Mending the Beast (Awakening Pride #10) - Lacey Thorn Page 0,51

make sure you continue to monitor any changes. Let us know immediately if anything changes. Tony can be to you quickly.”

“We’ll keep an eye on him,” Gabriel stated, and Daniel shook his head.

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah, we’ve heard that one before,” Gabriel growled.

“I’ll let Ariel know we’re hitting the road again. How soon do you want to leave?” Daniel ignored his brother’s comment and focused on the trip ahead. “I’m not sure she’ll be excited for another long road trip this soon.”

“I’ll call Laramie,” Gabriel offered. “We can stay in one of the cabins on Holloway land for a few days. Tony was in a hurry so we didn’t get much time to catch up, and Kenzie really wanted to get to know Holt’s mate, Jaeda, and her sisters.”

“I hope Holt’s mate handles their close friendship better than you did to begin with,” Daniel quipped with a grin.

His brother had practically hated Holt from the beginning. Most likely because Holt and Kenzie had once been lovers though they’d ended that rather quickly, deciding they were better as best friends. Plus, when Gabriel had left Kenzie to rescue Laura, Holt had been the one to step in and watch over Kenzie. Of course, Gabriel had mated Kenzie before leaving her. He’d also failed to tell her where he was going and why. He’d simply told Kenzie to stay and had expected her to obey. Instead, she’d put him in his place and showed him what it meant to be loved, completely loved. Daniel’s brother was a lucky man.

“Jaeda is a possessive woman. Half the time, she refers to Holt as ‘my Holt’ or ‘my mate’ or whatever as long as it had the notation that he’s hers. She’s an interesting woman. And pregnant.”

“Holt’s mate is pregnant?” Daniel felt a grin tug at his lips.

Gabriel nodded. “Kenzie’s over the moon. Swears she better be one of the godparents. I think it’ll do Kenzie some good to hang out with her best friend. She’s been tense lately. Worried. We can all use the downtime to relax, though I have to admit I’m looking forward to getting back to my own bed.”

Daniel could agree with that. He hoped he wouldn’t be sleeping in his alone. He wanted Ariel to stay with him. Wanted her there permanently. Wasn’t sure what he’d do if she wasn’t ready for that big of a commitment. But they’d been sharing a room the whole trip. Surely, she wouldn’t want to go back to staying separate when they got back to Riverton.

“Is everything okay?” Daniel asked, pushing aside his personal thoughts and focusing on his brother.

“Her lioness still isn’t pressing for release. Kenzie’s getting worried it won’t happen. That she’ll never get to know her animal.”

“Maybe the shot Tony gave me will give us some answers,” Daniel offered. “It certainly had me reconnecting almost immediately.”

“And left you with eyes that are more animal than man. Left you with a primal beast just under your skin, waiting to jump out. I see you, brother. See what you try to hide with good humor. I see how tightly you’re holding the reins on yourself. Holloway land will give us a place to shift and get in a good run. And you look like you could really use one right now.”

Daniel nodded, agreeing with Gabriel. “That sounds perfect.”

“Go get Ariel and haul ass back out here. I’ll find Kenzie and do the same. Beware. She’ll be chattering with excitement the whole drive. She was really pissed we didn’t stay longer than we did. This is going to make her day.” His brother grinned, and Daniel knew Gabriel was just as happy to head back to the Holloways as his mate would be.

With a shake of his head, Daniel headed back to the hotel with Gabriel. They found Kenzie and Ariel lingering over breakfast. Ariel stood when she saw him, a smile on her lips.

“Ready to hit the road?” he asked then laughed at the groan that left her throat. This from the woman who’d left Riverton with plans to travel who knew where.

“Where to this time?” Ariel asked.

“Have you ever seen a bear shifter?” he asked, and Kenzie whooped as she jumped out of her chair and into her mate’s arms.

“We’re going back to see Holt?”

Gabriel growled. “Woman, do I need to remind you who’s your mate?”

Kenzie’s grin was carnal and made Daniel feel like a voyeur.

“Yes,” Kenzie replied then giggled as Gabriel scooped her up over his shoulder and carried her out of the