Mending the Beast (Awakening Pride #10) - Lacey Thorn Page 0,22

glanced up, and there was no missing she was Reno’s sister. Hell, she was basically a slightly shorter, female version of her brother.

Daniel heard the murmur of their voices, but he didn’t focus on the conversation. He felt his lion. For the first time since he’d woken up, he felt his lion. He reached for it, offering himself so the animal could switch skins and take over. But there was still something there, something preventing him from really connecting, though both sides tried. His lion had been so close, pressing for release, generating brief changes that were already receding.

“No!” he shouted, shaking his head fiercely. He wasn’t going to lose his lion.

The professor said something, but Daniel couldn’t hear over the sound of the blood rushing through his veins. Tah spoke, but it was the same. Daniel shook his head again as Tah crouched before him and put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.

“Did you hear me?”

More head shaking.

“You’re healing,” Tah stated as if he’d repeated it several times. He probably had.

Daniel glanced down at his body and felt a fleeting hope that Aleksy didn’t mind his mate seeing Daniel in nothing but his boxer briefs. Slowly, his gaze centered on the places he’d been shot. The dull, throbbing pain was gone. Yes, he still burned on the inside, but it wasn’t the hellfire that had robbed him of breath.

“Get a vial of blood.” The professor’s voice was loud and clear as he gave the order. “Tony, get some blood, so I can see what’s going on. Quick.”

“Daniel, can you hear me? Daniel?”

Fuck, he was going to pass out again. The worst part was he knew it, and there was nothing he could do about it. His mate needed him. Somehow, he and his lion needed to get their shit together, so they could go after the one person who meant the most to both of them. Ariel.

Chapter Seven

Ariel unglued her feet and hurried to catch up with Quinn and the woman. She noted the well-kept house as they passed through it on their way to what appeared to be a connected clinic. Quinn was ushered into a well-stocked exam room. Another woman was there, and she was almost a carbon copy of the one who’d led them in. Ariel inhaled.

“Cougar?” she questioned.

“Yes,” the one who’d met them out front answered then gave a soft laugh. “Forgive me. I didn’t even think to introduce myself. I saw you and…” She trailed off with a shrug as if that explained everything. It explained nothing as far as Ariel was concerned. It only brought up new questions.

“You’ve done it again.” The copy shook her head. “I’m Anna Renquagh, and this is my sister Miriam.”

“You know me,” Ariel stated, reading the same recognition in Anna’s gaze that she’d seen in Miriam’s.

“I saved your life,” Anna said then turned her full attention to Quinn. “I hear you’ve been the guest of hunters. I need you to tell me everything you can. They’re vicious bastards, and one unspoken thing could be the difference between me helping you or putting us all in danger.”

“Danger?” Quinn asked.

“From what Gideon was able to tell us, you met with Ariel at Thomas’ trading post. Most know Thomas is no longer there. No one’s been there in a long time. So either someone on the inside didn’t know that, or you were sent there intentionally to lure someone else.”

“Oh, God.” Quinn paled, her frantic gaze meeting and holding Ariel’s. “I’m sorry.”

Ariel gritted her teeth while she swallowed the nausea that rose inside her at Quinn’s words. Quinn seemed to pale further, and Ariel automatically reached out to grasp her hand, squeezing. When had she become a person who offered comfort? Her, the one who couldn’t stand for others to touch her? And why did she feel a kinship with a woman she’d never met until today? One who’d been manipulated and placed in danger by Daniel’s father?

“Let’s get you on the table, Miss.” Anna held out her hand to Quinn, offering her help onto the table. Ariel watched her eyes widen as she got her first good look at Quinn. “You’re pregnant.”

“Yes. The baby takes precedence over me. If the choice ever has to be made, the baby lives.” Quinn darted her gaze between Anna and Ariel. Anna’s lips thinned as she pressed them together. Ariel gave a slight nod, hoping it never came to that.

“Let’s have you lie back, so I can see how baby is doing. How far along