Mending the Beast (Awakening Pride #10) - Lacey Thorn Page 0,16

Tony.

“Oh, I was invited to stay,” Tony said, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest while the others moved toward the door.

Reno looked amused. Logan and Finn were more concerned about Laura. Gabriel scowled, but Daniel saw his hurt. It was almost enough to make him change his mind and ask Gabriel to stay, but uncertainty about what Gideon would share kept Daniel from relenting. Gabriel already thought to keep him locked down at Riverton. Daniel didn’t need Gideon to say anything to reinforce that sentiment. Not when he was leaving, one way or another, to go after his mate.

Tah sighed, shaking his head at Tony. “Somehow, I knew you were going to be trouble.”

Tony smiled, all teeth. “But an amazing ally. Pinkie promise.”

“Trouble,” Tah reiterated. “What did you find, Gideon?”

Gideon glanced at Daniel before answering. “Despite the fact you’re awake now, your blood is still showing extremely low animal DNA. I’m not sure what’s happened to your lion, but something has repressed it. We need to keep a close eye on you until we figure out what’s going on. Or see evidence it’s reversing.” He reached down and pulled his phone from his pocket, eyes going wide as he turned it so Tah could see.

“Speaker phone,” Tah ordered, and Gideon obliged.

“Hello.”

“Gideon, I need your help.”

“Ariel, what’s going on?” Gideon asked, and Daniel sat up straighter at the urgency in her voice.

“I tried to call Murphy, but he’s not picking up. I…” They all heard her blow out a weary sigh. “I called Daniel, too. He’s with Murphy and… I left a voicemail, but I’m not sure when they’ll get it, or if they’ll be close enough to help.”

The last part was mumbled, but Daniel heard her loud and clear.

“I lost my phone in the woods,” he spoke up, not wanting his mate to think he was purposely ignoring her. Especially not when he was pretty sure this was the first time she’d ever reached out to him.

“I…Daniel…”

She’d said his name. It was the first time he’d heard her say his name.

There was silence followed by whispering.

“Ariel, who’s with you?” Tah asked, letting her know he was there, too.

“I needed to… I found someone we’ve been looking for. Well, actually, she found me. She needs help. Gideon, I need to know where to take her. There has to be somewhere close by where I can get her help.”

Daniel wondered if anyone else was picking up that Ariel wasn’t planning to stay with the mystery woman. Everything was about getting help for the other woman. His mate was still running, leaving him behind. He wasn’t going to let that happen.

“Where are you?” Gideon asked.

“I went back,” Ariel murmured. “We just left what remains of the trading post.”

“Who is we?” Tah asked.

“I… She’s not ready for me to share that, yet. She’s afraid. Trust me. Please.”

Tah slowly nodded his head though only those in the room could see him. “I trust you, Ariel. You’re family.”

“I’ll make some calls,” Gideon promised. “I’ll head toward you as soon as I can throw a bag together and get Vic. Stay by the phone. I’ll call back as soon as I have information.”

“Wait,” Daniel ordered before anyone could disconnect the call. “I’m coming, too, Ariel. It’s past time we spoke.”

She was silent for so long Daniel feared the call had severed, after all. But when she finally answered, it broke something inside him.

“I can’t be who you need,” she whispered, and the click of disconnection echoed as his body clenched tight and began to shake.

“He’s seizing!” Gideon yelled, giving voice to what Daniel was feeling.

He fought hard to stay conscious. He needed to get to his mate. She’d called him, and no matter what she believed, she was exactly who he needed. There would never be another woman for him. Never. As darkness jerked him under again, he screamed for his lion to help.

Chapter Five

Ariel helped Quinn into the hotel room. She was worried about the other woman and that meant Ariel could focus on something other than her earlier conversation. And Daniel. She’d told him she couldn’t be what he needed. Did he realize it was goodbye? She should have never admitted that she’d called him. Had she known he was there, she wouldn’t have. Why was he back at the ranch? When had he arrived? Did he know she’d been to his house? Oh, God! Had he found the letter she’d left? She swallowed forcibly, sure her heart was lodged