuck!” Tah shouted the expletive and Diane heard a loud cracking sound and wondered if Tah had just punched something. “I want you back here as soon as possible, and we will have a long talk, Kenzie. Do you understand me?”
    “Yes, sir,” Kenzie muttered.
    “Diane.” He said her name softly.
    “Yes?”
    “Be careful. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you,” he told her.
    “I’ll be fine,” Diane said, not sure if she was assuring him or reassuring herself. “I’m his mate. Zane won’t hurt me.”
    “I pray you’re right,” Tah grunted. “You two have tied my hands, now. All I can do is wait to hear from you or risk the possibility of getting people killed by sending others after you. This is a hell of a fucked up mess.”
    A loud hiss rocked the woods followed by a growl that sent more shivers coursing through Diane. Holy fuck!
    “It’s too late,