Obsidian

Laurann Dohner

Book 8 in the New Species series.

Special thanks to Mr. Laurann—you inspire me constantly with your love and friendship. Thanks to Kele Moon—the best friend and critique partner a person could have.

And thanks to Ditter—for your adoring worship of all things Species.

Chapter One

Dr. Allison Baker knew what it was like to lose patients. She’d sat next to them and held their hands as death hovered to take them away after their last breaths. It was part of the job and it came with the territory to understand that some battles couldn’t be won. It wasn’t something a textbook could teach but experience and loss had burned that lesson deep into her soul. It was why she’d left the hospital to become a member of the NSO medical staff. They represented hope and new life.

Her gaze flicked over the monitor readings and helplessness settled in. Her patient wasn’t improving but he wasn’t growing worse either. Limbo sucked. She gripped the cold metal railing that would prevent him rolling out of the clinic bed but it wasn’t needed. He didn’t move, wouldn’t wake, and hours had passed into days. Then weeks.

Eventually months.

The male New Species had really long, silky black hair and it shone from being washed and brushed. She’d tenderly cared for it as if it were her own. Small, thin scars marred handsome, fierce features. His lips were really full and plush.

His nose was a bit wide, a little flat, and his cheekbones jutted out, pronounced. Tape kept his eyes closed but she knew their chocolate-brown color well. Every day she removed it and hoped she’d see a response in his pupils. It hadn’t happened.

“Doc Alli?” The gruff male voice startled her.

She glanced over her shoulder at Destiny. He was a big primate Species with pretty brown eyes and really long eyelashes. He stepped into the room and his mouth curved downward.

“What’s up?”

“You shouldn’t be in here. You know the rules.”

Her focus returned to the man who lay meekly on a bed with tubes and needles attached to him.

“He hasn’t woken and it’s driving me crazy. His wounds have healed, he’s got brain activity and I’ve run every test I can think of on him. So have the other doctors. What am I missing?”

“He could become conscious and you’d be in danger.” Destiny moved to her side, his big body only inches away. “He could hurt you if that happens. He’ll believe he’s still at the mercy of Mercile Industries and you’re human. He’d consider you the enemy.”

“I wish he would attack me. He’d be awake then.”

He growled softly. “The rules state that you aren’t allowed to enter this room without me or another Species male present. The officer was gone and I scented you down here. Where is Book?”

“He went to lunch.” She hesitated. “He locked the door but I know where you keep the key.” She shrugged, not bothering to apologize for what she’d done. “I come in here sometimes when one of the officers takes a meal break. I’m always hoping for a change.”

“He has no will to live.”

“I won’t accept that as the reason. I just don’t understand what physical injury I’m missing. His body is healed. He should have come out of the coma. I ordered new drugs to try and hopefully they will bring him around.”

Destiny remained silent for long seconds. “Perhaps we should remove the feeding tube and allow his body to finish what his mind started.”

Horrified, she jerked her head around to gape at him. “No!”

“We discussed it.” Sorrow filled his eyes. “We know so little about him, except he lost his mate.

She died in front of him and he injured himself attempting to end his suffering. He has no reason to fight to survive.”

“Who discussed stopping intervention?”

“Everyone. There is no dignity in forcing him to live when his will is not there.”

“Screw that.” Her temper flared. “There could be a medical condition that we haven’t diagnosed yet. We just don’t know for sure.” She stared at the scarred face that she’d grown to care for so deeply. “I won’t give up on him.”

“You’re a good female with a kind heart.”

Destiny reached out slowly and curled his big, warm hand over one of hers. “You’re suffering more than he is. It might be better to allow nature to take course.”

“It’s ‘allow nature to take its course’ but no damn way.” She jerked her hand from beneath his and shook her head.

Her teeth dented her bottom lip while she worried over the decision others could make. She was the patient’s doctor but she had bosses. The NSO pulled her strings. “There’s something I’m missing and I just have to figure it out.”

“I came to bathe his body. I was informed that Field washed his hair this morning.” He hesitated. “You brushed it out for him.”

“Yeah. It was tangled. Field is becoming a great nurse but he’s not very good at things like that.”

“We’re learning.”

“You’re doing a great job.” She flashed him an encouraging smile.

“You need to leave while I bathe him.”

“Of course.” New Species were weird about allowing the opposite sex to see an injured one of their own naked. She understood, respected it, but she was a doctor. Part of her was curious since she’d never seen a Species male totally bare from the waist down but she wasn’t a voyeur either.

She’d feel perverted if she stayed. “Call me if anything changes.”

“It will not. He lost his mate and he no longer wishes to live.”

She turned away from the bed but paused by the door. She studied the Species nurse-in-training. “Do you really think that’s it?”

“Yes.”

“What exactly is involved with a mating?

Maybe that’s the answer.”

“You know as much as I do.”

“I know that men choose a woman and they are loyal to her once they decide she is it for them. I know they get loud during sex and are extremely protective but what are the physical symptoms?”

He hesitated. “We scent imprint our females.”

“So you smell a woman and know she’s the one for you?”

“No.” He faced her. “Our feelings become involved. We spend a lot of time with them and become addicted to their scent.”

“You rely heavily on your senses.”

“Yes.”

Allison chewed on her bottom lip again, thinking. A crazy thought came to her. “What if we got him interested in a new scent?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean what if he learned a new female scent?

He’s breathing through his nose and he’s got to be partially aware since there’s brain activity. If he shut down because he lost one woman, maybe he’d wake for another one.”

Destiny frowned. “I don’t think it would work.”

Her gaze lingered on her patient. “Do we really have anything to lose?”

“We’d have to find a female to spend a lot of time in his room.” He shook his head. “None of our women would do it. What if it worked and he woke?”

“We’d get him therapy if his mind is fractured.

He’d at least be talking and alert. We can work with that.” Her hand lifted and she waved in the direction of the bed. “Right now we can’t do anything but keep him alive.”

“Mating is not just about scent.”

“When you bathe him does his body respond at all?”

“I don’t understand.”

She hesitated, not sure how to broach the subject so just decided to be blunt. “Does he get an erection?”

Shock widened his dark eyes. “No. You are referring to his dick?”

“Yes. I assume you clean him there and have to touch him. Does he respond to stimuli in that region?”

“No.”

“Maybe he knows you’re male.”

Destiny frowned. “I don’t fondle him.”

She smiled. “I didn’t think you did.”

He wasn’t amused.

“What’s the worst that could happen if we brought in a woman?”

His features hardened. “You’d risk him becoming addicted to a female’s scent and he could attempt to claim her if that were to happen. Our females don’t want to be mated. It would be cruel to have him wake for something he can’t have.”

“He’d be awake at least. Alive.”

“No.”

“I think I’ll run this by Tiger or Justice.”

“Don’t. It is a bad idea. You don’t understand Species if this is something you truly wish to consider. He could wake feral too and become violent with one of our females. Nothing is worth taking that risk.”

“He’s chained down. I still think that’s unnecessary.” She glanced at the restraints attached to her patient’s wrists and ankles. “He hasn’t stirred since he was flown in.”

“He may wake on his own.”

“He may lie there until his body gives out. He’s lost weight. The only reason he’s survived this long is because of his hybrid genetics.”

Destiny’s broad shoulders shrugged. “He will either wake or he won’t. We tend to him, do our best, and have given him a chance at survival. It’s all any of us could ask for. No female will put her life at risk to wake this one. He isn’t familiar from the facilities any of them came from and we know nothing about him.”

“He’s New Species.”

“That is evident from his features and his blood tests but no one knows him. He never touched any of the females and they won’t feel compelled to risk being mated or stalked by him if he were to want them enough to come out of his deep sleep.”

“It would be worth it if it brought him around.

We’ll just explain why we did it and it’s not as though he’ll know her personally to feel emotions. He’ll just be used to her scent.”

“No. You don’t understand.”

“So explain it to me.”

Destiny suddenly moved and it scared her when he invaded her personal space. He halted inches away from her. His gaze narrowed. “I smell you every day I work with you. I have adjusted to your scent but I tend to miss it when I leave.” His gaze left hers to slowly wander down her body. “I know it means nothing, that our close contact is unavoidable if I’m to learn nursing, but that doesn’t stop my body from reacting to you.

I’m hard, Alli. Do you want to talk about erections?”

Her jaw dropped and she backed up fast enough to slam against the door. She didn’t overlook the fact that he’d called her by her shortened name either. Destiny didn’t move but his lips parted enough to flash his sharp canines—a benefit from the animal DNA.

“I know you aren’t interested and I would never cross that line. I’ve never scented arousal on you but I am very aware of your every movement. I think often of stripping you bare to show you how I could be your male.” He took a step back. “I am logical, calm, and have been free for a long time.” He glanced at their patient before his gaze held hers. “I wouldn’t have shown any restraint when I was first released if I had these desires. You’d be flat on your back under me and your clothes gone from between us. I’d make you want me as much as I do you.” He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I don’t mean to frighten you but you must understand that is the nature of Species. Never forget that, regardless of how civil we seem. Any female you used to bait him to struggle to survive would be at his mercy.

He has no restraint, no calm, and she would find herself with one aggressive male who would demand nothing less than what he wanted from her.

He isn’t safe.”

Allison swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. “I’m sorry. I don’t feel that way about you.”

“I’m aware.” His gaze cooled. “Don’t feel guilty. I am not in love with you but I easily could be. Your detachment has reminded me daily that the desire isn’t mutual. I am rational, in control of my body and thoughts. You needed to be told the truth to stop you from making a mistake that would endanger one of our females.”

“Okay.”

He turned. “I will bathe him now. Please close the door, Doc Allison.”

She fled quickly. She’d had no idea the nurse was attracted to her. She leaned against the wall down the hallway near the elevator. 880 would die if something wasn’t done.

She’d grown to know his features so well and they haunted her. He’d suffered greatly for the scars he carried on his face, neck, and upper body. At some point he’d been whipped. Whoever had done it to him had been vicious. The fact that no one from the facilities had ever seen him or picked up his scent off any of the technicians stumped her.

Mercile employees had stolen him when they’d fled the facility. He had to have been there somewhere, perhaps on some floor where others weren’t kept. He’d obviously never had any breeding tests done with any of the females since none of them knew him.

Who are you? What did they do to you? And how did you end up mated to a New Species female? She chewed her bottom lip, realized she was once again doing it and stopped. It was a bad habit of hers.

Whoever that Species woman had been, 880 was willing to give up his life over her loss. That had to mean he must have loved her deeply. A cold-blooded soul wouldn’t grieve. She believed with all her heart he was worth saving.

“Feral, my ass.” She pushed away from the wall while waiting for the elevator to take her one floor higher. She closed her office door and collapsed into her seat when she got there.

She finally admitted she was obsessed with the New Species male. Drawn to him. 880 needed to be saved and she wasn’t about to let him die.

She was more than willing to do it for him if he couldn’t fight to return to life on his own.

She reached for her phone and dialed the NSO main offices to ask to speak to Tiger. She hoped the kindhearted male would agree to her plan. He patiently listened as she explained her idea but quickly shot it down.

“It’s too dangerous. We can’t find any Species who knows his scent or his face.” He paused.

“We’ve interviewed some of the Mercile employees who have been captured and they said that a handful of our kind were assigned to special projects. We have no idea what was done to them but I assume it had to be pretty bad. We’re guessing, and that’s all we are, that they wanted to see the long-term effects of putting a couple together. They wanted us to breed for them and a few of the doctors theorized a long-term relationship might get those results. There is also the possibility that he was severely tortured. Mercile tested pain medications, according to some of the records we were able to recover. That would mean he could have suffered years of agony if they experimented on him.”

“We can’t just allow him to die. He’ll lie there until his body wastes away if we continue our current methods of treating him. It’s not enough just to feed him and keep him clean.”

“I understand but we’ve done all we can. We have faith in you and the other doctors that you’re all doing your best. Since there are no medical reasons for the coma, he has probably just emotionally shut down.”

“I think this could work if that’s the case. He’ll form a bond with someone and it might draw him out of his coma.”

“It’s too dangerous. We won’t risk any of our females on an unknown male. I know that sounds harsh but the bottom line is protecting the ones who survived.”

“He’s not dead.” He would be if something wasn’t done soon but she kept that to herself.

She’d sent reports to Justice and his people every few days. They knew how grim the outlook was for 880. “What if I volunteer? I’ll spend a lot of time with him and allow him to get to know my scent. That won’t put your women at risk.”

“No.”

“Why not? It’s my ass on the line and I’m willing to do it. It won’t interfere with my duties. I’ll set up a cot inside his room and kind of move in there when I’m not working. I’ll read to him and get him used to my voice too.”

“You’re human. He will probably kill you on sight if he wakes. We won’t allow you to put yourself in that kind of danger. You work for us, Allison. We care what happens to you just as much as if you were one of our own.”

“He’s going to die!” Her temper snapped. “I can’t just do nothing, damn it. That’s what you’re asking me to do. He’s hitting a point where there’s going to be no return. Even with PT, his muscles are starting to atrophy, he’s lost weight, and it’s only a matter of time before his internal organs begin to fail. You hired me to be a doctor and treat New Species. Don’t tell me to sit on my ass and just watch this go down.”

“I’m sorry but it’s not up for debate. Do what you can safely but you aren’t to spend more time with the male than when you run required tests.”

“Tiger—”

“No. I have to go. There is a council meeting I must attend.” He hung up.

She clutched the dead phone for long seconds before hanging up too. Her teeth dug painfully into her bottom lip while she decided to refuse to allow 880 to waste away.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” she muttered.

A plan formed in her mind. It was insane, dangerous, but if it worked, the New Species in the basement would wake. His survival was what really mattered.

Chapter Two

The terror was hard to suppress but New Species had excellent senses of smell. They could sometimes pick up emotions and she’d been assured fear was one they could detect. Allison couldn’t afford to screw anything up. It was all about timing and not rousing suspicion.

Her hands trembled as she hid the folded note inside her upper desk drawer and pocketed the key.

Locking it away would give her more time to implement her plan before they found it. She lifted her gaze to the clock on the wall and her heart raced. A hundred things could go wrong and she’d be in a world of trouble if even one part of her plan failed. Minutes ticked by at a snail’s pace until it was finally four o’clock. The officer downstairs assigned to guard the patient would leave to eat dinner. She had exactly twenty-five minutes before he’d return.

Her legs felt weak when she stood, inched around her desk and took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her frayed nerves. During the previous twenty-four hours she’d laid the groundwork to make her plan go off without a hitch.

Destiny wasn’t at his desk and that was one hurdle down. She rushed to the elevator, pressed the button, and prayed whoever guarded 880 wasn’t behind schedule. Her fingers brushed the coat pocket containing the keys to assure herself she could do it as the doors opened.

The hallway chair sat empty as the doors to the elevator opened on the basement level and she fisted the air in joy. Her flat shoes didn’t make much sound as she jogged in the direction of the patient’s room and dug out the key to his door. She’d lifted the spare from Destiny’s desk an hour before when they’d had a Species come in with a cut arm from a sparring match. The key twisted and the door opened.

880 lay still and she rushed into the room after she blocked open the door. It only took her a minute to turn off the machines, unhook his IVs, and remove the feeding tube. She watched his chest and face for signs of pain or shock from the sudden loss of support. He kept steadily breathing.

She didn’t touch his restraints, swearing to deal with those later, and used her foot to kick off the lock on the wheels of his hospital bed. She maneuvered it into the hallway. It was a struggle to turn the bed and force it down the hallway to the elevator but she managed.

Fear gripped her hard as the doors slid open but no one was inside. She groaned, gave a mighty shove, and got his bed into the tight space. She pushed the button while leaning back against his bed and had no idea what lie to tell that would be plausible if she were caught taking him to the ground level of the medical building.

The doors slid open and she peered around the edge at the large room. Everyone was still at dinner. She hit the button that would keep the elevator open, turned, and gripped the railing of the bed. She had to throw her weight against it but managed to free him from the elevator.

She stepped back inside, hit the door release, and jumped out before they closed.

The back doors to the medical center were usually locked but she had keys. She sweated a lot and it tricked down her spine and between her breasts as she got that door open. No officers were assigned outside where her rental truck waited. She rushed toward it, lifted open the rear rolling door, and quickly dragged out the ramp.

“Fuck,” she hissed, gripping the head of the bed. She took a running start, knew it was insane to attempt it, but figured if she didn’t get enough speed the damn thing would run her over when it began to slide back.

Desperation gave her that added amount of strength and the wheels of the bed hit the ramp.

It was jarring but momentum kept it going all the way into the back of the small-size rental truck. She wished she could collapse on her ass from exhaustion but she didn’t have time to waste as she glanced at her wristwatch. She had nine minutes to get out of there before someone checked on 880. She could only pray they didn’t eat too fast and return early.

She had prepared the back of the truck already and used handcuffs she’d purchased from a sex shop to lock the rails of the bed to the inside bumper of the moving truck. She shoved a packing blanket between the side of the bed and the wall, praying it would cushion any bumps. Doubt struck.

What if I end up killing him? Oh shit. I’ve lost it. It’s too late though. No way can I get him back to his room before they find out I took him.

Shit! She peered down at his scarred features and clenched her teeth. She wasn’t going to allow him to die and that would be a certainty if she didn’t follow through with her plan.

It wasn’t easy to get the ramp to slide back inside the grove it had come from. The thing seemed heavier to put back than to pull out, but she managed. Fear of getting caught kidnapping a New Species and what they’d do to her was motivation enough. She pulled down the back door, locked it, and rushed to the cab.

She climbed into the driver’s seat, glanced over at her purse, hidden mostly from sight on the floor, and fumbled for the keys. The truck started as she belted in with her free hand, threw it in drive and slowly pressed down on the gas. They were in motion. She drove carefully, hoping her guest wasn’t being jarred too much.

A quick glance at her watch made her hurry to the employee gate. She had a tight schedule to keep. She turned the air-conditioning on high, hoping it would blow away any stench of lingering fear. She opened the window to help as the gates and the officers who guarded it came into view.

“Dear god,” she softly prayed, “please let this work. Pretty please?”

The officer who stopped her wore a mask that shielded his face. The tinted, protective dark glass hid his identity and she didn’t recognize his voice.

“Hello, Dr. Allison.” His head turned to stare at the back of the truck. “Where are you going?”

“I bought furniture for my home yesterday. I have to return the truck today.” She lifted her arm to show him her watch. “It’s got to be back by five. Can you check me over quickly and let me go? The rental place will charge extra if I’m late.”

“Of course.” He stepped up on the side of the truck and peered inside the front to make sure no one forced her to leave by hiding on the passenger floor. “Is the back unlocked?”

Where the hell is that guy? Come on, damn you. She managed to keep her voice calm. “Yeah.

There’s nothing in it but the moving blankets that protected the new dining room table from being scratched. Go ahead and look.”

He climbed down and she wanted to scream when he walked toward the back of the truck. Her gaze lifted to the thick gate in front of her and the other Species male who manned it. More of them were above on the wall with sniper rifles.

She could ram the gate in an attempt to flee but they might open fire, accidentally shooting 880.

That wasn’t a risk she would take.

“Alert!” It was a snarl from above. “We have an incoming van.”

Boots pounded pavement and the officer rushed past her driver’s door to reach the gate. A beat-up van slowed on the other side of it and a burly man stepped out.

“You are not permitted to come to this gate,” one of the Species officers stated. “Return to your vehicle and turn around. This entrance is off-limits.”

“Calm down. I just need directions.” The guy glanced at the truck but was careful to look away.

“Don’t shoot. Hell! Are those real guns? I’m just lost. I think I took a wrong turn.”

More officers arrived on the scene. They carefully gripped him, spun him around, and patted him down.

“Hello?” She shoved her head out the window to get the officer’s attention. “I have to go. Can you check the back and let me pass?”

The officer was distracted with his focus on the threat of the unknown man and what the beatup van could contain. She’d counted on that. He waved at her to go and the gate opened.

Guilt ate at her as she drove slowly past the guy she’d paid to distract the officers. They had him handcuffed on the ground and were preparing to search his van. He shot her a dirty look before she accelerated. He wouldn’t be arrested if he stuck to his lost story and they wouldn’t find anything to be alarmed about inside his van. They wouldn’t keep him long.

Allison didn’t relax until she merged into traffic on the highway. She was careful of how fast she drove to avoid drawing attention. The last thing she needed was to get pulled over for a speeding ticket. She wondered how long it would be before the NSO ordered a helicopter into the air to search for the rental truck. Her best guess was not long.

The exit came up and she breathed out a sigh of relief. There were no gas stations or stores within sight. The road narrowed to little more than a two-lane country road, one not used often, and she finally spotted the aging, sagging gate.

The truck swayed when she pulled off the pavement. Her gaze lifted to the sky and her ears strained for the sound of a helicopter. Just the engine of the running truck could be heard.

The gate to the property squeaked loudly as she opened it wide, returned to the truck and drove down the road enough to allow the gate to clear the back of the truck and returned to close it. A mile down the dirt path stood an abandoned barn and farmhouse. She had opened the barn doors the night before so just drove the truck inside.

She didn’t calm down until she’d closed the doors and opened the truck’s back rolling door.

She had to use a small penlight she kept in the inside of her coat to see in the dark interior as she climbed into the cargo area. The bed was upright, the handcuffs had held it against the wall, and she silently thanked the guy from the sex shop who had sworn they were police quality. He probably had thought she really did have a bodybuilder boyfriend, her excuse for wanting to buy the strongest sets they had. She paused by the side of the hospital bed. 880 rested peacefully as his chest rose and fell. Grateful tears filled her eyes.

He’d survived.

“I got you here. We made it. Now we just have to wait until it’s a little darker and I’ll move you inside the house.”

She bent over him and lightly brushed a few strands of silky black hair away from his cheek.

His skin was hot but that was normal for Species.

She’d still take his temperature when she set him up in the living room—she’d equipped it with supplies to care for him—and make sure it wasn’t an infection from hastily removing the feeding tube.

“It’s just you and me now, 880. Don’t be scared if you’re aware of what happened. I’m not going to hurt you. I’ve done this to save you.”

* * *

Tiger threw back his head and roared in rage.

He glared at Destiny while the other male paled.

“How could you allow this to happen?”

The male’s mouth parted as his Adam’s apple bobbed. Wide shoulders shrugged. “I had no idea she plotted to kidnap him. I trusted her. Who thought she would be strong enough to take him from here?”

“Enough,” Justice growled. “I trusted her too.”

He shot a worried stare at Brass when he entered the office. “Tell me you have good news.”

“I don’t. We have alerted the police to help us search for the rental truck but they haven’t spotted it. We have two helicopters in the air and the third one is en route from Reservation.”

“The sun will go down soon.” Jessie marched in and walked directly to her mate, addressing him. “We’ll find him.”

He reached out and cupped her cheek. “I am keeping my composure but I’m furious. I handpicked her myself. We did a thorough background check but she still betrayed us.”

“Nothing indicated she had any association with Mercile or the hate groups.” Brass crossed his arms over his chest, rage twisting his features grimly. “She had no debt but she did withdraw twenty thousand dollars yesterday from her savings account. She has a trust fund left to her from her deceased grandparents. It made us feel secure that she couldn’t be bribed when she came to work for us. Money wasn’t a motivation for kidnapping 880. We sent authorities to her family but they are accounted for. No one is using them to force her to do their bidding.”

The phone rang and Justice leaned over his desk to hit the speakerphone “on” button. “Justice here.”

“It’s Trisha,” the woman’s voice announced.

“I heard what happened and I don’t believe it. I know Allison and she wouldn’t hurt a Species.”

“She kidnapped him. We only picked up her scent and sweat from the exertion of pushing his bed out of the building. She drove him right through the employee gate.” Justice paused. “I didn’t want to believe it either. I trusted her but she took him.”

“There has to be a reasonable explanation.”

Trisha sounded angry. “It’s not to hurt or sell him.

She really cares about Species and she hates anyone who poses a danger to them. She’s dedicated and sweet. There’s got to be another reason besides something despicable.”

Flame entered the room, holding a note. “We discovered this locked inside her desk.”

“What is it?” Trisha called out. “Someone tell me or call me on their cell phone so we can video conference.”

“It’s a note,” Flame stated louder. “She took him because she feels it’s possible to save him by getting him to bond to a female with her scent.”

He offered the paper to Justice. “She asked for permission but was denied. She states she feels it may be his only chance at survival.”

Justice accepted the piece of paper and frowned, reading it. “She swears to do everything in her power to bring him out of the coma and return him to us as soon as possible.”

“Damn,” Tiger snarled. “She’s insane. Doesn’t she realize taking him from Homeland is putting him in jeopardy? She could trust the wrong person who may wish to kill him. He’s helpless and she’d be useless defending him.”

“What does she want to do?” Trisha’s frustration sounded in her voice.

Tiger stepped closer to the desk. “880 lost his mate and Dr. Allison requested we send a female to stay with him in hopes her scent would lure him from his coma.”

“Would it work? Justice?” Trisha quieted, waiting for an answer.

“No.” He sighed. “I don’t believe so. He can’t be fooled by another female’s scent replacing the one he lost. She would smell offensive to him.”

His gaze held Tiger’s. “Did you inform her of this?”

“I told her it would be dangerous. I tried to explain why and I thought she understood.”

“She won’t hurt him.” Destiny coldly glanced at everyone in the room. “She sneaked into his room sometimes. I caught her talking to him. Allison has heart. She didn’t take him to be cruel.

She wants to heal him.”

“We need to save her from him if she does manage to get him to wake.” Tiger lifted a hand and ran it through his mane of hair in frustration.

“He’s going to kill her. She’s human and he’s never known kindness from them.”

“We assume that.” Justice frowned. “We know so little about this male or his history except for what happened to him right before he was rescued.”

“Humans murdered his mate in front of him, according to the other Species males who were recovered with him. It drove him insane.” Tiger growled low. “He’s going to kill her if she manages to bring him around. We’ll have a feral Species out there attacking humans. We need to find them both and get him back here.”

“Agreed.” Justice shook his head. “I need to call Tim Oberto and bring the task force in on this. They are going to have to put their current mission on hold to find 880 and Dr. Allison.”

* * *

Allison shivered in the chilly room. The heater worked but most of the warmth rose to the two bedrooms upstairs. The house was old, the original downstairs construction was poor, but the newer addition to the second floor wasn’t as drafty.

Her gaze lingered on the Species on the hospital bed in the center of the room.

“I wish I could get you upstairs but I’m not strong enough to carry you. I refuse to drag you because you’d get bruised. I doubt I could do it even if I tried.” She stepped closer to tuck the blanket around his neck. She’d hooked up an IV for fluids, emptied his urine bag, and knew in the morning he’d need a sponge bath. It was too cold to do it after the sun had set. “We’re safe though.

The house is locked up tight. I started a fire in the grate and hopefully it will warm up soon.”

She glanced around the living room and hated the musty smell. Beggars can’t be choosers, she remembered. Finding the rental on such short notice in the local paper had been pure luck. The farmhouse was twenty years out of date, the included furniture needed to be hauled to the city dump, but someone had tried to clean it. No cobwebs adorned the corners and dust didn’t cover every surface. The man she’d called from a disposable phone she’d bought had said the electricity and gas were on. He used the place a few times a year to bring his friends out to go deer hunting.

“We’re in a farmhouse. It’s not the nicest place I’ve ever stayed but I paid cash. The owner never saw my face so he can’t identify me and I told him I needed a love nest.” She grinned. “I’ve had to make up some wild stories lately. The guy at the adult store thinks I’m doing some crazy bodybuilder who likes being chained to a bed and the owner of this house thinks I’m having an affair with a married guy while his wife is on a monthlong cruise to Europe. I told him I needed somewhere no one would see us together.”

She turned to face the sleeping man. Her gaze lingered on the scar marring his cheek, then the one along his jawline. They were older ones, the fresher wounds he’d come in with had healed, but those two were the worst.

“I have a disposable cell phone, a different one, charging in the kitchen. If you get into trouble we’re just twenty minutes away from Homeland.

They can reach us quickly if I place a call to them. I brought emergency equipment in case you need it. I just wish I could have stolen a heart monitor. I’d feel better if you were hooked to one.”

He didn’t move, just breathed, and depression settled inside Allison. She had a feeling it was going to be lonely while she waited to see what would happen with her constantly at his side.

“I’m going to sleep on the couch in here. We’re going to be fine.” Another shiver ran down her spine from the cold. “The weather called for rain but the temperatures should warm within a few days.” She stroked his cheek with her fingers. “I hope you’re warm enough. There’s no dryer here so I can’t heat your blankets.”

She turned away and walked to the suitcase she’d stashed inside the house when she’d brought supplies to care for 880. She nearly froze when she stripped out of her clothes to put on a pair of sweats and a loose sleep shirt. She sat on the couch to stare into the fireplace flames and sighed. There wasn’t a television and she doubted it would have gotten reception anyway.

The folded blanket wasn’t as thick as the ones she’d given 880 but she curled up on the couch with it, trying to get warm. It didn’t work. She was still really cold. It just got worse as time passed. Her gaze drifted to the hospital bed, worry ate at her over his comfort and she rose to her feet.

She lifted his blanket a little to feel his bare chest. He was really warm, his skin responded to her cold touch with gooseflesh and she bit her lip.

Her feet were chilled even though she stood on carpet while she debated.

“Oh hell. I want you to get used to my scent.

At least I won’t worry about one of us freezing to death.” She rounded his bed to the side where she hadn’t inserted the IV, gently lowered the railing and climbed onto the bed after lifting the covers.

“These hospital beds aren’t roomy, are they?”

She twisted enough to pull up the rail. With the limited space she had it wasn’t easy to tuck the blanket over both of them. He was really large and warm as she snuggled tightly against his side, careful not to disturb him.

Warmth invaded her where they touched. Her hand lifted to press against the middle of his chest and each breath he took made it rise and fall. He was fine for the time being. Their body heat combined would keep them both warm through the night. Exhaustion settled in.

This is crazy. She admitted that. Regret lingered over her hasty decision but it was done.

Tomorrow she’d worry about what to do next.

She just needed some sleep. Each breath he drew rubbed her hand on his chest and she inhaled his scent. Soap and the hair products they used, plus something faintly masculine that wasn’t cologne, teased her nose.

She was attracted to 880. Guilt ate at her for the way her body hugged his a little tighter than necessary. The idea of him healthy and awake, lying in bed with her, made her stomach flutter.

That reaction shamed her. Noticing that a patient was good-looking was unavoidable since she had good vision but the way she enjoyed being so close to him was flat-out wrong. She knew that yet couldn’t stop feeling that way.

Chapter Three

Confusion gripped 880 as he became aware of things slowly. Something pressed closer to his right side, a light weight rested on his chest and he tried to sniff to identify the source. His body didn’t obey his command. He couldn’t see since his eyes wouldn’t open or it was pitch dark. Alarm struck next when he tried to lift his hand to his face. It remained unresponsive, as though it wasn’t attached to his body any longer.

He concentrated on the weight resting over his chest that seemed familiar for some reason but he couldn’t figure out why. He took several deep breaths, each one helped him learn the shape against him as he judged it by feel. He figured out it was a hand lying on his chest and part of an arm.

Joy filled him suddenly, a sense of relief that 46 touched him.

She was well but that elation faded as something sinister tugged at his memory. He tried to remember what caused that bad emotion but his mind fogged. He must be drugged. They’d paralyzed his body again, which meant he must have fought the technicians. He hated them. He tried to growl to demonstrate his protest but failed.

Fear came next. What had they done to him?

The arm sprawled over his chest and the warmth pressed against his side assured him he lived and 46 remained close. Things couldn’t be too bad if she hadn’t been taken from him. The technicians did that often to punish him and he worried every time that she’d never be returned.

He couldn’t remember what he’d done to draw their anger. His mind blanked. It alarmed him more. How badly have they damaged me? What drugs are they testing this time? He couldn’t move, speak, or even use his nose to assist him, to put clues together to determine his situation by scent.

Trapped inside my own body. It terrified him and he hated the helplessness that nearly drew him to panic. It was the worst thing they could do to him. He pushed emotions back, focused on his breathing, and was able to finally hold his breath for a few seconds. It was something. He’d just have to fight past whatever new test drug they’d forced into his body. He’d done it before and he wouldn’t allow them to win. 46 needed his protection. He meant to keep his promise to do anything to prevent the technicians from harming her again.

The hand on his chest moved, languidly stroking his skin as her body pressed tighter against his. She seemed to stretch. Something wasn’t right but he just couldn’t figure out what. Her fingers dug into his muscles a tiny bit, a soft sigh sounded, and hair tickled the top of his shoulder when she adjusted next to him.

“You made it.”

The female’s voice was soft, unknown, and if he could have, he’d have jerked away from her.

She had slept curled against his side with her hand on his chest. Where is 46? Who is this female? Why has she been put in my living space?

Gentle fingers slid up his chest to his neck, pressed along his artery and paused. The pressure eased and the mattress under them shifted just slightly as she changed position. Metal scraped, her heat withdrew from his side and a draft of chilly air took her place. A blanket settled down and she pressed them tightly against his skin. A light caress breezed over his cheek.

“Your pulse is steady. I was so worried you wouldn’t do well off the machines but you seem to be doing fine. Now I need to give you a sponge bath. I’ll change your bag before I reinsert the feeding tube. I’m sorry but I need to do it until you’re well enough to eat on your own. I should have reestablished it last night but I figured you had suffered enough trauma being moved.”

Confusion filled him and nothing she said made sense. He struggled to move, to open his eyes, but was unable to do so.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to take a quick shower while the coffeemaker does its magic.”

The caress on his cheek stopped and he felt a slight tug on his hair as she seemed to manipulate it. “I’m a bear without coffee. That’s a secret.

Most people don’t want to hear that I’m addicted to caffeine but it’s the only way I survived my residency. They really put you through the wringer.” The blanket moved by his chin, tucked tighter, and she petted his chest through the layers of covering. “I’ll hurry. I’m just in the other room, okay? The only bathroom is down here. I’ll even leave the door open. I know you aren’t going to wake that quickly but I can always hope.”

She stopped touching him but he heard movement not too far away. Water ran. A package rustled. He wished he had a keener sense of smell but his nose didn’t seem to work right. Silence followed until louder water came on, something squeaked and then clicked. The water noise became slightly muffled.

880 struggled to regain use of his body. He was alone, according to the unknown female, and her words made enough sense that he worried she was a technician. Why would one of them sleep at my side? What game are they playing? Is it another of their twisted games to see how I react? He could feel the weight of something on his wrists and ankles, more aware of his body as time passed. They’d restrained him flat by his limbs.

He needed to gain control fast.

The water stopped too soon. He hadn’t made headway with his body, but he’d moved his tongue. It was sluggish but he’d been able to feel the roof of his mouth. One pinky finger twitched.

The drug was slowly wearing off. His body would shake the effects of it but it would take time, something he wasn’t sure he had to spare.

She said she wanted to hook him to a machine.

The squeak sounded again and she sighed softly while rustling around.

“Okay,” she called out. “I’m dressed and now about to pour myself a cup of coffee. I’m going to heat up some water too and we’ll get you clean.”

She paused. “Shit. I just realized I’m going to have to strip you down. I’m really sorry about that but it needs to be done. No one wants to be dirty. I’ll be more embarrassed than you. Trust me on that. It’s the one thing that still kind of gets to me. I hated clinic hours when I’d have to look at men’s penises. Let me tell you that it wasn’t always pretty.” She snorted. “Of course that time in the emergency room should have earned me an Emmy for acting as though it was normal for a guy to come in with his dick stuck inside a pipe.”

He listened, unable to do anything else, as she moved around. Her talk of dicks stunned him slightly. She owned a pleasant voice, though, that didn’t grate on his nerves.

“He came up with the lamest excuse ever, as though anyone would believe it accidentally happened. He didn’t trip naked and land on the damn thing. He was a pervert—one with his penis really wedged inside that pipe.” She laughed. “He should have at least used lube.” She came closer.

“You should have heard him scream when I had to, well, you don’t want to know where I had to insert a needle. You’d hate hearing about that procedure. I’m the one who had to do it and I still cringe.”

She had just admitted to torturing a male. He tried to growl to warn her away from him as she approached but his throat remained silent. Rage gripped him as he worried that she planned to hurt him too.

“Okay. We’ll do this together.” She was very near. “It’s warmer now that the sun is up so I don’t think you’ll catch a chill. I’d wait a few more hours but I need to reestablish that feeding tube. You’ve lost enough weight.” The covers were pulled down his torso to the beginning of his hips.

Water dripped on him before a warm cloth touched his face. Her ministrations were gentle as she rubbed every inch until she paused at his throat. The cloth left and he heard water sloshing before it returned. She washed his neck and shoulders.

“Don’t worry. You haven’t lost too much mass.

It’s hard to weigh you but your ribs are more defined.” She washed him there, down his belly, all the way to the covering across his lap. “I’m a professional. It’s okay.”

The cloth withdrew and he tried to snarl again as she slid the material lower. He could feel air hit his hips and knew he wore nothing except something that trailed over one thigh.

“Okay. I said that, didn’t I? This isn’t so bad. I needed to check your catheter anyway.”

He couldn’t move as the female cleaned his skin and he was shocked when timid, small fingers adjusted his cock. She touched him without gloves and he felt his body stir in response to skin-on-skin contact.

“Shit!” Her hand jerked away. “I guess that’s a good sign. Destiny said you never responded when he did that but it’s definitely a reaction to stimuli.” She sounded nervous. “It all looks good.

Everything is secure here and, um, I don’t need to reinsert your catheter.”

Her gentle ministrations became a little hurried as she washed down his legs and covered his lap with something light and dry. It tickled a little when she washed his feet and between his toes with the washcloth.

“Your foot jerked.” Excitement laced her voice. “You haven’t done that before! Maybe taking you away from Homeland was a good thing after all.”

The sounds of her breathing drew closer to his head. Wet hair fell across his bare chest when she leaned over him. The locks were cold but warm breath fanned his throat. Something was removed from over his eyes. It tugged a little on his forehead and cheeks.

“880? Can you hear me? Please open your eyes. I removed the taped pads. You’re safe.

You’ve been rescued from Mercile Industries.

They don’t have you anymore.”

What does that mean? He struggled to see her but everything remained dark.

Fingers rested on his chest and stroked his skin gently. “You just need to wake up. I’m so sorry about what was done to your mate. I know it hurts but you have to come back to the living. You’re young, strong, and have a bright future. There are a lot of people who will help you adjust to life outside the facilities. We all care about you.” She paused. “I care about you.”

What happened to 46? Why is the female sorry? Panic gripped him and he pushed at the fog inside his mind. Memories rushed forth as if a mental door opened that shoved him back into reality.

46 had died. The humans had given her drugs that made her sick then murdered her outside his cage, where he couldn’t protect her. He’d had to helplessly watch her life drain away on the floor in a pool of blood. Howls of grief had torn up his throat as he’d tried to kill her murderers by attacking the cage bars. He’d eventually blacked out from the pain of knowing she was gone to him forever and the indestructible walls he’d battered. He’d failed 46 and had gratefully sunk into the dark pit of despair when he’d lost consciousness.

* * *

Disappointment struck Allison when the Species male didn’t open his eyes. He’d moved his foot and his penis had reacted when she’d studied the catheter by touching him there. She’d count it as progress.

She stopped stroking his chest, drew back and reached for a towel to dry the drops of water she’d left on him when her hair had plastered to his chest. Her gaze remained on his face, looking for any sign of emotion. She didn’t even see a flicker of change.

“It’s got to mean something that you had some reactions,” she encouraged him aloud, hoping her voice would register with his subconscious.

She talked softly as she worked on getting him stabilized. She emptied his urine bag, reinserted his feeding tube, and fed him. The liquid diet wasn’t enough for a man his size but it kept him alive and nourished. She had to turn him on his side, not an easy task, to clean his back and change the padding under his hips. Nurses usually did the personal care tasks for patients. She hadn’t had to deal with it since her residency.

The blanket was firmly tucked around his body to keep him warm. She turned away to dump the water into the sink from the bucket she’d used to bathe him. It had sprinkled outside during the night but the sun shone brightly at the moment. It looked as if the storm wasn’t going to be as bad as the weather reporter had predicted.

Guilt tore at her a little as she nibbled on toast, sipped her coffee and sat at the table, regarding her patient. Medical at Homeland would be shortstaffed with her gone but 880 was her priority.

Ted Treadmont could handle any emergencies.

He might bitch about the extra hours but he had the assistance of a few Species who were training to be nurses. It wouldn’t be too taxing for him to cover her shifts.

She’d bet the five candy bars she’d packed that the NSO was looking for her at that very moment. All she could do was hope she’d covered her tracks well enough to buy at least a week to spend with 880. She’d place the call to tell them where they were in seven days if he didn’t improve.

Her hands trembled in response to wondering what they’d do to her when she made that call. It was one of those times she hoped good intentions came into play. She hadn’t stolen 880 to do him harm. Tiger had refused to consider her request and although it wasn’t exactly conventional treatment, New Species weren’t standard in any way.

They were genetically altered human hybrids and she needed to adjust to their special needs as their doctor.

Allison washed her plate, refilled her coffee cup and dragged a chair closer to the bed in the center of the room. She sat, used the table to hold her drink and sighed. “It’s going to be a long week, isn’t it?” Her teeth dented her lower lip but quickly released it, annoyed with the habit she seemed unable to break. “How about if I tell you a story? I didn’t have time to buy any books but I loved reading as a kid. Ever heard the story of Beauty and the Beast?” She paused, waited for an answer that she didn’t expect, but wanted to pretend he could answer. “It was my favorite story as a kid.” Her gaze lingered on his scarred face. She knew it was unethical to be attracted to 880 but she couldn’t help it. “Here it goes.”

Half an hour later she stopped, had expanded the story as much as she could, but didn’t want to wear out her voice. She left his side to unpack her bag but stayed in the living room. She checked his pulse every few hours.

* * *

“She’s using cash she withdrew from the bank to mask her trail.” Tim Oberto crossed his arms over his chest. “We are searching every motel within a two-hundred-mile radius. The dumps and dives don’t ask for identification or credit cards. We are watching all her family and known acquaintances. She hasn’t called them yet but we’ll be able to trace her when she does. We’ve tagged her driver’s license, her bank accounts, credit cards, and sent her photo out to trusted associates who will be searching for her.”

Tiger growled, enraged. “She has to have help hiding him.”

“I agree.” Justice frowned at the task team leader. “What else is being done, Tim?”

“Every law enforcement agency in ten states has been notified to be on the lookout for that rental truck. She may be trying to use it to keep them on the move, hoping it will be harder for us to find her. That’s true but with an APB out for all rental trucks matching that description, she’ll eventually be caught. They are all being pulled over and checked. We’ve hired more air support and they are searching for that truck. We’ll find her but it isn’t going as fast as we hoped. She’s smart.”

“It’s part of the reason I hired her.” Justice rolled his shoulders and his fingers flexed over his desk. “I am still stunned she did this. She was so timid.”

Destiny had joined the meeting due to his close association with Allison Baker. “I don’t believe she will purposely allow him to be harmed.”

Tim snorted. “She could have sold him to some bastard already or handed him over to one of the many anti-New Species groups out there. They’d love to have one of you and make up some lie. I can see the headlines now. They’ll probably say he’s carrying some disease that is communicable and harmful to the general population just to start a panic.”

Destiny snarled. “Doc Allison cares for us. She was upset when we denied her request to use a female’s scent to see if 880 would respond. I think that is why she took him and she is hoping to wake him. It wasn’t the right thing to do but I refuse to accept that she did it to give him to someone who would kill him or use him to do us harm.”

Tim shook his head. “I won’t be surprised when we get a call for ransom at the very least.”

He stared grimly at Justice. “I’d make funds available in case that happens. My team will handle the exchange. That’s the best outcome I can think of at this moment.” He paused. “We should release her photo to the news stations and let them know what his real condition is just in case I’m right. It’s better to cut the snake’s head off before we feel the bite of its venom. The last thing we need is the CDC showing up thinking we’re hiding some kind of disease or to have jackasses calling the White House to whine.”

“No.” Justice sat up straighter in his chair. “We don’t want anyone to know she kidnapped a Species. It would put a target on them for our enemies.”

“She’s already working with them.”

“Tim,” Tiger growled. “We’re stressed enough.

We’ve been over this and decided to avoid media attention. This is a Species matter until we know otherwise. The fewer who know, the better. We have to at least consider that the note she left was true. She may have taken 880 in some misguided attempt to help him. We’ll find them but we’ll do it as quietly as possible.”

“Fine.” Tim threw up his hands in frustration.

“Don’t listen to my advice. That’s just what you pay me for. If she’s so saintly then she’d call us when she sees her face plastered all over every channel, knowing how dangerous it just got out there for her.” He shot Destiny a glare. “Your Dr.

Allison is in deep shit.” He stared at Justice next.

“I’m not putting on kid gloves when we find her.

She kidnapped a New Species and put his life in danger.”

“I know.” Justice sighed. “Do whatever you need to, quietly, to recover our male.”

* * *

The female climbed into his bed, pressed against his side, and 880 was aware of her small size. More feeling had returned to his body but his limbs refused to answer his commands. Under the covers the fingers of his left hand curled though, a sign he had worked past the drugs paralyzing his body.

Why was the female sleeping next to him?

Where were the human males who tormented him daily? The mattress under him was different, softer than the one he’d grown accustomed to.

His sense of smell was slowly returning as well, with faint hints of unfamiliar things.

The female carried a sweet aroma…but strange. Her body heat wasn’t strong. She must be cold, but why didn’t she just leave his cell if the cooler temperatures bothered her? A horrifying thought crept into his mind. What if the human guards had forced a new female into his cell?

They’d once introduced 46 into his life by locking her inside his room. The technicians had told him she belonged to him. They wanted them to breed to see if having children was a possibility. They had been young at the time and he’d cared for her. They didn’t get along, both of them were strong willed, but they’d depended on each other. Her loss filled him with rage.

The technicians had sworn he could share a living space with 46 as long as he lived if he did as they ordered. He’d mostly agreed to their tests and hadn’t fought the technicians too often unless it became too painful. The consequences of those refusals had caused 46 harm. They used her to punish him by hitting her or giving her drugs that made her sick. It amused them to see him worry when his female grew weak. He’d learned quickly to suffer anything they did to him to protect her.

Things had changed though one day. They’d been drugged, moved while they slept, and had woken in a new place. He didn’t understand what they wanted from him anymore. The new technicians were crueler and they didn’t care if he obeyed or not. They’d taken 46 away despite his obedience, only to bring her back sick. Needle marks had assured him they’d given her drugs and she’d weakened. The food he fed her wouldn’t stay inside her stomach. He hadn’t done anything to anger them into killing her, yet they had.

A small hand slid over his chest and drew his attention. The new female’s touch was soft against him as she rubbed a small patch of skin over his heart. Her body pressed tighter to his side as she shivered, obviously cold, and used him for his body heat.

“Day one didn’t go so bad, did it? I just wish I’d thought to bring a radio or a television. You might enjoy listening to them instead of me.”

She rested her cheek on his chest near her hand and soft strands of her hair tickled his arm. “I’m kind of boring. I’m sorry about that. If you were awake, you’d probably say something like ‘Alli, please shut up’ or maybe ‘Alli, you need to get a life’.”

He pondered her words. She had a name but it was a strange one. He mentally repeated it a few times, trying to determine if he’d ever heard it before. Alli. It wasn’t familiar.

Silence stretched and he wiggled his toes. They twitched and hope flared that he’d battle off the effects of the drugs soon. He didn’t think he’d ever been down so long before and he was alarmed. Normally his body was strong but he didn’t feel that way at the moment. He detested weakness.

“I hope you don’t mind sharing the bed but it gets cold here at night. I also worry without the machines monitoring you. I’m right here if you get into trouble and I’m a light sleeper. I figure you will also get accustomed to my scent better if I’m this close. I just wish you’d wake. I’d be so happy if that happened. I want you to sit up and talk to me.”

I would as well. He moved his fingers again.

His toes twitched. He held his breath a few seconds before continuing the steady rate, in case she noticed. She might alert the technicians and he decided to hide the fact that his body was recovering until he knew where he was, who she was, and why they’d put this new female with him.

Her hand slid a little lower to his ribs, explored them, and his body responded when blood filled his cock. It had been a long time since he’d shared sex—too long—and guilt welled inside him. 46 had died. He shouldn’t want to mount the new female.

“You’re really worrying me. I’d guess you’ve dropped a good forty pounds since you were brought to me. You’re a big guy but this isn’t healthy. Every day you stay down is just one more that it’s going to take you to recover. Please fight to come back. I know how sad you must be.” She paused. “I was really in love once but he died. I was such a mess for a long time after that so I get it. I honestly do. You wonder why you should keep living, what the point is, but I’m glad I kept going. He wouldn’t have wanted my life to end because his did.”

Her soft fingertips and palm slid higher to his heart. She burrowed tighter against his side and a soft breast pressed against his ribs. He breathed in her sweet scent—not arousal, but nice.

“He died suddenly. It was such a shock because he was so full of life.” Her voice changed as emotion softened it. “I shut down too for a few months. I never thought he could die, he was just too animated, and it was beyond imaginable that anything could take him away from me. We had planned to spend the rest of our lives together until that car accident.”

A warm, wet drop landed on his skin and he realized that she cried. It stunned him and left him disconcerted. He inhaled slowly and tried to pick up any sick smell, but didn’t get anything but the sweetness he had begun to associate with the female.

“I admit I’ve kept anyone from getting too close to me since then. I don’t want to risk feeling so much just to suffer that kind of pain again. Of course as the years pass I realize I’m going to be that crazy lady with twenty-five cats if I don’t get over it.”

The surprise of her tears turned to confusion fast as he listened to her words. She didn’t make much sense. What does that even mean? He wasn’t sure.

“I’ll get over it if you come out of this healthy.

You have to fight, 880. You need to know that life is worth living. It’s worth the risk. Look at what I did trying to save you.”

He waited for her to explain that but she didn’t speak for a long time. He wanted to know what she’d done for him.

“You’ve got to come out of this.” More tears wet his skin. “I have a feeling that I’m going to be in really big trouble over stealing you from the NSO. They will probably lock me up and throw away the key.”

She’d stolen him? How? Many questions filled his mind, quickly developing into hundreds. How had she taken him from his cell? How had she escaped in the first place? Why had she burdened herself with him? She didn’t feel big enough to carry him.

He couldn’t remember anything past the day 46 had been murdered. His rage had taken hold and he’d attacked the bars. He’d refused to give up trying to reach the humans who’d killed her no matter how much he’d damaged his body.

One thing became clear. This female wasn’t his enemy. At least he hoped that was true. She could have been forced to try to lull him into a sense of trust only to calm his rage at their captors. They’d need to find a new way to control him if they still needed him.

The fingers of his left hand actually fisted and he squeezed. He wasn’t going to allow the female to know he was regaining the use of his body.

He’d remain meek, wait for the perfect moment when he was stronger and strike then. Their captors would pay for what they’d done to him, 46, and the female at his side.

She yawned and nuzzled her cheek against him where her head rested. He knew when she drifted to sleep as her breathing slowed. His left foot moved.

Chapter Four

Allison forced her excitement down. 880’s foot had twitched again when she’d given him another sponge bath. He had ticklish feet. His penis had also jerked when she’d had to shift it to clean him.

Of course that could have happened when he was at Medical at NSO Homeland. Destiny might not have reported it, thinking it was meaningless or embarrassing. No-movement reports should mean that he was completely unresponsive.

She dried 880’s body, covered him and finished the morning routine she’d kept for the past few days. His color seemed better. It might just be wishful thinking, but she’d take it. In a few days she’d have to use that disposable cell phone to call the NSO to pick him up.

They’ll pick me up too. Fear gripped her hard.

She had risked her career, her medical license, and far worse. They could send her to prison for a few years at the very least for kidnapping or a judge could put her away for life since any transgression against a New Species might be deemed a hate crime.

New Species were protected. They’d been given special status after hate groups had attacked them and a worldwide outcry had been made.

The public had watched as Fury—one of the New Species—had taken bullets meant to kill his fully human wife. Things like that tended to piss off people. Fury and Ellie living together had been huge news and their romance was often commented on since they continued to thrive.

She personally knew the couple and could state with ease that they were deeply in love and happy. Envy welled over how close they seemed and how well matched they were despite their different backgrounds. Love had conquered all in their situation and it was romantic. They’d had a baby boy she personally adored when he was brought to her for his checkups. Salvation was the spitting image of his father and living proof that some things had a happy outcome.

“I’m going to take these towels and washcloths outside to let them dry in the sun and dump the trash.” She tucked the blanket more firmly around his waist, left his chest bare, and hoped he was comfortable. “It’s getting warm, isn’t it? That storm blew away and left us some nice sunshine.”

He didn’t answer and it was depressing. Her hope faded daily that he’d ever open his eyes.

She’d tried to save him by following her hunch that scent could reach him but he would have shown some improvement if it were that easy. A loud sigh passed her lips. She grabbed the trash bag next to his bed and the pail of water with the discarded washcloths.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” The statement made her bite back a snort.

It was a beautiful day as she walked out the back door to reach the side of the house and the special trash can she’d brought for medical disposal. She dumped the bag inside it and paused in the yard. She carefully hung the towels and washcloths on the clothesline to dry. The place didn’t have a washer or dryer but it did have a huge tub in the mudroom for hand-washing items and a long rope strung out between trees for drying.

A soft hum left her parted lips as she finished her chore. She missed music. Birds flew overhead, startled from a nearby tree, and she smiled as she headed back toward the house. She was almost to the back door when movement caught her attention. She turned her head and gasped.

Four large men wearing black outfits rushed at her from behind the shed. Their faces were covered with black ski masks and they clutched big, scary guns. More sound came from behind her but she didn’t have time to glance back. Terror struck and a scream burst out before one of them reached her.

A big body hit her in the chest, pain exploded through her from the brutal tackle and she slammed hard into the ground with a lot of weight crushing her. The air was knocked from her lungs, cutting off her scream and making breathing impossible. Her attacker rolled over before she recovered.

Her face was pushed into the grass as a gloved hand fisted her hair. A knee painfully dug into her ass too. Her mind reeled between pain and shock from the attack.

“I got her!” His voice was loud as he announced that to the group.

More rough hands touched her, groped her body, her sides, and she managed to suck in a gasping breath. Her wrists were shoved in a painful position and held at her mid-back. It really hurt—the hold was too tight and the angle of her arms was uncomfortable.

“She’s clean. No weapons.”

“That was fucking easy.”

“Good thing. The only heat signatures we’re picking up are hers and the stationary one. He’s here and she is alone.”

“Find the New Species and get him.”

Terror filled her. She was sure the men weren’t New Species and it meant they could hurt 880.

She struggled hard. The hands gripping her wrists jerked them high enough to cause agony and she screamed again.

Wood hit something, banged loudly, and a vicious snarl ripped through the yard. The scary noise sent her into panic mode. They had an attack dog. 880 was helpless on the bed and it could maul him. He couldn’t fight it off.

Allison struggled as though she were a wild thing, every protective instinct inside her going crazy to reach 880’s side. She threw her head back. Pain exploded through her skull when it slammed it into someone’s chin. The guy hissed a curse and shoved her head down again with a rough hand that fisted her hair. Another scream tore from her throat.

“No!” A man yelled that. The attack dog snarled again and something hit the house nearby.

“Shit!” A man screamed one word before the knee lifted off her butt where it had her pinned down.

“Don—” The other guy holding her wrists roughly jerked on her but let go.

Allison saw a black blur of movement from the corner of her eye, turned her cheek on the grass, and was shocked when one of the uniformed men landed hard on his back about five feet away. A loud snarl emanated from the vicious attack dog and he seemed to be right over her head. An image of it attacking her with sharp teeth sent panic coursing through her and her head snapped up to get a look at the thing about to end her life.

880 crouched inches away, naked and bleeding from his arm where he’d ripped out the IV drip.

His nose also bled. She guessed that was from him forcibly removing his feeding tube. The catheter and bag were gone too. She got a good view of its loss since her face was inches from his lap. Her gaze met brown eyes, confusion clouding them as he stared back. His mouth opened to reveal his sharp canines. He snarled at her.

It took Alli’s staggered mind seconds to figure out that 880 was awake, outside, and had come to her rescue. The men who’d held her down had been thrown away from her because 880 had attacked them.

“880,” she managed to whisper.

His eyes widened as he swayed before landing hard on his bare ass. Allison moved, frantic to help him, and realized the sheer amount of adrenaline he must have exhausted to reach her after being down for so long. A human couldn’t have done what he had. An ordinary man would have been too weak to sit up, but he’d managed that miracle with his New Species strength.

“880,” she whispered again, lifted to her knees and crawled the few feet to where he’d landed.

“You’re awake.”

She tried to touch him but his hand shot out and hit her in the chest. The rough shove threw her back. She landed on her ass and her left breast ached from the impact with his palm. He growled at her.

“Technician.” His voice came out hoarse, his unused vocal cords straining to work.

His eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed to sprawl motionless on his back. Worry filled her and she fought to reach him again. He breathed but had passed out as she checked his unsteady pulse. Her other hand gripped his arm where he bled from the torn-out IV and she pressed her thumb over the wound to staunch the bleeding.

Her fearful gaze darted around at the men who had climbed to their feet. A few of them inched closer as they surrounded her. Terror hit.

“Stay away from him.” She didn’t have a weapon but she wouldn’t allow them to harm 880. “You’ll have to kill me before you hurt him.”

One of the men who marched from the barn reached up and tore at the mask that covered his face. Trey Roberts worked for the task force that NSO controlled. She’d met him a few times when he’d brought in injured Species and her mouth dropped open when she identified him. These men weren’t strangers intent on killing 880.

They’d come to arrest her and take him back home.

“Dr. Baker.” Trey halted four feet away, his hands gripping his black cargo pants at his hips while he frowned. “You’re in deep shit.” His gaze lowered to 880. “Fuck. I need to call this in now.

You managed to bring him out of his coma.”

“I need my medical bag.” She licked her lips, nervous but excited at the same time. “He’s overdone it by getting out of bed. I—”

“You’re done.” Trey advanced, bent, and gently grabbed her upper arms. He was a big guy and he lifted her onto her unsteady legs before shouting, “Medic!”

“Let me go! I need to help him. I need to—”

“Not fight,” he finished. “You don’t seem to understand the severity of what you’ve done. You kidnapped a Species, Dr. Baker.” He led her away from 880 and the house. His firm grip forced her to walk in front of him. “The only place you’re going is to lockup until I get my orders from the NSO on what to do with you.”

She tried to twist in his hold to reach 880 but he just tightened his fingers around her upper arms. She couldn’t even see around his wide chest when she tried to get a glimpse of 880 to make sure a medic really did tend to him.

“He needs fluids. He is probably in shock and I’m a doctor, damn it! Let me treat him.”

Trey halted and leaned in to study her face.

“They don’t trust you anymore to treat their people. Who could blame them? You took him away from the only place he was safe and you could have gotten him killed. Be happy I told the men not to shoot you. Tim said we could but I told the team to ignore that order. I don’t kill women unless I absolutely have to and I liked you before I realized you were capable of kidnapping a Species.” He gently nudged her forward again toward a parked SUV hidden behind the barn. “Do yourself a favor. Be quiet. I’m sure you’ll have plenty to say when Justice gets you inside an interrogation room. I almost feel sorry for you. That’s one guy you don’t want to fuck with, yet you did.” A hint of pity softened his features. “Let’s go, Dr. Baker. I’m just grateful we found you instead of someone who hates you and them.”

* * *

Alli’s a human, a technician, and not my kind.

880 lay still, refused to even twitch, hiding the fact that he’d regained consciousness. The sound of male voices reached him. The weight had returned to his wrists and ankles, leaving him no doubt they’d restrained him. His only advantage would be to pretend to be unaware of his surroundings until he could work out a plan of escape.

Betrayal caused physical pain inside his chest.

She was human, not a female given to him to replace 46, and she’d been trying to fool him into trusting her. He should have figured that out with her strange words but the drugs had affected his thinking. The clues were there if he’d just focused more on them. What are their intentions?

What do they want from me now? What kind of cruel punishment have they plotted? He had no answers.

She obviously had screamed as a test to see if he was really as drugged as he’d acted. They must have been watching with cameras and seen him moving in the dark when her breathing assured him Alli slept. He’d fallen for the trap when her screams had reached his ears and he’d tried to protect her. He hadn’t cared at the time that it gave away the fact that his strength was returning if it prevented her death.

Human! He just couldn’t get past that and rage filled him. He’d allowed a technician to sleep at his side, touch him, and he’d had the opportunity to gain revenge by harming her. 46 was gone, they had nothing left to use to punish him if he didn’t do as they ordered. He could have snapped her neck. For revenge. For 46. Retribution. He knew that word and what it meant.

The male voices grew louder as they approached.

“I can’t believe it worked. I feel bad, Justice.

I thought she was just desperate but damned if he didn’t wake up after being around a female scent for four days. The team said he stayed upright long enough to throw them away from her.

My man in there was fierce, according to Trey.

He even spoke. That’s got to be a good sign that he’s not feral if he could form words.”

“We won’t be certain until he wakes again, Tiger.” The other male sighed deeply. “What the hell do we do with Dr. Allison? She’s begging the officers to allow her to check on him. What if he bonded to her scent? Is he unconscious because he can’t smell her? Trisha is on her way and will be landing in twenty minutes. I pulled her from Reservation to deal with this. Ted is great but he’s at a loss with how Dr. Allison managed to get 880 on his feet. He’s been following his progress every step of the way.”

“Gregory was the closest. He said 880 seemed surprised that Dr. Allison was human and even accused her of being a technician. Trey Roberts believes 880 woke to come to her aid. He must have heard her screams when the team grabbed her and it snapped him out of the coma. Maybe he thought it was his mate in trouble.”

“Did she say why he wasn’t restrained? I haven’t had time to read all the statements from the team but understand he wasn’t.”

“Dr. Allison released him after the first day.

She said she felt stupid having an unconscious male restrained and she believes he’s not dangerous.” The one called Tiger paused. “She’s been around us for too long and has never seen an angry new male who came directly from Mercile.”

“We’ll have Trisha make the hard decisions.

Right now he’s stable and Dr. Allison isn’t leaving the cell she’s contained in. Destiny is raising a fit to see her but I don’t think that’s a good idea. He’s admitted to being attracted to her and I’m afraid he’ll attempt to pull mate status to save her if we decide to prosecute her for kidnapping 880.”

“Shit,” Tiger muttered. “It’s going to be ugly if we have to lock her up for years. She’s made a lot of friends here but we can’t just forgive what she did. I’m fond of her myself but it doesn’t change the fact that she put a Species at risk. We can’t condone that.”

The one called Justice hesitated. “She woke him. That’s got to count for something. It’s a hell of a mess.”

“I know.” 880 sensed that Tiger stepped closer.

“I’m afraid he’ll care what happens to her. What if locking her away from him keeps him from waking again? She might have been onto something with the female scent. He woke to protect her.”

“Hell.” The voice of the other male came closer too. “We’ll see what Trisha has to say. I know Dr. Allison has been clear that she’s willing to put her life at risk but what if he were to kill her if we allowed her near him? I’d feel guilty.

We just don’t know enough about him.”

“He’s clueless that his life has changed and probably thinks he’s still at the mercy of Mercile.

I wish some of our men had been with the team who located them. Maybe seeing one of us would have shocked him more but it might have made him realize who has him now.”

A firm hand gripped 880’s shoulder and he was able keep his body lax to hide the fact that he was conscious. He expected pain but none came.

“880, if you can hear me, I am Justice. I am like you.” He paused. “Tiger is like you too. We were once held prisoner by Mercile Industries but we were freed. You are safe here with your own kind. We have you restrained because we don’t know if you are dangerous to us or not. Your mental state is unknown.” His hand moved away.

“The female who stole you is human but she isn’t a technician working for Mercile. She’s a good one who just wanted to save your life. She meant you no harm.”

It could be a trap but 880 made the decision to open his eyes. The light was blinding but something suddenly leaned over him to block out most of it. He stared into a face inches above his own. The male had features that weren’t human and strongly familiar since he’d seen his own reflection at times. His heart raced.

The male smiled, his expression alight with kindness, and he opened his mouth enough to show his sharp teeth. “I am Justice. Can you speak, 880? You are safe. See? We are the same and I was created by Mercile as well.”

Movement to his left drew his attention and he turned his head to stare at yet another male with altered features. That male smiled.

“I’m Tiger. You’re safe. Mercile no longer has you. We’ve been freed.”

Shock gripped him as the words sank into his confused mind. It couldn’t be true but he stared at two males, proof that it might be. He didn’t even know other males existed besides the ones he’d smelled recently when his mate was murdered.

He opened his mouth, his throat dry, but managed to speak.

“Are we the only three left?”

Justice shook his head. “There are many of us.”

The male turned his head. “Get Destiny in here but keep Ted and Paul out. No humans. Species only.”

Tiger left. 880 stared deeply into the male’s gaze.

“You didn’t know there were more of us?”

Justice asked.

It hurt to speak so 880 held up two fingers.

“You were kept away from our females except for one. Is that accurate?”

He nodded.

An emotion close to pain twisted the male’s features as he spoke. “There are many of us, 880.

We were freed from Mercile cells. We are in control of our lives.”

880 tried to shift his arm but couldn’t since it was restrained. A soft growl burst from his lips. The other male noticed the movement and glanced up before meeting his gaze again.

“We’ll get those off you. We just didn’t know if you were dangerous or not. We didn’t want you to get hurt or to hurt us if you woke not knowing you aren’t amongst enemies.”

“The female?” He wanted to know where Alli was and what she’d done to him. “The two males?”

“I’m sorry.” The male leaned in closer. “Your mate was killed. We rescued the two males who were witness to it and they survived.” Anger deepened his voice. “We weren’t able to recover your mate’s body. I’m so sorry. It was gone by the time we located you and the other males held with you. The Mercile employees who would speak during interrogation said her body was removed and destroyed. They burned it.”

He knew his mate had died. “The technician.”

The other male drew back a little. “Dr. Allison?”

“Alli.” It hurt to get the words out, speaking hurt his throat, but he wanted to know about her.

“She is a human doctor who works for us. You were rescued some months ago and brought to us after you were in coma. After your mate was murdered you attacked the bars of your cell and it caused massive damage to your body. Even though your injuries healed, you wouldn’t wake.”

He licked his lips and took a deep breath. “Dr.

Allison didn’t mean any harm but she stole you from us. She believed you scenting another female would lure you from your deep sleep and perhaps pique your interest. We refused to allow it, concerned that you’d want the female whose scent you grew to know.

“She will be punished for taking you. We can’t condone the risk she took that our enemies would locate you. There are humans who hate us but we are safe from them here. She took you away from us, where we couldn’t protect you.”

880 tried to understand the information he’d been given. A lot of it didn’t make sense to him, the sketchy details overloaded his mind, and he still had a hard time grasping that his people had been liberated and so many had survived. Mercile no longer had them at their mercy. He was tempted to believe it was all a scheme to gain his trust for some new experiment but he refused to consider that males of his own kind would meekly submit to helping the vicious humans fool him.

He stared into the other male’s steady gaze.

“Truth?”

“It’s all true.” Justice leaned in again. “I know what you must be thinking. This isn’t a game and they aren’t forcing me to lie to you. No female will suffer if I don’t say something they made me repeat. We are free and Mercile is no longer in control. Your hellish life as you knew it no longer exists.”

The approaching footsteps drew his attention and 880 turned to watch the male named Tiger enter the room, along with a new male with altered features. Both of them smiled at him as Justice backed away.

“Unlock him, Destiny.”

The new male hesitated, shooting 880 a dubious look.

“It is safe. He isn’t feral. We’ve been talking.”

“I am now called Destiny.” The male approached his bed cautiously and withdrew keys.

“I will unlock your restraints. We mean you no harm.”

“He knows,” Justice stated. “Just set him free.”

The ankle cuffs were removed first and finally his arms were released. 880 attempted to sit but his body responded sluggishly. Justice and Destiny gripped his arms—he allowed it—as they helped him into an upright position. Tiger shoved pillows behind his back before they all withdrew a few feet to watch him.

“You have been sleeping for months.” Destiny spoke. “Your body needs to recover but you should be fine. We’ll get you on solid foods to help you quickly regain your full strength.”

880 lifted the blanket to stare down at his body.

He could see his belly had shrunken, his skin tight over his bones, and he growled when he saw his dick. Something was taped to it and a tube trailed out of sight over one thigh. His head jerked up to shoot them an accusatory glare.

“It’s a catheter,” Destiny informed him. “It’s there to help you go to the bathroom without soiling your bedding. I’ll remove it as soon as you are strong enough to stand.”

“Take it out now.” He wanted free of it and the thin tubes hooked to his arm. “Take it all off.”

Destiny hesitated.

Justice cleared his throat. “Do it. We’ll help him stand until he is able to on his own. Give him his pride back.”

880 lifted his chin as his gaze swept around the room. It wasn’t a cell, just a room. The walls were not concrete or bars. The door was open to allow him to leave if he wished. No armed guards were in sight and he couldn’t detect any human scent as he inhaled but he knew his senses were still dulled. His body relaxed and he began to believe the males. He was free.

Bitterness gripped him next. It wasn’t right that he’d survived long enough to know this day when 46 had not. He’d let his female down. He’d somehow done something to cause her death. Pain filled his heart.

Chapter Five

“What were you thinking?”

Alli hesitated, staring at Trisha, the doctor who not only had become her friend but was mated to a New Species. “I just wanted to save him and no one would listen to my suggestions on how to get him to wake from his coma.”

“You could have called me or waited until I got back. I was only going to be gone for six weeks at Reservation.”

“880 was getting worse. He’d lost too much weight. I couldn’t stand to watch him waste away.

How is he? No one will say a word about him. Did he wake up again?”

Trisha took a seat on her bed a few feet away and sighed. “He’s awake.”

Tears of joy filled Alli’s eyes. “Really? That’s great.”

“He’s recovering amazingly fast. He’s already on his feet. He demanded food, ate more than they wanted, and took a walk down the hallway before he almost crashed into the floor when his legs gave out on him.”

“Does he look better?”

“No humans are allowed on that level so I haven’t been able to examine him in person.

Justice thinks it’s best right now if he’s not exposed to any. Destiny and Field are living down there to tend to him around the clock. I did get a look at the live feed from the cameras. I insisted and I could tell his coloring is much better from what I saw. You can imagine how difficult it is trying to evaluate a patient by video monitoring though.”

“How is his mental state? Is he showing any signs of brain damage or depression? We have no idea what was done to him or how traumatic his brain injuries were before he arrived at Homeland.”

“He seems fine.” Trisha frowned. “I’d be worried about my own ass right now, Alli. You kidnapped a Species and took him from behind the gates. Do you know how dangerous that was?

What if someone not associated with the NSO had found you with him? Did you think about that?”

“I just wanted to help him and they wouldn’t let me do that. I thought it would be safe and I took every precaution I could think of. I planned to call Homeland on day seven if 880 didn’t show any signs of improvement or if he worsened.”

“You unchained him.” Trisha hesitated. “Did you think about what could have happened if he’d woken, thought you were his enemy, and he killed you? He would have been out there alone.

He wouldn’t have known what to do and he could have killed innocent people, thinking everyone he saw worked for Mercile.”

Alli shook her head. “He would have been too weak to do much damage to me and I was sure I could handle him.”

“He attacked Tim Oberto’s team. He not only got out of his bed but put two of them on their asses. Think of what he could have done if he’d opened his eyes to see you there.”

The blood drained from her face as she did just that. “He would or could have killed me.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.” Trisha reached out and took her hand. “You’re in a lot of trouble and I don’t know what they are going to do with you. Justice won’t even discuss it with me. Slade is my mate but he is Species too. You put one of his males at risk and none of them can ignore that. You were obviously right about a female scent drawing 880 out of his coma but it doesn’t cancel out the danger you exposed him to. At the very least, you’re fired. You could be facing some jail time.”

Tears filled Alli’s eyes but she blinked them back. “I knew that and I’m ready to take whatever sentence they hand out to me. 880 was worth it.”

“Damn it.” Trisha released her and stood to pace the small area. “This is a mess. So far they’ve kept you in this holding cell but they can’t keep you here indefinitely. Justice is against Species imprisoning humans. They’ll have to hand you over to the people who used to manage Homeland. They opened a prison run by them to hold Mercile employees.” Trisha hesitated and met her stare. “It’s a hellish place full of people who will hate you and you’ll hate them since they are monsters. You’re not one.”

“I knew the risks and I took them.”

Trisha’s gaze narrowed. “Do you think I’m going to sleep at night, knowing where you’re going? The NSO doesn’t control it and I’ve heard horror stories about that place. I’m trying to talk them into just firing you and escorting you to the gates. You’ll be banned from having any further contact with the NSO or discussing Species in public. I just don’t know if they are going to go for it. Would you sign a total confidentially clause if they offered it to you?”

More tears filled her eyes. “I just wanted to help New Species, 880 in particular.”

“I know but you did the wrong thing. It was insane, irrational, and you did put 880 in severe danger. If someone had gotten a hold of him they could have killed him, ransomed him to the NSO for millions, or worst case, someone from Mercile could have gotten their hands on him again.

There are a lot of those assholes out there who haven’t been caught yet. They are desperate.”

Alli’s shoulders dropped. “I’m sorry.”

Trisha stared at her grimly. “Hang in there.”

Alli watched her go. The officer guarding her glanced in before the door closed. The sounds of locks being turned made her curl up on the bed.

Her room was small, consisting of a bed, a handful of books she’d been given, and nothing else. It had been two days since she’d been arrested. Tiger and now Trisha were the only ones who had visited her besides a few humans on the task force who had come to ask her questions. At least she knew 880 had regained consciousness and he was getting stronger.

“It was worth it,” she whispered and squeezed her eyes closed as more tears slipped out.

* * *

Trisha glared at Justice, then at her mate. Slade took a step closer, his hand lifted to caress her but she stepped out of his reach. She was furious.

“There’s your criminal. The big bad threat to New Species. Give me a damn break. Alli did something stupid but she shouldn’t be locked up.” Trisha pointed to the camera feed inside Allison Baker’s cell. “She’s a doctor. We will do anything to save a patient and nobody here would listen to her. I would have raised hell until someone caved if I had a suggestion I believed in but she’s different. I can’t see her yelling or getting in someone’s face. She secretly plotted to get 880 out of here where she could try to do what it took to save him.” She paused. “And it worked. I want Tiger in here right now.”

Justice hesitated but lifted his phone. “Send in Tiger please.” He hung up. “Trisha, we are all upset.”

“Doc—”

“Shut up, Slade. Don’t ‘Doc’ me. I’m mad. I swear I’m going with her if you send her to Fuller Prison. You can lock us up together in a holding cell over there.”

Shock widened her mate’s gaze and he shot an alarmed look Justice’s way. A growl tore from his throat and Trisha backed off that one immediately, afraid he’d get into a fight.

“Slade?” He looked at her. “Just stand still and let me handle this, okay?”

He frowned but his body relaxed.

The door behind them opened and Tiger strutted inside. “I was told you needed me?”

Trisha turned on him. “I demand you walk over to Security and have them lock you inside the cell next to Alli’s.”

His pretty gaze widened. “What?”

“You heard me. She called you, asking for permission to do what she thought was best for her patient but you turned her down flat. She wouldn’t have kidnapped him if you’d just given her a chance to do whatever she thought would help 880. You’re just as guilty of a crime as she is. Someone has to pay for this, according to Justice, and damn it, I’m holding you accountable too. Alli was right. 880 is awake. He might not be if she hadn’t had to go to such drastic measures to save him. Go lock yourself up and whatever time she gets, you deserve too.” She took a deep breath. “I demand you stay in the cell next to hers so you can both suffer together.”

Tiger’s mouth dropped open but he closed it.

His gaze slid to Justice.

Trisha turned on him next. “That’s fair. Alli might have put 880 at risk by taking him off NSO grounds but Tiger put him at risk too for not listening to his doctor. She woke him. 880 would still be in a coma if it wasn’t for her. You want someone to pay for what she did but she was driven to do it by him.” She pointed at Tiger. “And you could have overridden his veto but you didn’t so you should be in a third cell.”

Justice frowned. “Calm down, Trisha.”

“Screw that. Either all three of you serve the same amount of time or I demand you release her.

I want her back on duty. Tiger was down the hall in his office. You’re in yours. I want Alli back in hers. She’s a great doctor.”

“We can’t trust her anymore, Trisha.” Slade’s soft voice calmed her a little.

She met his gaze. “Then ban her from the NSO and escort her to the gates but let her out of that damn cell. She’s not a criminal. She’s dedicated to saving lives, she did what she felt was necessary for 880. Give her credit for that. Do you know how scared she must have been to take him? What kind of courage it took not to only implement her plan but go through with it? She put her life in danger too, knew she’d face punishment, and probably didn’t think it would even work. That makes her braver in my book. She risked it all for a Species.”

Trisha hesitated. “She had more faith in 880 than any of you did.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’d do anything for you and you’re the love of my life, Slade. You’re my mate, my heart. Alli did that for 880 and she doesn’t even know him. You should give her a raise and be damn grateful we have a doctor with that kind of loyalty. All she was thinking about was him and giving him the best chance at survival.”

The room became silent and Slade drew closer to pull her into his arms. She let him hold her.

Justice finally sighed.

“Tiger, go to Security and escort Dr. Allison to her home.” He paused. “I don’t know what to do with her but she doesn’t belong in a cell. She worked for us and she may not be safe outside our gates due to her association. Have an officer placed at her door and let her know she’s confined to her house. I want her made very comfortable until we decide how to handle this.”

“Understood.”

Trisha lifted her head and stared into Slade’s gaze. “Thank you.”

“I can’t stand to see you hurting.” He turned his head to peer at Justice. “Thank you.”

“Trisha made valid arguments.” Justice paused. “This is a hell of a mess.”

* * *

880 stared at the females and softly growled a warning, unsure of what their presence meant. He didn’t welcome the sight of them. One of them looked too similar to his mate for comfort.

The tall dark-haired one growled back. “I am Breeze and that is not how you make friends. Just be blunt if you are trying to initiate sex. I am not interested but I don’t want to worry about you attacking me either.”

Shock filled him at her frank statement and the way she evenly stared at him. 46 had avoided speaking to him when he was in a bad mood unless she wanted to argue. This one seemed to want to challenge him.

“You remind me of her.”

The female’s gaze softened. “Your mate?”

“Yes.”

“What was she called?”

“46.”

The female took a seat in his room while the other two stayed by the door. Breeze pointed to his bed. “Sit. You make me nervous. I don’t know how in control you are or how you will react around females.” She then pointed to the other two. “They will jump on your ass if you attack me. Are we clear?”

His eyebrows lifted as he glanced at the two females before taking a seat on the edge of the bed to study the one named Breeze. “I will not strike out at you.”

“That is good to know.” She smiled. “How are you doing with knowing freedom? You look strong and healthy. I heard you ventured outside today to take a walk.”

“I am well.”

“You don’t speak much to others, do you?”

“I am adjusting. It is strange.” He avoided discussing why he wasn’t talkative, unwilling to admit he didn’t feel comfortable around so many after his solitary life with only his mate.

Sympathy flashed in Breeze’s eyes. “We all understand that but trust me, you have it way better than we did. Humans had to deal with us after we were rescued. It was tough on them, as well as us, to find a happy middle ground. You’re surrounded by your own kind.”

“Why would I feel trust? I don’t know you.”

He wanted to be honest.

She grinned and he relaxed slightly when her features softened.

“True. We’re your kind though and you are ours. We have to stick together and you can depend on us to have your back. Do you know what that means?”

“You are telling me I can trust you.”

“That’s right. You can.” She leaned forward a little. “How are you really doing?”

“I’m growing stronger.”

“I mean how are you doing inside your head?

I know you lost your mate. Are you filled with rage?”

He nodded. “I want revenge for her death.”

“We have the assholes who killed her.”

He tensed. “They are here?”

“We captured them when you were rescued.

They were sent to a cage of their own and will pay for her death. Does that help? They will never be free again.”

“I want to be taken to them.”

She shook her head. “You desire to make them bleed but you can’t. We don’t kill humans. We lock up the ones who committed crimes against us. They suffer. They are now caged and under the mercy of humans themselves.” Her smile looked forced. “Does that help?”

“They should die.” Anger boiled inside him.

“I agree but we are better than the ones who imprisoned us. We show mercy.”

“I don’t.”

Her gaze sparked with amusement. “You have a heavy sense of justice inside you.”

He said nothing but wasn’t sure what she meant.

“You would have done anything to protect your mate, right? Broken any rule to keep her safe?”

“Yes. They killed her without provocation. I did nothing to anger them.”

“Those Mercile employees were mean assholes.” She took a deep breath and glanced at the females by the door before speaking softly to them. “How does it look?”

The one with streaked red hair glanced away.

“We’re still clear.”

Breeze met his gaze. “We’re not supposed to be here but sometimes we are bad at following orders. I had an officer who owed me a favor turn off the cameras.” She pointed to the corner.

“They are there for your protection and to make sure you are in no danger but are currently off.”

He became alarmed. “Is there a threat to my life?”

“Not from us.” She cocked her head. “Do you know who is in danger?”

“Who?” He quickly became confused.

One of the women by the door revealed her hand, which had rested behind her back. It held a clear bag with material inside, which pulled it out and tossed to him. It was a shirt. The sweet scent he inhaled was familiar and a soft growl tore from his throat before he could stifle it.

“Her name is Alli.” Breeze hesitated. “Dr. Allison Baker. She’s human but never worked for Mercile. She risked her ass to save yours. I like her.” She jerked her head toward the other two women. “They like her too. Do you want to know why? Alli is a good human. She’s sweet and our friend.”

He fisted the female’s shirt in his hands but said nothing. He wasn’t sure what they expected from him. Part of him worried they were trying to spot a reaction that would betray his emotions.

He tensed, alert, and schooled his features not to reveal anything. He wanted to know more about Alli but refused to admit as much. He shouldn’t care. She was human but he was curious.

“You were unconscious and wouldn’t wake after you were rescued. The truth is that we all thought you would die. No one here knows you and you were kept separated in the Mercile facilities from all our females. None of us have ever shared sex with you. Mercile used to take us to males for breeding experiments, attempting to make more of us. We know nothing about you and feared you were going to be insane. It’s what we call feral. It means your mind was so broken by the abuse you suffered that you couldn’t be saved.

“Alli refused to give up on you though and stole you from this place to take you somewhere where she could do what none of us would. She put her life in danger by trying to wake you with her female scent. You males are horny creatures who are driven by your dicks. Maybe she thought you’d want to mount her enough to wake.”

Breeze shrugged. “Knowing her as I do though, she probably didn’t consider you might want to share sex but instead just thought having a female near you would bring you back. She’s naïve that way. All the males she’s met are pretty protective toward us and they don’t approach her for sex.”

He wasn’t sure how to digest that information.

Part of him was glad to know no other males approached Alli for sex. Anger stirred at the memory of the masked humans touching her when he’d stumbled outside. He’d wanted to kill them for making her scream in terror. Breeze’s voice drew him from his musings.

“It worked. You smelled her and woke when she was in trouble. Maybe you wanted to mount her or perhaps you mistook her for your mate. I don’t know. Do you?”

He debated answering.

“880? Did you hear me?”

He decided to be direct. “I knew she wasn’t my mate. I remembered 46’s murder. I thought at first she might be a technician. I heard the words she spoke to me but I couldn’t move my body. I had finally decided she was another female brought to replace the mate they took. They needed her to control me.”

“Shit,” one of the females by the door sighed.

“It’s as we thought. They gave him a female to make him compliant. She was just a tool to them.”

A snarl of rage tore from 880. “She was my mate!”

Breeze motioned the other female to silence as she continued to warily watch him. “We know that and meant no insult. Did Alli harm you? Did she hurt you?”

“No.”

“She stole you to save your life. I want you to understand that. She cared for you and stayed by your side. She put her life at risk to save yours.

Do you know what happened to her?”

“No.”

“They locked her up. She’s a prisoner inside her home. She isn’t allowed to be a doctor anymore and is no longer trusted.” Anger deepened her voice. “We don’t agree with that but the males won’t listen to us. They are butt hurt over her being able to steal you as easily as she did. A mere little human smuggled you past all their security measures.”

“Butt hurt? Did she give them injections to make them unconscious?”

“No. Their pride is injured and they are being stupid,” one of the women by the door softly growled. “You’ve got to help her after all she did for you. It is the right thing to do.”

Anger gripped him at being given orders. “Humans are my enemy.”

Breeze growled back at him as the color of her eyes darkened. “She isn’t your enemy. She’s our friend and she woke you from a coma.”

He threw the shirt at her. “She is not my concern.” He hated the way his voice lacked sincerity. He didn’t enjoy owing anyone but if the human female had saved his life then he would feel honor bound to repay her some way.

Breeze caught it and rose to her feet. She hesitated. “One day you are going to be deemed well and leave Medical. Do you know what you are going to want?” She tossed the material to one of the females and reached for the front of her shirt to lower it enough to reveal the tops of her breasts. “Us. You’ll miss sex, won’t you? You had a mate. Remember her body? The feel of her in your arms?”

His body tensed as his gaze locked on the skin she revealed. He wasn’t interested and felt offended that she’d believed he’d be tempt to want her.

The female yanked her shirt up to cover the view of her cleavage. His gaze lifted to hers.

“That will be the last bit of skin you see on a female unless you get motivated to help Alli. I speak for myself and all our females when I say none of us will share sex with a male who allows someone we care about to remain in captivity. We’ve discussed it and you will be one lonely, sexually frustrated male unless you learn to care about Alli’s fate. Do you understand me?”

“She’s human and I don’t want to share sex with you.” He might injure Breeze’s pride by stating he didn’t want to mount her but she made threats. He didn’t care if she felt offended.

“Alli is Species as far as we are concerned.

She’s not your enemy or ours.” She backed up.

“Tell them you want to see her even if you don’t.

You could even say you feel depressed from missing her scent. Just be nice to her. Tell them you trust her even if you have to learn to do so.

She risked her life for yours. Remember that instead of what other humans have done to you in the past.”

He growled, resented being ordered what to do and say. The females seemed unfazed by his anger as they calmly watched him. The idea of seeing Alli again was very tempting. He wanted to know why she had gotten into trouble on his account. His pride refused to allow him to admit as much though.

“Don’t scare or harm her.” Breeze backed up more. “Remember, she believed you could be saved when others had given up hope. You will help her if you have any pride left. You owe her a debt.”

He considered his options as the females silently regarded him. It would be a mistake to show weakness, such as interest in speaking to the human. They could use it and her against him to attempt to control him. Mercile had done it often with 46. Of course Alli wasn’t his mate. They wouldn’t threaten to kill her if he refused to do as they demanded.

“I will see her to repay the debt,” he conceded carefully. “That is the only reason.”

The females withdrew but one of them tossed the shirt at him again. He caught it and the sweet smell of Alli filled his nose. Confusion filled him over why others of his kind would care so much about a human. They had all survived Mercile Industries and should hate humans too.

He fisted the shirt in his hands and lifted it to his nose. One deep inhalation of Alli’s scent triggered memories of her against his side while she’d slept. Her hand on his chest had been nice when she’d stroked him. His eyes closed and he remembered seeing her on the ground with males standing over her.

She’d been smaller than he imagined and had a mass of blonde hair. Most of his focus had been on protecting her but then she’d lifted her head.

The memory was fuzzy but he was sure she had big blue eyes and pale skin.

One more deep breath helped clear up the confusion of waking to her screams. He’d known deep in his gut that it was her in danger. The terrified sounds made him want to reach her. It was a blur how he’d gotten outside and what he’d had to go through to do it. He’d just sought her.

A clearer picture of her face emerged in his mind. She had full lips, delicate features, and she’d definitely been human. The rounded bridge of her nose and her diminutive size had assured him of that. His mate had been much bigger with flatter facial bone structure similar to his own.

The shirt fisted in his hand lowered to rest over his lap while he opened his eyes. A growl rumbled from him.

Alli had taken him from his people because she’d wanted to save him. The females admitted they’d given up hope of him waking. It angered him that he owed his life to a human. Her scent lingered as he breathed but he made a decision to do as the females had asked.

His legs held his weight easily when he stood.

He shoved the shirt under his pillow and strode to the door. The two males who watched him were never far away. He sniffed the hallway and easily located their scents. They were three doors down sitting at a table, watching television. Both males turned his way when he stepped inside the room, which was much like his own.

“Do you need something?” Destiny stood.

“Would you enjoy taking another walk outside?”

“I want the female,” he demanded.

The other Species paled slightly. “What female?”

“Alli.” Saying her name felt strange.

“No.” Anger tightened Destiny’s features.

“She isn’t your enemy.”

“Destiny,” the other one hissed. “He doesn’t appear angry.” The second one stood too. “Why do you wish to see Dr. Allison?”

“No, Field,” Destiny grumbled. “It doesn’t matter. She isn’t going anywhere near him. I’m not allowing her down here.”

“I want her.” 880 studied the protesting male closely and noticed the way his body tensed, ready to fight. He knew the behavior well and had taken the rigid stance himself many times with human males when they had neared his mate.

Rage rose steadily inside him and burst forth. He snarled. “She isn’t yours.”

“Shit,” Field hissed. “Calm down. Dr. Allison belongs to no one.”

“I want her.” 880 curled back his upper lip enough to warn the other males by flashing his sharp canines, leaving no doubt he would fight if they refused. “Bring her to me.”

“Easy.” Field inched closer to the door. “Let me place a call and I’ll see what I can do.” He hesitated. “Why do you want to see her? They will want an answer before they allow it. I have to get permission from Justice to have her brought here.”

He easily remembered what Breeze had said since he wouldn’t forget their conversation any time soon. He decided to use an excuse she’d mentioned. “I am feeling depressed,” he stated falsely. “I adjusted to her scent and miss it.”

Field grinned and glanced at the other male.

“It’s okay. She is familiar to him. That is all.”

Destiny didn’t seem convinced. “She is not to share sex with. Do you understand? Do not attempt to mount her. She’s human and off-limits.”

880 had to hold back another snarl. The male was very protective of the human female. He inched closer to the stressed male and sniffed. No trace of Alli lingered on him and he backed away.

He didn’t like the other male’s interest in the female who had slept at his side. He spun away and stalked back to his room.

Chapter Six

Alli was nervous as she watched Destiny glare at her. He was really upset that 880 wanted to see her, that fact was as clear as the angry expression on his face.

“Keep the door open and flee if he gets too close. He isn’t permitted to touch you.” He glanced at Tiger. “I don’t trust him. He could attempt to mount her.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“He said he didn’t want that.” Tiger frowned.

“Chill out, my man.”

“I won’t.” Destiny growled. “He’s unstable and we’re sending her in there. I insist on staying at her side. She’s human and there is no certainty that he won’t see her as a threat or an enemy.”

Tiger’s gaze drifted to Alli. “It’s your call. Your life may be in danger. He could harm or kill you.

Are you willing to take those risks?”

“Yes,” she answered, too eager to see her patient to really give it much thought.

“No,” Destiny growled.

She frowned at him. “Stop it.”

He flashed sharp teeth in warning. “Fine. I hope he doesn’t kill you. I will try to save you if this goes bad.”

That isn’t very comforting to hear. She licked her lips and stared at Tiger, waiting for instructions. He’d made it very apparent that he was in charge of her visit to 880 and he had only given her permission to leave her house if she complied with all his rules.

They’d argued when she’d been informed that 880 had requested to see her. Tiger had felt it would be dangerous considering she might be perceived as the enemy. She’d had to use logic to convince him that it would benefit her patient to be around humans. He was free and needed to adjust to life outside Mercile. Justice had the final say and he’d agreed to it.

Tiger hesitated. “This might not be a good idea.”

“Justice said I could see 880,” she reminded him. “I want to see him.”

“What Justice said is he doesn’t know what to do with you but he wants our male to recover.

He’s as unsure of this situation as all of us are.”

“I want to see 880. Please? I know it could be dangerous.” She held Tiger’s gaze to assure him she was sincere. “I know the risks and I accept them.”

He sighed, resigned, but didn’t appear too happy about it. “Stay by the door and call out for help at the first instance of trouble. He wants to speak to you alone. I argued with him but he tore out the camera inside his room and threw it at my head. I believe he is trying to understand why a human would do what you have for him. The only ones he knew worked for Mercile and they weren’t kind.” Tiger paused. “They murdered his mate. Remember that because he won’t have forgotten. I still can’t believe I’m allowing this.”

“I understand why he might dislike me and you’re doing this because you want him to get better. He’s New Species. Let’s just skip rehashing this argument, please. All of you were exposed to doctors when you were rescued. It was part of the healing process. You admitted that he’s aware of what I did for him. Deep down he has to know I’m not someone he should hate. He was helpless in my care yet I didn’t do anything bad to him. He’s intelligent, right? You said that not twenty minutes ago when you gave me the update on him. He’s not feral.”

Tiger studied her for a long moment before he nodded curtly. “Go ahead. We’ll be right here.

He’ll hear and smell us coming. We need to stay back this far but we will come if you call out.”

“Thanks.” Her heart hammered fast as she smoothed down her skirt in a nervous gesture.

Destiny grumbled. “She should wear pants. I said this. It will only make it easier for him if he attempts to mount her.”

Tiger softly growled in warning. “Enough. It wouldn’t matter if she wore pants or a skirt if he intends to attack. He would tear both from her body if that is his objective.”

“Um…” Alli cleared her throat. “I’m right here. Could you stop trying to scare the living crap out of me?”

“Don’t do this.” Destiny gave her a pleading look. “He is dangerous.”

“I need to talk to him if he wants to see me.

I owe him answers.” She straightened her shoulders and marched down the hallway. They had returned 880 to his original room and she paused by the open doorway.

“Come here,” a deep baritone voice ordered.

Shit! She took that final step and her gaze found 880 sitting on the edge of a queen-size bed that appeared to be custom-made to fit his tall frame. They’d removed the hospital bed for something more homey. His hair fell freely down over his shoulders in the front to the waist of his black sweats. His chest was bare and so were his feet. His amazing stare held hers as she braved entering his room by a few feet.

“Hello, 880. I’m Alli.” She paused. “Dr. Allison Baker. You can call me whichever one you prefer.”

He sniffed. “Come closer.” His hands rested on his lower thighs near the bend of his knees but one lifted to point a finger at the floor between his spread thighs. “Here.”

“I’m supposed to stay by the door.”

“I heard.” His intense gaze narrowed. “Come here.” He kept his finger trained on the spot in front of him, not budging it. “I won’t harm you.”

It was a really bad idea, foolish even, but she took one step, then another. His face had filled out in the past few days and her gaze lowered to his torso. Each rib no longer showed through his skin since he’d put on more weight than she thought anyone possibly could in such a short amount of time. She only stopped when her body almost bumped his extended index finger.

He lowered his hand to his thigh again and she inched closer until their faces were level. Only a foot separated them. It didn’t matter that he was seated. 880 still looked intimidating and large.

He studied her face while she did the same to his. There was an unsettling quiet in the room, only their breathing could be heard. Her teeth dented her lower lip from nerves when his gaze focused on her mouth. He sniffed at her again and it made his nose wrinkle. She stared into his brown eyes until he met her gaze.

“Why?”

“Why did I come? You asked to see me.”

His mouth hardened into a tight line. “Why did you steal me to take risks others wouldn’t?”

“You were dying. You wouldn’t rouse from the coma.” She took a deep breath and tried to force her heart rate to slow. He hadn’t attacked and that was a plus. “I thought a woman’s scent might interest you.”

The lighter brown color of his eyes seemed to bleed black and they narrowed again. “Interest me how? Did you want me to mount you?”

Surprise jolted through her at his question.

“No. I mean, I thought you’d be curious and maybe wake to see who she was. Who I was.”

“Don’t move.”

He moved and her heartbeat increased with fear as he gently took her hand. She didn’t pull it away as he turned it to stare at her palm. His other hand lifted and calloused fingertips trailed over her skin. He studied her closely, opened his hand under hers, and seemed to note their size difference. He met her gaze again.

“I felt you touching me.”

Her cheeks grew warm. “I had to check your catheter. I’m really sorry about that.”

“On my chest.”

“Oh.” She could breathe easier again.

His fingers curled around her wrist and he drew her fingers to his chest to place the tips of them flat between his nipples. “Do it again.

Stroke me.”

Alli was at a loss for what to do for a few seconds while he waited. His skin was hot and firm under her palm as she carefully moved it. It was difficult to do with him holding her wrist but she rubbed him gently. His eyes closed and all the tension faded from his features.

A sense of amazement filled her that her touch seemed to make him feel at ease. She silently wondered if it was a sign of some brain issues.

He released her wrist and his hands dropped. She tried to pull away.

“Keep doing that.”

It was an order, plain and simple. His stern voice brooked no argument. She took slow breaths and continued to caress his skin. His eyes snapped open a split second before he moved so fast she gasped when his hand curled behind her neck. He jerked her against his body until she was pressed tight against him. She feared he might kill her by smothering her against his skin.

She gasped in air and realized that he held her loosely enough to allow her to breathe. He smelled of soap and man. She could even detect his shampoo since her nose was pressed against skin and long hair. His other arm wrapped around her back at the waist to trap her in place as his mouth found her ear.

“Don’t scream or I’ll break you. It would be easy to do. You’re frail. They won’t reach you in time. Do you understand me?”

Panic struck hard at the very soft threat he rasped, sure she was the only one who could hear him. A whimper left her mouth but she didn’t scream.

He just held her and she felt caged when his thighs closed to grip her hips to help hold her in place. He wasn’t hurting her but he could. That was apparent.

His nose brushed her throat under her ear as he inhaled, turning his head enough to sniff at her hair. He pulled her a little tighter against him with his arm anchored around her back. Her breasts were crushed against his chest and the hand behind her neck remained firm, to hold her in place.

“I am no longer helpless or chained. Your males killed my mate.”

Hot tears filled her eyes while she feared he’d take his revenge on her. Destiny had been right and it sucked big-time.

“Please,” she whispered. “I had nothing to do with that.”

He softly growled and his nose tickled when he pressed it against her throat as he sniffed at her again. His body jerked suddenly before he pulled away. He allowed some space between them when his hold eased on the back of her neck and she ended up nose to nose with him as he peered into her eyes. Shock widened his.

“You cry? I am not causing you pain.”

“You’re scaring me,” she admitted. “I don’t want to die.”

His mouth curved downward. “Don’t scream and you will be fine. No tears. I don’t like them on my skin.”

Her lips sealed together while she battled her emotions until she managed to get them under control. She blinked rapidly to hold back more tears. He still kept hold of her and every breath he took fanned her lips. She knew he had to feel the same from her since they were so close.

His head tilted slightly as if he heard something and a soft growl rumbled from him.

“Tell them you are fine.”

She pulled in air, debated doing what he said or if she should scream for help. He wasn’t hurting her so far. “I’m fine.” She spoke loud enough that she knew it would be heard down the hallway.

880 listened and relaxed. “What claim does the male Destiny have on you?” He appeared angry.

“None.”

“Have you been mounted by him? I don’t smell him on you.”

“No.” She shook her head. “We’re just friends.”

“Lower your voice,” he demanded.

“We work together.” She whispered. “Why?”

He ignored her question. “Where is your male?”

“I don’t have one.”

He studied her eyes again. He glanced down her body. Alli blushed a little when he hesitated, his gaze lingering over her breasts for a long time before focusing on her skirt.

“You are too small. Males enjoy a sturdy female to mount. You’d break or feel pain being pounded from behind. I doubt you could even brace to stay on your knees. Your arms look too weak. You’d collapse the first time a male entered you.”

She had no words. It astonished her so much her mind even blanked that he’d said something that crude.

His gaze met hers. “You don’t even look big enough to accommodate a male.”

She was glad she had recovered from the astonishment of his bluntness. “I wasn’t created with your hybrid genetics.”

He grunted and his hold eased but he didn’t release her. His thighs loosened their hold on her hips. “Turn around.”

She shook her head. “No. Why?”

He growled. “Turn now.”

She was too afraid to argue and shifted inside his arms. The open door mocked her when she faced it. She never should have left the safety of the hallway. It seemed a really far distance away.

The hand left her throat and she gasped when it cupped one of her ass cheeks. He squeezed, feeling her through the skirt. Her head snapped in his direction.

“Don’t do that!”

His gaze met hers and he growled. “Be silent.”

“Let go of my ass.” She kept her voice low but did try to step away from him to make him quit groping her.

The arm around her middle jerked hard, he let go of her ass, and she landed on his lap. His palm clamped over her lips and he growled against her ear. Alli’s eyes widened as she realized she was sitting on more than just his legs. There was no denying the feel of his rigid cock cradled between her closed thighs.

“Don’t scream,” he ordered. “I am not going to hurt you. I am curious.” His palm eased the pressure over her lower face and slowly released her mouth.

Her gaze followed his hand that fisted the material of her skirt and pulled it up to reveal most of one of her legs. The skirt stayed where he shoved it and rough-textured fingertips explored her outer leg from the knee almost to her hip.

He was breathing against her ear and she noticed when it grew a little labored.

“Soft.”

The arm around her waist adjusted and she watched as he ran his palm over her stomach.

Fingers dug into her belly but it didn’t hurt. He explored the skin under her shirt and slid it higher. She gasped a second time as one hand curved around her breast and he rubbed, feeling the size and shape of it through her bra.

“Softer.”

“Stop molesting me or I’m going to scream,” she threatened.

He paused his exploration of her breast. The hand on her thigh halted too. She turned her head to meet his gaze. Anger flashed in his eyes but he righted her skirt before he eased his hand off her breast.

“I won’t attempt to mount you. You aren’t strong enough to take me.”

She tried to wiggle off his lap but he yanked her back down. He turned her until she ended up sideways across his lap. The feel of his cock became apparent again. There was no missing something that hard or that size. They stared at each other until he frowned.

“I need your scent. Sleep here with me. You are safe.”

Alarm rolled through her. “What?”

“Sleep with me. You did that before. I want you against my side.” He grabbed her hand and held it. “Stroke my chest.”

Alli was beyond shocked. The guy had just felt her up and was obviously interested in sex. It was a bad idea. She shook her head.

“I have to return to my home. I’m under house arrest. This is just a visit.”

“Not anymore. You are staying with me.”

His features hardened as he glanced at the door before he met her wide gaze. She had no idea what else to say. Not that it didn’t stop her from trying to talk sense into him.

“It’s not proper. I mean, we’re not dating.

Strangers don’t just share a bed. I only slept with you because it was cold and—”

“You wanted to save me.” His voice deepened again. “Are you lying about that? You are a healer?”

“I’m a doctor. I—”

“You will stay with me. You will sleep here at my side and you will touch me. I am depressed but not when you stroke my chest.” He looked away to glance at the bed.

Panic struck. No way could she share a bed with a fully recovering New Species. He wasn’t a child as his body fully stated with the hard press of his cock under her. He was an adult male who had molested her.

“They won’t allow it,” she bluffed, pretty sure that would be true.

“They will because I said so.” He reached out and fisted the blankets, dragging them down the mattress closer to them. “Remove your shoes and get in my bed.”

“No.” She squirmed to get up but his arm only tightened.

A soft growl rumbled against her ear as he pressed his mouth against it.

“Keep rubbing my dick that way and I will mount you.”

She ceased struggling.

“You may keep your clothing on for now.”

Her eyes widened. For now? Oh shit. The idea that Destiny might have been right and 880 wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with her sent her heart into overdrive as fear hit.

880 sniffed at her. “Easy,” he rasped. “Don’t fight me and you won’t be harmed. I have no wish to hurt you.” He paused. “I need you right now.”

Her eyes closed and dread pitted inside her stomach. Had he grown addicted to her scent?

How was that possible? New Species only scent imprinted when they took a mate. An emotional bond formed first, before they wanted to take one.

880 could smell the human’s fear. It was an appealing, sweet scent that made his dick harder.

She wasn’t for mounting but his body had other ideas. Alli would break under him if he took her.

His arm anchored around her soft, small waist assured him of that. Her back was narrower by far than the width of his chest. Her weight on him was slight compared to his mate’s. The thought of 46 saddened him.

He’d never see her glare again or hear her soft snarls. He’d known she hadn’t always enjoyed being his mate but he’d tried to make her happy.

The only time she’d wanted his touch had been when she needed him. It seemed no female was attracted to him unless they were going into heat.

He sniffed Alli, certain the female wasn’t even close to that time.

Regret filled him that the human wouldn’t turn to him in her time of need. It wouldn’t be a good idea. He didn’t want to cause her injury now that he had her in his arms. He couldn’t even stay angry. She was too afraid of him to trigger his rage.

The tone of the voices down the hallway changed. The words were lost but one of the males began to snarl. He could guess that Destiny was the source. It was obvious the male wanted to mount Alli and didn’t like her near him. It wasn’t going to happen. The other male would die if he attempted to take the human from his room.

880 turned his face and brushed his nose through Alli’s hair. She smelled of wonderful things and of food. Perhaps that was how humans drew attention from the opposite sex. She’d said she had no male and he didn’t pick up the stench of one. It made sense that she’d try to lure one by making him sniff at her when they were hungry.

Time was running out and he knew it. The males would come and check on Alli if she didn’t leave his room soon. He leaned in and liked the way she shivered when he breathed on her neck.

“I need you,” he admitted. “I know nothing here but you.” That was true. The males had tried to be nice but he didn’t connect with them. Her scent made him feel aroused but not detached.

“Stay with me.” Females enjoyed being asked instead of told. 46 had taught him that. He used a softer tone. “I will recover faster.”

She turned her head and her eyes widened. His admission obviously surprised her and her lips parted. “No one here will hurt you, 880. You’re New Species and they consider you family.”

“I have none. I am alone now.” 46 had been the only constant in his life and he’d lost her. “Stay with me.”

Indecision wavered on her delicate features as she chewed her bottom lip and he began to see a pattern. She did that when she was unsure of what to do.

“I need you and you are a healer. You took risks to try to wake me when they didn’t. You must stay here. You feel protective of me, don’t you? Is that why you stole me?”

He knew he’d be fine without her and doubted his people would do him harm but it worked when she nodded timidly. He wasn’t above using her job to keep her where he wanted.

“Okay. Just for a little while.”

“No. You will sleep with me until I am fully recovered.”

“You seem to be.” She hesitated. “You’re up and about. You’ve put on weight and I know you went outside.”

“They wish to keep me inside this room.” Irritation sounded in his voice. “They fear I will harm someone. Humans.” He decided to be honest. “I won’t harm you and they will be assured the ones they care about will be safe when they see you here.”

She seemed to think about that for a long time before she spoke. “I’ll stay but I can’t share a bed with you. Everyone will get the wrong impression.”

“What does that mean?”

Her cheeks turned pink and her gaze dropped to his throat. “They will think we’re having sex.”

“I don’t care what they assume.”

Her gaze lifted. “I do. I work here. Or I did.”

Anger stirred instantly. “This would cause you shame to have them believe I touch you?” A growl tore from his throat. “This is your idea that we are equal? I was told humans here don’t look down on us.” His hold around her waist tightened. “You—”

“Stop it,” she hissed, interrupting his anger.

“It’s not because you’re New Species. I wouldn’t flaunt a relationship with anyone but especially not someone I’ve treated. You just don’t understand. It has nothing to do with our differences.”

880 searched her steady gaze but couldn’t detect deception. “Explain it.”

“It’s unprofessional. You’re not technically my patient anymore but you were. Doctors lose their licenses if they have sex with people under their care. It’s unethical and just not done for the most part. I hate the ones who have. I don’t want anyone to think I may have taken advantage of you and they would.”

He lifted her off his lap and allowed her to move out of the circle of his arms. His body tensed in case she tried to flee but she wouldn’t make it to the door. He’d catch her first. Alli slowly turned around but stayed close. He rose to his full height and stared down at her. She was small and weak, not a threat. He laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Her arms crossed over her chest.

“Who would believe you could force me to do something against my will? That’s what you meant. ‘Take advantage of’ means force.”

“It means you’re emotionally vulnerable right now and someone could easily manipulate you.”

Her focus shifted to his arms before meeting his gaze again.

All humor vanished. “It wouldn’t happen. I am in control and you couldn’t make me do anything.

Let them worry about how I might manipulate you. I know that word.” He glanced down her body. “It would be easy.”

Her mouth parted but she didn’t bite her lip.

He studied her face closely and finally identified a little fear. He could live with that if it kept her from attempting to flee his room. He pointed to the bed.

“Sit. I will tell them you are staying with me.”

“I should g—” He stepped closer and nearly bumped into her.

“Sit,” he growled.

She paled and scooted around him, perching meekly on his bed. He smiled. “That is manipulation.”

Anger narrowed her eyes and he turned away to hide a smile. He liked that she had some spirit.

He strode into the hallway and studied the two males who waited at the end of it. Both of them turned when they sensed him.

“Alli will stay here with me. Double my food and she will need more clothing.”

“No,” Destiny hissed, instantly challenging him as his hands fisted and he tried to storm closer.

Tiger grabbed the male’s arm to halt him.

“Don’t,” he ordered softly. “Stay put.” He drew closer, each step calculated to be nonthreatening.

880 backed into his room and glanced at Alli.

She remained seated where he’d ordered her to stay. Tiger paused in the doorway and visually examined her, obviously checking her health.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

Tiger held his gaze. “Why is she staying here?”

“She is familiar to me. I won’t harm her.”

Tiger looked indecisive as he peered at Alli.

“Are you okay with this? We should talk.” He swallowed. “In the hallway.”

Alli glanced at 880 and he gave her a sharp nod. He hoped she wouldn’t betray him and ask the male for help. It wouldn’t do any good. He was still weak but he would fight to keep her.

He’d made up his mind on the matter. She paused outside the door and Tiger lowered his voice.

“What is going on?”

“He says I’m the only thing he knows. It’s okay.”

Tiger lifted his gaze to stare at 880 before addressing her again. “He’s an adult male and healthy. Do you understand? You’re a female.”

Alli’s cheeks pinkened again. “We’re not involved that way.”

Tiger backed up and she followed him out of 880’s line of sight. She didn’t go far. He tensed, ready to go after her if she bolted. He’d deal with the male if he tried to stop him from returning Alli to his room.

Alli was nervous and she knew exactly what Tiger’s concerns were as he frowned.

“He could try to mount you. He probably will if you stay. Do you understand that?”

The idea left her scared but she tried to hide it. She wasn’t 880’s favorite person. “He said he wouldn’t hurt me.”

“I doubt he’d associate sex with harm.” Tiger hesitated. “I smell fear on you.”

“He’s big and kind of intimidating.” She debated on asking Tiger to take her away from 880.

She’d be returned to her house. “He’s, um, different.”

“How?”

“He’s kind of crude and rude.”

“He’s newly freed. Has he said anything to offend you? We are trying to teach him better conversation skills.”

She wasn’t going to repeat what 880 had said about her body. “He’s also kind of a bully.”

Tiger arched his eyebrows. “He can’t force you to stay.” His voice lowered. “Did he threaten you?” He reached for the radio clipped to his jeans. “I can call for backup. We can restrain him and get you out of here without too much difficulty if he protests.”

The idea of having officers restrain 880 made her shake her head. They could injure him and she knew he’d fight. “No. He didn’t do that,” she lied. “I can stay with him for a while. It’s not as though I have anything else to do besides watch television or stare at the walls.”

“I have to discuss this with Justice and Trisha.”

He let his hand drop away from his radio. “Do you want anything from your home in the meantime?”

She only asked for a day’s worth of clothes, sure 880 would tire of keeping her in his room.

Tiger listened intently.

“We can do that. I’ll go myself. I’m assigning an officer at the end of the hall. Yell if you want out of there.” He paused. “He needs a name.

Maybe you can help him find one he likes.”

“I think he’s probably dealing with enough changes right now.”

“He needs a name,” Tiger repeated. “We’ve discovered it’s part of the healing process and besides that, the paperwork on him is mounting.

We’re going to have to go back and change it all when he does choose one. I’d rather just get it done sooner rather than later.”

Anger stirred inside her. “I’m sorry but his emotional well-being is more important than the amount of paperwork on your desk.”

That drew a glare from him. “I have a mate and I enjoy spending time with her instead of wasting it with extra work. You want to help? Talk him into taking a name.” Tiger spun and strode away.

Alli stood there watching him go until he reached Destiny. The nurse tried to step around him to come toward her but Tiger gripped his arm, forcibly turned him around and nearly dragged him in the direction of the elevator. She could hear them hissing at each other but couldn’t make out any of their conversation. A large hand clamping down on her shoulder firmly made her jump. She twisted her head to stare up at 880.

He’d sneaked up on her.

“In my room now.”

“You could say please.”

He looked away from her to glance down the hallway and suddenly hooked an arm around her waist. She gasped when he just jerked her off her feet and spun, stomping back inside his room with her held against his chest. He paused by the bed and lowered her back to her feet.

“Take off your shoes and climb on my bed.”

His arm withdrew.

Alli looked up at him. “That was rude. You can’t just go around picking people up and making demands.”

He regarded her silently.

“Just because you’re bigger doesn’t mean you should manhandle me. That’s what you just did.”

He blinked.

“I don’t want to be on your bed. We should talk and get to know each other. I think that you—” His palm lifted and he pressed it against her chest and pushed her back. She lost her balance and landed on his bed. It shocked her that he’d done it. It hadn’t hurt but that was beside the point. He bent, grabbed her ankle, and just tore off her shoe. She tried to roll away after her stunned brain began to work but he was faster. He removed the other shoe.

“Stop that!” She struggled to sit while crawling backward to put space between them. He blocked her way off the bed. “You’re being rude!”

Broad shoulders shrugged as he bent over and his hands flattened on the bed. He stared at her and inched closer as she continued to put space between them until the back of her head bumped the wall. She was trapped. The mattress dipped from his weight as he lay down along the outer side of the bed and stretched out fully on his back.

One hand swept behind his neck to grab his long hair and he piled above his head as he stared at her.

“Lie down next to me and stroke my chest.”

“No.”

A soft growl rumbled from him as his angry gaze fixed on her. “Alli.” He said her name in a way that gave her chills. “Come to me now and don’t force me to make you.”

Shit. She wasn’t exactly afraid but was leery of him for sure. The bed wasn’t big enough to get away and she was within his reach if he just shot a hand out to grab her. He watched her, not moving until he took a deep breath.

“Please.”

That one word softened her resolve to refuse his demand. She inched closer to him, not sure what he’d do, but he just held still until she stretched out on her side after adjusting her skirt.

Her hand trembled when she lifted it and touched his chest. His eyes closed as she stroked him softly.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Chapter Seven

The bed shifting violently jerked Alli awake and she realized she’d drifted to sleep. The room had grown noticeably darker and she stared at 880. He wasn’t on the bed any longer but instead stood next to it with his back to her. His attention focused on the open door. Her gaze followed his.

Tiger stepped into sight as he reached the doorway and paused. “Hello. I brought her things.” He held out her gym bag. “Here.” Tiger studied her.

“Are you well?”

She sat up and checked her skirt, it was still below her knees. “I’m fine. We took a nap.”

880 stalked forward and took the bag by the strap. “Thank you. Leave now.”

Tiger’s mouth opened but he backed up. “Fine.

Trisha and Justice aren’t sure what you’re up to but as long as Dr. Alli agrees to be here, she can stay.

Just know there is an officer down the hall.”

Alli wasn’t sure if Tiger meant it as a warning to 880 or a reminder to her that help wasn’t far away.

“Leave,” 880 demanded.

“You really need to learn manners. You’re welcome.”

Tiger spun on his heel and left. 880 turned to face her and approached the bed. He dropped her bag and bent, unzipping it. His hands delved inside to scoop out her belongings.

“What are you doing?”

He shot her a glare and held up a pair of her sweatpants. He studied them before letting them fall on the bed. The nightshirt she’d asked for was inspected next. He read the words and frowned over the picture on it.

“Why do you have a shirt that says ‘bite me’?

Who has red canines?”

Embarrassment hit. “It is a shirt from a popular vampire show. Please put it down and stop going through my stuff.”

“Who is vampire and why do you want him to bite you?” Anger flashed in his eyes as he stared at her. “You said you didn’t have a male.”

“It’s not a who. It’s a…oh hell. They aren’t real. It’s a show on television.”

He dropped the nightshirt shirt and he held up her panties next. They looked small pinched between his thumb and index finger while he studied them. Alli launched to her knees and tried to grab them out of his hold but his reflexes were better as he jerked them higher, out of reach.

“Give those to me!”

“Behave,” he ordered as he grabbed the other side of them and used his fingers to open the waist as if she were inside them. His gaze left them to stare at her skirt. “These do not resemble the underwear they tried to give me. Where is the rest of the material? The slit in the front? Where is the back of them? I don’t understand why we now must wear something under our pants.”

“Those are bikini cut and women’s panties don’t have slits.” She inched closer. “I know you didn’t wear undergarments at Mercile but it’s just polite to wear them at Homeland. They gave you men’s underwear in the standard clothes package they put together for New Species. I brought my own clothes from my home when I moved here.

Give them back!”

“Are you wearing this under your skirt?” He stared at her waist.

“Of course. I’m not going to wear one without them.” Her open palm waited but he refused to hand them over, instead fingering the silky material. He shocked her more by rubbing it against his cheek.

“Soft. Show me what they look like on you.

Lift your skirt.”

“No way.” She forgot about her outrage that he was touching her panties and made a hasty retreat to the far corner of the mattress.

He dropped them on the bed. She was afraid he’d insist on seeing the ones she wore but he reached back inside her bag to pull out her bra.

He held it by the straps and frowned before he looked at her.

“Put it down. Please?” She knew she blushed.

“What is it?” He turned it in his hands and studied the cups. “These cover your breasts, don’t they? The form is the same.” He stared at her chest.

“Yes. It’s a bra.”

He growled and threw it over his shoulder. It sailed through the air and hit the opposite wall across the room next to the door. “You won’t wear that.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. There is no reason to restrain your body. It’s unnatural.”

She had no words. He went through the rest of her bag, sniffed at her shampoo, conditioner, and even the toothpaste. Alli seethed as she sat and crossed her arms over her chest. 880 was nosy and bad-mannered. He shoved things back inside the bag and walked it over to the bathroom, just dumping it inside the other room. He faced her.

“It will stay there until we shower.”

“We?”

He nodded. “We.”

“We are not showering together.”

His eyebrows lifted.

“You heard me. Don’t glare at me with that mean look. I’ve let you bully me this far but you just crossed the line—the Grand Canyon of them.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m not taking a shower with you.”

He turned his head to stare at the door and sniffed. “He brings our food.”

Field appeared in the doorway, carrying two large covered trays. He met Alli’s gaze and smiled. The look of relief on his face obvious.

“I’m glad all is well.” He addressed 880. “Here are your dinners.” He held out one toward him.

“Make sure you take your medicines. They are inside.”

880 prowled across the room and accepted the food. “Thank you. Leave.”

The smile disappeared as Field backed away.

“You really need to work on your social skills but I appreciate you remembering to say thank you.

That’s a big improvement.”

880 growled a warning and the other New Species fled. “They try to train me to say words with every action.” He brought the food to the bed and placed the trays at the end of the mattress. “Eat.”

“It’s called being polite.”

“It’s annoying. I’d get my own food if they’d allow me to leave here.”

Alli opened the lid over the plate and her stomach rumbled. She’d missed lunch. 880 turned his head to glance at her belly before his gaze met hers. She blushed. He had a keen sense of smell and hearing.

“You need to eat more. You’re too small. Do my people starve you as punishment for being human?”

“No!” It astonished her that his mind would go there. “I just came here before lunch was delivered. I eat three meals a day but I’ve been watching my weight.”

“What does that mean?”

“I am on a diet.”

He blinked, frowning.

“I have put on excess weight and want to lose it. My clothes are getting too tight.”

“Wear bigger ones.”

She wished things were that simple. He removed the covers and her attention fixed on her dinner. She knew her calorie counting had just gone out the window. They’d sent her chickenfried steak with a river of country gravy and mashed potatoes. Her gaze skirted to his meal.

Nearly raw strips of beef were piled high on a plate with uncooked carrots and cauliflower surrounding them.

“You like those?”

He lifted a carrot and it crunched as he bit down. “Yes.”

“You don’t want them cooked at all?”

The disgusted look on his face was almost comical but she didn’t dare laugh.

“Why would they do that?”

“They are good when steamed with butter and cheese. It’s a way they cook them in hot water.”

She noticed he avoided his pills. “You need to take those with your food.”

A soft rumble came from his throat. She wasn’t sure if he’d just growled or it was a sound of dislike. His gaze lifted to hers. She started to speak but he pinched one of the pills between his thumb and finger. “I will take them.”

“Thank you.”

He looked away and just popped them into his mouth. She shuddered a little when he didn’t swallow them down with water but instead chewed. It had to taste horrible.

“You don’t have to—” His head jerked her way and he growled. “I took them because you’re a doctor. I understand that it’s important to you. How I take them is up to me.”

“Fine.” She lifted her fork and knife to cut her meat. “It’s just that it’s easier if you drink them down.”

His gaze narrowed. “Be silent and eat.”

His hand shot out to the nightstand table and he grabbed the remote control for the television.

It came on a second later and she concentrated on her food. He might be a New Species but she decided he had one human trait. He thought it was going to end a conversation just because he turned on a hockey game. Her gaze darted to the sports channel he watched.

The fact he didn’t turn up the volume made her ponder why it was even on. He ate quickly, putting away everything on his plate. She could see why he was gaining weight so quickly. He turned when he was done and watched her. She tried to ignore his intent stare until she’d eaten her fill.

“I’m done.”

“Eat it all.”

She glared back at him. “Listen, 880, you’re being a bully again. I’m stuffed. I ate most of it and that was a huge plate of food. I can’t consume the amount that you do.”

He stood and carried both of their trays out into the hallway and closed the door when he returned, sealing them inside the room together.

Dread pitted her stomach as his gaze held hers.

“You’re supposed to leave that open.”

“I don’t take orders.”

“I’d feel better if it weren’t closed.”

“I want to talk to you without the male down the hall listening to us.”

Some of her trepidation faded. “About what?”

He stalked forward and the way he moved was almost predatory and put her on edge. Her heart rate increased and she tensed when he paused near the side of the bed to tower over her.

“Why did you try so hard to save me?”

“We discussed this already. I’m a doctor and you were my patient.”

His head tilted slightly as he watched her face.

“Why don’t human males investigate your scents and mate you?”

“What?” She hadn’t expected him to say that and tried to make sense of his words.

“You smell of food to tempt them into being hungry for you.”

“What?”

He sniffed and bent forward a little. “I smell fruit. Strawberries.”

“It’s my shampoo. It’s a common scent people use.”

He sniffed again. “They fed me French toast and you smell of it too.”

“That’s the vanilla from my deodorant. It’s another common scent people use.”

“You remind me of dessert and breakfast. You are urging a male to think of those things and what happens between those times—they go to bed. You wish one to take you there with him.”

Her mouth fell open in stunned surprise.

“Now you are showing me your teeth. They are smooth.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You wouldn’t be good at using them to nip a male’s skin to bring him greater arousal.” He frowned. “It is your small size. That’s why they avoid you. You’d break, sharing sex with a male.

We prefer a sturdier female.”

She gaped at him, not sure if she should feel insulted or not.

“You should bare your body to males. Show them those tiny scraps of material you use to hide your sex and stop restraining your breasts. They should be free at all times. That would tempt a male more into taking you for a mate. He’d want to put his hands on them and test how soft they are.”

“I don’t want a mate,” she sputtered, feeling offended. “You think I couldn’t get a guy? I totally could. I don’t smell like food either. I just don’t wear that stuff New Species prefer that doesn’t seem to be scented at all. All shampoos, conditioners, and body washes that we buy in stores are aromatic. That’s just how it is.”

“Humans are strange and weak. They need food scents to lure the opposite sex.” He sat down on the bed next to her. “Stroke my hair.”

“Play with your own hair!” She was angry.

He glared at her.

She glared back.

“Touch me. I like it.”

She tried to scoot off the bed and got one foot on the floor before his arm hooked around her waist. A gasp left her mouth as she ended up flattened under his heavy body when he pinned her down. Her anger morphed into fear.

“I said stroke my hair.” His face hovered over hers and his bare chest pressed tightly against her.

His body heat penetrated her thin shirt.

“Get off me.”

“You are irritable.”

“You just insulted me and who are you to make those kinds of assumptions? What do you know about the world? I’m not your personal nurse and even those wouldn’t play with your hair. You’re acting like a bully and a baby!”

He viciously snarled at her and she responded, a gut reaction. Her palm stung from striking him and they both froze. Oh shit! I just slapped him.

She felt the blood drain from her face. Anger glinted in his narrowed eyes. Her handprint showed red on his cheek.

The guy was huge and had her pinned under him. He could kill her for hitting him. She too made a sound but it was a soft whimper. Time seemed to freeze while she waited to see what he’d do. The urge to scream for help was strong.

His nostrils flared as he sucked in air through his nose and shifted his body over her, pressing more weight to pin her. One leg slid over the tops of her thighs to hold them down too. “You hit me.”

Her mouth opened but nothing came out. She was able to draw a breath though when her starving lungs wouldn’t be denied. His face lowered until his nose touched hers as he studied her eyes.

Alli was afraid to move. He’d just stated the obvious but he wasn’t attacking her. She counted that as a blessing while she tried to figure out how to get out of her current messy situation. He turned his head a little and broke eye contact with her to look at her throat.

Oh god. Is he going to tear it out with his sharp teeth? He wasn’t like any of the New Species she knew. 880 was as dangerous as Destiny had warned.

“Please…” she whispered.

He softly growled and lowered his face into the crook of her neck as his nose brushed her throat.

Hot breath fanned her skin and her eyes closed as she held very still.

“880? I’m sorry. You made me angry and scared at the same time. I just reacted.”

His nose traced up to her ear and she jerked under him when a hot, wet tongue licked her. He sniffed at her and nuzzled his face against her cheek to force her to turn away more. His long hair tickled where it had fallen across her arm.

She flattened her palms on his muscular chest and tried to push him away but it was like trying to move a wall. She couldn’t budge him.

“880?” Her voice quivered. “Please let me up.

You’re heavy and I said I was sorry. I shouldn’t have struck you.”

The tip of his tongue outlined the shell of her earlobe. It was an odd sensation but not unpleasant. He stopped and paused. “You are not the first female to strike me,” he rasped in a gruff voice.

“My mate did it often.”

Alli could understand that. 880 could be a brute and a bully.

“She grew testy at times.”

Like perhaps when you opened your mouth and made unreasonable demands, Alli thought silently, unwilling to state that aloud.

His leg moved and his toes wiggled under her ankle between it and the bed. She gasped when he shoved her thighs apart and gripped the bottom of her skirt. He just shoved it up and a big hand cupped the front of her panties. She was so shocked that it took her a moment to react. 880 didn’t have the same problem. Material ripped when his fingers slid between her panties and her skin, fisted the center panel and just yanked.

“Quiet,” his deep voice demanded and his sharp teeth very gently caught her earlobe for a split second before releasing it. “I’ll stroke and calm you.”

Her eyes flew open wide and she tried to turn her head to shove his face away but he warned her when he bit down again enough to make her gasp. His big hand cupped the curve of her pussy and rubbed. She shoved frantically at his chest but couldn’t move him.

“What are you doing?” Her voice came out as shaky as she felt.

She had a good guess though. She’d been warned by Tiger and Destiny. 880 was an adult New Species male. They were highly sexual. A part of her knew the second she’d agreed to stay with him that it was a real possibility that they’d end up doing more than just sleeping on his bed.

The fact that he’d already explored her body with his hands, obviously curious about her, only cemented that theory. She’d stayed despite it.

He released her earlobe. “Relax.” His hand moved, petting her. “You’re stressed and there’s no need. I won’t mount you. You’re too fragile.”

His hand moved back and forth, pressing just hard enough to massage her clit. Her rigid body only made it more intense as it sank into her frazzled mind that he wasn’t hurting her. His mouth returned to her neck and opened enough to lick her. Teeth scraped down the column of her throat. It didn’t hurt either. She almost wished it did as she shivered. It wasn’t from being cold since his big body was so warm.

Months of watching and worrying about 880 had made her obsess over him. He wasn’t a stranger. The fact that he was on top of her, looking incredibly sexy with that long hair while his mouth did wonderful things to her throat, was too much for her to resist. She’d had wildly inappropriate dreams about him touching her and now it was happening.

She could scream for help and draw attention from the officer stationed down the hallway. Instead she closed her mouth and tried to relax. 880 was seducing her. Curiosity and longing got the best of her. She stopped pushing at his chest and instead just clung to him. He was really warm and firm. Smooth skin tempted her to explore more of it and she gave in to the urge.

880 fought to control his desires as he carefully touched Alli. She was so small under him and felt delicate. He’d pushed the female too far until her temper had flared to life. Her slap still stung his cheek as his mouth tasted her skin. The urge to see what his hand touched grew stronger but he needed to keep her pinned down.

She pushed on his chest but her nails didn’t tear into his flesh. It meant she couldn’t be too irate. He closed his eyes, listening to the rhythm of her breathing and knew she was distracted from her anger when it increased. She had a little bit of hair where her underwear had covered her sex and it was soft. His mate hadn’t had any. His thumb found the bundle of nerves and stroked to calm her more.

46 always needed to be soothed when he made her angry enough to attack him. He didn’t want to argue with Alli. It was best to stop it before she got really worked up and forced him to fight the New Species down the hall if she decided to involve someone else. His tongue soothed her too, going for the places his mate had enjoyed best along the column of her throat.

Soon her body responded and he used the slickness of her desire to spread across her clit, making his touch easier. Her fingers dug into his chest wall but she didn’t score him with her fingernails. Her back arched and a soft pleasant sound of pleasure made his dick harder. Curiosity got the better of him as he shifted his hand just enough to carefully insert a finger inside the seam of her sex. She was very wet and the tightness of her pussy made him nearly lose his mind as he slid the digit inside her to the first knuckle.

“Oh god,” she whispered.

He growled softly in response and pressed his finger into her deeper. She was hot, tight, and felt as small as he had feared. She’d never be able to withstand being mounted. Frustration rose but he remembered it wasn’t about him. Alli needed to be soothed.

He withdrew his finger but pushed back in. Her body jerked under his and her hands slid up to his shoulders, clutching them. He noticed she wasn’t very strong and it reminded him she was human.

He curled his finger inside the small confines of her pussy, feeling for the right spot, and knew when he found it. She sucked in air sharply. He rubbed from the inside as his thumb did the same motion on her clit.

Her small hands kneading his shoulders felt good. Soft moans from her mouth next to his ear tormented him and his dick painfully throbbed.

He rolled his hips against her thigh back and forth, even that slight stroking of his shaft trapped inside his pants relieved some of the agony. He longed to flip her over and jerk her up to her knees and mount her from behind.

Her back arched again as she pressed tighter against him and one leg wiggled out from under his. She bent it and her inner thigh hugged his waist as her leg curled over his ass, pulling him closer to her. It was a sign of compliance that he’d won their battle of wills. She was giving him consent to take her body.

He wanted to howl in frustration since he knew that wasn’t possible. His finger moved faster and he applied a little more pressure against her clit, carefully though, since she wasn’t his kind. Her breathing grew ragged and her hips rode his hand when he lifted his weight just enough to brush his cock more firmly against her pinned leg.

He felt her body go rigid under his and jerked his face away from her throat. His lips sealed over her parted mouth to muffle her sounds before she cried out since he didn’t have a free hand to do it. The way her vaginal walls clamped down snugly around his finger was pure torture.

She came apart under him as she climaxed. The muscles around his finger fluttered strongly as she bucked from the intensity of it.

It shocked him when she screamed. He muffled it enough that he felt certain the guard down the hall wouldn’t hear anything but fear gripped him. Had he hurt her somehow? His finger straightened inside her and he could feel how much sleeker she felt from her release. Her body turned limp under his and she turned her head, pulling away from his lips. She panted softly and it made him curious enough to stare at her face.

Her eyes were closed and her face flushed. He slowly withdrew his finger from her pussy and couldn’t resist tasting her. He groaned the second his fingertip touched his tongue and he sucked on it. Alli’s spent passion was so good he wanted more. She didn’t fight when he cautiously shifted his weight to release her. He lowered a little, fully intent on spreading her thighs to bury his face between them.

Her blue eyes opened suddenly and he froze.

He’d never seen anyone stare at him that way before. It wasn’t anger in her eyes but he couldn’t identify the emotion either. Her hands released his shoulders and she cupped his face.

His gaze lowered to her mouth when her lips parted, curious what she’d say. It would help him figure out the strange yet fascinating way she peered at him. Her tongue was light pink as it wet her lips and she lifted her head, her hold on his face helping her close the distance between them.

It puzzled him when she closed her eyes before pressing her lips against his. Hers were incredibly soft and yielding. He didn’t know what it meant or why she did it. It became even more baffling when she opened her mouth and sucked on his bottom lip. It didn’t hurt. He’d been prepared for her to injure him with her teeth as retribution for dominating her body. It was more of a soft tug and it was nice.

Alli let go and her tongue slid between his lips.

The feel of the tip of it touching his fangs did painful things to his dick. Blood rushed there until he wasn’t sure if he’d ever been so hard in his life. Her face turned just slightly and she took more of his mouth with hers. The sensation of her exploring him that intimately nearly made his control snap. He held very still and allowed it.

She suddenly stopped and pulled back, breaking the contact. Her eyes opened and he could identify the emotion he saw when she stared at him then. Confusion. He could relate.

“Don’t flee this room,” he rasped, his voice coming out thick and gruffer than he intended.

“Do you understand?”

She nodded sharply.

880 pushed away from her, rolled off the bed and rushed inside the bathroom. His dick made moving an excruciating experience but he made it out of the room. The second the door closed between them he tore at the front of his pants. His hand fisted his shaft and he roughly pumped it.

His back pressed tightly against the door as he held his breath to avoid making noise. He came violently within seconds.

Chapter Eight

Alli shoved her skirt down her legs as she sat up. The bathroom door remained closed but water came on. Shock held her still otherwise, her brain reeling from what had taken place. She couldn’t think straight even with 880 out of the room.

Why is he in there? She’d kissed him or tried to, urging him to take her. She stared at the door that separated them as he showered. She’d given him the green light to do whatever he wanted to her body. Why hadn’t he taken her up on it?

It could be his dead mate. That possibility made her feel guilt-ridden. He’d just woken from his coma after watching the murder of the woman he loved. He’d been injured when he’d gone insane trying to reach her killers and attacked the bars of the cage they’d kept him locked inside.

Her arms hugged her waist as she stared sadly at the closed door between them. She’d spent months watching him sleep and learning as much as she could about his life before he’d been rescued. No files existed and the Mercile employees who’d been arrested weren’t forthcoming with much information. They’d heard on the news that the Mercile facilities were being targeted by the police and had stolen a few of the New Species.

Those lowlife jerks had tried to use their sperm to sell to some European company who’d wanted to create half-breed babies to sell on the black market as if they were some form of pets for the rich.

They’d probably stolen a mated pair of New Species in hopes of them having a child. There were only a few known cases of Mercile putting the males and females together long enough for them to become bonded. The best theory so far was that Mercile had hoped a mated pair would create a viable pregnancy. Another was that they’d used the women to control the men. The employees who’d stolen them must have given up on the female becoming pregnant and just killed her.

The water shut off in the other room and Alli braced for his return. She had no idea how to act or what to say but she wasn’t going to leave. His mental state concerned her. Would he feel guilty for touching her? Regret it? She didn’t even know why it had happened in the first place if he didn’t want her.

He opened the door abruptly, jerking her from her thoughts. His hair was wet and he wore only a towel draped around his lean hips. A lot of tan, sexy skin showed, covered with water droplets.

His stomach was flat with perfect six-pack abs on display. Dusky nipples were puckered—a temptation to lick and suck on them. One of his hands flattened near his lower belly to rub away water and she wished it were her palm on him instead. Or her mouth. She just wanted to explore every masculine inch of him up close and personal. The silence stretched, reminding her that he was probably watching her too. Alli peered into his eyes to judge his mood but he regarded her coolly, either unaffected by what had taken place or just really good at hiding his emotions.

“You can’t shower.”

That wasn’t what she expected him to say.

“Okay.”

He crossed the room to the dresser and opened the top drawer. His back was to her when he just dropped his towel to reveal his bare, beefy ass to step into a pair of loose cotton sweatpants.

Her gaze lifted from the dark-blue material to the faded scars on his back. She was tempted to ask how he’d received them but refrained. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him pain by making him relive his past.

880 turned and approached the bed. She tensed a little but he just sat heavily on the edge. His attention fixed on the muted television. Time crawled by as she waited for him to say or do anything but he just kept his back to her. He didn’t move but she finally did. She rolled over and crawled off the bed. A hand shot out and captured her wrist.

He stared at her when she met his gaze.

“Where are you going?”

“The bathroom.”

“I said you can’t shower.”

“I took one this morning. I was going to use the bathroom.”

His fingers released. “Don’t lock it.”

“Fine.”

The mirror was steamed over when she entered the bathroom. He obviously enjoyed really hot showers. She quickly used the bathroom and opened the storage cupboards to locate an extra toothbrush. It didn’t take long to brush her teeth, wash her face, and finally snag a hairbrush on her way back into his room.

880 watched her silently when she opened the door and cautiously approached. He glanced at her hand. “What are you going to do with that?”

“I thought I’d brush out your hair.”

His eyebrows lifted.

“I’ve done this for you at least a hundred times.”

Surprise registered on his features. “You did?”

She eased her knee on the mattress and scooted behind him. Her hand trembled a little as she started at the bottom to gently work the brush through the wet strands. “Yes. You’ve been using conditioner still. Good. I was worried they’d forget to show you what it was. We don’t want it to become a tangled mess again.”

He turned his face enough to watch her. She met his gaze before going back to her task. There was something intimate but nice about tending to him. Familiar. He wasn’t lying still anymore, though, flat on his back. It also made it easier to reach it all with him sitting. She loved his long hair.

Ted Treadmont had wanted to cut it after their patient was brought in but Alli had fought him tooth and nail. She’d personally cleaned it the first time and tended to the worst of the knotted mess it had been. It had taken her hours to work the tangles out since they’d estimated at the time of his rescue that he probably hadn’t been cleaned in weeks. It was worth all the effort as she studied her handiwork.

“All done.”

880 twisted his body to face her and his hand shot out to jerk the hairbrush from her fingers. He frowned. “Why would you brush my hair?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“You wouldn’t stroke it.”

It reminded her that she’d slapped him and she eased back on her haunches on the bed. “Did you use to brush it out when you were held in captivity?”

“My mate tended to my hair as I did hers. We used our fingers to comb it out after we bathed.”

“She had long hair too?”

He nodded. “The technicians didn’t cut our hair often. It was too dangerous.”

“Why would it be?”

A low rumble came from him. “We tried to kill them.”

“Oh.” She was glad she was sitting.

“They were the enemy.”

“Right.”

“Humans cause harm.”

“I don’t.”

“You’re a doctor.” He tossed the brush to the floor and turned toward her more, his hands braced on the bed as he half crouched. “I’m tired.

We are going to sleep.”

She’d slept poorly since she’d been arrested.

It couldn’t have been past seven at night but she didn’t point out how early it was or how they’d already taken a short nap. The idea of sleeping didn’t sound bad. “Okay.”

His gaze lowered. “Unbind your breasts.”

The breath caught in her lungs but she nodded, reaching behind her. It didn’t take long to unfasten the bra and pull the straps down her arms.

She reached up the front of her shirt and just pulled it off. 880 snatched it from her fingers to study it.

He shocked her by lifting the cups of her bra up to his nose and drawing in a deep breath. He stared into her eyes the entire time and then just tossed it away to the floor. His fist gripped the blankets to pull them down farther.

“Get under the blankets. You don’t keep body heat well.”

“Your body temperature runs slightly hotter than a typical human’s. Mine is normal.”

“Get under them.”

“You could say ‘please’.”

He snarled, flashing fangs. She moved, crawling up the bed and rolled over, lying on her side facing him. He dragged the covers over her legs to her waist and sprawled out on his back next to her. One hand grabbed his wet hair to drag it to the top of his pillow and he turned to look at her.

“Lift your head.”

She did what he wanted and he stretched his other arm out to offer her a pillow with his biceps.

It was intimate again as she lowered her cheek to rest against his hot skin. He was still a little damp but he smelled nice.

“Closer.”

Her gaze held his as she wiggled a few inches over until her shirt pressed against the side of his ribs. He was so big. He reached with his other arm and clicked off the television. The room darkened since the sun was almost down.

“Sleep.”

Alli watched him close his eyes but she couldn’t just drift off. Her mind was too filled with questions and worries about 880. Did he regret touching her? Why had he done it? Those thoughts just wouldn’t fade.

“880?”

“What?” He didn’t open his eyes.

“Why did that happen between us?”

His lips pursed and she didn’t think he’d give her an answer. Long seconds dragged by. The tension around his mouth eased. “It distracted you from your fit of rage.”

She let his words sink in and hated the pain it caused. “Oh.” He hadn’t wanted to touch her at all but instead had used her body to manipulate her. It made what had happened between them seem dirty and cold. Alli suddenly rolled to face the other way but kept his arm under her face since he seemed adamant about that.

“Where are you going?”

“Nowhere. I’m still here.”

“Your voice sounds strange.”

“I’m tired,” she lied.

“I want you tighter against me.”

She wiggled back until her butt pressed against his hip and her back rested along his torso. “Is that better?”

“You can’t stroke me in that position.”

Her hands fisted. “Here’s a life lesson for you.

You can’t always get what you want. I’m here and that should be enough.”

“What does that mean?”

“Goodnight, 880.” She closed her eyes.

Silence descended and she tried to fall asleep.

He wasn’t a typical man and maybe he didn’t see anything wrong with what he’d done or the reason for it. It still hurt but she was trying to get past it. Taking it personally would just hurt more.

“Alli?”

“What?”

“Stroke me.”

Her teeth clenched and she lifted an arm up to curl her fingers around his hand. She caressed the back of it. It would have to do because she didn’t want to face him. It would be too tempting to watch him until the light completely faded from the room.

“Alli?”

“What?”

He sniffed. “What are you feeling?”

“Tired.”

“I don’t believe you.” He growled. “You’re being dishonest and human. I don’t like that.”

She debated on denying it but if he wanted an argument, she wasn’t going to back away from it.

“Why do you want to know?”

He paused. “Have I injured your feelings? My mate would grow very silent when I did that and refuse to look at me. You are acting that way.”

She released him and rolled, sitting up. Giving him a piece of her mind might clear the air. He looked sexy stretched out on the bed with his hair flowing over the other side of the pillow. It pissed her off.

“I’m a person with feelings, 880. How would you feel if I touched you just to change your mood and for no other reason?”

“I asked you to stroke me. That would help me sleep. It’s what I want.”

Irritation flared. “Would you welcome me stroking you if I did it to manipulate you into doing what I wanted? That’s how I feel. Sex isn’t something you use that way. I get that you’re different but let’s look up the definition of decency tomorrow, shall we? It seems you need to learn what that is.”

His eyes narrowed. “It would depend on where you rub me and what you wanted from me. That would determine if it angered me or not.”

“You’re such a man.” She turned away and lay down, giving him her back.

“I’m a male. I’m not human.”

She refrained from calling him a pig.

“Alli?” He growled her name. “Don’t turn away from me. We are talking.”

“No. We’re done. I’m going to sleep.”

“Alli.”

The tone was threatening. She turned her head and shot him a glare. “Don’t snarl at me.”

He turned on his side, facing her. “Do you want to strike me again?”

“No. I want you to be quiet and let me cool down. That’s all you need to do. Keep your hands to yourself. Don’t even think about trying your version of mood therapy on me again.”

“You’re stressed.”

“Damn straight. A man should touch a woman because he wants to and she wants him to. It’s not supposed to be about controlling someone.”

“You enjoyed it.”

“I really don’t like you at this moment.” She couldn’t believe he was going to throw that fact in her face when she was angry.

“Do you know why I refuse to allow you to shower?”

“You’re a control freak?”

“I like the way you smell.” He inhaled deeply.

“I don’t want you to wash away that sweet scent.”

She gaped at him.

His gaze lowered to her hips. “You taste good.”

She was taken aback. His meaning was clear.

“I couldn’t resist doing that but I should have.

You’re still on my tongue.” His voice deepened.

“You should be frightened of what I want to do to you.” Those gorgeous eyes of his met hers. “I wanted to mount you but you’d break.”

That snapped her out of her dazed state. “I, um…” She wasn’t sure what to say.

“Lie down and curl into me, Alli. We should sleep.”

Temptation to discuss that topic was almost overwhelming. He was a big man, strong, but she didn’t think he’d actually hurt her if they had sex. Of course she wasn’t sure what his version of mounting meant. He could be used to rough sex that would leave her bruised and sore. That wasn’t an appealing concept.

She swallowed hard and inched closer to him as he stretched flat onto his back. He was warm when she curled up to his side and closed her eyes. He didn’t speak again and she remained silent too.

880 couldn’t sleep but Alli finally did. Her breathing changed and her body softened against him. The scent of her drove him a little insane and his dick hardened painfully after he relaxed. He had maintained an iron control over his body to hide how strongly she affected him. It had been difficult to keep his responses in check but he hadn’t wanted to spook her into calling out for help.

He lifted his hand to finger the soft, light strands of her hair. It didn’t feel the same as his or 46’s. Alli’s pale hair fascinated him. It was so light and the texture too soft. He brought some of it up to his nose. She smelled like food and he wanted to eat her. Just the thought of burying his face between her thighs made him struggle to remain still.

He eased his arm out from under her head when he knew he couldn’t take being close to her anymore. It was torture. She didn’t stir and he rolled away, getting to his feet. He paced the confines of the room and his gaze kept straying to her form. The urge to take her was growing stronger by the minute.

He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. The male down the hall was reading a book and his head jerked up to stare at him. 880 approached him quickly.

“I need to run now.”

Surprise registered on the other male’s features. “I need to make some calls and—”

“I’m going to mount her if I don’t run right now. Do you know Alli? She’s human and small.

I need to run.” He hated the way he snarled the words but he had promised not to cause her harm.

The other male closed his book and dropped it to the floor. “I understand. Come on. I can’t take you outside without permission but I think I know what will help.”

“What?”

“If you can’t fuck, you should enjoy fighting.”

The male grinned. “I’ve been there. You should learn anyway. We’ll go to the roof. Come on.”

He opened the elevator and 880 stepped inside.

He eyed the other male, a match physically to himself. “What are you called?”

“Moon.” He paused. “That’s the first thing I saw when they brought me out of Mercile. It was beautiful hanging there so high in the sky. I knew then my life was forever changed.”

The elevator opened and they were at the roof.

There was an extended porch roof over it to shield it from the weather. Moon led him out onto the flat surface, which had three-foot walls around the perimeter of the building. The male pointed up.

“Look. It’s not a full moon but isn’t it beautiful? It’s a beacon of hope and light to those lost in the darkness.” He gazed at 880. “That’s why I took that for a name.”

880 felt his chest tighten. “You chose well.”

The male stripped out of his chest coverings and sat down, tearing at his boots. “I hate these things. The entire uniform sucks but we’re required to wear them. Give me one more minute to get comfortable. I’ll teach you basic fight skills.

That will rid you of some of your excess energy.

I’ve seen Dr. Alli and I get why you’re on edge.”

He didn’t know what to say.

“You know that some of us are mated to humans, don’t you?” Moon removed his weapons, dropping them on his discarded shirt and vest.

“They aren’t like our females. They’re all soft and smaller.” He rose to his feet and walked to the center of the large area. “You had a mate from what I heard. I’m sorry for her loss.”

“I didn’t know some of our kind had mated humans.” He was surprised. “That works out fine?”

“Yes.”

“They murdered my mate in front of me.”

Moon’s mouth tightened into a grim line of anger and it flashed in his gaze. “Fucking Mercile. I know the rage you must feel. I didn’t have a mate but there was a female once I cared about. They did something to her, pumped her full of some experimental drug. It killed her. They didn’t care.”

He took a deep breath. “Do you still want to fight or talk?”

880 debated and sat down. “Talk to me.”

Moon sat a few feet away. “What do you want to know?”

“How do we mate with females who are so fragile?”

“The doctor is under your skin, isn’t she? They are very different from our females. Softer and not aggressive.”

“She struck me.”

Moon frowned. “Why?”

“I made her angry.”

“How did you respond?”

“I didn’t harm her or cause her pain. I soothed her temper by stroking her body until she wasn’t confrontational anymore. That’s why I want to mount her. They smell so good when they are aroused.”

The male he faced smiled. “Yeah. I know.” He licked his lips. “Damn tasty too. They have not learned control over their bodies either. They respond without restraint.” Moon chuckled. “Their males don’t appreciate their bodies the way we do. Did you feel inside her?”

A growl burst from him. “She’s too small to accommodate me.”

“Go very slow and be gentle. They stretch and she’ll be able to take you. I’ve been there a few times with human females. Just be aware of your strength. Restraint is the key word. I’ve never shared sex with one as small as her but some of our males have mated human females who are her size.”

“I was told the humans who murdered my mate are being held captive. I want at them. How do I do that?”

Moon sighed. “I hear you and I understand.

You’re never going to get access to them. They aren’t being held here by the NSO. Humans have them locked up in what they call a private prison system some miles away. They are contained inside small cages with a toilet and sink. They have no freedom. They suffer there for their crimes against us. They are separated from everything they held dear and aren’t going to be freed. I visited there once when it opened. It’s as bad as we were subjected to but in different ways.”

“What differences?”

“Open cages with bars where they can see each other. They have no privacy. We had that at least.

But they aren’t chained to the walls constantly.

Their cages are smaller than the rooms we were held in. The humans who guard them are just as cruel from what I understand. They are suffering.” Moon paused. “Death would be too swift a punishment. They will never be released and will have to survive a long time with those living conditions. Do you understand?”

“I still want to kill them.”

“I know and sympathize.”

880 lifted his head to stare at the sky. “Do you ever get accustomed to this?”

Moon looked up. “No. It takes my breath away every time. Freedom is a wonderful thing. Try to enjoy it and let go of the past.”

880 softly growled. “I can’t.”

The other male met his gaze and held it. “You have a female in your room. This is a new life.

Holding on to the past means you can never be open to having a future. It took me months to come to terms with that. To embrace it. Give yourself a chance to know peace.”

“What will happen to me when they allow me to leave this building?”

“You’ll be shown to the men’s dorm. That’s what it is called despite us being ‘males’. The humans built this place as a military base but gave it to us instead. You’ll have a private home inside it and live with other males in the large building.

We’ll find something you like to do so you can become a part of our community. You’ll live, 880.

You’ll flourish and survive with your own kind.

It’s what we do and we’re good at it.” His gaze drifted to his discarded items. “They’ll make you wear the uniform while on duty.” He chuckled.

“You’ll hate the footwear but you’ll adjust.” He looked back at him. “You need a new name. It will be the final step in gaining your freedom.

Mercile gave you a number. Take that away from them too.”

“I don’t know what to call myself.”

The male slowly climbed to his feet and offered his hand. “Come with me. There are these neat electronic things called computers. They have dictionaries inside them and we’ll discuss how you feel and see yourself. I’m sure we can find something that will fit.”

880 clasped his hand and was pulled to his feet.

“Dictionary?”

“A source of all meanings and words.” The male released him and scooped up his belongings. “Let’s go do some research.”

880 followed the male to the elevator. They stepped inside and he stared at Moon. “Thank you.”

“We’re family. We look out for each other. I’m here to help you.”

Emotion filled 880. “I appreciate it.”

“No need for that.” A grin spread on the male’s lips. “I’m just glad we didn’t fight. I wasn’t sure I could take you.”

880 laughed. It was good to be free.

Chapter Nine

Alli was having the best dream yet about 880. A fervor of need radiated from her clit as his strong mouth tugged on it. A hot tongue slid lower to swipe at the entrance of her pussy and a soft growl rumbled from him. His hair tickled her spread thighs and she reached down as her back arched, found his head, and gripped it.

His mouth returned to her clit as his tongue laved the swollen bundle of nerves, sending ecstasy to her brain. Part of her wanted to wake but she resisted, holding on to the dream desperately since she was so close to coming. The climax hovered just out of reach and she tugged on his silky hair, urging him to help her get there.

“Please,” she moaned.

He sucked as his strong tongue pressed against her clit, moving back and forth in an up-and-down motion. It was just the extra sensation she needed as she climaxed hard. Her body jerked and she fisted his hair while she rode out the pleasure surging through her entire body.

Her thighs were shoved farther apart and she gasped when his tongue drove inside her pussy, the thick muscle working in deep. Her eyes flew open and she stared at the ceiling. It was barely discernible in the dim morning light. Another growl emanated from 880, a louder, deeper one, and his tongue withdrew to lick the seam of her sex. It sank in fast that it was reality.

She gasped and tried to twist away but strong hands gripped her inner thighs, pinning her tightly to the bed. She lifted her head to find her skirt bunched up at her waist and she tugged frantically on his hair, which she still clasped.

He finally stopped and his face lifted. His eyes looked black in the weak sunlight coming through the small windows near the ceiling of the basement room. She just stared at him, too dazed to speak.

He licked his lips and glanced down. Their gazes met again before he lowered his face. His tongue fastened over her clit and he sucked. The sensitive bundle of nerves made her cry out. He drove his tongue inside her again before he released her thighs. His hands planted on the bed next to her hips and he lifted up.

She still couldn’t speak. Her mouth worked, she knew it was opening and closing, probably looking similar to a fish out of water. 880 crawled higher until his face hovered over her breasts. She eased her fingers out of his hair.

“You taste good,” he rasped. “I want more.”

Her hands shot out and pressed against his hot skin. Alli panted, recovering from the climax while her vaginal muscles still fluttered from the aftermath. Her nipples were taut, showing through her thin shirt, very noticeable when she followed 880’s intense stare.

He balanced his upper body weight with one arm and grabbed the waist of her shirt and shoved it up. Air hit her breasts and they responded to the chilliness of the room by growing tauter. He dipped his head and hot breath fanned the right one.

“Want,” he growled.

It was the only warning she got before he clamped his mouth down. The sharp points of his fangs pressed into her tender flesh but it didn’t hurt. His tongue rasped over the nipple. He growled again and his chest vibrated against her flattened palms. He suckled her in strong tugs that instantly made her moan.

She lifted her legs and hugged him around the waist. He was between her thighs and her calves locked down on warm skin and a firm, muscular ass. It dawned on her that she could feel so much of him. He wasn’t wearing pants. Her toes curled and found purchase on the back of his thighs.

They were bare too. 880 was naked.

She slid her fingers up to his shoulders, desperate for something to cling to. He shifted his body a little higher over hers until something thick, hard, and hot bumped against her lower belly and thigh where her legs were drawn up. She released him with one hand to reach between them, seeking the source. His cock was easy to find.

The thickness she explored didn’t allow her fingers and thumb to touch when she tried to totally encircle the girth of his shaft. Another moan broke from her parted lips as she tightened her hold around his waist with her legs. It helped her elevate her hips as she repositioned his rigid shaft until the crown of it ended up where she wanted it.

He pushed the head of his cock against her gently, trying to enter her pussy but her body resisted the broad tip. A snarl was muffled against her breast but she understood his frustration, feeling it too. Alli rolled her hips just enough to align the angles of their pelvises and squeezed him with her legs again. He pressed against the opening of her pussy and it stretched to take him.

“Yes,” she urged. “Slow…but take me.”

His mouth tore away from her breast and his head lifted. His eyes were incredible when they were filled with passion. The brown appeared brighter and even more beautiful than normal.

His cock pushed into her deeper, her vaginal walls accepting the thick girth. It was a tight fit and she could feel all of him in a way that she’d never experienced before.

“Alli,” he rasped, his gaze narrowing and a look of pain transforming his features.

“Don’t stop,” she almost begged when he froze.

“You’re so small.”

She glanced away from him to peer between their bodies since he kept all of his upper body off her. He was big all over. With her hips angled upward, she could see where they were barely joined and the sight turned her on more. She lifted her gaze to his.

“I can take you. Just ease in.”

He flashed sharp fangs. “Am I hurting you?”

She shook her head and used her hold on him to shift her body. His eyes closed and his mouth tightened into a firm line as his nose flared.

Another deep growl tore from him. The pleasure of slowly rocking her body under him, her pussy taking a little more of his thick shaft with each motion of her hips, made her want to claw him when she removed her hand from the base of his cock to grab a handful of firm ass.

His eyes opened to stare at her. Shock flashed over his features but it was quickly gone as she kept using her legs and arms to move under him.

He was halfway in, from what she’d seen, and she couldn’t wait to feel all of him buried deep. It was going to be amazing.

He growled. “Stop.”

She froze. “Don’t you dare say that. You started this and we’re finishing it.”

His eyes widened, clearly taken aback that she’d made those demands. “I want to mount you. You need to let go of me and roll over. Get on your hands and knees.”

“We’re fine in this position. I don’t want to change.”

“We can’t do this.”

“Why not?” Dread filled her that he’d maybe been partially asleep and he’d put the brakes on their lovemaking now that he was fully awake.

She was turned-on, aching, and wanted him. “I can feel how hard you are. You’re like stone.”

“I need to mount you.”

The guy must really like doggy style but she wasn’t willing to chance him changing his mind.

She rolled her hips, causing his cock to move inside her. Her fingernails dug into his ass and he jumped a little. His hips drove his shaft deeper inside her. She moaned at the feel of him.

“Alli,” he snarled. “I need to mount you before I lose control. Stop playing with me.”

“Playing?” She stared at him, baffled. “I’m telling you to fuck me. Don’t stop.”

“I’m too close to losing it,” he warned.

“Losing what?” She wondered if they were speaking too different languages. If she had a green flag, she’d wave the damn thing. “Move inside me.” That was pretty clear.

He rocked his hips and hit a spot inside her pussy that made her throw her head back with a moan. “Yes. Right there.”

He growled in response and withdrew a little.

Her vaginal muscles clamped down around his thick shaft of their own accord, wanting to hold him there. He paused and pushed back inside her with one swift thrust of his hips. Alli moaned louder.

“Yes. Just like that.”

His face dropped to her neck and his mouth opened on the side of her throat as he repeated the motion. Her hand released his ass to travel up his back to clutch his shoulder blade as she hiked her legs higher up his waist to cross her ankles over the center of his ass. The feel of his muscles bunching as he kept fucking her added to the sensation of his cock plowing through all the nerve endings that were screaming from ecstasy inside her head. Her eyes closed tightly, to just concentrate on 880.

His cock was rock hard and large. She’d always wondered if bigger really was better and she became a believer that it was. The thickness of his shaft rubbed against her inner walls snugly, dragging across nerve endings with every shift of his hips. The fact that he wasn’t wearing a condom only seemed to make it better. It was a first for her and she noticed the wonderful difference.

This is insane and wrong, a part of her mind whispered. He was a patient. He’s having unprotected sex with you. She moaned louder, close to coming. It’s okay, she reminded her conscience.

New Species don’t carry sexual diseases and he can’t get me pregnant. Shut up!

He moved faster, put a little weight down on her until her nipples brushed against his chest wall, and the added sensation sent her to the edge of coming hard. His teeth bit down and the faint sting of pain from his canines pushed her over.

She turned her head and sealed her lips over her upraised arm to muffle the sound as she came. It was so intense it almost made her see stars.

880 released her neck, his hot breath and tongue gone, and he groaned loudly. She could feel his cock swelling inside her as his movements slowed to sharp, rough thrusts. Warmth spread deep inside her pussy as he came, locking inside her until he couldn’t move at all. The pressure was intense but it didn’t hurt. He shivered over her and another flood of his release shot inside her with noticeable vigor.

Her eyes opened as she turned her head, her lips and nose brushing his cheek where he’d buried his face against the mattress. He must have flipped his hair out of the way because the long strands fell across the other side of the bed against his side and rested against her arm. Her hold eased as her body relaxed.

He was breathing hard and finally he lifted his head. She couldn’t miss noticing he’d bitten into the mattress for some reason because part of the sheet was torn where it had caught on his canines when he’d yanked them loose. His brown eyes met hers. Alli couldn’t breathe as she waited to see how he’d react to what had happened between them.

“Am I causing you pain?”

She licked her lips to wet them. He’d whispered the words in a husky tone. She studied his gaze, not seeing regret in his stare but she wasn’t sure what he felt either. He was too good at hiding his emotions.

“No.”

“I swell at the base of my dick.”

“I know. I’ve heard that would happen.”

He blinked. “It will go down in a few minutes.”

“I know that too.”

His cock flexed inside her and her vaginal muscles quivered from the aftereffects of climaxing. His gaze narrowed as she softly moaned again.

“Why?”

“Why did I shiver? Body reaction. Sorry. I can’t help it any more than you can.”

Full lips twisted into a frown. “I’m not talking about that. Why this way?”

No, she inwardly whispered. Don’t regret this.

I can’t take the guilt I’m going to feel. “What did you think would happen when you decided to perform oral sex on me?”

He lowered his body over her, used his elbows to hold his weight enough to prevent him from smothering her, but she was pinned under him.

He stared at her face with a grim expression.

Shit. She closed her eyes. He regretted what they’d done and it hurt. What did you expect?

He’s all messed up inside. He tried to call a halt to this but you locked around him like a drowning idiot intent on taking him down too. She pushed her voice of conscience back, knowing she needed to face the consequences.

“This isn’t natural.”

That statement stunned her enough for her eyes to pop open to gawp at him. “What?”

“This is wrong.”

Her hands shifted and she pushed on his chest, forgetting they were locked together. “Get off me then.”

“I can’t.”

She remembered then that his penis had locked inside her and looked anywhere but at him. With him on top of her and his chest so wide, her view was limited. She turned her head to stare at the closed door. It mocked her once again, knowing she never should have entered his room.

She had no one to blame but herself. He wasn’t responsible for his actions, probably was reeling from all he’d been through.

“I’m so sorry,” she got out, her throat wanting to close around the lump that formed there. “Let me go as soon as the swelling reduces and I’ll leave. This is totally my fault, 880.” She refused to look at him still. “You’re not to blame, okay? I want you to remember and know that. I take full responsibility.”

“I am no longer 880. I am Species and will be called Obsidian.” Anger darkened his eyes as they narrowed. “What do you mean by taking responsibility? What fault are you speaking of?”

Alli knew she gawked as her gaze focused on his face. It was just that the shocks kept coming one after another. She’s woken to him going down on her and they’d had sex. He regretted it and now he had taken a name. Her sluggish mind tried to catch up, working to think about the one he’d chosen.

“Obsidian?”

“Yes. Good.” Some of the tension left his features. “Call me that. No more numbers. Mercile no longer controls my life.”

Obsidian. She tried to think of the definition.

A lot of Species preferred to take a name that had meaning to them. “Isn’t that a lava rock or something along those lines?”

He growled. “It fits me. I am burning inside and hardened by the life I was given. Darkness was taken as a name already. So were a lot of the names I wanted. This fits me. Do you question it?”

“It wasn’t an insult.” She hadn’t meant it that way. “You’re burning inside?”

“I feel rage.” His voice turned into a snarl.

“Humans took my life away.”

“I didn’t,” she quickly reminded him, suddenly feeling very vulnerable and small pinned under him.

“They killed 46.”

His mate. She swallowed hard and her hands rubbed his skin in an attempt to calm him a little.

“Obsidian,” she whispered. “Please take a deep breath. I just asked a question. I’m not your enemy.”

His gaze lowered to her still-bare breasts where her shirt had been pushed up. “I am not so certain.”

It hurt. Deeply. Alli blinked rapidly to hide the tears that filled her eyes. How could things go so wrong so fast? She’d been sleeping and then she’d woken to his mouth. It had all been a haze of passion and need until they faced the aftermath of what they’d done together. He regretted it and worse, he seemed not to even like her much if he were comparing her to Mercile.

“Your swelling should be over. Will you please let me up?”

“No.” He settled more of his weight over her, pinned her tighter to the bed. His temper did seem to dissipate somewhat as his tone turned from gruff to husky. “Explain responsibility and why you feel it.”

“It means this is my fault. What happened between us just now is something I should have avoided. You’ve gone through a lot and I don’t want you to feel bad for having sex with me.”

“It felt really good.” He inched his face closer to stare deeply into her eyes. “I woke to your scent and I wanted to taste. I did this. You didn’t manipulate me, Alli. You have no power over what I do.”

“You are wrong. I—” He suddenly thrust into her deep, making her moan. His cock was still hard but the swelling had subsided enough that he could move inside her again without the intense pressure. His mouth parted to flash his sharp fangs at her as he withdrew almost from her before he drove back into her again. He froze.

“You don’t tell me what to do, Alli. Can you stop me? Force me to move from your body?

Who is responsible? Tell me.”

He meant to show her who was in control and she knew it.

“I could take you again for hours and you’d be powerless to stop me. Your body would have to take mine as long as I want.”

She was going to go to hell. A small part of her mind admitted that because it didn’t sound bad at all if he fucked her over and over. She’d be sore later since she’d not had sex in such a long time but he felt so good she didn’t care about consequences. It was all about the here and now to her.

She wanted him.

His hips rolled and he found the spot inside her that made her breath catch. His nose brushed hers as he drew even closer. “Who is responsible?”

“You.”

Something flickered in his eyes before he pulled away and lifted his chest from hers. He separated their bodies slowly, almost regretfully, and it forced her to release his waist from the grip of her legs. She glanced at his cock and couldn’t help but appreciate the sight of how aroused he still seemed to be.

“Go shower.”

She met his gaze as he backed away from her on his hands and knees until he slid off the end of the bed to stand.

“Now, Alli.” He looked angry again. “Otherwise I will lose what control I have left.”

She sat up and shoved her shirt down to hide as much of her body from him as possible. “What does that mean?”

He stepped to the side to clear a path from the bed to the bathroom. “Go,” he demanded.

Something in the intense way he looked at her made her inch down the bed. There was a hint of danger in the air that she could sense. She just wasn’t sure why. He looked angry though. The floor of the room was chilly to her bare feet after having them pressed against his warm body. Her legs were shaking as she took hesitant steps toward the open doorway to the shower.

A hand shot out and gripped her upper arm.

Alli stared at him with dread and fear. He closed his eyes as he deeply inhaled. A soft, animalistic sound came from his parted lips and he licked them. The hold on her forearm eased until he let go.

“Keep the door open. Go wash quickly. Your scent is driving me insane.”

She fled. The reason behind his mood swings was a mystery to her but she was grateful he hadn’t hurt her physically.

Obsidian breathed through his mouth but Alli’s arousal taste was still there. His dick throbbed to take her again. The memory of being inside her would torment him. So soft, so tight and wet. It also angered him deeply.

A stab of pain pierced his heart. The memory of his mate filtered through his mind and how long they had been forced to live together. It had felt really good when 46 had allowed him to touch her when she was in heat but it seemed mild compared to the sex he’d shared with Alli.

A human female had taken him to heights of passion he’d never known existed. Frustration fisted his hands at his side and the urge to punch something became almost unbearable. A howl of rage caught in his throat but it only came out as a fierce grumble. His eyes opened when water came on in the next room and he took a step before he could regain control of his body. He wanted Alli again.

He moved to the side enough to gain a clear view of her profile in the stall. The sight of her wet, slick skin caused his dick to harden to the point of pain. It would be easy to haul her out from under the water. He turned his head to stare at the bed. He’d take her on her knees beneath him next time.

He allowed the astonishment of what they’d done to cool his desire just a bit. He’d never taken his mate with her facing him. It had been strange but really good to see Alli’s expressions and have access to her body with his mouth while he’d driven his cock into the snug confines of her sex. He’d also really enjoyed the feel of her legs around his waist and her fingernails digging into his skin. It hadn’t hurt but he’d been aware of them. She’d clung to him as if he were saving her and she’d desperately needed to hold him.

He wanted to share sex with Alli again. Now.

His chin lowered to glare at the erect shaft betraying his lack of self-control of his own body functions. 46 would goad him if she were alive to see the day he allowed a human to get the better of him. He shifted his gaze higher to watch Alli wash her hair. His lips parted to reveal his fangs and he took a few steps closer to her and kept going.

She spun to stare at him when he jerked open the flimsy, transparent shower door. He paused, noted the shampoo in her hair, and hesitated.

“Wash it out now.”

The fear in her eyes almost made him wince but she didn’t argue or refuse his demand. Her head tilted back into the spray of water to do his bidding. He watched until he didn’t see any of it in the pale, wet strands. His arm shot out to hook around her waist and he lifted her. He paused and suddenly stepped into the tight space with her.

Hot water sluiced down his body and he turned to present his back, adjusting her higher in his hold against his chest. His interested dick couldn’t be hidden from her since it nestled tightly against her ass.

Her head twisted and she stared at his face, fear still showing in her blue gaze. A part of him hated to see it. The soft sound she made—almost a whimper—caused him to gentle his hold around her waist.

“I won’t hurt you, Alli.” He partly regretted assuring her of her safety because she was human.

Fear was good for them to feel. It reminded them that he was dangerous to their well-being but she wasn’t comparable to the ones he’d grown to hate. “Don’t fight me.”

He used his free hand to twist off the flow of water and stepped out of the stall. The shower had soaked the floor but he didn’t care. He stormed back into his room and didn’t stop until they reached the bed. He paused there to study it.

His gaze finally met her worried blue eyes.

“You will collapse. You aren’t strong.”

“8—Obsidian,” she whispered. “What are you doing? Please put me down.”

He noticed how she corrected herself after almost using his number. He considered the bed again. Her hands gripped his forearm at her waist but she didn’t dig her nails into his skin to inflict pain or struggle.

A growl rumbled from his chest. “You aren’t strong enough.”

“I know I can’t make you lower me to the floor.”

He frowned. “Your arms aren’t strong enough to brace to take me. How do your males mount you?”

Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. “You want me again?”

“From behind. You will enjoy it.” He eased his hold more, just enough to allow her to slide down his front. The feel of his cock rubbing against her ass and lower back made him want her more.

She turned in his hold and chewed on her bottom lip. He knew that telling sign of her emotions. She was unsure of what to do but the trepidation wasn’t there anymore when he studied her closely. A small hand lifted timidly to rest near his heart. It trembled but he wasn’t sure if she was chilled or nervous.

“Why do you insist on doggy style?”

“What does that mean? Is it an insult to my heritage?”

“No! Mounting from behind is called that term.”

“Taking a female bent over in front of a male is how it is done.”

Her eyes widened. He glanced away from her to glare at the bed. He could put her in the center of it and brace her under him by caging her with his legs and arms. One arm around her waist would help support her to keep her from falling forward. His dick jerked with the promise of doing just that.

“Um, Obsidian?”

“Yes?” He glanced back at her.

“Have you only had sex in that position?”

“No. I just shared sex with you facing me. You refused to release me or I would have taken you the right way.”

Alli paled slightly and she leaned against him when she swayed a little on her feet. Alarm shot through him. Had he harmed her? His arm hooked tighter around her middle again to make certain she didn’t fall. Perhaps sharing sex with him once had worn her out. She looked a little pale and he was pretty certain her legs wobbled.

Weak humans. Anger surged. She was too frail to take him. He should have known better but his talk with Moon had given him hope she could handle a Species male.

Chapter Ten

Alli swayed a bit from the shock of his statement. “Are you saying you only mounted other women from behind? On your knees? Always?”

Obsidian tilted his head. “I only had a mate. I took her that way. It is how it is done.”

“Oh shit,” she gasped, taken aback. He had to be over thirty years old by her calculations and clues from his body. Species were harder to estimate but she was sure she was in the correct age range.

“What is wrong? Do you need rest?”

“You never experimented during sex? Did other things with her in different positions?”

“I used my mouth on her to get her interested in sharing sex. She enjoyed my tasting her.”

He suddenly shifted his stance and lifted her off the floor into the cradle of his arms. She didn’t know why he spread her out over the mattress until he tucked the covers around her body.

“I will give you time to recover.”

Her hand snagged his. “We need to talk.” She struggled to sit and tugged him closer. He perched grudgingly on the edge of the mattress.

“Rest for a short time. I want you again soon.”

He glanced down at his cock and she followed his gaze. He remained hard. An array of emotions passed through Alli as her thoughts raced to accept the personal details of his sexual history. It was limited at best and she felt guiltier. She took slow breaths to calm her dismay until she was ready to speak. Giving someone Obsidian’s size and age “the talk” wasn’t the easiest thing she’d ever contemplated.

“Not everyone has intercourse doggy style.

Um, mounts women—females—only from behind. What we did, facing each other, is normal.”

His gaze narrowed.

“There are many positions during sex that are perfectly acceptable and encouraged.”

“What positions?”

“There are a lot of them.” Her mind blanked in the face of his grim expression. “Cowgirl. Reverse cowgirl. Sixty-nine.” Her cheeks warmed.

“Cowgirl? Who is sixty-nine?” His voice deepened. “My name is Obsidian.”

“It’s not a who but a what.”

He stood and jerked out of her hold. “I am going for a walk.” He stomped to the dresser, yanked open a drawer and swiftly put on sweatpants in jerky, furious motions.

The angry expression on his face left her mute.

She’d managed to make him angry or perhaps he was experiencing regret over what had happened between them. Neither emotion alleviated her guilt.

“Obsidian?”

He paused by the door when his hand gripped the handle and his head snapped in her direction.

“We need to talk. Please come back here.”

“We don’t.” He yanked open the door and closed it loudly behind him.

Alli winced at the loud noise and shoved off the cover. Her body ached in a few places as she entered the bathroom to finish her shower. She needed to go home. It had been a huge mistake staying with Obsidian. He was confused at having been thrust into a new world. His mate had been murdered and he probably felt guilt at what had transpired between them.

“Damn it,” she muttered, blinking back tears.

She’d had time to become a bit obsessed with Obsidian but she was just a distraction to him and a physical release for some of the frustration he had to be suffering.

* * *

Obsidian glared at the new guard at the end of the hall. The male arched dark eyebrows as he stood from his chair. “May I help you? I am Jericho.”

“I want to take a walk outside.”

The male’s nostrils flared. “I see.”

“What does that mean?”

The large male tilted his head to peer over his shoulder. “Where is the doctor?”

“I put her in bed.”

A soft growl was the only warning he got before he was pushed out of the way violently and his shoulder hit the wall. He turned, stunned, watching Jericho rush down the hallway. It sank in quickly that the other male was going after Alli. Protective instincts burst forth and he snarled. Obsidian didn’t want anyone near her.

The door hit the wall hard and the uniformed male disappeared out of sight before he could catch him. He snarled again and lunged, attacking the male by launching at his back. They both crashed to the floor in a tangle of limbs. He was thrown when the male under him rolled, shoving back an elbow that dug painfully into his ribs. He grunted and twisted to kick out a leg to strike.

His bare foot made contact with a thigh and the male made a sound he’d never heard before.

It was alarming in a primal way. It was a roar of sorts, part high scream. He dared to glance away, only to see the empty bed. Motion in the bathroom drew his focus as Alli stepped into view, clutching a towel in front of her body.

A heavy body hit him in the chest and drove him flat. Pain shot through his shoulder blades from the harsh contact with the floor and the air left his lungs. Rough hands grabbed his wrists in an attempt to pin him but he recovered quickly, rolling to his side, and tore out of the male’s hold.

Alli was practically naked and the male was too close to her. A growl tore from him as soon as he could draw breath. He didn’t have time to avoid the fist that smashed into his cheek. The taste of blood instantly filled his mouth.

“Stop it!” Alli demanded and more weight crushed down on him.

His eyes flew opened when something wet touched his nose and he realized it was her hair falling over the shoulder of the male between them. She must have tripped to land on Jericho’s back but then her hands wrapped around the male, one of them covering his mouth while the other one gripped his throat.

“Don’t bite him,” Alli yelled.

The male had drawn back his fist to hit Obsidian again but hesitated as he turned his head slowly to stare at Alli’s face nearly touching his.

She seemed to lock gazes with the one who’d struck him before her hands released him.

“What are you doing, Jericho? Have you lost your mind?” Alli panted the words. “Get off him right now.”

Pure rage flooded through Obsidian when the other male noticed she’d dropped her towel. He was staring at her exposed breasts. She remained sprawled over Jericho’s back.

“This is awkward.” The other male cleared his throat. “I thought he’d harmed you.”

“Do I look hurt to you?”

“No.” Jericho stated slowly, still staring at her breasts. “You look really good.”

Alli’s chin dipped to follow his gaze and she gasped. “Shit!”

Some of the weight eased off Obsidian as she scrambled off the male’s back and bent, flashing her naked ass to both of them while she tried to hide her body by retrieving the towel. Obsidian struck fast and hard with his fist, plowing it into the male’s jaw.

“Fuck,” Jericho snarled, the punch sending him rolling in the opposite direction. “What the hell was that for?” He ended in a crouched position to glower at his opponent.

Obsidian sat up and wanted the other male to keep his attention on him instead of watching Alli straighten and wrap the towel tighter around her form. He flashed his fangs in warning. The male had caught him by surprise but it wouldn’t happen a second time.

“Obsidian? What are you doing?” Alli stepped closer. “Don’t.”

He didn’t spare her a glance. Another male was too close to her and had seen her bare. Jericho had dared look upon her breasts and he’d pay for that.

“Go in the bathroom where you will be safe from the violence.”

She disobeyed him when she purposely came closer, putting herself between him and the enemy. “Stop it. Don’t attack Jericho. You both need to calm down right now. You just woke from a coma and you can’t fight.” She whipped her head around, spraying water from the damp ends of her wet hair. “And you—what are you doing in here?”

Jericho gracefully straightened to his full height and puffed out his chest. “He said he put you in bed and I could smell you all over him.

I believed he forced you to share sex. I came to your aid.”

Obsidian noticed the way Alli’s features paled but she didn’t speak for a moment. “Oh, crap. I forgot about your sense of smell.” Her cheeks became red. “Um, that’s not what happened. Stand down.”

The other male’s gaze narrowed. “All right.”

It wasn’t over for Obsidian. He climbed to his feet, took a step around Alli and lunged for the male. A soft gasp came from Alli and he was stunned when she released her towel to grab at his chest. Her body slammed into his with the forward motion he took, trying to punish the other male and he stepped on part of her towel. It hit the floor, baring her naked form again.

His arms wrapped around her and he spun, blocking the view of the male by shielding her with his body. He twisted his head and snarled.

“Leave.”

Jericho’s hands slowly lifted, wide open.

“Okay. Easy.”

Obsidian’s heart pounded and he wanted to attack but he couldn’t without releasing Alli. Her hands gripped his shoulders and she clung to him, flattened against his front. Her wet skin was chilled and her pebbled nipples were a distraction, shoved against his chest where he held her firmly.

“Are you sure you want me to leave you with him?”

“Go!” Alli’s voice shook. “Get out, Jericho.

You’re obviously agitating him.”

“He wants to kill me,” he corrected, inching closer to the door. “Calm down, Obsidian. I was just checking on her. I’m not here to hurt her in any way.”

He snarled again, debating whether Alli would be harmed if he threw her toward the bed to land on the soft mattress in order to free his arms so he could hit the other Species male. Her fingernails dug into his skin as if she could read his intentions.

“No fighting,” she whispered. “Look at me, Obsidian. Please?”

He refused to stop glowering at the male until he disappeared out the door. His arms lowered Alli and he snapped his head around to glare at her instead. She refused to release him, kept her body tight against his.

“Release me.”

“No. You look as if you want to go after him.”

“I do. Let go.”

She stunned him by wrapping a leg around his, hooking him behind his thigh. “No way! You could get hurt. One blow to the head and you could be killed or become comatose again. What is wrong with you? Why would you start a fight?”

“He came after you.”

“He was checking on me,” she argued.

“Jericho wouldn’t ever hurt me. I know him well.”

Rage swept through him. “How well? Do you tempt him with your food scent, hoping he will mate you? What is he? He has strange eyes and makes bad noises.” The idea of her wanting another male to touch her drove him insane.

“He’s primate and his eyes aren’t strange. They are unique and pretty.”

He snarled before he could stop it, losing his battle with his temper fast. “You want him for a mate.”

“I do not!”

“You said his eyes are pretty.”

“They are. So is the color blue or a sunset. I don’t want to get physical with them.”

He was taken aback by her odd statement.

Her hold eased slightly but she didn’t release his shoulders. “Take deep breaths now. In.” She drew air into her lungs enough to press her breasts firmly against his chest. She exhaled.

“Out. Breathe with me.”

“No.” He glanced at the bed while judging the distance and he strained to hear Jericho, attempting to track the male’s retreating footsteps. His arms tensed to throw Alli on the soft mattress but the leg she had locked around him prevented him from following through. “Let go.”

“No way.” She shook her head, wet hair dripping between them. “You’re not fighting with him again. I forbid it.”

That made him glare at her. “What?”

She didn’t back down as he stared deeply into her blue eyes, although it seemed clear that she realized he wouldn’t take orders from her or anyone. He could feel her heart rate spike when his free hand gripped her throat. He didn’t squeeze but instead gently kept his hand there to keep her still.

“You could die,” she whispered. “Please calm down. I’d rather you fight with me than him. I couldn’t hurt you the way he can.”

“You don’t think I could win?” It injured his pride. The female must think him weak.

“I think you could die.” She took a shaky breath. “I don’t want that. I couldn’t stand it. Do you understand?”

She confused him as his temper finally subsided. Her words soothed his injured pride but he wasn’t about to forget that the other male had seen her bare. It angered him. Alli seemed to want a mate and the idea of someone else touching her made a snarl catch inside his throat.

His gaze dropped to his hand and he released the slender column of her neck. He needed to remember she wasn’t 46. His mate would have fought him until he had no choice but to subdue her to prevent the guards from coming into their cell with their drug darts. No danger lurked for Alli.

She continued to stare into his gaze as he slowly shifted his leg to get hers untangled from it. Her hands were pressed against his chest and they trembled. He suddenly felt really bad for handling her so roughly. She’s just human. He needed to remember that.

“It is bad to attack me.” He hoped that warning would be heeded by her. “Stay back when I am angry.”

“It’s called learning control and you need work on that.”

He grumbled and totally released her. She stayed pressed tightly against his front though and he glanced down at her cleavage. He could see part of her nipple on her left side and it drew his thoughts to sex.

“Don’t ever get between me and another male.

You could be killed. You will do as I say.”

“Or what?” Her eyes narrowed and he easily read defiance in her expression as he studied her.

“Are you challenging me?”

“No. I’m just not taking orders. That’s a page right out of your book.”

“What does that mean? What page?”

“It’s a saying that means you won’t listen to me so why should I listen to you?”

“I’m bigger and stronger.”

“You’re being a bully again and it’s not attractive.”

“What does that mean?”

She backed up enough to break his light hold on her and retrieved the fallen towel, hiding all of her breasts from his view as she wrapped it around her middle. “I should go home.”

“You are staying with me.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You need some time by yourself to adjust to freedom. You can’t do that with me here.”

“You aren’t leaving this room.” He crossed his arms over his chest. She was little and he was faster. She’d never make it to the door before he stopped her. His gaze flicked to the big mattress.

He could toss her on it. He could make sure other males didn’t approach her if she were with him.

“Don’t take that ‘I’ve spoken and it’s settled’ tone with me, Obsidian.”

She mimicked him in stance and amusement sparked when he gave her his attention again. Alli was cute when she was angry. Small lines formed around her mouth when she frowned and more creased her forehead.

“It is the truth.”

Her cheeks turned a little pink and her mouth pressed into a tight line. He also noticed that her hands fisted where they were crossed over her chest. “You infuriate me.”

Broad shoulders shrugged. “I understand.”

“That’s all you’ve got to say? Why can’t I go home? I could yell for help.”

“You could but then the male and I would fight again.” He knew she didn’t want that and wasn’t above using the information to his advantage. “You are supposed to be resting.” His gaze lowered to her bare legs and his dick hardened. “I want you again.”

Her hand unfurled, left her side, and she raised her middle finger at him. “Do you know what this means?”

“No.”

“Exactly. That’s what it means.” She spun and stomped toward the bathroom.

“Where are you going?”

“Away from you!”

She faced him just inside the door of the other room and glared at him as she slammed it closed between them. A faint click assured him that she’d locked the door. He took a step to break it down but he halted. The window was too high for her to climb out and nothing in there would assist her in reaching it to escape. Alli wasn’t going anywhere.

He began to pace, trying to figure out how to calm her. She wasn’t his mate and didn’t react the way 46 had when she was angry. Humans didn’t snarl or bite. He needed to remember that and never grab her throat again to prevent it. She did strike out at him that once but it hadn’t even drawn blood. He needed to rethink how to deal with her.

Alli fumed as she splashed water on her face just to cool down a little. Obsidian was impossible to deal with. He was a control freak and worse, he’d attacked another New Species without provocation.

His aggression could be the result of a brain injury or maybe he’s suffering from mental fatigue after all he’s survived. That thought made her chest hurt. She hadn’t seen anything on the brain scans she’d run that indicated a flaw but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there. He’d also lost his mate and been freed from a life of hell. She figured anyone would have issues dealing with so much in such a short time.

Guilt ate at her over their intimate relationship.

She’d pretty much tossed all her knowledge from med school out the window when it came to her ex-patient because he was sexy and she’d grown far too attached to him. Her head hung as she softly cursed. She’d fallen hard for Obsidian before he’d ever opened his eyes and the reality of him awake wasn’t what she’d expected.

He had moments where she wanted to strangle him but then he’d do something sweet, totally throwing her off balance. He was a contradiction and it stumped her. The sexual relationship they’d begun wasn’t the smartest decision she’d ever made. The last thing he needed was more complications in his life.

“Damn,” she whispered, grabbing a towel to pat dry her face. Her gaze lifted until she stared deeply into her own eyes reflected in the mirror.

“You really screwed up.”

A sound at the door made her start and she spun, watching it swing open. Obsidian blocked the doorway with a scowl on his face.

“I locked that.”

“I opened it.” He glanced at the handle before returning his attention to her. “Don’t try to keep me away from you again.”

“I wanted privacy.”

His mouth thinned into a grim line. “Adjust to not having it. I don’t like you out of my sight.”

She was tempted to tell him she didn’t care what he wanted but the hard glint in his dark eyes prevented her from speaking.

“My mate was always near me unless they took her away to do harm.”

Alli’s heart raced a little at the mention of 46.

“You’re not at the mercy of those sadistic bastards anymore. I’m safe and you don’t need to watch me all the time.” His concern softened her anger.

Silence stretched between them while they had a staring contest. Alli lost and dropped her gaze to his chest. “I really should go home. You’re recovering well enough to pick fights and I need to figure out what is going to happen to my life.”

“What does that mean?”

She took a deep breath, noticing a few marks on his upper body that might turn into bruises from his tussle with Jericho. She didn’t see anything alarming that wouldn’t heal quickly though.

New Species had amazing recuperative abilities.

“I kidnapped you from the NSO. They’re still debating on how to punish me. I’m sure I’ll be asked to leave. That means I need to pack up my stuff.”

“No one will punish you.” He snarled.

Her gaze jerked up and she saw the harsh lines of rage on his features. “They won’t hurt me. I broke their laws and I understand that they can’t allow me to do that without some kind of reprimand. I expected it. I think I’ll just be fired and escorted from the property. The house I live in came with the job. They’ll need to hire another doctor as soon as possible since they are shorthanded.”

He stepped inside the bathroom and approached until she had to arch back over the counter to avoid his body touching hers. Her chin tipped up to keep their gazes locked.

“You will live here with me.”

“I can’t.”

“You will.”

Her heart raced faster. “I’m not your mate, Obsidian.” The gentle reminder came out as a whisper and it was aimed at both of them. “I can’t stay here indefinitely and they’ll want my house vacated for my replacement.”

His arms moved and his hands gripped the edges of the counter beside her hips, effectively pinning her. He lowered his head until his warm breath fanned her face.

“Back off,” she ordered.

He shook his head, refusing to budge.

She wasn’t afraid, knowing he wasn’t a threat to her safety, but she was alarmed. He was acting aggressive again.

“You are not leaving.” He paused and his breathing came out a little fast. “Do you want to hit me? Do it.”

Memories surfaced of when she’d slapped his face. “I just want you to move out of my way.”

“No.” He invaded the remaining amount of space left between them until his chest pressed against her and the hard length of his sex nudged her belly when he leaned forward. “You. Stay.

Here.”

“You have an erection,” she blurted, unable to avoid glancing down to verify the source. There was no missing his aroused physical condition.

His response was a soft growl. “Hit me.”

“No!”

His dark eyes narrowed as she stared into them and a vicious growl emanated from his parted lips. His sharp fangs flashed.

Alli fought down panic. He must have a head injury. He wasn’t making sense and seemed to crave violence. His behavior was irrational and she was trapped inside the bathroom with him.

“Calm down, Obsidian.” Her voice shook. “I need to call Medical to inform them they should run some scans on you. I think something is wrong inside your head. You could have bleeding or swelling. You—”

“I’m fine,” he growled. His nose flared as he sniffed at her and tilted his head just enough to gain access to her throat. “No tests.”

She wasn’t surprised by his refusal. He could be stubborn and thick-headed. She tried to use logic with him. “You’re acting confrontational and you attacked another male.”

He sniffed again and lowered his face until his mouth brushed the bottom of her earlobe. “He provoked me. You need to stop scenting of food to draw other males. I’ll kill one if they attempt to mount you.”

She gasped. “Jericho doesn’t want me and stop accusing me of trying to attract men.”

She twisted enough to get away from his lips and flattened her palms on his hot skin. The push she gave his chest didn’t even seem to faze him since he didn’t lurch from the force she put behind it. She stared at his face but he seemed fascinated with her throat.

“Obsidian? What are you doing?”

His gaze finally met hers. “Looking for a spot to bite you that won’t do too much damage.

You’re too fragile and can’t afford much blood loss.”

Alli allowed his words to sink in and freaked.

“Help!”

Chapter Eleven

Obsidian snarled. “Stop.”

She fought him and he worried she’d become bruised as her body thrashed between him and the counter. His hands gripped her hips as he spun away, lifting her in one fluid motion, and got her out of harm’s way. He caged her in his arms as his hold on her shifted to keep her high enough to prevent her kicking feet from striking the tile floor or the wall.

“Enough! Calm.”

He heard pounding boots rushing down the hallway and knew they were about to have company.

He howled in rage that Jericho would dare return after their fight. The male should know better than to challenge him for the female. His rival charged into the bedroom by shoving the door open hard enough to force the handle to embed in the plaster, breaking the doorstop.

“Put her down.” Jericho spoke deeply, his voice animalistic. He stormed closer with his hands opened as clawed weapons.

“She’s mine.” Obsidian couldn’t glance away from his opponent but he did gently drop Alli.

“Get in the shower where he can’t reach you without going through me.”

“Stop this!” Alli disobeyed him by stepping between him and the advancing male. Her hands shot out and she stood sideways, making the spread of her arms as wide as possible to keep them apart. “No fighting!”

“Are you all right?” Jericho halted in his tracks but he still posed a threat.

“He was going to bite me. I want to leave.”

She appeared frightened as she watched Obsidian. “Why would you want to do that?”

He reached for her but she jerked her wrist away before he could grab it. He froze, it sinking in how terrified she seemed to be of him. “To mark you.” He swallowed hard, inhaling her scent and verifying her terror. “I wasn’t going to cause severe damage.”

“You wanted to bite me.” She took a shaky breath. “With your sharp teeth. There’s something wrong with you and I insist that you go to Medical.”

“Shit,” Jericho muttered.

Alli whipped her head around to stare at him.

He frowned, dropped his hands to his sides, and stepped back. “Jericho? What is it?”

He blew out a deep breath. “He’s exhibiting territorial traits. It happened occasionally at the facilities we were held inside. He doesn’t want other males near you and he’s trying to stake his claim with a physical marker, um, bite.” He pointedly stared at Obsidian. “There’s no need for that. She won’t be taken to other males for breeding testing and your scent is already on her.

That’s warning enough for others not to attempt to share sex with her.”

“You want her,” Obsidian accused harshly.

Jericho backed farther away, tense. “I don’t.

She is very attractive but I have no interest in her.

She’s just a friend and was a valuable employee at Homeland.”

Obsidian didn’t believe him. “She smells too good and refuses to stop scenting of food to lure other males.”

“Damn.” Jericho withdrew another step. “Humans like food. It’s just the way they are. They think smelling like dinner is acceptable hygiene.

You’ll learn that in time. It’s not just her. Most of them do it. They aren’t trying to interest us in fucking them.”

“Your eyes are red with lust.” Obsidian advanced, trying to get Alli behind him so she wasn’t in view of the other male.

“I’m primate and they aren’t red. They are more auburn with a lot of brown. There’s a difference.” His features grew ruthless. “I don’t want her and she sure as hell doesn’t want me. Our females are even afraid of my differences. Do you really think a timid human is going to want to take me on?”

“You saw her bare.” He wasn’t about to believe Jericho. Alli was too attractive to believe a male wouldn’t want her.

The other male lengthened his retreat. “I’m sorry if I stared.” He made a soft noise in the back of his throat. “Those were the first pair of real breasts I’ve seen in a while.” He lowered his gaze to the floor and his head dipped in submission.

“Let’s not fight. She’s safe from other male interest and I’ve long given up on finding a female of my own. I don’t even want one now.”

He didn’t quite believe him but his anger cooled. “Why?”

Jericho revealed the odd color of his eyes when they met his gaze. “I refuse to feel any more pain.”

Obsidian studied him and paused next to Alli when she gripped his arm to stop him from stalking closer to the other male. He didn’t spare her a glance, too focused on figuring out his opponent.

“It hurts being rejected.” Jericho’s voice deepened and strong emotion flashed in his eyes.

“I don’t want them anymore. I’m over it. Your doctor is safe from me. I transferred here from Reservation to work with the task force of humans who work for us. We hunt down and locate Mercile employees. It gets me away from our females. I only volunteered to babysit you because the females are banned from entering Medical with you here. The task force is on leave for two weeks but then I’m back with them. Do you understand?”

More questions filled his mind but Obsidian believed the other male didn’t want his Alli. “Humans work for you?”

“Us,” Jericho corrected, his body language relaxing. “Times have changed. Not all humans are bad and hate us. The men I work with are good.”

“Men?”

“They are human. Men. We are males.” Broad shoulders shrugged. “Don’t attempt to bite her.

You terrified her. She’s human. She’s not familiar with all our instincts when it comes to sex. Do you understand?”

He didn’t but he was learning. His gaze slid to Alli. She was still pale, scented of fear, and watched him with wary eyes. The decision to mark her had been a bad one. His impulses had gotten the better of him over his protectiveness of the female. He glanced back at the male.

“Leave us. Please. I won’t harm her.”

“Good. I’ll be down the hall if you need anything.”

Alli protested when Jericho spun around to leave. “Don’t go!”

The guard cursed, pivoting back to face her.

He looked irritated as they stared at one another.

“Give him a break. He’s newly freed and feeling his way through learning how to deal with it all.

You’re human and as different as can be from what he knew of females.”

“I want to leave.” It is best this way. She didn’t dare look at Obsidian when he snarled, his protest noted but rejected. “I want to be escorted back to my house.”

A big hand firmly wrapped over the one she had used to stop Obsidian from attacking Jericho.

It trapped her fingers. She had to stare at him then. Anger etched his mouth into a grim line and his dark-brown eyes were nearly black with emotion.

“You stay with me.”

“I’m not your mate.” The words were hard to say but it didn’t make them any less true. She wasn’t doing him any favors by sticking around.

He needed time to heal, to come to terms with his life changes and to grieve his murdered mate. Sex was a distraction that would only hurt him in the long run. It would devastate her as well when he realized that’s all she meant to him. It was better to leave before she grew too fond of him and fell for him deeper.

“You stay with me,” he repeated, his voice dropping to a deep tone that sent chills down her spine.

She wasn’t afraid anymore. It had passed when Jericho had arrived to save her. The fact that Obsidian had wanted to bite her to prevent other Species from hitting on her was kind of sweet, in a twisted way. It was a big step up from believing he wanted to tear into her throat with his sharp fangs. She’d thought he’d wanted to punish her for standing up to him for being an overbearing jerk.

The air froze in her lungs for long seconds as she carefully chose her words. She exhaled and inhaled. “Could you leave us alone, Jericho?”

“Yes.” The male fled, relief evident in his tone.

The door being yanked from where it embedded in the wall caused chunks of plaster to scatter across the bedroom floor when it closed firmly as the guard left. Alli faced Obsidian, noticing once again how tall and big he was. And sexy. It hurt her heart to stare into his eyes and know she had to say goodbye. He might be overbearing and controlling at times but she wasn’t going to deceive herself into believing she wasn’t drawn to him like a moth to the flame. Unfortunately, one of them was going to get burned, maybe both.

“I want to dress and then we’ll talk.”

He didn’t let go of her hand. “I want you.”

It’s all about sex to him. More pain tightened her chest. “Fine. We’ll talk right here. You’ve had a lot of changes in your life recently.”

“I don’t want to talk.”

She ignored him as if he hadn’t spoken. “Your mate was killed in front of you and you—”

“I don’t want to talk,” he repeated more firmly.

“Must hurt deeply over her loss.”

“Alli, stop.”

“I’m familiar to you because you grew accustomed to my scent. They warned me that it wasn’t a good idea to attempt it.” She paused, waiting for him to interrupt but he just regarded her with narrowed eyes. He remained silent so she continued.

“I don’t regret what I’ve done but you will when you finally come to grips with everything that has happened. You’re free now and your entire world is different. You’re strong, Obsidian.

You don’t need me as a crutch to bridge you through this. You’ll get past your anger, the grief will set in, but then the healing will begin. You are going to be fine in the end. I believe that with my whole heart.” She took a deep breath. “I’m only hindering that process by being here and I need to return to my house. We both have things to deal with on our own.”

His grip on her eased and he let go. She released him too and stepped back to put a little space between them. “This is really for the best,” she whispered, hoping she’d believe it and so would he. “Just take one day at a time. I know what it feels like when someone you love dies but you’ll survive losing your mate. It really hurts but I promise that it will get better. One day you’ll wake up and your heart won’t be broken anymore.”

He said nothing, his face frozen in that grim expression. She slowly turned away and fled the bathroom. Her bag beckoned to her and she bent to open it, planning to get dressed. Instead an arm hooked around her waist and she was lifted off her feet. A gasp was all she managed before experiencing the sickening feeling of being airborne.

She bounced when she landed on the soft bed, shocked that Obsidian had thrown her at least five feet across the room. Nothing hurt but the shock factor held her still until her brain could catch up. The mattress dipped, moved, and then weight pressed over her back where she lay sprawled on her stomach facedown. He caged her with his body.

“I refuse to let you go.”

Fear shot through her as his hot breath fanned her ear. The towel had slipped to her waist and his chest plastered against her back.

“Obsidian, get off me.” Her voice shook.

He shifted his position over her and a big hand cupped her ass, rubbing. “I want you.”

“Stop it!” Her head snapped in his direction and she stared at him. “You’re scaring me. Do you get that?”

“I won’t hurt you, Alli.”

The sound of her name coming from his lips in that gruff tone made some of her fear ease. He was engaging in conversation and addressing her personally, something she figured he wouldn’t do if he couldn’t be reasoned with or had lost control. “You just tossed me halfway across a room.

That is not acceptable behavior!”

“The bed won’t hurt you. I wouldn’t have done it if I thought I’d miss.”

“You are missing the point. I want to leave and you can’t force me to stay here against my will.”

“I could but I will change your mind instead.”

The big hand on her ass massaged. “You will want me too. Calm and roll over. I want to taste you.”

She didn’t flip when he lifted off her to give her enough room to reposition. He sat back on his bent legs, waiting and watching her with beautiful dark eyes. His tongue darted out to wet his lips and she had to admit part of her was tempted.

The memory of how talented he was with oral sex made her libido spark some interest.

“No.” She tugged on the towel, raised it higher and curled onto her side to get a better view of him. “I’m not here for you to fuck at will just so you can avoid the reality of your situation.”

He frowned. “What does that mean?”

“You want to use sex as a way of avoiding facing the pain of losing your mate.”

His gaze drifted downward to linger over the curve of her ass. “I want you because you make me hard and you do things to me that are good.

46 has nothing to do with that.”

“She has everything to do with this. You need to grieve instead of trying to make me her replacement. You can’t just switch out people like T-shirts. I’m Dr. Allison Ann Baker. I’m thirtytwo years old and my favorite color is blue.”

Tears threatened but she blinked them back. “I deserve someone who wants me.”

Obsidian very slowly leaned forward and his palms settled on the bed next to her. He crawled forward but he didn’t touch her as he brought his face closer until his intense gaze hovered inches above her own.

“I understand what you said.” His chest expanded as he took a deep breath. “There is not one thing about you that reminds me of her.”

His voice deepened as he glanced at her hair.

“You are light where she was dark. Soft and so strange.” He held her gaze. “You are small, weak, and scare easily. She would have clawed me, bitten me and drawn blood by now. You huddle to appear smaller, attempting to escape my attention or perhaps gain my sympathy. She was a fierce fighter but you don’t know how to hit. Claw your hands and use your nails to inflict damage next time you wish to strike me. Smooth teeth would still hurt if you bite hard enough.”

Alli wasn’t sure if she should feel insulted or scared but one thing was for certain. His words wounded her. She wondered if he’d not only used her for sex but as a way to find retribution against the idiots who’d kept him locked up all his life.

The monsters who had killed his mate were out of his reach but she’d willingly agreed to stay in his room.

He peered down at her, perhaps waiting for a response, but he wasn’t getting one. She didn’t know what to say.

“My mate didn’t like me.” Emotion akin to pain flashed in his eyes. “She didn’t touch me unless she was in need and even then she never stroked my skin or slept against my side unless it was really cold or she was too drugged to move away when they brought her to me sick. I would hold her to give comfort.” He took a deep breath.

“She endured me and we learned to do tasks for each other in mutual need. She was mine and I was hers but she didn’t want to be with me. There was another male from before that she wanted.

They forced her into my room.” He withdrew from her physically and climbed off the bed. “I live with the knowledge that I never had deep feelings for her either. We weren’t true mates but instead forced together.”

The image he’d created in her mind was a heartbreaking one. She sat up, staring at him as he inched backward toward the bathroom. A thousand questions battled in her stunned mind while she tried to determine which one to ask first. The only thing she could piece together was that his mate had known someone before Obsidian and she must have loved him to reject any emotional tie to the attractive man before her. It had made their relationship cold and unfeeling.

“I did something to cause her death but I don’t know what it was. I must live with the guilt of how I failed her. You are not to replace 46. I am strangely drawn to you but I am free.” He snarled, flashing sharp teeth, as his hands fisted at his sides. “I will not hold another female to my side who doesn’t want me. There are no locks on these doors. Go, Alli. Flee.”

The last thing she wanted to do at that moment was to leave him. He was clearly upset and she couldn’t imagine how it would feel to be forced to live with someone who obviously had treated him badly. He’d mentioned violence when he said his mate hit him. Another set of questions arose, wondering exactly how dysfunctional their relationship had been.

“You didn’t cause her death.”

“They killed her in front of me as punishment.”

“They were assholes, Obsidian. They stole you, your mate and the two other New Species from Mercile to try to make money off you.

They—”

“You wanted to leave. Go!”

She wiggled enough to reach the edge of the bed and clutched the towel to keep it covering her as she stood on wobbly legs. Though he grew increasingly irate, she couldn’t leave him in that state.

“Some people are just cruel and the ones working for Mercile lacked moral compasses, Obsidian. They didn’t kill 46 because of anything you did or didn’t do. They probably just didn’t want to pay to feed her anymore. They knew they had arrest warrants on them and they couldn’t go home. That means they were desperate and low on money. Maybe they killed her to get even with all they felt they’d lost by pinning the blame on New Species but it was their own fault. Never yours. You were a victim and so was she.”

He glared at her while his fists remained balled at his sides.

She wondered if he understood what she was trying to tell him and decided to clarify. “What Mercile did to you was illegal, against the law, and they were looking at being punished for it.

An arrest warrant means all their money was frozen and the police were hunting for them.

They were fac—”

“I don’t want to hear. You don’t want me. That is all that matters. Go.”

If he only knew. She took a timid step closer.

“Let’s sit down and talk. Please?”

“Why do you want to sit? Do you think I can hear you better if my ears are closer to your height?” He was furious.

“No. I just thought it would be more comfortable.”

His arm raised and pointed at the door. “Go!”

“I’m not leaving you until we talk this out.”

Her life flashed before her eyes, panic instant when he lunged at her with an enraged expression. He was a New Species and his animal traits were closer to the surface than his human ones.

His hands gripped her upper arms but they weren’t crushing or painful. She stared up at him, mute, breathing rapidly as her heart pounded.

“Leave or tell me you want me to mount you.”

Those are my only options?

“Either you want me or you don’t.”

“Calm down, please,” she whispered. “I’m trying to make you feel better.”

“Tear off the towel and get on your hands and knees in front of me. That will change my mood.”

“Is it always about sex with you?”

He lowered his head enough to stare deeply into her eyes. “I don’t want to talk. I want to mount you. Either leave or we will fight. You are weak.

It wouldn’t be fair since you have no strength or ability to defend yourself.” His hands on her arms slid lower to her elbows, the calloused pads of his thumbs caressing the sensitive skin on the inside, also touching the sides of her breasts. “I wouldn’t hurt you but I will manipulate your mood until you want to be mounted. I have done it before.

Go or accept your fate.”

Obsidian always had a way of keeping her off balance. He didn’t wait for her to answer.

“You are not a replacement for 46.” He made a hissing sound. “Do not insult yourself or me. I am not blinded by her memory. You are very appealing but you believe I am so baffled from my long sleep that I don’t know the difference? I am not a victim. I’m a survivor and I adapt. It’s what I do best.” His thumbs kept teasing her skin, making her very aware of his touch. “I want you despite your flaws. You lure me to you and you make my blood boil with need.”

She leaned closer to him, affected by his hoarse confession. It obviously wasn’t easy for him to admit. She’d had plenty of men hit on her before, their words much more polished and suave. Obsidian’s straightforwardness turned her on. He had no reason to lie to or fool her. It was a backhanded compliment but sincere.

“I took you facing me because I couldn’t pull away and wanted to see your eyes while I was inside you.” One hand slid higher to her bare shoulder, traced the line of it to her throat, where his knuckles explored. “You fascinate me.”

Alli forgot how to breathe for seconds as she swayed closer to him until she pressed against his chest, peering up into his dark eyes. He’d been sexy when he was sleeping, unpredictable when he woke, but he was undeniably irresistible when he let down his guard enough to drop the forceful exterior he projected.

“You scare me sometimes,” she admitted softly. “But right now all I want to do is kiss you.”

His head tilted slightly and lowered a tiny bit more. Alli released her towel and reached up, her hands cupping his face as her attention fixed on his jawline. She lifted on her tiptoe and hesitated before closing her eyes. She urged him closer until her mouth brushed his. He had full, generous lips that were amazingly soft for someone so dangerous, a fact she couldn’t ignore.

He didn’t deepen the kiss, instead just stood there immobile, breathing. She turned her face slightly to align their mouths perfectly and parted her lips just enough to get a taste of him when she ran the tip of her tongue along the seam of his. A deep groan rumbled from him that she felt against her chest and he moved then, both hands grabbing her ass. He lifted her right off her feet and tighter against his tall frame. She spread her thighs and wrapped her legs around his waist.

The towel ended up twisted between their bellies but she ignored it, waiting for him to respond to her kiss. He didn’t, instead allowed her to flounder. She pulled back and opened her eyes, peering at him at eye level since he’d made them even in height.

“What’s wrong? I thought you wanted me.”

“I do.” His hands tightened enough to firmly squeeze each ass cheek and he ground his hips against her pussy to allow her to feel his thick, hard cock as it rubbed against her through his sweatpants. He took a few steps and halted by the bed. “I’ll put you down. Get on your hands and knees.”

“You want to fuck me without kissing me first?” She wasn’t sure if she should be insulted or not. “Do I have bad breath? I brushed my teeth.”

He took a deep breath, her bare were breasts smashed against his chest, of which both of them were acutely aware. He admired the view. “I don’t know how,” he muttered so softly she barely heard him.

She was grateful he held her in his strong arms.

The ramifications of his confession reminded her of other hints he’d said about being limited with his sexual knowledge. He’d only taken his mate doggy style and now she learned he had never kissed her either.

The questions hit her again, so many, but mostly she wondered how long he’d been with 46. Months? Years? She used her hold on his face to urge him to look at her. Anger glinted from the dark depths when he held her gaze.

“You never kissed someone before?” It was tough to ask the question. She assessed his rugged features, verifying that he had to be at least in his thirties.

“No.” His voice came out gruff, his eyes crinkling at the corners, but not from humor.

She noticed the rising color in his cheeks. His skin was naturally tan but she didn’t miss the telling signs of embarrassment. It explained his foul mood. She didn’t need a degree in psychology to guess how it would rankle such a proud man as Obsidian to admit he wasn’t a master at something—anything.

“It’s okay. I could teach you if you want.” Excitement at the prospect made her eager to do just that. Maybe he had something against mouth intimacy or something. She’d dealt with a lot of people who had germ phobias. Some of them washed their hands a hundred times or avoided human contact. Treating them when they hated to be touched had made her job difficult at times but they had always calmed when she put on gloves and a face mask. “May I ask why? I mean, do you not like it?”

He dropped her. She bounced, startled from the fall, to the bed where she landed on her ass. He crouched down before her and glared. “My mate didn’t want my touch unless she was in need.”

“Need?”

“Heat.” He stood, spun away, and paced. “You say you are a doctor but you know nothing.” That statement caused him to pause long enough to snort at her with a disgusted glance. “She would need me sometimes. Grow aroused and allow me to mount her from behind.” He began to pace again.

The depiction of his life broke her heart. He’d been forced to live with a woman who had loved and wanted someone else. She’d only allowed Obsidian to touch her when she’d craved sex. Alli was familiar with the fact that some of the female New Species suffered symptoms from their altered DNA. They would go into mild heat, the ingrained urge to breed instilled in their genetics that manifested physical symptoms. They exhibited tenderness in their breasts, steadily increased arousal, and acute awareness of their male counterparts.

“She went into heat,” he grumbled. He paused.

“That’s what the technicians called it.”

“I get it.” It was a grim realization. “That’s the only time you two engaged in sex?”

He nodded sharply. “She only allowed me to taste her or mount her from behind. She didn’t want my touch otherwise.” He glared. “Go, Alli.

I no longer want you here.”

She glanced down to the front of his sweatpants. The stiff outline of his cock said otherwise.

She looked up. “We should talk more about this.”

He threw back his head and howled. The sound made her flinch and she dropped the towel and covered her ears. He spun and his fist plowed into the wall. She eased her palms away from her ears and heard the sound of pounding boots coming down the hallway at a run. She barely recovered the towel to hide her bare breasts before Jericho burst back into the room.

“Get her out of here,” Obsidian snarled. “I want her gone.” He refused to look at her as he stomped inside the bathroom and slammed the door.

Jericho cleared his throat. “You got your wish.

You’re free to go, Dr. Allison.”

Hot tears burned behind her eyelids when she closed her eyes.

“Dr. Allison? Let’s go. My back is turned. Put on something, grab your gear and you’re out of here. No way in hell are you staying. You’re in danger.”

She didn’t believe that. Obsidian could have hit her instead of the wall.

Chapter Twelve

The door squeaking alerted Obsidian that he was no longer alone and he turned his head to shoot an intimidating glower at the guard who refused to stop checking on him. He wasn’t going to jump off the roof of the building in an attempt to escape. He just wanted fresh air to clear his head and be alone.

“Go away.”

“Hey.” Moon stepped out. “It’s me.”

The other male was out of the black uniform and instead wore human clothing. The small blue tank top hid little of his shoulders and none of his arms.

The material of his pants he’d seen before when the technicians had moved him to the new place where 46 had died. They’d called them jeans. His feet were bare.

“I heard you and the doctor hit a bit of a rough patch. I thought you might want to talk to someone.” He lifted something from behind his back. “I brought iced coffees. Have you tried them?”

Obsidian glanced at the two bottles held in the other male’s grasp. “Talk! Why is that what everyone wants?”

“Ah.” Moon cautiously approached. “Did they send the shrink to examine you?”

“The what?”

“Headshrinker. We have one who comes to speak to us and he asks how we feel about certain stuff. I guess Tiger wanted him to evaluate you.

Dr. Kregkor isn’t so bad.”

“No human male visited me.”

Moon lifted a leg and straddled the ledge of the building, firmly sitting on the wall. He held out one of the bottles. “Twist top. You just give it a twist and it comes off. Try it. They are good.”

He hesitated but accepted the cool drink, eyeing it warily.

“Trust me, it’s good. I grabbed us two from my refrigerator when I heard you were having a bad day. Not much goes on around here that remains private. I just didn’t get the details. What happened with your doctor?”

Obsidian tested the top of the drink and it came off in his palm when he exerted a little muscle.

The thing smelled good so he took a sip. “She always wants to talk.”

“That’s how females are. They all do that.”

“46 didn’t.”

“Your mate was a unique female then.” Moon opened his drink and took a long swallow, resting it in front of him between his thighs. “Females love to talk. I think it’s because we spent solitary lives and the silence is something they enjoy avoiding now that we’re free.”

“Alli is human.”

“They really talk. They don’t have our keener senses and can’t judge anything except by their vision and hearing words.” He sighed. “Consider how limited they are. It must be a bit frightening without the sense of smell to help figure things out.”

“What do you mean?” Obsidian relaxed slightly, leaning against the wall that overlooked Homeland.

“Most of us can pick up a lot using our noses.

Anger. Arousal. Hell, some of us can scent pain if it’s sharp enough. They sweat when they are afraid or nervous as their hearts race. We pick that up too.” He shrugged. “All they’ve got is the ability to guess while they watch us but we tend to be good at hiding our emotions when we feel the need. You know what I’m talking about. Mercile used any sign of weakness or emotion against us.”

Obsidian couldn’t disagree.

“So humans press us to talk. They want to know what we are thinking and feeling. They don’t understand a lot about us and are curious by nature. I take it that caused the argument? I asked Jericho but he refused to say what happened. He must like you.”

“The male and I fought.”

Dark eyebrows arched. “Really? Who won? I didn’t see damage on him.” He visually assessed Obsidian. “Or you. It must not have been too physical.”

“Alli got in the way and it stopped before she was harmed.”

“Tough little female, huh? Brave too. I’d hesitate to get between you and the primate. I’ve seen him fight and you don’t look easy to take down either.”

“He makes weird sounds.”

Moon chuckled. “We think he’s got gorilla DNA. It is a large primate species. You’ll learn about the different types of DNA we carry.”

“He has red eyes.”

“I wouldn’t comment on that to him. He’s touchy on the subject and to be fair, they are more brown than crimson.” The male took another drink. “Not too many primates survived and the ones who did tend to be chimpanzee mixed.

They are much mellower than Jericho. He’s had a rough time of it.”

Obsidian admitted to curiosity. “Why?”

“Have you seen him? He’s intimidating as hell and he’s weird about his territory. He had to move out of the men’s dorm because he beat on his neighbors for disturbing his sleep. The guy doesn’t have much of a sense of humor, probably because he doesn’t get laid often. The females tend to avoid him because they are afraid he’ll try to claim one of them if they end up in his bed.

He’s not exactly someone you want to say no to without feeling a bit of fear.”

“Laid?”

“Share sex. Laid. It’s a human term. I guess you weren’t exposed to much of their language in the facility?”

He shook his head. “They fed us and sometimes tested us. They didn’t talk much and 46 rarely did.”

“You were in another part of the facility than most of us. Do you know why?”

“No.”

Moon lifted his chin to stare at the sky. “Were you only bred with one female?”

“Yes. My mate.”

The other male looked at him then. “I know it was hard to keep track but was it for a short time or for quite a while?”

Flashbacks of his life emerged in Obsidian’s thoughts. “Forever,” he rasped, his chest tightening. “It seemed that long.”

“You miss her.”

He hesitated, testing his emotions. “I let her down. I am here but she is not.”

“Hate the ones who murdered her and stop beating yourself up.” Moon’s gaze held his. “It was out of your hands. You would have stopped them if you could have. I saw you when you were first rescued. You must have tried like hell to escape to save her and that’s all you could have done. You nearly died from your injuries. You need to let it go.”

“I won’t while they live.”

“That’s out of your hands too.” He paused, changing the subject. “What happened between you and the doctor?”

“She accused me of wanting to mount her to replace 46.”

Moon’s features twisted into a grimace. “Ouch.

No wonder you two got into it. No female wants to feel as if a male wants to use her body to slake his passion for another.”

“I am not confused. 46 is dead. Alli is different.

I had no thought of 46 when I wanted Alli.”

“Did you tell her that?”

“Yes.”

Silence stretched between them until Moon hiked his leg over the wall and stood, facing him.

“I am your friend. I know you never had one before but it means you can tell me anything and I won’t repeat it. You need one right now that won’t bullshit you. That means I won’t tell you lies or judge you. What really happened between you and the doctor? Last we spoke, you wanted to mount her. Are you still worried you’d hurt her if you shared sex? I told you to just go slow and easy.”

Obsidian dropped his gaze, staring at the dark roof under his bare feet.

“What happened? Did you try it and she was afraid? Don’t growl, you need to hide your teeth from her as much as possible and be very gentle.

Some of our traits can be frightening to human females. I know she’s into you big-time. I was assigned to guard you and saw the way she’d look at you while you were sleeping. Hell, she kidnapped you and put her ass on the line trying to save you. That speaks volumes. Then she agreed to stay with you while you recovered. That female is into you.”

“Into me?” Obsidian shot Moon a confused look.

“She cares. I believe she’s highly attracted to you.”

“She rejected me.”

“Did you scare her?”

His shoulders slumped, remembering her fear.

“Yes.”

“Mystery solved. Just tell her you’re sorry, give her a puppy-dog look and tell her you will try harder not to do that. Females are pretty forgiving if they care about you.”

“Puppy look?”

Moon’s eyes widened and his lower lip jutted out a little while he lowered his head slightly. He blinked a few times, a sad emotion easily visible.

“Like this.”

A laugh surprised Obsidian when it broke from his lips. The male’s expression was humorous. “I refuse.”

The male grinned. “I know it looks ridiculous but yeah, it totally works. It gets me out of hot water all the time.”

“Why would you go into hot water?”

“It’s a saying that means trouble. You really were kept secluded and your interaction with the technicians was limited if you don’t know that one. What did they do to you?”

“Tests. I was given pills and injections. Mostly they wanted 46 and me to breed.”

All humor disappeared from Moon’s features.

“Did it work? Did she conceive?”

“No.”

The male sighed loudly. “Good. The thought of them getting a child from one of us is our worst fear. They probably wanted to segregate you and your mate from the rest of our population to see if that would get the results they wanted. One of the Mercile employees said there were rumors that some of the scientists believed a mated pair in love would be able to conceive.”

“In love?”

“You know, fiercely emotionally tied to each other.”

Obsidian looked away, feelings of guilt and sadness filling him.

“What is it?” Moon stepped closer.

He finally looked at the male. “We were not in love. 46 rejected a bond between us.”

Moon cursed softly. “Shit. She was forced?”

Obsidian straightened, his spine stiffening. “I never harmed her or mounted her without consent.”

“I didn’t mean it that way. We assumed you two wanted to be mated.”

“She was brought to my room and left there.

She had known another male and pleaded to be taken to him.”

Moon slumped back against the wall, one hand lifting to run fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry.

That must have been hell for both of you.”

“It was difficult.” He relaxed slightly. “She only agreed to my touch during her need. Life was harsh but I tried to make her happy. She wasn’t.” His chest hurt when he breathed. “We existed together in that room but sometimes…”

He couldn’t say it.

“What?” Moon stared at him with compassion.

“I’m your friend. Tell me.”

“She would purposely provoke the technicians, hoping they’d harm her. I would stop her but she’d fight with me. I had to restrain her until she calmed. I think she wanted to die but I didn’t want to be left alone. She accused me of being selfish and said she hated me.”

“Fuck,” Moon rasped, closing the distance between them.

Obsidian braced for the male to attack but instead hands just gripped his shoulders while they stared at each other.

“I’m so damn sorry. Of course you had to stop her. I would have done the same. Technicians never needed much of an excuse to kill or hurt us.”

The things he’d told the other male threatened to overwhelm him as guilt, sorrow and regret flashed through his system. The words had burst out before he could prevent them, the relief at being able to confess things too strong to deny.

“I feel guilt that she died because I let her down and I should miss her but I don’t. That makes me as cruel as the technicians, doesn’t it?”

Moon didn’t look at him with horror. “I’m going to hug you. It means I care and you are not heartless. You did your best for your mate but it sounds as though her love belonged to another before she ever met you. You didn’t stand a chance. We tend to obsess over one person in our lives and that’s it. You haven’t seen happily mated couples but I have. It wouldn’t have mattered how good you treated her or what you did, trying to make her content. Her mind was always on another and she wasn’t going to give you a chance.”

The male suddenly jerked Obsidian against his chest, his arms holding on to him and he just stood there, allowing it. It wasn’t exactly a comfortable feeling having another male so close to his body but he didn’t get the urge to punch him.

Moon withdrew slightly to meet his gaze.

“We’ll find you a female who will make you forget all about 46. One who makes you feel alive again. You need to get laid.”

The image of one woman filled his thoughts and he uttered her name instantly. “Alli.”

Moon arched his eyebrows. “Ah. Kind of stuck on her, huh?”

“I want her.”

“Then practice that puppy-dog look and say what I told you.” Moon released him and stepped back, glanced around, then walked to the edge of the building to peer over the wall. He glanced back. “Luckily for you I know where she lives.

How do you feel about a late-night visit? Nobody is going to check on us since Jericho knows I’m with you. Have you ever jumped before? It’s easy from this height. Just watch me closely and do what I do. Land on your feet and bend your knees.” He flashed a grin. “We have an advantage as Species.”

* * *

Alli finished closing the last box, suffering nostalgia despite only having lived in her home for a few months. It had been the best time of her life. She blinked back tears as she tried to plot out her future. It looked pretty bleak.

She’d gambled with her career and now it was time to pay the price. It wouldn’t be hard to find employment elsewhere as long as the NSO didn’t file kidnapping charges. Any backwater hospital would be eager to hire her. The computer screen she’d left on drew her attention as she sank into the desk chair. The search results were displayed as she pondered her options.

An image of Obsidian distracted her when she closed her eyes. No regret surfaced over taking him from Homeland. It had saved his life. He was recovering quickly physically. She could attest to his strength.

Her hand lowered to her hip where a slight bruise had formed. It had resulted when he’d hooked her around the waist before tossing her on the bed. There was no pain but she was more than aware of it. She wished her emotions could heal as quickly as the contusion would. In a matter of days the physical mark would disappear but she had a feeling the memory of him would stay with her for the rest of her life.

Go!

She relived the memory of him pointing to the door, demanding she leave his room. It was for the best. Part of her knew that but another part refused to accept it. He needs me. No. He just wants to use me. It’s all about sex. Damn. She blinked back tears.

“Stupid,” she whispered aloud. I should know better than to get personally involved with a patient and I had to go and fall for him. He was damaged in so many ways yet it just made her want to be with him more.

The doorbell pulled her from her tortured moral debate. She tried to calm her racing heart, afraid that Justice North had sent someone to return her to Security. They’d had to spend money and resources to send the task team after her. She hoped they would just escort her off NSO property. The other option would mean her job search had been wasted.

Dread froze her by the door, her hand on the doorknob but not turning it. The concept of going to prison scared the shit out of her. She wasn’t tough and had never been in a fistfight in her life. Her parents had sheltered her from other kids by homeschooling her and later she’d gone directly to med school where violence wasn’t exactly commonplace among the students. Prisoners were going to eat her alive and she’d be lucky to survive a week unless her medical degree offered her some kind of special privileges. She could hope they needed her to work in the prison hospital as free labor to keep her out of general population.

The doorbell buzzed again and she straightened her shoulders. She’d face the consequences of her actions with her chin held high.

Her head lifted as she twisted the doorknob to jerk it wide open.

Obsidian stared down at her. His hair was a tangled mess flowing over his bare chest but she barely noticed, too surprised at finding him on her doorstep.

“I want to come inside.” He took a step closer and completely blocked the opening. “Move back.”

She stumbled a little as she did what he demanded. He entered her house and shoved the door closed firmly behind him. His gaze left her to travel slowly around the living room.

“How did you get out of Medical? Do they know where you are? You could have been hurt or gotten lost.”

Dark eyes fixed on her. “Be silent. I came to talk and you will listen.”

Her lips sealed as she stared wide-eyed at him, flabbergasted.

He blew out a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. She wondered why he hadn’t put on a shirt. She glanced down to find he also hadn’t donned shoes. Grass stains were on his knees as if he’d been sliding in it.

“Alli?”

She focused on his face and gasped. He looked to be in pain with his eyes wide and his lips pursed out. He blinked rapidly and she grabbed at him, sure he was about to pass out. Her hands flattened on his chest and pushed him against the door behind him, knowing full well that she wasn’t strong enough to catch him if he pitched forward. She could only hope to pin him upright until he regained his equilibrium. His head hit the wood hard enough to make her wince at the noise.

“Why are you attacking?” He looked surprised.

“Are you still that angry with me?”

“Where does it hurt? Are you dizzy? Lightheaded?”

“You didn’t push me that hard.”

“You looked sick.”

A soft snarl passed his parted lips. “I was attempting a puppy look.”

“A what?” She was puzzled as she stopped pressing her hands so tightly against him to keep him against the door.

“I walked here from Medical to say I’m sorry.”

“For what? Scaring me? I thought you were going to faint just now. Are you sure you’re all right?” She eased back, glancing down at his knees. “Did you fall? Strike your head somehow?

Your knees look banged up.” Her gaze held his, trying to see his pupils.

“I jumped off the building from the roof. I didn’t land as smoothly as I intended but I’m in no pain.”

She was horrified at of his words. “You what?

Why would you do that?” She clutched his arm.

“Come here.” She pulled, urging him to her couch.

He didn’t limp as he took hesitant steps forward and she pushed a little, urging him to sit.

His big body dwarfed her cream-colored couch—a vast contrast between his masculinity and the feminine décor. Alli slid to her knees in front of him and reached for the ankles of his pants, shoving them upward.

“What are you doing?”

She glanced up when the material bunched over bulky calves. He was too muscular to work the legs high enough to see his knees. “Stand up.”

She scooted back a little to give him room and sat on her legs. “Drop your pants.”

His dark eyes narrowed but he rose to his feet, gripped the waist of the sweatpants and shoved them down. His long hair draped around her when he bent enough to drop them to his ankles, momentarily blinding her while she twisted and blew some of it from her face.

He straightened, pulling the curtain of silky strands away. She turned, immediately zoning in on his knees. Both were a little red but she didn’t spot any swelling or abrasions. It seemed his sweats had gotten the worst of the impact. She looked up. Obsidian was naked and very aroused.

The guy has big balls, all right, she noted. Big everything. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “You can sit back down.”

He collapsed on the cushions, still aroused and in clear view since now his lap was directly in front of her.

“Um, you can pull your pants up.” She tried to back away but was emotionally off balance enough for it to mess with her movements. She just slid to the side until she had to brace a hand to keep from falling over.

“Why?”

He blinked at her, totally unconcerned with his naked state. Her glance diverted back to his dick, which was jutting upward. He leaned forward a bit until the crown of his cock pressed against his abs. Look away, she ordered, but her gaze refused to obey. She stared at his lap.

“Alli?”

That drew her attention up to his face. “It’s not proper to sit naked on someone’s couch.”

“I don’t care about that.” He reached out and his fingertips brushed her cheek in a caress. “I do not want to mount you to replace 46.”

“You jumped off a building to tell me that?”

“Yes. You accused me of it and it’s not true. I know she is dead and you are nothing similar to her. I see you.”

Her heartstrings tugged. He could have been hurt, had gone to a lot of trouble to clear up their misunderstanding. She wanted to believe him but he had to be pretty confused. Grief could be an unpredictable factor on mental stability.

“I need to call Security and tell them where you are. They’ll be worried sick when they realize you’re missing. How did you get past the guard to reach the elevator or the stairs without being seen?” Another horrible concept struck.

“You didn’t fight with Jericho or his replacement, did you?” She inspected his rugged face for signs of injury but didn’t find any.

She struggled to her knees, fully planning on rising to walk to the phone to make the call. She didn’t make it. Obsidian grabbed her around her waist and hauled her onto his lap. His cock became trapped between his stomach and her hip where she landed sideways across the top of his thighs.

“No. You aren’t in danger from me.” He growled the words, angry.

Her hands flattened on his bare chest. “I know.

They’ll freak out and start a search. They’ll think something bad happened to you.”

“I’m not ready to return.” He shifted his legs to get more comfortable, easily readjusting them both as if she didn’t weigh anything. “I am here to talk to you. I’m not going back until you understand that 46 has nothing to do with why I’m attracted to you.”

“I get that now.” At least she hoped he meant it and wasn’t fooling himself.

“Good.” He turned his head, peering around the room. “Where do you sleep?”

She jerked her head in the direction of the hallway. “It’s a two-bedroom house. Do you want a tour later? You probably haven’t seen a house before, huh?”

He let go of her waist with one hand and hooked it behind her knees. It stunned her a bit when he just stood, holding her in his arms. He kicked at the sweats to free them from around his ankles before he stalked toward the bedrooms.

“What are you doing?” Alli clutched at his shoulders for something to cling to.

He paused to stare at her. “I’m going to mount you.”

Chapter Thirteen

Obsidian ignored the way Alli sucked in air sharply. Her home was much larger than his room at Medical. A lot of furniture filled the space, things that were odd but not unattractive. Lights led him to a room with a small bed and a desk.

He twisted his body to fit both of them through the door as he pulled her tighter against him.

“Next one,” she whispered. “This is the one I use for my office.” One hand released his shoulder to point down the hallway.

He studied her eyes and didn’t see anger or fear there while he swung around, in search of where she slept. His nostrils flared but her scent lingered everywhere and he was unable to use his sense of smell to track it down. The second room was much larger with a bigger bed. It looked more appealing than the one he had been assigned.

The doorway was a tight squeeze with her cradled in his arms but he managed to get them both through it, scraping his back against the wall instead of hers. Pink fabric covered the mattress and she had at least eight pillows piled near the top of it. He resisted the urge to toss her there since he wasn’t sure if it was soft enough to cushion her fall.

He sat down with her on his lap and the mattress sank under him a lot. He growled, glaring at it. “Something is wrong with your bedding.”

“You don’t like the color?”

“It gives too much under my weight. Have I broken it?”

She smiled at him and he liked how it softened her features. “It’s designed that way. There are thick, soft pads under you.”

“You like sinking into your bed?”

His expression must have appeared humorous since she laughed. His dick hardened more at the sweet sound. All he wanted to do was tear off her clothes, order her to get on her hands and knees and fuck her from behind. Moon’s warnings kept him from doing it. He needed to take things slower and tamp down some of his passion. He bit back a growl of desire. The feel of her hands gently kneading his shoulder muscles had his lips sealing tightly together to hide his fangs.

He didn’t want any other male near Alli. Her touch was soft, vastly different than what he was accustomed to. The thought of her so close to another male wasn’t pleasant. He’d fight them if any tried to lure her away from him.

“Just don’t be surprised if a team from Security enters my house.” She grew solemn. “Don’t fight them. They are concerned for your safety.” She muttered under her breath, “Or they’ll think I kidnapped you again.” She beamed a smile at him.

“Although it would be harder to do now that you’re awake.” She glanced down between them.

He could actually feel her heated stare on his dick. It throbbed a little knowing she was looking at it. He watched her face to gauge her reaction but she didn’t seem irritated that he obviously wanted to mount her. He remembered they were talking and spoke.

“They believed I was feral.”

“You aren’t. They’ll still be worried when they realize you’re gone. I should call them, Obsidian.”

He liked her jumping to his defense. “Moon is outside,” he admitted. “He brought me to you.”

“Oh.” She was surprised when she met his gaze. “That changes things. You got permission to visit me.”

He decided to not mention that they hadn’t told anyone where they were going. Alli was on his lap, he was naked, and he wanted her. He focused on her mouth.

“Show me this kiss.”

Alli’s tongue darted out to wet her lips and he bit back another growl. It was difficult to give her patience when he just wanted her bent over in front of him. Just the thought of gripping her hips to hold her in place and entering her made him ache. She’d be wet and tight. Hot. Mine!

“Okay,” she whispered, turning a little more to face him as her hands transferred from his shoulders to cup his face.

He enjoyed the feel of her touching him so intimately. 46 had never been one to caress him.

The only face touching she’d done was when she was angry. A slap or punch hadn’t been pleasant.

His mate had been pretty vicious when her rage stirred.

“What do I do?” He refused to admit to feeling nervous but eager at the same time.

“Kiss me back. Explore. You’ll get the hang of it.”

His eyebrows rose but then Alli closed her eyes and leaned heavily against him. Her lips were incredibly soft as they brushed over his. She had closed her eyes so he did the same. It intensified the feeling when she tilted her head slightly to seal their mouths together. Her tongue slid along the seam and he opened up to her, remembering the last time she’d initiated contact that way.

She tasted of chocolate, something he’d grown to love since he’d been introduced to it. Her tongue slid over his and caused his dick to harden more. He wanted to toss her on the bed, flip her over, and yank her ass into the air just to be inside her welcoming body but kissing was important to her. He began to see the draw as he licked her back, his excitement growing when he mimicked what he’d like to do to her by delving deeper to take what she offered.

His hands tore at her shirt. Material ripped but Alli didn’t pull away. He just wanted to feel her skin, all of it, every inch. He hated anything that barred him access to any part of her body.

A snarl tore from him, muffled between their mouths, when one of his palms cupped her breast.

It was soft and pliable, the nipple instantly pebbling when his fingertips brushed it.

Arms slid around his head and Alli wiggled on his lap. She broke the kiss he was enjoying. He was afraid she’d tell him to stop but instead of just getting off his lap, she lifted up and turned to plant her knees on each side of his hips when she straddled his lap. Her hands cupped his cheeks and she kissed him again. He didn’t need instructions anymore. He dominated her with his tongue, enjoying the taste of her and the way their panted breaths mingled.

Obsidian needed her. He released her breast to grip her waist. The thin pants she wore gave easily when he dug his fingertips under the band of them and pulled. Material tore to reveal skin.

Alli stopped kissing him back and gasped but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t. He ripped the things more, shredding them enough to reach between her thighs.

She was as wet and welcoming as he imagined she’d be when his fingers traced the line of her sex. With her legs spread wide apart he had no difficulty sliding one finger inside the tight confines of her pussy. She threw her head back, breaking the connection of their mouths.

He saw the line of her neck exposed. Instinct and need struck him hard. His mouth homed in on the area just under her ear. She couldn’t see his fangs but she’d already felt them while they’d been kissing. It hadn’t frightened her and he hoped feeling them when he bit her lightly wouldn’t have an adverse effect.

Alli clawed at his back with her fingernails but it felt good. She didn’t draw blood or snarl in warning that she wanted him to stop. Her legs tensed and she moved her hips, grinding against his hand. The movement rubbed his dick against their bellies—his firm, hers soft and supple. His control threatened to snap.

The finger inside her drove in deeper to verify she was ready to take him. He withdrew it enough to coat the exterior of her opening before he pulled away completely from touching her with his hand and mouth. Alli groaned in protest as her head lowered until sexy eyes fixed on him.

“Don’t stop.”

Nothing could stop him now. She was his for the taking. He grabbed her hips, unable to even get out words. He was feeling too basic and raw with need. He just acted, his instincts overtaking all else. He lifted her and forced her hold on him to break when he spun her around. She didn’t weigh enough to make him strain. She landed on her stomach when he tossed her next to him on the bed. He slid to the floor, grabbed her and dragged her waist to the edge of the bed. One knee shoved between hers, parted them, and he looked down to grip his shaft.

Slow, he snarled at himself silently. It took every ounce of discipline when he lined up their bodies to fit instead of just driving his hips against her ass and make her take every inch of his dick. He wanted to be buried deep inside her.

She braced her hands on the bed, tossed her hair out of the way, and peered at him over her shoulder. He didn’t see fear. Confusion maybe, but she didn’t demand he release her.

He nudged the crown of his cock against her and closed his eyes when he met a little resistance. He lowered his hips a little and pushed again, his hand adjusting the angle just a tiny bit.

She took him, accepted him, but it was a tight fit.

He wanted to throw back his head and howl. She was so hot, so wet, and it felt so good. Nothing he’d ever experienced could compare to Alli.

A soft moan came from her and urged him to go deeper. It was killing him to resist pounding against her fast and furiously, the way he wanted.

His eyes opened and he stared at the curve of her ass. It was perfect. He pinned her to the bed where he had her bent and rocked back and forth, giving her more of himself with each thrust.

She clawed at the pink bedding. She wasn’t on her hands and knees but he feared her arms would collapse when his passion grew out of control if he allowed her to brace on her own. It was just a matter of time before he lost it. Each drive of his cock into her shot raw ecstasy through his system, each near withdrawal the only break in the building release he knew would lock him inside her while his seed marked her with his spent passion.

Her vaginal muscles tightened, clenching as her broken moans grew in volume. Alli was wetter, hotter, and he lost his mind a second before his balls tightened to warn him he couldn’t hold out anymore. He threw back his head, clutched her hips and rode through pleasure so intense it threatened to make him roar out his satisfaction.

His cock swelled, jets of his cum shooting so hard it nearly hurt and he shivered as he slowed his movements, locking inside her until he feared he’d hurt his Alli. Her pussy squeezed him so tightly he collapsed over her, curling against her back, feeling as if he had once been solitary but now they were two bodies merged as one.

Awareness returned when his mind began to clear of the fervor-induced haze of sharing sex with Alli. His weight pinned her small body against the bed as both of them breathed harshly.

He released her hips to lift up. She panted, said something he didn’t understand, and it alarmed him. Had he crushed her?

Her head turned and blue eyes held his. He knew in that moment that he’d left her behind.

Her gaze was too sharp, frustration clear as she bit her lower lip. Anger gripped him—at himself.

He reacted by backing up a few inches, careful to pull her with him so their hips remained pressed together. He knew better than to attempt to separate their bodies while he recovered.

One hand slid between the mattress edge to wiggle between it and her belly. His fingers located her clit, found it slick with her desire. He watched her eyes as he rubbed, saw her pupils dilate when he found the right spot, and homed in on it with a little pressure to ride it with his fingertip.

Her pussy squeezed him even tighter and he clenched his teeth to trap the groan inside his throat. He’d take the sweet torture of being oversensitive to make sure she was taken care of.

Alli had been so close to coming. The feel of Obsidian pinning her, his thick shaft slamming in and out of her, felt incredible. He didn’t just move his hips back and forth but spread his knees to brace against the carpet, switching the angles with every thrust. He found the right spot that made her moan louder and hit it over and over.

She’d fisted the bedding, just needing something to cling to since she couldn’t reach him. Her knees didn’t touch the floor. Her pants were torn open down the center back seam, allowing him access to her pussy, but they were still on. She lifted her feet, hooking them over his calves. She’d wished she were totally naked.

He’d torn open her shirt but the remnants of it twisted on her arms where the material had slipped. It didn’t matter as her climax had built, on the verge of coming so hard she wouldn’t be surprised if she saw stars.

The sounds Obsidian made had turned her on more. He’d growled and snarled, his hands nearly bruising on her hips when he’d gripped her to keep her in place. Her eyes had widened when his cock suddenly felt bigger, stretching her more, and then he’d slowed his hips in sharp, jerky thrusts as she felt him coming.

Bursts of hot semen had flooded deep inside her as he’d slowed to a stop. His considerable weight settled over her, his chest against her back, his heavy breathing tickling her ear.

She wanted to scream in disappointment, so close to her own finish line, but now it was over.

Long seconds passed while he shivered on top of her, softly groaned her name and nuzzled the side of her head with his jaw.

He’d lifted and she could breathe easier, but at the same time she missed the way he’d been so close to her. She’d turned her head turned to see his face, at least wanting the satisfaction of watching one of them get off.

His dark-brown eyes had appeared black, his eyelids half closed, while he watched her. He panted, features flushed from passion, and his fangs were showing. Something instantly changed though. His mouth had pressed closed in a firm line of displeasure. She wondered why.

He had dragged her a few inches more over the edge of the bed, one hand slid in front of her, and his fingers stroked her clit.

She gasped then moaned at the instant sensation of how good it felt. Obsidian turned his hand just enough to use one finger and quickly rubbed the bundle of nerves with enough force to drive her wild.

She threw her face into the bedding, clawed at the bedspread, and knew it could only feel better if he were still fucking her. He was inside her though, bigger than life with their bodies joined so intimately, her weight completely resting against his hips and thighs.

“My Alli,” he rasped, lowering his head.

Louder moans filled the room when he lightly nipped her shoulder with his fangs, licked the spot and moved higher up her throat. Nibbles and hot breath teased the sensitive area while he continued to stroke her clit. She tensed, resisted the urge to beg him to not stop, she was so close, and then it happened. She threw her head back to hit his chest when she pushed hard against the bed with her hands as she sucked in air. The cry that came out of her was noisier than she intended but she didn’t give a damn while she climaxed hard.

Hands shifted on her body while she was gripped in the moment. A big palm caressed her breast, squeezed, and Obsidian bit down on the top of her shoulder. It didn’t hurt but he had a good hold on her. She didn’t feel fear, too distracted by the sensations of her body winding down.

His other hand curved around her waist to anchor her in place as he sat on the floor until she was fully seated on his lap. His cock seemed to have a heartbeat of its own. His teeth released their firm grip and he placed a gentle openmouthed kiss on the spot.

“Alli?”

She forced her eyes open and turned her head just enough to see his face above hers. He was tall even with her on his lap.

“I see you.” He emphasized the words with emotion.

She knew what he meant. He’d mounted Allison Baker, a human whom he’d obviously stopped considering the enemy. She lifted her arm and curved a hand around the back of his neck, stroking him there. She rested her cheek against his chest and closed her eyes, just enjoying being in his arms.

“Thank you.”

She didn’t expand on why she felt that way, torn between the reasons for being grateful that he had made sure she’d enjoyed the sex too and that he’d wanted her to know she wasn’t a replacement for his deceased mate.

Their breathing regulated as they sat there. Obsidian remained hard but the swelling receded enough that she knew he could withdraw his cock from her pussy. He didn’t budge, just held her and she was good with that. She had no desire to move.

His hand still gripping her breast slid lower to her rib cage and he bent his head until it rested against hers. It was quiet in the house and a sense of peace hit Alli. She wished she could bottle and save the moment forever.

“Moon is outside waiting.” He was the first one to speak.

A hint of regret struck Alli as she nodded slightly to let him know she’d heard him. He’d have to return to Medical. Her hands lifted to grip his hand on her middle, and gave it a squeeze.

She tried to muster the will to climb off his lap.

“I need to go out there.”

“I know.” She opened her eyes and stared at the rumpled bedspread in front of her where her body had been pinned. “I have things to do too.”

Look for a job and finish packing the last of my stuff while I wait for someone to come tell me if I’m going to prison or just being booted from Homeland.

It was goodbye and she knew it. It hurt. Obsidian had become a huge part of her life for the months she’d worried about him and cared for him. It only made it worse that they’d had sex a few times. She had fallen in love with him despite it being stupid and flat-out wrong. He wasn’t in a good place in his life to start anything and she of all people knew that. Obsidian’s thighs tensed and he lifted up. She let him go, gripped the edge of the bed and slowly lifted up.

She hated the feel of their bodies separating.

She’d been filled by him, connected, and the loss staggered her when he eased his cock completely free. Her movements were clumsy as she stood, her gaze searching for something to wrap around her to hide her torn clothes that revealed too much. Her hand fisted on the already messy bed and just yanked hard.

“I should, um, shower and change.” She refused to look directly at him but could see out of the corner of her eye when he stood, pulling up his sweats.

“Do that,” he urged.

It was an awkward moment that she mourned.

It shouldn’t be uncomfortable after they’d made love. Fucked, she corrected. That’s all it was to him. Don’t be stupid and make it out to be more.

He stepped out of her line of sight and she turned her head to stare at his back. His hair was free to his waist, the black, silky tresses something she longed to stroke. And then he was gone. He just left without another word.

Hot tears filled her eyes and she didn’t bother to blink them back. He could have told her it had been fun, or some other lame-ass line. It would have at least been polite. She winced at the sound of the front door opening and closing. Obsidian was gone and she’d never see him again.

The bedspread slipped from her fingertips, falling to the floor. She stumbled toward the bathroom, wiggling out of the destroyed shirt. It wasn’t hard to do since only the arms remained intact to hold it on her body. The pants were history. They hadn’t just torn down the seams, he’d had split them at the waist as well.

She didn’t wait for the water to warm, just stepped into the chilly spray with a shudder. It soaked her skin but she wished it could reach her heart. A little cold could do her some good at that moment. The temperature warmed and she turned, shoving her face under the showerhead as it flowed over her hair, shoulders, and down her body.

The urge to breathe finally forced her to move.

She sucked in air and wiped at her face. Life would go on. She’d learned that lesson time and time again but it didn’t mean she wouldn’t hurt for a long time. Falling in love sucked when only one person felt it.

Alli took her time washing her hair, in no hurry to face her bedroom. It would only make her relive what had happened in there. She regretted the fight with Obsidian earlier in the day that had made him demand she leave his room at Medical.

Otherwise they’d probably already be curled together on his bed with him demanding she stroke his chest.

A smile emerged, albeit a sad one. He could be so demanding and a bully but she understood he wasn’t a typical man. New Species didn’t always have the best social skills and he was newly freed. He just needed to learn manners and be given time to understand that people were about give and take.

She turned off the shower, pushed open the glass door and used a towel to dry off then wrapped it around her body. A second one secured her wet hair. Her gaze landed on the discarded clothes. She’d have to toss them in the trash but it could wait. They were one more reminder of Obsidian that she was hesitant to lose despite how pathetic she decided it would be to keep the destroyed pants and shirt.

The sight of him sitting on the edge of her bed surprised her. Her heart raced as their gazes met. His hands were open, gripped the top of his thighs above his bent knees and his hair trailed down his sexy chest. She halted.

“You’re not at Medical.”

“I walked outside to talk to Moon. He was in your yard.”

“I thought you were going back to your room.”

Displeasure tightened his features. “No.”

“Okay.” She took a few steps closer, watching him closely, trying to figure out what that meant.

“I told him I’m staying with you.” He glanced away from her to her bed. “It’s too soft.” He stared at the floor. “We should sleep there.”

We. Her pulse jumped. “You want to spend the night with me?”

“Your living space is bigger.” He stood, looking tall and impressive, also determined. “You will sleep on the floor with me.” One hand lifted to press against his chest. “I will cushion you.”

Her mind shifted gears, happy he wanted to be with her. “The pillow-top comes off. The mattress under it is probably closer to what you have in your room.” Not that she’d mind finding a reason to sleep sprawled over him if he chose the floor.

She just didn’t see how he could be comfortable lying on the carpet.

Obsidian turned, gripped the sheets, and stripped them. He touched the thick padding covering the mattress and grunted softly. It was pulled off and tossed into a corner. He bent forward, giving her the perfect opportunity to admire his beefy ass, outlined in the sweatpants while he shoved down on the top of the bed to test it.

“Good. Firmer.” He straightened. “Remove the towels and lie down with me.”

“Don’t you want sheets?”

“I just want you.” His gaze drifted over her from head to foot. “Bare on the bed.”

She glanced at the front of his pants, the stiff outline of his cock showing. “Oh.” It was a reminder that Species males were highly sexual and he was ready for round two.

“Are you sore?” He stepped closer. “Was I too rough?”

“No.”

His chin jutted out a bit. “I want you.”

She had no problem with that, really pleased he was in her bedroom with no plans to leave. She stepped closer to him. The doorbell rang.

“Ignore it.”

She wished she could. “The officers have a key to my house. They will come in if we don’t see what they want.”

His hands fisted. “Why do they have access to your living space?”

“I’m an employee. It’s just the way it is.”

“Not anymore. No male is allowed here but me.” He turned and stormed out of the room.

“Shit!”

He had looked furious. She spun, rushed to her closet, and yanked her robe from the hook on the door of the walk-in. It went over her towel, she didn’t take the time to ditch it and rushed after him while she tied the belt firmly around her waist.

Chapter Fourteen

Obsidian had already opened the front door by the time Alli ran into the living room. Jericho was outlined in the doorway by the porch light. He glared grimly at the one who blocked his access.

“You need to return to Medical.”

“It’s fine.” She identified Moon’s voice but he was out of sight, somewhere behind the other officer. “Just guard him here. I told you this isn’t a big issue.”

Jericho growled. “Stay out of this. You’ve done enough damage.”

“He wanted to see her and they needed to work a few things out.” Moon gripped the officer by his shoulder, forcibly turning him to face him. “Don’t be a dick because I took him out of there without asking first. I was with him the entire time. Well, close by anyway. They needed some privacy but I sat on the steps right here.”

Alli walked to stand behind Obsidian, peering around him to see the porch. Moon and Jericho glowered at each other. The bigger officer put his hands on his hips.

“Orders are that he remains at Medical.”

“He wanted to straighten things out with the doctor. Give him a break.” Moon mimicked the primate Species’ stance. “He’ll be more comfortable living here. It’s where he wants to be. Ask him. He just said he’s not leaving her side. That’s why I called you instead of jogging back to give you the news. I was standing guard until you could take over.”

“We follow orders to prevent there being chaos in our society.”

“Fuck? Really?” Moon shook his head, frowning. “What is it going to hurt if he’s here or there?

He can still have around-the-clock protection until someone decides he’s completely stable. He wants the doctor and he’s obviously learned that not all of humans are evil shits.” Moon twisted his head to get a meaningful look at Obsidian.

“Tell him you don’t have the urge to go hurt anyone.”

“I am not leaving Alli and I want her key from you.” He held out his hand. “You aren’t allowed inside her space. Only me.”

Jericho’s head whipped around. “You stay out of this.”

“Give me her key.” Obsidian’s voice deepened.

“Now.”

“He doesn’t appear stable to me.” Jericho sidestepped away from the door to put space between them, not turning his back on the angry male. “I don’t have it to give you. This isn’t my sector to patrol.”

“What does that mean?”

“The officer who walks the perimeter would have the master keys to all the homes here,” Moon explained. “Jericho’s assignment is at Medical.”

“I want the key.”

“It’s only to be used in case of emergencies.

It’s no big deal.”

“I want her key,” Obsidian snarled, not calmed by the information.

Alli gripped his arm, drawing his attention.

“It’s okay.”

He looked away from her to bestow a threatening look on the other males. “I will control her space now.”

Jericho got a disgusted look on his face. “It’s not so we can keep her inside her home. The doors lock from the inside or only from the outside when she leaves it to go to work so no one goes inside. Humans aren’t as trusting as we are.

She came from the human world where others steal their things if they aren’t secured by locks.”

“No male will have access to her space. Just me.”

Moon grinned. “Makes sense to me. Chill out.

I’ll get the key from whoever is assigned to the area. I’m surprised he hasn’t shown up yet.”

“Don’t tell him that. You have no authority to break rules.” Jericho protested. “It’s standard procedure to always have access to all homes.”

“Take the stick out of your ass.” Moon laughed. “He wants the key so we’ll get it for him.”

“What is going on?” It was a female voice.

Alli craned her neck around the other side of Obsidian’s broad frame to spot a female New Species as she jumped the waist-high fence along the side of her yard. Kit landed with grace and smoothed her hands over her uniform, approaching quickly. “Did the doctor escape?” She pulled out a cell phone from her shirt pocket. “I’ll alert Security.”

“I’m right here.” Alli tried to step out from behind Obsidian but he gripped the doorway, halting her progress around him.

“You said she was free.” Obsidian opened his mouth, flashing his fangs. “You lied.”

“She kidnapped you. Of course she is a prisoner.” Kit climbed the porch steps, giving Obsidian a once-over from head to foot. “You are attractive.” She glanced at Moon. “He is the one from Medical, right?”

“Yes.”

Kit openly admired Obsidian’s chest and Alli fisted her hands, not liking the way the other woman was ogling him. The Species female suddenly advanced until she almost walked right into his chest. Her nostrils flared as she sniffed.

“Poor thing,” she crooned. “Did the human seduce you? You’re covered in her scent but it washes off.” Her hand lifted and she ran a finger down the biceps closest to Alli. She had the audacity to purr. “Follow me back to Medical and I’ll help you bathe.”

Obsidian jerked his arm away from her wandering finger. “Don’t touch me, female.”

Kit grinned. “I enjoy being snarled at. I heard you might be somewhat feral.” A louder purr came from her. “I enjoy rough sex.”

“He is with Dr. Allison.” Moon sounded irritated. “Stop messing with him, Kit.”

“I haven’t yet.” She looked down. “But I want to. You’re a big one, aren’t you?” She gave Alli a dismissive glance before smiling at Obsidian.

“That one is good if she’s all that is available when you need to mount a female but I would never ask you to restrain yourself, baby. Humans are a waste of our time.”

Alli ground her teeth, insulted, and wished she knew how to fight. Kit needed to be bitch-slapped in the worst way. “Don’t you have a ball of yarn to go play with?” The dig that came out of her mouth surprised her but she didn’t regret returning the insult.

Moon laughed. “You deserved that, Kit.”

Kit fixed angry, nearly black catlike eyes on Alli and hissed. “I know what I’d like to bat at right now…with my claws.”

Obsidian snarled and pushed Alli farther behind him. “Try it and we’ll fight. You don’t threaten my female.”

Jericho gripped Kit’s arm and hauled her back.

She hissed at him and he made a deep grumbling noise deep in his throat that seemed to come from his chest. The woman paled slightly. It was a scary sound. Alli even got chills. The huge primate was intimidating.

“You scent that they are sharing sex yet you approached him and insulted her in front of him.”

Jericho slowly shook his head. “Not smart. He will fight you and he might not take into account you’re female. You know better than to challenge a male when he is stressed. Take a walk.”

“This is my territory right now.” Kit yanked her arm free. “You take a walk, Jericho. Stop giving me that red glare. I’m not afraid of you.”

“My eyes aren’t red!” His body tensed.

“Okay, kids,” Moon stepped between them.

“This is quickly getting out of hand.” He glanced between them. “Kit, it’s Jericho’s duty to guard him. Obsidian has decided to live with the doctor, which means his new outpost is here. Jericho’s got jurisdiction so follow his orders. Remove yourself from the doctor’s yard. Jericho, I’ll clear this with Tiger or Justice. They want him happy and this is where he wants to be. You just stick with him until your shift ends. Your replacement will know to come here.”

“You aren’t on duty,” Kit protested. “You can’t give orders and you aren’t my superior.”

He narrowed his gaze on her. “Do you want to take this to them? I’ll tell Tiger how you offered sex to a male involved with a female right in front of her. A human. That is not going to go over well for you.” He snorted. “You’re already on his shit list after some of the ways you’ve irritated him.

You were ordered to stop antagonizing males into fights.”

“Asshole.”

She tried to spin away to leave but Moon suddenly snatched the key ring hooked to her belt. It came free and she hissed, facing him.

“One second.” He held the keys up to the light, reading the markings on them, and withdrew one from the round metal circle that kept them together. “He wants her key.”

“Give that back.”

He tossed the keys at her, minus one. “Have a nice night, sweetheart. You really should work on your bad attitude.” He grinned. “Maybe you could go find a scratching post and take out some of your aggression on it.”

“Don’t ever approach me for sex.”

“Don’t worry. I like my females warm and friendly. I’ve heard about you.”

She snarled a curse, fisted the ring she’d caught, and stomped off into the darkness after walking down the sidewalk. Moon watched her go and then turned, grinning at Jericho.

“Your eyes aren’t red. She’s just being pissy.

She’s gaining a reputation with the males as someone to avoid.” He cut his gaze to Obsidian.

“You’re new and don’t know that she’s cold to the ones she invites to share her body.” He finally looked at Alli. “Don’t take it personally. The last male she was interested in mated a human so she’s holding a grudge.” He held out the key.

“Here. You control her space now.”

Obsidian took the key. “Thank you.”

“That’s what friends are for.” Moon glanced at Jericho. “I’m going to go to Tiger’s. I’ve got this.

Is everything good?”

“Go. I will guard him here. Just make sure you state every detail so I’m not blamed.”

“Will do. Tiger owes me a few favors.” He winked at Obsidian. “Take your female to bed.

I’ll visit you tomorrow.”

Obsidian closed the door and locked it. Alli gasped when he spun, hauled her into his arms and quickly strode toward her bedroom. He could move fast when he was motivated. He still looked angry when he gently lowered her to sit on the bed.

“Are you okay?”

“The female threatened you and you’re a prisoner.”

“I’m not really under arrest. I’m just restricted to my house. I did kidnap you and took you from Homeland.” She hesitated. “I put you in danger.

They have a right to be angry about that. I just was so sure I could keep you safe. I was really careful about renting that house and thought I hadn’t left a way to be tracked. I was wrong.

The NSO found me and that means someone who hates New Species could have too. They don’t trust me anymore because I betrayed them. I’m just glad I’m not still being held inside a cell at Security.”

Obsidian slowly dropped to his knees next to the bed. “I’ll kill anyone who tries to lock you away or take you from me.”

He meant it. Her heart melted but it also made her afraid. The NSO would ask her to leave Homeland at the very least. What if he tried to go with her? As much as she wanted that, hoped he really wanted to be with her, it wouldn’t be safe for him outside the secured walls. New Species were targeted by idiots, racists, and zealous religious fanatics who believed they were abominations. There were also ex-Mercile employees who’d love to capture a Species to use as a bargaining chip to escape prosecution.

Or worse—kill them outright.

“I’m safe here,” she assured him. “Relax.”

“I can’t.” He gripped the edge of the bed. “That female touched me, the guard doesn’t want me here with you and now I need to familiarize myself with your space. No one will get past me to reach you.”

Her hand shot out when he tried to stand, understanding that he meant to stay up all night to make sure no one broke in. “You don’t have to do that.”

He didn’t look convinced. “I’ll fight them if they come for you.”

“They are your people, Obsidian. You can’t do that. No one is going to hurt me.” She scooted closer, unable to resist touching him. Her hands actually itched to feel his skin. One hand gripped his shoulder while her other one cupped his cheek. “I did a bad thing and they don’t trust me.

I blew it by taking you away from Homeland.”

Obsidian wanted to push Alli onto her back and rip the ugly white dress thing off her to gain access to her bare body. He stared deeply into her eyes but saw pain there, halting him from following through. Her voice hinted at her emotional upset as well. He hated to see her that way.

“I could have gotten you killed. Or kidnapped.” Tears swam in her blue eyes and it made his chest tighten. “I was so desperate that I didn’t think beyond taking you somewhere so they couldn’t stop me from spending time with you. I was certain I was right but looking back now I see how I messed up. I should have argued harder with Tiger or gone to Trisha when she returned. I just couldn’t take watching you waste away. I had to attempt to save you.”

She was so beautiful and no one had ever put themselves in danger for him before. She’d taken risks and lost the trust of people she cared about because she’d put him first. Pride and possessiveness surged, all directed at Alli. She was his.

He wasn’t going to let her go. The decision was made. It was simple, right, and he fiercely felt it.

“They aren’t my people,” he stated firmly in a husky voice. “You are.”

Her hand trembled against his cheek while she slid off the edge of the bed to stand on her knees before him. Her body pressed against his. “I wish that were true.”

“It is.” Anger flashed. “I don’t lie.”

“I just meant…” Her voice trailed off and her gaze lowered to his chest in front of her face.

“What?”

“You are going to get to know more New Species and adjust to your new life. You’ll meet other women…not like Kit.” Her tone hoarsened saying the name and it implied that she might feel possessive of him. “But you are just interested in me now because I’m the only thing familiar to you.”

He tore the towel off her head to toss it away.

Wet ringlets fell free. They were cold but he fisted a handful of hair at the base of her neck, gently forcing her to look at him. No fear showed but she still had tears glistening in her eyes. He knew it wasn’t from pain, his hold was not that tight.

He lowered his head, bowed his body enough to go nose to nose with her and softly growled.

“You’re all I want to know.”

“You just feel grateful but you don’t need to. I was doing my job.”

“You were ordered to steal me?”

“No.”

“Was it your job to get into…” He paused, recalling the term. “Hot water by taking me somewhere else so you could sleep by my side?”

“No.”

“Why did you do it?”

She tried to look away but he moved with her, keeping her head still with his fisted hold to prevent her from being able to break eye contact.

“Why did you do it?” he repeated.

Her pause made him want to snarl. She resisted answering him. She blinked. “I became obsessed with you.”

Obsidian contemplated the meaning of that.

“I, um, know how wrong that was. I knew even if I woke you that you would probably hate me.”

“I don’t. Why would it be wrong? What is wrong with this? Us?”

More tears filled her eyes. “You’ve been through so much, Obsidian. I feel as though I’m taking advantage of you or screwing you up more. You’re so tough but emotionally you have to be reeling from all you’ve survived.”

“I’m bigger than you are.”

“Strength and size has nothing to do with taking advantage of someone. I know how vulnerable people are when they’ve suffered great trauma. You’ve experienced a lifetime of them, one after another.”

Something clicked in his mind. “You still continue to think I’m replacing 46 with you.”

“Maybe. It’s possible.”

He remembered that she’d lost a male she once loved. “Are you using me to replace your lost mate?”

“No.” Her eyes widened, shocked he’d ask. He believed her.

“I’m not him and you are not 46.” He tilted his head slightly. “This isn’t wrong. It doesn’t feel that way. This is right. Feel it.” He paused. “Feel me.” He released her hair and cupped the back of her head, pulling her mouth to his.

He enjoyed kissing Alli. The softness of her mouth, the way she sucked in air right before he sealed his lips over hers. Her eager response when he delved his tongue inside to link them together assured him she wanted him as much as he did her. Alli’s hand on his shoulder tightened and her little fingernails dug into his skin with just enough pressure to make his dick fill with blood.

Her other hand slid up his cheek to tangle in his hair, holding him in place too.

He hugged her around her waist with his free arm to press her tighter against his body until she felt one with him. She was his and he wouldn’t let her go. No other female would attract him more than she did. Alli was all he wanted, all he needed. He just had to teach her that he did know his own mind and body. Her worries about him being confused were wasted.

Alli melted against him, her compliance a sexy thing that made his desire to mount her grow into a painful throbbing in his dick. He ended the kiss, both of them panting, and their gazes met. The sadness was gone to be replaced by need for him.

Mine!

Her gaze searched his. “Obsidian?”

“No talking.” He eased her down his body a little and released her, backing out of her hold.

“Remove that thing.” He didn’t hide the distaste in his expression when he glanced down her body. “It is ugly.”

She laughed, not insulted. “It’s my bathrobe.”

“Throw it away.”

Blonde eyebrows arched but she didn’t protest, just untied the belt at the waist. He fought the urge to lunge at her while she struggled free of all the material, some of it trapped under her legs.

The towel under it wasn’t welcome but she removed it without being asked.

“On the bed now.”

“So demanding.” She kept smiling. “It’s a good thing I can get past that little flaw of yours.”

“I’m perfect.”

Her gaze slid down his torso to his waist as she laughed. “Almost. You still have pants on.”

He enjoyed the way she teased him as she lifted up and sat naked on the edge of the bed.

Her thighs parted to reveal her sex just enough to make him want her more. His thumbs hooked the waist of his sweatpants, shoved, and he stood as he removed them.

“Lie back.”

The smile faded but she didn’t show fear as she did as he commanded. He stalked closer to stare down at her. She looked so appealing with her hair spread out over the mattress, her pale skin, and those blue eyes of hers fixed on his face.

“Turn over.”

The hesitation frustrated him but he was stunned when she suddenly bolted upright and her hand gripped the shaft of his cock. It didn’t hurt, her fingers gentle as they wrapped around him near the base.

“What are you doing?”

“You never kissed anyone before me. You never had sex in any position besides doggy either.”

She licked her lips. “Ever had this done?”

His entire body grew rigid when those lips parted and she slowly brought her mouth to the head of his cock. She watched his face. He hissed out when her little, warm tongue licked him from just under the crown to the tip, circled it, and pulled back.

“Nope. I can tell by the way you’re looking at me as if I just grew two heads or something.” She laughed. “You lie down on your back.” Her head jerked toward the bed behind her. “Do you trust me?”

He wasn’t about to forget the feel of her licking him. Ever. His balls had automatically drawn up tight and his dick was so hard it hurt. The strong ache of it couldn’t be ignored. He wanted more and he did trust her. The fact that she’d given him an order registered but it was one he wanted to follow, more than a bit curious.

“It will feel good. I know to pull away before you come and that you’re going to swell when you do.”

It was difficult moving with his dick sticking straight out and his balls feeling as though they were two rocks trapped between his thighs. He sat, spread his legs enough to alleviate the uncomfortable feeling, and watched Alli roll onto her hands and knees. All he could imagine was moving into position behind her. He wanted to fuck her hard and deep.

She crawled slowly up his thigh, smiling. Her tongue licked her lips again before she broke eye contact to stare at his dick. “You’re big. Hold as still as you can.” She glanced up. “You’re probably going to get the urge to move your hips but try to fight it. I don’t want to be choked.”

He mutely nodded, entranced by the fact that her mouth was so close to his dick. He attempted to force his body to relax but it was difficult.

Every muscle had grown as rigid as his cock and he forgot how to breathe when Alli wrapped her lips around the crown of his dick again. Her hot tongue licked and he clenched his teeth, his hands grabbing for anything that wasn’t her.

He couldn’t get a grip on the mattress so he reached up, his fingers curling over the top of her headboard. Wood creaked but it didn’t break as he watched her move, taking a little more of his shaft. She sucked and the sensations gave him raw pleasure so powerful it made thinking impossible. Growls tore from him before he could stop them and he broke out in a sweat.

She didn’t stop. Her mouth tortured him as she withdrew to the tip but then took a little more of his length with each slow tug. Her gaze lifted, held his, and he lost it. It was too intense, too raw.

He wanted to come more than he wanted his heart to beat and knew he would soon if she didn’t stop.

“Alli,” he snarled.

She released him. He groaned from remorse that she wasn’t licking him anymore, his hips arching toward her despite trying to remain still.

Alli wasn’t done with him though when she leaned up and her bare breasts rubbed the sides of his shaft. The sight of his dick snug between the soft mounds almost sent him over the edge. He had no idea what she was doing but he liked it.

She braced on her legs, reached up with both hands, and cupped her breasts, pushing them tighter against his dick. The slow movement rubbed her incredibly soft body along his painfully hard shaft. His hips arched upward to move faster, unable to control them. She shifted her hold, hugged her breasts with one arm while keeping him trapped in the valley of them and her other hand teased the top of his dick, stroking him.

He fisted the headboard tighter, something above him snapped loudly but he didn’t care what caused the sound. Fire rushed from his belly down to his dick, ecstasy exploding from him as he came violently. He threw his head back against the mattress while riding out each blissful jolt of his semen shooting from his body. It seemed endless while he writhed in pleasure until every muscle turned lax.

He panted, eyes closed, while trying to recover.

A hot tongue touched the top of his oversensitive dick and a snarl burst from his lips. His eyes snapped open and he stared in shock at Alli still crouched over him on her knees.

Her blonde hair spilled across of his hips and hid her face while she ran her tongue over him again. He could feel the wetness of his semen on his belly but he saw more it splashed across her breasts when her chin lifted until she could peer at him.

“You taste really sweet.” She smiled before straightening up to sit on the bed and glanced down at her chest. Her laugh was musical to him.

“I think I should shower again.” Her gaze held his. “I’ll be right back.”

He wanted to stop her but his body refused to respond, still recovering from the devastation her mouth had done to him. He had a difficult time catching his breath or finding the energy to move.

She glanced up and laughed again before looking at him.

“Next time we’ll have to use a sturdier bed or maybe you could hang on to the edge of the mattress.” Another laugh. “We’re definitely going to do that again soon.”

He wasn’t sure what she meant about the bed and could only watch her turn away from him to climb off the bed and walk to the bathroom.

The door was left open. Water came on, assuring him she really meant to shower and not flee. He glanced upward.

The bent metal of the top bar of the headboard hung precariously over him. He’d broken it in his haste to cling to something to prevent him from bruising her instead with his hands.

“Alli’s mine forever,” he swore.

* * *

Alli was still smiling when she turned off the water and grabbed a fresh towel to dry off. It hadn’t surprised her that he’d enjoyed oral sex but the sense of power she’d experienced had.

Obsidian was always so dominating but that had changed drastically when she’d shown him how it felt to be on the receiving end of oral sex. He’d been putty in her hands. Mouth, she corrected silently, chuckling.

He remained sprawled on his back where she’d left him when she stepped out of the bathroom.

His long frame barely fit length-wise down her bed, his heels right at the bottom. His cock was still semi-hard as she perused every inch of him until she stared at his face again. It was a hell of a sexy sight and so was the still-dazed, sated look on his masculine features. He took her breath away when his dark gaze fixed on her.

“Come here,” he demanded in a gruff tone.

Things are back to normal, she decided, still smiling as she slowly approached the bed. She released the towel where she held it together in front of her and put a knee on the bed. Her gaze left his to lower to his abdomen. Every muscle was defined, proof of how fit he remained despite the time he’d lain in a comatose state. She dropped the damp material over his belly.

He tensed a little until he realized she was cleaning him with it. His body relaxed. “You are tending to me.”

“Yes.” She could stare into his eyes endlessly.

“You look pretty comfy right where you are.” She tossed the towel toward the bathroom when she was done, happy she hit the tile floor with her aim. “It’s got to be past the time you usually go to bed. Tired?” She stretched out naked next to him.

He rolled to his side to face her. “I liked that.”

“I know. So did I.”

He glanced down her body. “You were aroused.” His nostrils flared as he sniffed. “I want to tend to you.”

“Why don’t we get some sleep first?” She was tired. It had been a long, emotionally draining day between dealing with the stress of her possible future and the argument she’d had with him earlier.

“I could use a few hours sleep.”

He used his arm to brace his head to peer down at her. “You don’t want me to mount you?”

“I do. Just give me a few hours rest.”

“You’re human.”

She wanted to flinch. He said it as though it were a bad thing, from the brusque tone he used.

She wondered if he regretted coming to her house. “I am.”

A smile suddenly changed his features into downright handsome. “I enjoy our differences.”

He shifted to lie on his back and glanced at her.

“Curl into me tight.”

She wiggled closer and hooked her leg over his, one hand on his chest, and lifted her head when he adjusted his arm to pillow her. His warmth was welcome and she remembered the light was still on.

“One of us should turn that off.”

His hand rested over the top of hers, pinning it over his heart. “Later. I just want to hold you.”

Her eyes closed as she yawned. “That’s a good thing about being a doctor. I can sleep anywhere, at any time, under any circumstances. I just thought it would bother you.”

“I have all I need.”

She smiled against his skin. “Me too.” She’d worry about tomorrow when it came. Right at that moment they were together and it was all that mattered.

Chapter Fifteen

Alli watched Obsidian eat breakfast, amused.

He sniffed at the sausage and his tongue darted out to lick it before cautiously taking a nibble. His dark gaze fixed on her while he chewed after finally taking a bite.

“I told you it was safe to eat.”

“They didn’t bring this on a tray.”

“I cooked it.”

Eyebrows arched while he studied her. “How?”

Her thumb jerked in the direction of the stove.

“On the stovetop. It heats and cooks food.”

He rose slowly to his feet. “Teach me now.”

She sipped her coffee but didn’t budge. “It’s not that simple.”

He settled back in his chair, watching her as though she might start pulling rabbits from a hat or something. She grinned while holding his stare.

“It’s not magical or anything. It’s basic living skills. I’ll let you watch me fix lunch in a few hours. That’s how I learned. My mom taught me.”

She studied his handsome features. He looked well rested. His hair was still wet. Her hand reached up to push back her own wet strands.

They’d woken, made love and she’d gotten out of the shower first to make scrambled eggs, sausage and toast for them to share.

“What was that like?”

“Learning how to cook? Kind of boring, actually. I didn’t really want to but she insisted I should have those skills. I’m glad I do now.”

“What was it like having a mother?”

Her humor fled quickly. It reminded her of his upbringing in a cold setting by Mercile Industries. “My parents were terrific. They remained together until I was in my teens before they got divorced.”

“What is that?”

“They decided they’d grown apart over the years and stopped living together. Both of them met great people though and remarried. I get along great with my stepparents.”

A look of horror wrinkled his face. “They stopped living together and are with other mates?”

“Yes.”

A low growl rumbled from him. “That’s wrong. Mates are forever.”

She took a deep breath. “Humans tend to get divorced often. Fifty years ago not so much but these are modern times. People grow apart and they leave if they are unhappy to be with someone else who makes their lives better.”

“You aren’t leaving me. You’re happy.”

She was stunned.

“I’ll kill any male who attempts to lure you away.”

She decided against being disturbed by the threat, knowing he wasn’t exactly like other men.

Alarm bells would normally be going off inside her head if anyone said that to her. “I’m not your mate,” she gently reminded him.

Dark eyes narrowed and another gruff growl burst from his slightly parted lips. “You’re mine.”

It was time to change the subject. “What do you want to do today?” She glanced around.

“There’s so much for you to learn. I know you have the television remote control down pat but I could teach you how to use the other stuff in my house.”

“Why?”

“You’ll be assigned to the men’s dorm at some point. They’ll have someone teach you basics but we could get a jump on it. You should learn how to use a vacuum, a mop, and how to do laundry.

Otherwise you’re going to have one messy home with no clean clothes to wear.”

“Is it important to you?”

“That you don’t live in a pig sty? Sure.” She set down her coffee. “You want to be self-sufficient so you aren’t dependent upon others.”

“I know that term. I have you.”

“I’m not going to be your maid.” She laughed as she left her chair and stepped into the living room. The humor died quickly though when she remembered she wouldn’t be around to do those things for him even if she wanted. “You need to learn how to care for yourself.”

“What is a maid?” He followed, stalking her with a grace that reminded her of a cat. His bare chest was impressive and he wore the only clothes he had—the sweatpants from the day before.

“It’s someone you pay to do your housework.

They clean, sometimes cook your meals and wash your clothes if that’s a service they provide.

I had one before I moved here. I worked so many hours it was the only way anything got done. She even ran errands for me.”

“What are those?” He tracked her until she found herself backed into a corner.

“Errands? Um, buying food and taking some of my stuff where I needed it to go. I don’t think you have to worry about dry cleaning here at Homeland though. I know I’ve nearly forgotten what it’s like to have neatly pressed clothes.”

He stared down at her and sniffed.

“What are you doing?”

“You smell of food again.”

“So do you. You used my shampoo and conditioner. It’s scented with vanilla and coconut.”

“I’m hungry.”

“You just ate all my eggs, sausages, and had six pieces of toast. I have to order more groceries.

I could make you a sandwich or five. You sure have a big appetite.”

He surprised her when he dropped to his knees and gripped the waist of the nightshirt that fell to her knees. “For you.”

Alli’s heart rate accelerated as he nuzzled her belly. Firm hands slid down to grip the hem of her shirt and push it up. He made a sound of displeasure when he discovered her pink panties.

“I don’t like these. They are in my way.” He glanced up. “Stop putting on needless clothing.”

“People wear them.”

“You won’t.” One hand flattened to hold her shirt up while he hooked the fingers of his other hand at the waist of her panties, just giving them one rough jerk. Material tore.

“Those were expensive.”

He didn’t look impressed as he tossed them behind him. She watched them land on the coffee table. “They aren’t made well.”

“Silk isn’t much of a match against someone as strong as you.”

He gripped her inner thigh, lifted it and nearly knocked her off balance. Her hands opened on the walls in the corner to stay upright. He hooked the curve of her knee over one shoulder and dipped his head to brush his mouth over her bellybutton while kissing lower.

His tongue was warm and a little rough as it darted out to lick her skin. Her breathing increased as her eyes closed. Obsidian turned her on. Her nipples grew taut and her breathing increased, knowing where he headed as his chin rubbed against her mound.

“We should go in the bedroom.”

He paused. “Here. Now.”

She looked down at him just in time to watch him lower his body to sit on his legs. He pushed at her thigh until she rested her heel on his shoulder, her leg bent up to give him freer access to her exposed pussy. Nothing could hold back the moan when he fastened his mouth over her clit.

She was grateful her back rested against the corner since the leg supporting her weight nearly collapsed when Obsidian growled, the vibrations and his tongue playing hell on her system. He hadn’t been kidding about being hungry if the aggressive way he manipulated the bundle of nerves was any indication. Her hands fell away from the wall so she could slide her fingers into his silky hair at the back of his head, holding him in place.

One of his fingers drove inside her, adding to the pleasure. He didn’t go in slow but thrust in fast and deep, triggering a new, wonderful sensation. Her breathing increased when he withdrew it and inserted two fingers. The feeling of being stretched and taken a little roughly made her cry out his name. It seemed to urge him to fuck her faster with both digits, his mouth and tongue frantically suckling her clit.

Alli couldn’t think beyond trying to remain upright when all she wanted to do was sink to the floor. Moans and pants filled the room, growing in volume as he found the spot inside her pussy that drove her insane. She was going to come hard and fast as the climax built.

“Slow down,” she begged.

He ignored her plea. Her hands tore out of his hair as she reached up, grabbing her own breasts, just to soothe the achy feeling of them. Her fingers gripped the mounds through her shirt, pinching the taut tips between her fingers. The added sensation was all it took to send her over the edge.

“Fuck,” she gasped, her body seizing as spasms tore through her belly and lower, the intense pleasure coursing straight to her brain. Her head hit the wall hard when she threw it back but it didn’t hurt. She was too focused on her release.

He rose, shoving her foot off his shoulder. She would have collapsed but one arm hooked around her waist and she was hoisted off her feet. It was tough to keep her eyes open when all she wanted to do was close them but Obsidian was in her face, his gaze locked with hers a second later.

“Wrap around me,” he demanded harshly.

Her body was sluggish to respond. Her hands were trapped between their chests where he’d lifted her, still cupping her breasts, although loosely now. A dizzy moment struck when he suddenly spun and took her with him. He quickly strode down the hallway and into her room. She hit the bed when he dropped her on it to sprawl on her back.

Obsidian dropped to his knees, gripped the back of her calves under her knees and yanked her to the edge of the bed. His hands slid down to her ankles, lifted both legs to rest against his chest and released one of them. She looked down between the inches of space between her inner thighs to see him grab the band of his sweatpants to shove the front of them down. His cock was hard and thick as he freed it and long fingers wrapped around the shaft to guide it to her pussy.

The crown of his cock slid in the wetness of her release while he positioned himself. He entered her slowly, a surprise after the way he’d assertively gone at her in the other room. She moaned, fisting the mattress for something to cling to while he seemed to struggle to seat himself fully in her body. Her vaginal muscles still fluttered from coming so hard.

He released his shaft and hooked an arm across his chest to pin her legs in place between it and him. An animalistic snarl burst from him and drew her attention to his face. His dark gaze was narrowed while he watched her, a near-pained expression giving him a ruthless appearance.

Obsidian fought a battle that ragged between common sense and instinct. The physical dissimilarities between him and Alli had never been more apparent to him. He wanted to hammer into her until his balls exploded and he filled her with his seed. She was smaller than him, at his mercy, but didn’t show fear.

He took a few deep breaths to calm his raging lust. She trusted him not to hurt her and he’d do anything to maintain her faith. His heartbeat slowed as seconds passed while he regained control. The feel of her pussy clamped tightly around his dick was the best thing he’d ever experienced.

Her muscles fisted him with enough strength to make moving difficult.

The slow, steady thrust of his hips sent pure bliss rolling throughout his body. Every motion brought him closer to release but he resisted, wanted it to last as long as possible. Slick warmth welcomed him in her soft depths with every deep drive of his shaft that joined them together. He was convinced Alli had been made for him.

Her face grew flushed while soft moans urged him to keep fucking her. He never wanted to stop.

Mine. That claim repeated over and over as he clenched his teeth, struggling to hold off his release. His hips shifted the angle of his stroking dick and her cries grew louder. Muscles tightened around him until it nearly hurt and more warm wetness flooded between them.

Obsidian threw his head back and stopped fighting the inevitable as he began to come. His body shook from the force of it and he eased his hold over her thighs, parted them, and collapsed to pin her under him. The swelling started at the base of his dick, each jet of semen seeming as if there was so much of it that it couldn’t leave his balls fast enough, making his shaft thicker instead. He slowed his grinding hips until they were locked together.

Alli panted against his neck as he braced his arms to avoid crushing her chest with his. The feel of her legs wrapping loosely around his hips gave him a sense of pride. She clung to him instead of attempting to keep as much distance as possible between them. Her fingers curled around his biceps to hold him there as well. Nothing could prevent the satisfied grin that surfaced. She knew she belonged to him.

He’d take Alli to the men’s dorm when they moved him out of Medical. She’d go wherever he lived. He studied her room as he caught his breath, waiting for the swelling to go down.

She’d said she’d lose her home when the New Species decided to replace her as their doctor but that wasn’t true. She’d always have a place to sleep with him.

Worry surfaced as he contemplated his unknown future. Moon had said he’d be trained to work to be a part of the community. He had no real skills besides surviving and fighting humans.

The ones at Homeland were supposedly friendly and not enemies. His attention shifted to Alli, watching her regain her calmer breathing with her eyes still closed. She wasn’t someone he’d ever harm so he was willing to believe not all of them were bad or cruel. She’d risked her life and job to save him. No one he’d ever met at Mercile had done anything to help him.

Her eyes opened. “Hi.”

She made him happy. “I’m not moving. I like having you under me.”

Her fingers caressed the back of his arms. “I’m not complaining.” She laughed. “I like you over me. You didn’t mount me from behind.”

He looked proud. “I enjoy seeing your eyes while I’m inside you and thought about ways to do that. You don’t need strength to hold your weight in this position.”

Some of his contentment faded while memories tugged him into the past. 46 had never looked at him the way Alli did or allowed him to get close to her. She’d have fought him by now to put space between them despite the uncomfortable difficulty of separating their bodies. He’d never understood why she’d been so resistant to being his mate until he’d met the human female.

Is this the strong bond that 46 made with the male before me? Is that why she hated our time together? He’d resist caring about another female if she weren’t Alli. He’d resent her and be angry if they were locked inside a room together, forced to mate. 46 had rage. He suddenly understood the source. It hadn’t been personal dislike for him but instead that she hadn’t been allowed to be with the male she’d chosen.

“Hey? Are you okay?” Soft hands left his arms to cup his face, drawing his attention back to the present while he stared deeply into her expressive eyes. She liked to touch his cheeks. “You looked a million miles away.”

“I am right here.”

“What were you thinking about?” Small lines appeared on her forehead that he identified as anxiety. “Are you sure you’re okay? Are your knees still bothering you from when you jumped off the roof? I want to look at them.”

“I am fine.” He paused. “I understand something I did not before.”

“What is that?” Her fingertips lightly traced his facial bones.

Alli worried he had deep feelings for 46. There was nothing wrong with his intelligence. He’d grow angry if she spoke of another male while they were physically joined so he quickly sought a reason to be stressed.

“I wonder what kind of task they will have me do at Homeland. I have no skills that would be useful. I’m one of them but I don’t know how to fit in.”

Her expression relaxed. “They will find some kind of job you enjoy. Some of them are guards who patrol Homeland or Reservation while others learn new skills. Destiny, for example, is learning how to be a nurse.”

A snarl tore from his throat, insulted and jealous in a flash that she’d dare mention that male.

“He wants you.”

“Calm down,” she whispered, stroking him as her legs tightened around his waist. “I’m not interested anyone but you. I don’t know why you hate him so much. I work…worked with him.

That’s all.”

“He wants you,” he repeated firmly. “He can’t have you. You’re mine.”

Her hands slid down to his throat, lower, to his shoulders. She gripped him firmly and he tensed, believing she’d begin to fight. Instead her fingers dug in and rubbed. It felt good and some of the rigidness eased.

“That feels good.”

“It’s meant to. Shoulder massages always relax me. I just brought him up as an example. There are lots of things you can do or learn in order to be a part of New Species society. That’s the last thing that you should be thinking about right now.” Her gaze lowered to his chest. “You’re regaining your body mass and strength. You were down for a long time and lost a bit of weight.”

“I’m big.”

“I bet you were bigger before you were hurt.”

He couldn’t deny that. His body had changed from the way it used to be. The changes had reminded him of when he’d angered the technicians at Mercile and they’d refused to feed him before 46 was brought into his room to be his mate.

“They aren’t expecting you to get a job right away. You’ll be moved to the men’s dorm and adjust to life on the outside first. You’ll learn how to live independently and they’ll take you out with different males to show you what they do.

You’ll also be asked if you want to see a therapist.” She paused. “A doctor who will help you work through the anger and pain you suffered while you were in captivity. I strongly suggest it.

Kregkor is a good guy. He’s a bit of a nerd but he’s excellent at what he does.”

Suspicion and jealousy flared. “The male doctor Moon told me about? Do you know him well?

Does he want you too?”

Her eyebrows rose. “Kregkor? No. He’s married. Mated. You know what I mean. He’s got a few kids. You’ll see pictures of them and his wife if you visit his office at Medical. He works parttime for the NSO. I barely see him since he only comes when they call him.”

“Are there any other males who have shown interest in you?”

“No.”

He keenly studied her to judge if she was being honest but didn’t see any signs of deceit. “Good.

I’d fight them.”

“You really need to stop attacking males. They are your people.”

“You are mine.”

The doorbell rang. Obsidian growled. “They will go away.”

“You need to let me up. We have to see who is there. They’ll come in if we don’t answer the door since they know we are home.”

“I have the key to your space.”

“I’m sure they have spares.”

“What are those?”

“Other keys.”

“I will make them give me all of them.” He didn’t want anyone to have access to Alli but him.

The swelling in his dick had subsided. He gently pulled out of her, watching her face to make sure there wasn’t any discomfort for her.

She released him as he lifted up to rise to his feet.

“Stay!” He’d deal with whoever wanted access to Alli’s space.

He pulled the sweatpants up enough to cover his dick and closed her bedroom door when he stormed out of it. The doorbell annoyed him as it rang again. Whoever was outside was persistent. He remembered to unlock it before yanking it open. Two males waited on the other side. They stared at him grimly. He’d met one of them before but the second one was unfamiliar.

Justice spoke first. “Hello, Obsidian. It’s good to see you doing so well.”

The smell of a female mixed with the male’s scent. His sense of smell had been weakened after he’d awoken that first time at Homeland and he’d missed that before. He investigated the other male by turning his head to look that one over from head to foot, picking up another female scent coming from him. They were both mated, judging by the strong combination of scents. He decided they weren’t at the door to attempt to lure Alli into sharing sex with them.

“I want the other keys to Alli’s rooms.”

Dark eyebrows arched as Justice frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“I do,” the other male with the long brown hair announced. “I read the report that Kit filed this morning at the end of her shift. She complained that Moon stole a key from her because Obsidian believed we were locking Dr. Allison inside her house.” His focus shifted to Obsidian. “I am Fury.

We don’t have any other keys. That was the only one.”

“Alli said there are more.”

“She probably assumes that but that was the only key Security had.” The male smiled. “I give my word.”

“I don’t know or trust you.”

Justice stepped closer. “We understand. You need time to learn that we won’t tell lies. How are you adjusting to freedom? I apologize that I haven’t spoken to you recently but I’ve been very busy.”

“Justice deals with the humans outside the walls of our home,” Fury informed him. “It’s a tough job with long hours.”

Obsidian didn’t care about that. “Why are you here?” He eyed them with suspicion.

“I wanted to check on you and I’d like to talk to Allison.” Justice smiled. “I realize now we came at a bad time.”

Fury cleared his throat. “Real bad, judging by our noses. We’re sorry if we interrupted the two of you. I spoke to Moon earlier. He said you and the doctor were close and that you felt secure being with her. He just forgot to mention how close.”

Fury stepped closer and a fainter scent teased Obsidian’s nose. “What is that?” He sniffed more, moving out onto the porch. “It’s sweet and strange.”

The male didn’t back away. “You’re probably picking up baby powder mixed with my son.”

Pride deepened the male’s voice. “My mate and I had a child. His name is Salvation.”

Shock tore through Obsidian. “You bred a child? How?” He sniffed again, fascinated by the unknown smell. It was pleasant and nice.

“We can breed with humans.” Fury hesitated and inched even closer, holding up his hands to make it easier for him to pick up the scents. “I was holding my son before I left for my shift this morning to allow my mate to sleep longer. Her name is Ellie and she’s human.”

Obsidian backed away, confused. He stared hard at the male, hunting for clues of deceit but knew he spoke the truth. The scent he picked up was fresh and nice—life. His mind reeled from the knowledge that one of them had impregnated a female. Emotion rushed at him next, nearly overcoming him with grief.

“I even failed her with that.”

Justice appeared alarmed. “What do you mean? Dr. Allison?”

“46,” he rasped, shame gripping him. “The technicians wanted me to impregnate her but I wasn’t able to.”

“His mate,” Fury whispered. “She—”

“I know.” Justice cut him off. “Our females aren’t able to become pregnant as of yet. The doctors who work for us are running tests to find out why and hopefully fix the problem. They believe it might be a genetic problem between our males and females. We have dominant genes. All our children were born to male Species and female humans. Mercile created us too well and our children share our exact DNA.”

“I don’t understand.”

Fury was the one to explain. “Our children are Species. My son will look exactly as I do when he grows. We were designed so well that males only create male children who carry all our traits but none from the mother.” He paused. “Our females were designed the same way we were.”

“We have a few genetic experts who believe that’s why we always failed to reproduce children with our females. Our genes are too strong to combine to create a life.”

Fury nodded. “What Justice means is that we can only create males and our females will probably only be able to create female children. They think that’s why no Species couple has ever bred children.”

Obsidian allowed the new information to settle. Some of his shame lifted. It wasn’t a defect with just his body. The technicians had always been crueler when their breeding attempts didn’t gain the results they expected. It wasn’t his burden to carry for the unhappiness she’d suffered.

“Do you understand?” Fury gave him a sympathetic look. “You didn’t fail 46.”

“Yes,” he rasped. “Can our females breed successfully with human males? They are weaker.”

“Not so far.” Justice shifted his stance. “We only have one female who has shown interest in mating to a human. He’s one of our doctors but they are newly together. She’s refused testing and wants time to see if it happens naturally before she allows that. It’s understandable after everything she’s survived at Mercile. We all know how painful their tests could be for our females.”

Anger tinged Fury’s voice when he spoke. “We don’t think it’s going to be that simple. Some of our females were raped by humans during captivity but thankfully no pregnancy resulted. It would have only encouraged the bastards to hurt them more.”

“We’re not giving up hope though.”

Alli’s voice startled Obsidian. He spun, glaring at her. He’d been too focused on the males to hear her approach, distracted by the information they’d shared.

“I told you to stay.” Anger exploded inside him over her defiance.

She had dressed in a pair of jeans with a white T-shirt, her wet hair pulled back so it hung in one clump down her back. She rolled her eyes then stared evenly at him.

“We really need to work on your bully issues.”

She glanced behind him and her smile seemed forced. “Hello. Won’t you come in?” Her hand shot out and gripped his forearm before she glanced up at him while tugging him closer.

“Move out of the way. They obviously came here for a reason. It’s polite to invite them inside. We sit down and talk.”

“I don’t want you near other males.”

The top of her cheeks turned slightly pink.

“Enough,” she whispered. “Don’t be rude. Justice North controls the NSO and Fury is his secondin-command.”

“I don’t care. I don’t want any males near you.”

“Oh my god,” she hissed. “Stop! They have mates.” She stared at Justice. “I’m really sorry.”

Her cheeks were a brighter red. “He is working on his social skills still.” She directed an angry glare at him. “And doing a bad job right now.

Will you please let them inside? Stop blocking the door. He’s my boss, Obsidian. I work for him.

Or I did. Please just behave? For me?”

The plea in her voice softened his reserve to keep the males outside. He grimly nodded and allowed her to tug him into the house. “I’m watching them though. I will attack if one of them touches you.”

Justice cleared his throat. “We won’t.”

“No,” Fury agreed. “This is interesting.”

“I have a feeling things just got more complicated.” Justice sighed. “Shit.”

Chapter Sixteen

Alli had to practically wrestle the stiff Species into a seated position on the loveseat and sat next to him in case he tried to attack Justice or Fury.

She wouldn’t put it past Obsidian to start a fight with either of them. She gripped him firmly, ready to tackle him if he tried to stand. He had no idea how important both of them were to his future life at the NSO.

“Please,” she whispered, leaning into him. “Let me handle this and just be quiet.”

Rage flashed in his glare.

“Do you trust me?”

It hurt, seeing the indecisive expression wafting over his face as he debated the answer. “Yes.”

Relief swept through her. “Thank you.”

She relaxed slightly but kept hold of him. She gave her attention to the two men who settled on the couch across the coffee table from them.

Justice appeared a bit stunned and Fury stared, his expression grim, at her hands gripping Obsidian’s arm. They might be checking on the newest member of the NSO but she had a sneaking suspicion it was about her fate. Justice confirmed it when he spoke.

“We held a meeting this morning about what you did, Allison.” He paused, holding her gaze.

“Your plan worked. Don’t think we aren’t grateful for that.”

Her stomach felt as if it lodged in her throat.

Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good. But?—there is always one of those coming when someone talks that way. She ignored her rapidly beating heart while trying to outwardly appear calm and collected since she sure wasn’t on the inside.

“We are,” Fury agreed. “You were very brave to put your life at risk. He could have woken feral and killed you.”

“You should have contacted Trisha to detail your ideas on how to wake the male. I realize she was at Reservation but we have procedures you agreed to follow. Rules.” Justice paused. “You betrayed the trust of everyone by using the friendships you’ve made to smuggle Obsidian out of Homeland. The medical staff knew you had access to him and no one realized you posed a threat to his security. The officers at the gate allowed you to pass without searching the truck because you’ve always shown them kindness when they came in for ailments you treated.”

Guilt weighed on her. “I know.”

“Part of me wants to ignore the things you’ve done because I believe the reasons were pure.

You had no malice in your heart.” He glanced at Obsidian before staring at her. “You are an excellent doctor.”

“Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say. A spark of hope that she might keep her job ignited at the compliment. It died quickly when Justice resumed speaking.

“Unfortunately, the trust has been broken. We can’t have someone who does irrational things when she or he is told no. That’s what you did.

Do you understand how fortunate it was that the members of the task force found you, instead of our enemies?”

“I know.” Tears burned behind her eyes but she blinked them back, unwilling to break down. “In my defense, may I point out that no one outside of the NSO knew we were missing? You were the only ones looking for us.”

“We’ve had breaches of information leaked to our enemies in the past.” Fury cleared his throat.

“By trusted human employees. There could be more of them that we haven’t discovered yet.

What if they told someone that you and Obsidian were out there within their reach? You risked his life and your own.”

She couldn’t argue with that, even though she wanted to. “I’m really sorry. It was an extreme situation. He was wasting away and Trisha wasn’t here. I really believed my plan would work but it was shot down.” She stared at Justice. “You said no but you were wrong.” Her chin lifted, knowing she had nothing to lose. “You hired me to save Species’ lives and that’s what I did. That’s my job and I was doing it, despite the limitations you put on me. Can we at least agree that while I was wrong to take him, you were wrong too, by denying my requests? We both made mistakes. I’m no threat to the NSO. I’d never hurt or willingly endanger a Species if I believed there was a real danger to their lives. I was sure we’d be safe at that farm. I get the fact that I screwed up somehow because we were found but the bottom line is Obsidian is right here with us.”

Justice wasn’t angry, judging by his calm expression at her tirade. “I agree. We both fucked up. That’s why we won’t hold you criminally accountable for stealing him.”

She rapidly blinked to prevent tears from slipping out. She wasn’t going to prison. Her shoulders sagged a little in reprieve. “Thank you.”

“We don’t trust you anymore though. What kind of message would we be sending if we allowed you to continue to work for us?” Fury leaned forward. “We don’t want to throw you into the out world though, unprotected. It’s too dangerous if anyone discovered your prior association with us. Justice made some phone calls this morning on your behalf and we came up with a solution. We are grateful to you for all you’ve done.”

“I have spoken to Jerry Boris. He heads a special department assigned to us by the government.” Justice paused. “He’s not an easy man to work for but they could use a doctor at the facility he runs. It is self-contained, as the NSO is, and you’ll be assigned living quarters. The pay and benefits will remain the same. You’d be treating humans.”

Fury held her gaze. “This is classified information. Fuller is a prison that contains captured Mercile employees and others who have harmed Species. They would be your patients along with the staff. It’s a completely human facility. You can accept the job or enter the out world. It’s your call.”

Her mind blanked for seconds. They were offering her a job treating criminals but she’d be living in a highly guarded location where she’d never have to worry about NSO enemies coming after her for payback for her time spent at Homeland. She’d been warned of that possibility before she’d agreed to work for them. It was a good, fair solution. It just made her sad that she’d have to leave the home and friends she had made.

“You can think about it.” Justice rose to his feet. “We’ve hired your replacement and he’ll arrive tomorrow evening. We need your answer in the morning so we can arrange for you to move out of this house.” Sorrow filled his eyes. “It’s the best we could do. I hope you understand.”

“I do.”

Obsidian had been silent the entire time but he growled low, alarming Alli. She turned her head to stare at him.

“Don’t.”

He was too strong to hold on to when he stood, almost knocking her off her perch on the edge of the loveseat when he tore out of her grasp. “I go where she does.”

Fury stood. “Fuller is heavily guarded and secure but they aren’t equipped to have one of us live there. It’s in direct violation of its purpose.

We send our enemies there to be punished by fellow humans. No Species are allowed. It would be too tempting to kill the prisoners.”

“I go with Alli.” He snarled, hands fisting at his sides, ready to do battle.

She grabbed his thigh, clinging in case he lunged at one of the other men. “Obsidian? Look at me.”

He glared down.

“Stop. You don’t understand what is going on but I do. Trust me. It’s really nice of them to offer me this job and not send me to prison…on the wrong side of the bars.” She shot Justice a grateful look. “I’ll take the job. I don’t need to think about it. I know my contract clause says if I leave the NSO that I’m banned from here but can I visit him?” She glanced at Obsidian, then back at the NSO leader. “Please? Fuller is a subdivision of the NSO, right? That would mean the no-contact clause isn’t in effect, right?” Desperation clawed at her from the inside out, terrified he’d tell her she’d never again get to see the man she loved.

“Please?”

Justice’s features softened. “We could arrange visits.”

The tears wouldn’t be held back anymore and slid down her cheeks. “Thank you so much.”

Obsidian growled loudly. The rage refused to be contained anymore. He’d allowed it to build while he listened to his Alli talk to the two males.

She’d asked him to trust her but it was clear she had no control of the outcome of her fate. He did.

The males backed away, alarmed. They should be. He wanted to beat on both of them. “She is mine!” he snarled. “I go where she does.”

“Obsidian?” Alli hugged his thigh tighter, on her knees at his feet. “Don’t!”

“Silence.” He bared his teeth and growled at the males. “Try to take her from me and you will die.”

“Fuck,” Fury muttered. “I think Moon understated their involvement.” He raised his hands.

“Easy. No one is going to attack you.”

“He’s not feral.” Alli hugged his leg tightly enough to restrict the flow of blood in it. “He’s really possessive of me. I’ll calm him down and explain things after you leave. Please go. You’re only aggravating him. I’ll handle this.” She softened her voice. “Obsidian? Please look at me instead of them. Please?”

He glanced down. “Release my leg and go to your room where you will be safe. No one will take you from me.”

She frantically shook her head, refusing. “You can’t fight Justice North, damn it. He’s the leader of the NSO. That will earn you a one-way trip to the Wild Zone and I won’t be able to visit you there. No humans are allowed except one who is a mate. That’s where they keep the more irrational Species who aren’t social.”

“You’re my mate.” His head lifted and he snarled at the males again but focused on the one with the strange eyes. “I don’t care who you lead.

Not me. She’s mine!”

“Obsidian?” Justice remained eerily unruffled.

“She’s your mate?”

“Yes.” He snarled, tried to intimate them by drawing closer, but only dragged Alli along the floor. He stopped since she wouldn’t let go and he didn’t want to cause her harm.

“We won’t take her from you.”

They were trying to confuse or deceive him.

He glowered at the male in charge of the Species.

“You want my guard down to steal her from me.”

“No.” The male shook his head. “We’d never separate a male from his mate. We have our own and know how much they mean to us. We just thought you two were sharing sex. She’s considered one of us, as your mate. We won’t allow her to be a doctor here but no one would ask her to leave our lands.”

“He’s telling the truth,” Fury verified. “Your mate stays at Homeland with you.”

“Leave!”

The males backed slowly to the door. Justice smiled but it was tense. “I’ll have someone bring the paperwork. We fill out forms—Allison can help you with them—to make her officially your mate. It’s that simple.”

“Moon will bring them,” Fury offered. “You trust him and he will explain our laws regarding mates. You don’t know us well or trust us yet but you will learn to.”

“Good idea,” Justice muttered. “Let’s go.”

“After you.” Fury opened the door and both of them fled, closing it after them.

It was difficult to release the anger that raged inside him over someone daring to take Alli from him. He looked down at her and noticed how pale her features had grown. She just gaped at him but her hug on his thigh had vastly loosened.

“I can’t believe you did that. They think I’m your mate.” Her voice rose. “They are bringing papers, Obsidian! You don’t know what that means but it’s binding.” She released him and fell back on her ass to sit on the carpet, still watching him as though he’d done something so shocking she couldn’t wrap her mind around it. “Legal.

Forever.”

Alli wouldn’t lie to him. The papers must be real and so where the words the males had spoken. They wouldn’t take her away from him to be a doctor for the prison. He wouldn’t have to worry anymore.

“Good.” He inched away from her to stare in the direction of the kitchen. “I am hungry for food. You said you’d teach me how to cook.” He stared down at her and offered a hand to help her up. “Now is a good time.”

She didn’t take his help, unmoving except for blinking. Her little nose flared a few times as she breathed hard.

“Alli? I am ready to learn.”

“Do you understand what you just did? They are drawing up mate papers.”

“It means they can’t take you from me.”

“Mating is forever here, Obsidian.” She spoke low, her words slow. “As in ‘until we die’.”

“Good. Teach me to cook.” He faced her and offered his hand again.

She ignored it. “You will be stuck with me.

You won’t be able to be with other women—females of your kind.”

“Good. I only want you.”

“For now. What about next month? Next year?”

“I won’t want another. Take my help to stand.”

He bent and grabbed her hand, pulling but she refused to straighten her legs, instead just sliding a few inches along the floor. “I am hungry.”

“Obsidian!” She altered from shaken to irritated in an unsettling short span of time. “You have to tell them you changed your mind or just said that in the heat of the moment. I can’t be your mate. You don’t know what you want. You haven’t been free long enough to even leave Medical except to come to my house. That’s insane.”

“You’re mine.” He fought down his irritation.

“I say this often. Do you understand?”

He didn’t wait for a response but bent, released her hand, and hooked her in his arms. She gasped when he lifted her against his chest and stalked into the kitchen. He half expected her to punch him but she just watched him warily. He paused by the long island in the center of the kitchen and deposited her there.

“What is the first thing I need to be taught to prepare food?”

“You really want to ignore this argument and pretend nothing is wrong?”

His patience was gone as he spun to grab her hips, jerking her to the edge of the counter to go nose to nose with her to stare deeply into her eyes as he bent a little to make them even in height.

“You are mine! There is nothing to fight about. I will win.”

Her hand lifted and he tensed, expecting a slap.

He didn’t block it. She wasn’t strong enough to really harm him but he feared he might bruise her tender skin if he threw up his arm. No pain stung his cheek. Her fingers slid into his hair and wrapped around the back of his neck.

“Listen to me. You will regret this and I can’t take that.”

“You make no sense.”

Tears swam in her eyes. “I love you.”

His heart stuttered and he forgot how to breathe.

“I’m in love with you and that’s why I can’t allow you to make a mistake this big.” Those tears spilled over her lower lids and slid down her face.

“I would do anything for you and I wish I really was the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.” She took a shaky breath while he did too. “This is too fast though and you have no idea what is out there or what your future could be like if you weren’t tied to me.”

“I want you.” All his instincts clamored to claim her, kiss her and mount her. He didn’t care in what order. She loved him. He knew what that meant. It meant her heart belonged to him as well as her body.

“A selfish person would sign those papers and keep you. Don’t think I’m not tempted.” More tears fell and she cleared her throat after her voice broke. “You have no idea how much I want to just hold on to you and never let go.”

He tried to kiss her but her hand fisted to painfully pull the hair at the base of his head. He growled.

“I. Love. You.” She paused. “That’s why I can’t allow you to lock yourself to me. You need time and freedom to be sure I’m the one you want. Tell me in six months that you want me to be your mate and I’ll type out the forms myself.

We’ll frame them over our bed.”

“You are mine.”

Alli was falling apart inside as emotions raged.

Everything in her screamed to shut up and allow him to kiss her. It would be so easy to say yes and just sign the papers. She’d be at his side when he ventured out into Homeland. All the women like Kit could look and wish he were available but he’d be hers.

He might fall in love with me, her heart argued but her head knew how unfair it would be to lock him to her so early in their relationship. In a matter of days he was willing to make a lifelong commitment. So am I though, that little voice whispered.

Reason was a bitch and dates with other men played through her mind, a memory montage like This Is Your Life. She knew Obsidian was one in a million. She had slept with a couple of guys and had the life experience to be sure that he was who she wanted. All Obsidian had to compare her with were memories of a mate he claimed was forced to be his. No other woman had even kissed him.

Jealousy reared its ugly head when she just considered him putting his lips on someone else’s mouth. She pushed away unwanted thoughts of the other things he’d do with them, unable to stand the agony of picturing him in bed with a woman. He deserved a chance to know what his options were before he committed to a lifetime with the first woman he met after gaining his freedom.

“You’re mine,” he rasped.

And she wanted him to be hers. “I’m not saying no. We just need to slow things down.”

“You’re not leaving me.”

She didn’t want that either. “I’ll stay but no mate papers. You can ask me in six months.”

“That is a long time.”

It would feel like an eternity. “I want us both to be sure this is what will make you happy and it’s what you really want.”

“I know already.”

He looked so certain that her resistance began to melt. Don’t, she warned herself. Love him enough to do the right thing. Her fisted hold on the fine hairs of his neck loosened. “Humor me.”

“There is nothing amusing about you refusing to mate with me.”

“I mean, just give yourself some time so we’re both sure of this.”

“You are the one who is saying no.” He said the words gruffly, obviously a little angry.

“I want to say yes but I never want you to feel trapped by me or unhappy. It would break my heart to lose you that way.”

“Mates are forever.”

“That’s why I’m insisting we wait.”

“You belong to me, Alli.”

The sad way he said her name tore her apart.

He honestly didn’t seem to understand the sacrifice she made by being strong enough to say no.

“We’ll wait until you settle into the men’s dorm and meet more Species. Adjust to being free and the new world you’re in before you make that kind of serious decision.”

“They aren’t taking you away from me. We will move into the men’s dorm together.”

She no longer would have a home once the new doctor arrived, nor was she sure if she’d be allowed to stay on at Homeland if she wasn’t Obsidian’s official mate. “I need to use the phone to make some calls.”

“Why?”

She didn’t want him to freak out by mentioning it was possible that she’d be escorted off NSO land if they didn’t sign the papers. “I need to go over a few things with Justice or Fury. I have my stuff packed up but don’t know where it should go.” That wasn’t a lie but it wasn’t fully the truth either.

“It will go where you go, with me.”

Everything was black and white to him. It reinforced her belief that she was doing the right thing. Life wasn’t that simple. He’d learn that once the boundaries of his world were expanded.

“I’ll fix you lunch and make those calls while you eat.”

“You aren’t hungry?”

“No. I can’t eat as much as you do.”

He eased away from her and she released him, slipping off the edge of the island. “We’ll work on your cooking skills later. How about some sandwiches? I have chips too.”

Obsidian shadowed her as she prepared his early lunch. It was a good thing New Species provided groceries because it would cost a fortune to feed him in the outside world. Alli left him in the kitchen at the counter to go into her bedroom.

Her hands shook as she called the main office and asked to be transferred to Justice’s office.

They put her right through to him.

“Allison? What can I do for you?”

“I’m really sorry about Obsidian’s behavior.”

“He’s newly freed. We expect aggression. You shouldn’t get between males in that situation. I could have handled him.”

She didn’t doubt that Justice North could fight but she didn’t want Obsidian to be hurt or worse, sent to Reservation. He wasn’t naturally antisocial but just hadn’t learned how to get along with others yet. “I wanted to talk to you about the mate papers.”

“They are being prepared and should arrive within the hour.”

She hesitated, debating her words carefully as she spoke softly, hoping her voice didn’t carry to the other room. “It’s too soon. He doesn’t understand that he has a lot more options than just being with me.”

“You don’t want to be his mate?”

“I do.” You have no idea how much. “I…love Obsidian but I’ve had months to spend with him and I’ve dated enough men to be sure what I want in one. All he ever had was a mate and now me.”

The silent response made her gut twist.

“I’m the first woman who has ever kissed him,” she whispered, her gaze locking on the doorway. “His experience is very limited, Justice.

I don’t want him to regret mating me down the road when he meets other New Species women.

He should have choices and the freedom to grow without locking himself into a permanent situation. As much as I want to spend the rest of my life with him, it wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of him. I would feel I’m doing that if I didn’t give him the opportunity to adjust to his new life first.”

“I understand and appreciate your candor.” He paused. “How limited is his experience? He had a mate. What do you mean, you’re the first female he’s kissed?”

She stood and gently eased her bedroom door closed and rushed into the closet to put another sealed door between her and Obsidian. New Species hearing was incredibly sensitive. It was a conversation she didn’t want him to hear.

“His mate only allowed him to touch her when she craved sex. She was in love with someone else before they met, from what he’s told me. She didn’t allow him to explore many sexual experiences. She’s the only woman besides me that he’s been with.”

Silence stretched again. “You want our females to offer to share sex with him?”

“No!” She hated the way that denial burst forth. “I mean, I don’t hope he sleeps with someone else… I love him but he should have those options available so he knows he has choices. I’m afraid he might be so serious about me because I’m all he knows. Does that make sense?”

“You’re not New Species.”

“I know that.”

He chuckled. “What I meant is that we know what we want and we wouldn’t care if someone we loved had options or not. We’re jealous by nature and possessive. I wouldn’t want to put my Jessie around other males to give them an opportunity to tempt her into their beds. I’d have to kill them.”

She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the closet wall. “I just don’t want him to rush into anything, Justice. I am trying damn hard to do the right thing. Am I being stupid? I love him so much but I’m terrified I’m taking advantage if I agree to sign those papers. I want to.”

“You have a good heart and you are being selfless with your love. That’s a noble trait, Allison.”

“Are you going to order me to leave Homeland or can I stay with him despite us not being official mates? I’m asking for time with him. I know I don’t deserve it after what I did and that I’ve lost your trust. He wants me to move into the men’s dorm with him though and I am afraid he’ll attack anyone who comes to take me away.”

“Do you want to stay with him?”

“Yes.”

“You can’t work for us and your privileges will be stripped but you may stay. It means you will need an escort when you leave his quarters. Your phone access to the outside world will be monitored and limited. Can you live that way?”

It went against the grain to agree to those terms. She was a doctor who had worked hard to get where she had in her profession. It would mean giving up her career to sit around Obsidian’s home all day. His image flashed in her mind and she made a decision.

“Yes.”

“You do love him.”

“I really do.”

“I’ll make arrangements to have him and you moved there first thing in the morning. We were going to wait a week before settling him at the dorm but circumstances have changed now that he’s left Medical and wants you to live with him.

The dorm will be more comfortable than one room at Medical. I’ll have them prepare one of the apartments and stock it for both of you.”

“Thank you.” She breathed a sigh of relief.

“It won’t be ideal. Your house is the only available space we have at the moment to give to a new employee and we can’t put the human doctor at the men’s dorm. They won’t be happy having a female living there but they won’t see you as a threat.”

“They would feel threatened by the new doctor?”

“Some of them would. He’s male and human.

We don’t know him yet and trust hasn’t been earned. You have made friends here who are forgiving.” He paused. “We’ll move you both somewhere more fitting for a couple once something becomes available.”

“Thank you, Justice.”

“You’re welcome.”

She hung up and clutched the handset to her chest. She’d just agreed to be the equivalent of Obsidian’s housewife. “Shit,” she muttered. “I guess I better pick out a hobby or take up a craft or I’ll go insane from boredom.” She’d seen those one-bedroom apartments at the dorm. They were tiny but it beat living in a hospital room.

Chapter Seventeen

The cooking lesson hadn’t gone well but good food filled his belly. Obsidian glared at his sore fingertip, a reminder that flames were not to be touched.

“How is your finger?” Alli peered at him with concern while she loaded the electrical big box that washed dishes after their meal.

“Fine. I won’t do that again.”

“I hope not. I know flames look pretty neat but it burns skin.”

She had tried to put cream on it and a bandage but he’d refused. The injury was minor. The doorbell rang and he stood, moving to answer it before she could. Only males seemed to come to visit.

“Hello.” Moon grinned. “I’m here to take you for a tour.”

“Why?”

His new friend laughed. “I was informed that you’re moving to the men’s dorm in the morning.

Do you want to see them first? You’ve also been put on the rotation list.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m taking you to work with me tomorrow.

All week you’ll be going with different males to see the kinds of jobs they do. We’re hoping you find something you can enjoy to be a part of our society.”

“What if I don’t?”

The other male arched an eyebrow. “We’ll find something. If not here, there’s always Reservation.”

“Alli doesn’t want me to go there.”

“She doesn’t want you sent to the Wild Zone.”

He glanced behind Obsidian and waved. “Hello!”

Obsidian turned to discover that Alli had crept up behind him. She was getting better at walking softly to surprise him. She didn’t wince when he growled, not liking her so close to the other male, despite Moon being someone he semi-trusted.

“Don’t talk to my female.”

Moon dropped his hand to his side. “Let’s go, Mr. Friendly.”

“Is this a ploy to lure me away from Alli? I won’t allow anyone to take her from me.”

“You’re being paranoid. There’re no plans to take her away from you. I saw the orders myself.

Both of you are going to be living at the dorm together. I actually suggested that you two could stay at my house in my guestroom until one of the other houses becomes vacant but Fury said that was a bad idea. He seems to think you’ll try to kill me while I sleep just for being too close to the doctor.”

Obsidian glowered at him.

“Brass has a place at Homeland and Reservation but he likes it better there. He’ll be giving up his house here after his next rotation shift back there.”

“Who is Brass?”

“He’s a friend of mine. What I’m trying to say is, he doesn’t like being here and prefers Reservation. Every few months he’s on duty here for a few weeks but that’s about to end. He’ll just stay there all the time.” Moon smiled. “It means you and the doctor can have his house. You won’t be stuck living at the dorm for long. Houses are tough to come by and we haven’t built more here.

There’s limited space and property is really expensive in this area. We’re expanding Reservation all the time though.”

“What is Reservation?”

“Reservation is a highly wooded area to the north of here with vast amounts of land. Tell your female you will be back in a few hours and I’ll show you Homeland. We own and live in both places. Homeland was built as a human military base but given to us instead when it was completed. We call them NSO lands. That stands for New Species Organization, our official title.”

“Go,” Alli said. “I still have some packing to do. Have fun. I’ll be here when you get back.”

She touched his chest. “No worries.”

He debated, still not sure she’d be safe without him to protect her. Moon stepped back, drawing his attention.

“Let’s go. There’s an officer at the street to make sure she’s fine. You have my word of honor she’ll still be here when we return.”

“Fine.” He gripped Alli’s small hand, still over his heart, while he stared down into her upturned face. “I won’t be gone long. Do not leave your space.”

“I won’t.”

He released her and followed the other male outside. “What is military base?”

“It’s kind of tough to explain. We’ll get you some history books to read.” A questioning glance was directed his way. “Did they teach you how to read? You weren’t raised the way we were. They taught all of us to read books at an early age. It helped them when they conducted some of the drug-testing trials on us so they could judge if we were impaired and how badly. They needed to see if it affected our memory. Book information was a good way to do it. They also wanted us to be able to read eye charts to be certain there was no visual loss from the side effects.”

“I can read words.”

“Good.” Moon paused by a strange vehicle.

“This is a golf cart. Have you ever ridden in one before?”

“No. Not while I was awake at least. I’m not sure how I arrived at Homeland.” He was wary.

“What is golf?”

“The humans call it a sport but mostly it’s closer to chasing a small white ball and using straight sticks with a clubbed end to hit it far away to chase it again. The goal is to learn better aim than your opponent. They use these carts to go after it.”

“Why?”

The male sat inside it. “I’m not sure but I suspect they hate walking or running for long distances. Carts are fun. Get inside and you’ll see.

I’ll teach you how to drive one soon.”

The seat was softer than it appeared when he sat but there wasn’t a lot of room for his long legs. Moon grinned. “Hang on. It moves fast and I don’t want you to fall out.”

Moon twisted a key and the thing vibrated under his ass. The male gripped the rounded thing sticking out in front of his chest while his hand lowered to a small rounded metal thing below it.

It jerked slightly before rolling forward, gaining momentum.

A grin plastered across his face at the feel of wind blowing his hair while he held on. “It’s fast.”

“Jeeps are faster. I knew there’d be something you’d like. At the very least you could get a job driving one of these and delivering things around Homeland to different departments.”

The anxiety faded somewhat about his future.

“I want to fit in.”

“You will.” Moon turned a corner, slowing slightly. “See that building up there to the right?

That’s the men’s dorm. It’s three floors high and there’s a basement hidden under the foundation.”

“Why?”

Shoulders shrugged. “I have no idea but it’s fun. We set up training rooms down there when we first moved into it to avoid anyone discovering we were keeping our fighting skills keen.

We had a human who was the dorm father but he drank alcohol a lot. He was fired. We no longer need someone to help us learn.”

“What’s a dorm father? We have no parents.”

He suddenly experienced an uneasy sensation. “I didn’t. Did you?”

“It’s an honorary term used in this case for someone who teaches you life lessons you need in order to survive outside of Mercile—someone who’s there to look out for your well-being.

You’re full of questions. None of us had parents.

We were raised the way you were but had more interaction since they brought females to our cells. We could smell other males on them sometimes. It’s how we knew there were more of us.

You were only given one female.”

They parked and entered the building. Obsidian followed the male inside and stared openly at the large room. Other males sat on couches in front of a big television but their gazes left it to stare back at him. His body grew rigid at seeing dozens of them, instincts warning him of danger and a possible fight.

Moon gently gripped his shoulder. “Hey, don’t glower at them. They are your brothers, sort of.

We’re all family here.”

One of the males slowly stood and approached, his stance nonthreatening. “Hello. I am Darkness.

You must be Obsidian. We’ve all been expecting you. This is your home now and there’s no reason to be defensive. Welcome to the men’s dorm.”

The male had very short black hair and piercing dark eyes that were shaped similar to Justice’s.

His skin was darker than all the other males.

“You took the name because of your skin?”

“No.” The male smiled, revealing white, straight teeth, including two long fangs that were bigger than the ones Obsidian had. “I have suffered much in my life and wished my name to reflect that. I’m a little different than most, the way you are.”

“How are you different?”

The male paused five feet away. “You were singled out for a mating project while I was assigned to do something else.” He paused. “I am trying to put myself in your mind, to think the way you do. I am good at it.” His gaze drifted up and down Obsidian’s body before stopping to stare into his eyes again. “Your mate will be safe from other males when you leave her in your apartment. We will never harm her and will protect her if there’s danger as if she were one of us.

You will find friendship here and no hostility.”

“Speak for yourself,” a familiar male voice grumbled.

Obsidian’s spine stiffened as he turned his head, finding the source quickly. He growled at the male who wanted Alli.

“Damn it, Destiny.” Moon shook his head.

“We already had this talk today. Back off and go do something besides irritate Obsidian.”

“He’s too wild and unstable to be safe around Dr. Allison. She’s delicate and innocent of our ways.” The male’s chest expanded, shoulders pushed back, and anger gleamed in his hardened stare. “You’d take her like an animal, wouldn’t you?” He stepped closer and snarled. “Her scent is all over you. What did you do?”

“She’s mine.” Obsidian snarled back. The male acted as though he had a claim to Alli but he didn’t.

“Destiny!” Moon stepped between them, growling too. “Return to your room or leave now.

Leash yourself and don’t return until you have regained some composure.”

“Did you hurt her? Scare her?” Destiny lunged to the side to avoid being blocked from his target.

“Did you bend her over and take her on her hands and knees as though she were a dog?”

Darkness walked between them, his back to Obsidian. “He’s canine. That’s a dumb question.

Do you want to ask me if I like to lick cream?

Maybe you could ask Smiley over there if he can climb trees? We all carry traits and instincts of what we are.”

Darkness turned to Obsidian and explained, “I’m mixed with black leopard obviously. Smiley was created with chimpanzee genetics. The guy is way too friendly in my opinion but I tend to be ill-tempered enough to find it annoying. It doesn’t mean I wish he’d change. He is what he is. I love pussy.” The male shrugged. “Hence the loving-cream part.

“Get over it, Destiny,” Darkness sternly admonished as he shifted his gaze back to him.

“The doctor obviously chose him over you. It’s none of your business if he fucks her like a dog or she rides him like a pony. He’s new and you’re being an ass.”

Moon glanced at the short-haired male. “That was subtle.”

“It’s a gift. I’m blunt and don’t have any patience for bullshit.”

“Destiny, do I need to take you into one of the rooms for a time-out? It’s my specialty, making people talk and listen but be warned, you won’t enjoy it.”

“Alli is mine,” Obsidian stated, torn between gratitude that the males would stand up for him and irritation that they blocked him from the male who wanted his female.

Destiny sidestepped to the left, meeting his gaze. “I was giving her time to adjust to me. I didn’t want to frighten her. She was mine before you were ever rescued. She deserves a male who doesn’t cause her harm. You’ve already done that.”

“I would never hurt my Alli.” It insulted him to be accused of it.

“She lost her job because of you.” Destiny snarled, his hands fisted at his sides and took a step closer. “She loves being a doctor but what is she now? The female you will fuck and keep as a pet inside your home since she won’t be allowed to leave it? You’ve already hurt her. I know her well and it will kill her inside, living that way.”

“She saved me and I didn’t take her job away.”

He growled low, threatening the other male, angry at his accusations. “She’s not a pet either. I know that term.”

“Shit,” Moon sighed. “Calm down. No fighting in the living room.”

“Let them.” Darkness grabbed the other male by his forearm. “This isn’t going to be resolved any other way. It’s our way.”

“He’s weakened still and recovering.” Moon tore out of his grip. “It wouldn’t be fair.”

The short-haired male glanced back, studying Obsidian. “He’s still a bit on the thin side but you can see the muscle tone he’s kept. It’s his female he’s defending. I’d lay my money on him.” He shot Destiny a look. “He’s too angry at the moment to be effective and I’ve trained with him.

Not the best fighter.”

“Fuck you, Darkness,” Destiny spat, ripping his shirt off to bare his upper body. “Clear the area.” He glared at Obsidian. “I’m going to kick your ass and send you back to Medical where you belong. I’d rather Dr. Allison take a job working elsewhere than know you are mistreating her.

She’d be happier doing what she loves.”

“You aren’t my type so that’s a ‘hell no’ on the sex offer.” Darkness lunged, grabbing Moon around the shoulders to cage him in his arms.

“You aren’t either but I know you’ll get between them. Don’t make me knock you out. Just chill with me and allow nature to take its course. We’ll only intervene if one of them is about to die.”

Moon didn’t struggle. “You just wanted to hug me.”

A disgusted look crossed the other male’s face.

“You and your damn emotional-bonding moments.” He let go. “You’ve been around too many human females.”

Obsidian stalked closer to his prey. Destiny wanted a fight and he was going to give him one.

It would feel good to beat on the male for accusing him of abusing Alli in any way.

“She’s mine,” he declared.

Destiny came at him. “Not for long.”

White-hot rage exploded and he didn’t hold back or attempt to dampen it. He fed the flames by imagining the other male touching his Alli.

The others in the room were forgotten.

He assessed his opponent. Destiny weighed slightly more than him but he was taller, meaner.

He remembered the time six technicians had come into his room when he’d broken one of his chains from the wall. Only one of them had survived.

The human side of him fled, to be replaced by something purely savage. A fist swung at his face but his hand wrapped around it, his hold tightened until it crushed. The male screamed as bones broke. No pity. He punched out while the male suffered, hitting his throat. It knocked Destiny back and would have floored him but his hand was still a prisoner at Obsidian’s mercy.

“Fuck,” someone hissed.

“Don’t kill him!” Moon roared.

Arms locked around his waist, jerking him hard, and he was forced to break his connection when he went airborne. He landed on something soft that flipped, sending him rolling onto the floor. His head struck something unforgiving but he shook off the pain and lifted up. One of the couches was on its side—the thing that had cushioned his fall.

Darkness was crouched where Obsidian had been, the reason he found himself on the floor.

The male growled, his eyes nearly black in color.

“Don’t kill.”

His gaze shifted. Moon was crouched over Destiny, rubbing the throat of the male sprawled flat on his back with his legs writhing in agony.

Obsidian slowly rose to his feet, ready to do battle, but realized he had no one to fight.

“Call Medical,” Moon yelled. “He’s breathing but in bad shape. Medical emergency!” His head whipped around to pin Obsidian with a grim look.

“I think you missed crushing his windpipe but he’s having a hard time breathing.” He glanced down at the fallen male’s hand. “And you broke some of his fingers.” He looked back. “You really need to learn how to fight without trying to kill someone. You’re too damn new.” He glared at Darkness. “Great idea to let them fight it out.

We’re lucky this one isn’t dead.”

Darkness shrugged as he straightened from his bowed position. “I stopped him before too much damage was done. I underestimated him since you implied he was still recovering. I’d say he’s at one hundred percent.” He frowned, approaching Obsidian. “You’re bleeding. Let me take a look at your head. You hit the coffee table. I thought you’d land on the couch, not bowl it over.”

* * *

Alli had just finished shoving the last of her clothes into a suitcase, only leaving out one outfit to wear in the morning, when someone pounded on the door. It surprised her that they didn’t ring the doorbell. The wood took a horrendous beating. The sound alarmed her enough that she sprinted into the living room to unlock door, throwing it open.

“Come with me,” Rusty panted, out of breath and sweating as if she’d run a long distance. An emergency medical kit backpack had been slung over one of her shoulders. “The new doctor isn’t here and Trisha can’t be found. She and Slade went for a walk but we don’t have time to track them.”

“What happened?” Alli stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind her. It was obvious that someone must have been hurt if they needed a doctor.

“A fight at the men’s dorm. A male is down.

Hurry.”

Panic gripped Alli as she ran after the fleeing Species female, whose legs were longer. It sank in that she hadn’t put on shoes when she reached the road, the unforgiving surface bruising. Obsidian had gone to visit the dorm. Was he the one hurt?

Oh god! She ran faster, ignoring the pain. It had to be bad for the usually serene Rusty to be so distressed. “Who?” It was tough to sprint and talk at the same time.

The Species female didn’t even glance back and seemed to ignore the question. An engine roared from behind them, grew louder, and Alli slowed, turning her head. The sight of the quickly approaching Jeep was more than welcome. Book stomped on the brakes.

“Get in.”

Alli collapsed onto the passenger seat while Rusty climbed into the back. The male punched the gas, taking off fast enough to almost cause whiplash but she wasn’t about to criticize him for his driving. It had to be a pretty grim situation, the injuries severe.

“Who is hurt?” She needed to know if it was Obsidian, obsessing on the worst.

“Destiny,” Rusty panted. “He was in a fight and he is having difficulty breathing.”

“He was punched in the throat,” Book filled in. “He might have a crushed windpipe.” His features were emotionless but his voice came out unusually gruff. “I think it was a training exercise gone wrong. Hang on.”

Alli barely had time to grab the handhold grips on the dashboard and above her by the roll bar before he took the turn really fast, nearly tossing her out of her seat. She clung, letting the details sink in. A training accident. Not Obsidian. Thank god!

Her mind shut down as she went into professional mode. Years of training came into play.

She glanced back at Rusty. “Open that backpack the second we reach him. You’re looking for the light blue bag. Rip it open and flatten it out to give me access. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Hold on,” Book warned again, locking up the brakes.

Pure adrenaline gave her the strength avoid smacking hard into the dash as the Jeep came to a violent stop in front of the dorm. Her hands hurt when she released the handholds and twisted, almost falling from the vehicle. Rusty just stood and jumped out, landing gracefully in front of her.

Alli stayed hot on her ass as they ran, grabbing at one of the outside pockets of the backpack to snag a glove packet attached there.

Book stayed at their side. Someone from the building waited, the security doors held wide open to allow them faster entrance. The sight of Moon huddled over a male on the floor was the first and only thing she focused on.

She tore open the glove wrapper with her teeth as she assessed Destiny the second her knees hit the floor on the other side of Moon. His color was bad, stating his hypoxic condition, and pain hazed his eyes. Terror too. His pale, bluish lips were open, gasping in tiny amounts of oxygen, and she stared at his throat. A red mark identified where he’d been struck.

“Fuck.” She shifted, walked on her knees, to huddle over his head from a top position. It was unusually quiet, the way it got during a tragedy but Alli refused to allow this to become one. She stared deeply into her nurse’s eyes as she heard the sound of Rusty doing what she’d been told.

“I’m here. Just try to remain calm, okay? You’re not going to die. I’m going to put in a breathing tube and help you.”

It was automatic to put on gloves, something she’d done countless times, not even giving it a thought. It tore her up inside to look away from him when he stared at her with absolute trust.

He’d stopped struggling the second they’d made eye contact and the terrified look faded.

The kit was opened, laid out, and she went to work. “Gently tilt his head back,” she ordered Moon as she grabbed a Macintosh blade and moved up beside Destiny’s head. She inserted the large tool and pressed down on the tongue, keeping it flat. She started gently pulling back on the rigid instrument as she inserted it into his throat, opening his airway. If there was no crushing injury to halt its progress, it should do the job.

“Hold real still, Destiny. I know you’ll feel like gagging but fight it. You mustn’t vomit. It’s almost there.”

She found resistance, swelling in the area where he’d been hit, and prayed as she gently wiggled the instrument. The alternative was to perform a tracheotomy. Punching a hole in his throat wasn’t her first choice, especially with him conscious enough to feel even more pain and fear.

It would raise his risk of infection and complications.

The instrument slid past the affected area and she was in. She grabbed an endotracheal tube and inserted it quickly through the blade, being careful not to go too far. She didn’t want to collapse a lung. She glanced into his eyes. “Breathe.”

The sound was horrible but he got air. She removed the Macintosh blade, leaving the tube in place. Alli grabbed a stethoscope, placed it against his chest, and listened. Good sounds from both lungs. Seconds ticked by while his body arched as he fought his gag reflex but he breathed through the tube. His coloring returned to normal.

She glanced at Moon.

“We need to get him to Medical right now. I need a gurney brought here and once we reach Medical, I’ll get him sedated and hook him to a ventilator while I see if it’s just swelling or if he’s got more severe damage.” She glanced at Rusty.

“Good job. Find the light-green packet in there that contains an Ambu bag. We might have to use it if he has trouble breathing on his own. It’s bigger than most of the things in there so it should be easy to spot.”

“What is it?” Moon stared at her.

“It’s a device we can use to breathe for him if he needs assistance.”

“Move!” Trisha’s voice startled them all.

Alli was happy to see the woman, even if she did nearly shove Moon onto his side to take his place next to the patient. The other doctor quickly assessed the situation before lifting her gaze.

“Thank you, Allison. Great job. You saved his life.”

“He was getting some air.” Her denial was swift. “He could have made it until you got here.”

Trisha blinked before staring down at Destiny.

She smiled, using her best teasing voice to put him at ease and make light of the situation to keep him calm. “You couldn’t stay out of trouble while I enjoyed the park, huh? Just blink once for yes, two for no. Did you strike your head?”

Alli crawled backward to make room as more medical staff arrived. Trisha had the situation in hand. She removed the gloves, just shoved them into her pocket, not willing to hunt for a trash can.

Someone stepped next to her and she glanced up.

Obsidian had blood running down his cheek from a source at his hairline near his temple. She spun, facing him, alarmed. “What happened to you?”

He was so tall she had a difficult time reaching high enough to gently tip his chin down to give her a better view. The cut wasn’t deep but it was bloody. Head wounds always were. The clues slammed into her instantly, adding one injured patient with another to link them together.

“You were training with Destiny?” Anger came next. “Who let this happen?”

“I did,” a deep male voice stated from behind her.

She glanced back, staring at Darkness. He scared her a little since the day she’d met him. He wasn’t friendly at all and she knew he worked as an interrogator for New Species. His file wasn’t one she’d been given access to—a warning that something wasn’t right—but she’d heard other Species mention that he wasn’t exactly friendly.

“They don’t like each other.” Her voice trembled a little. “You shouldn’t have put them together.”

His expression remained masked, giving no indication whether he felt remorse or irritated over her lecturing him. “Destiny is correct. You are naïve.” He stared over her head at Obsidian. “I’m taking you to Medical. They’ll want to look at that cut.”

“Alli will tend to me.”

“She no longer works here. Moon will take her home to wait for you but you’re going with me.

We live by rules and that’s one of them. Your female doesn’t have access to all those machines they use over there and I have a feeling they’ll want to scan your head since you just recovered from a coma.”

She stared at Obsidian, willing to drop the subject of how it shouldn’t have happened. “He’s right. We need to go to Medical.”

“Him,” Darkness clarified. “You have limited access and unless you are hurt, you don’t have clearance to enter the building.”

It was a slap in the face but she took it. The Species was just being honest, not cruel. “Go to Medical to have that checked out. I’ll be waiting for you at home when you’re done.” She glanced at Darkness. “Please take care of him for me.”

He sighed. “Females. They worry about everything. Let’s go, newbie. We’ll discuss the difference between bad humans and protective Species on the way there. You can’t go around trying to kill your own kind.”

The words sent horror through Alli as her gaze locked on Obsidian, praying silently for a denial that he’d nearly caused Destiny’s death. He avoided looking at her though as he responded to Darkness.

“He challenged me for Alli.”

“True. That just means you beat his ass but you don’t kill him.”

Moon was suddenly there. “I’ll take him to Medical.”

Alli was in shock as she released Obsidian.

He could have killed Destiny. He had also gotten hurt. I’m the reason. There was no doubt of that after hearing that it had been some kind of challenge between them regarding her. Her worst fears were coming true.

“Both of you take him,” she mumbled. “I’ll have Rusty walk me home.”

She stared up at Obsidian, unable to look away from the blood. He’d suffered trauma to his head and it could have sent him right back into a comatose state. Or worse, killed him. He needed time to heal and grow stronger, not endanger his life. His domineering feelings for her were also putting a wedge between him and other males. It was imperative to his long-term outlook that he fit in at Homeland.

A new fear crept in. Would Obsidian be in trouble if Destiny didn’t make it? She turned her head to see what was going on with the injured Species. Trisha had her team moving him out of the building on a gurney.

It was hard to watch Obsidian walk away.

Every protective, nurturing feeling she had urged her to stay at his side. She wanted to be there to make sure they ran the right tests, a list of possible complications already terrifying her.

“Allison?”

She spun, staring at a grim-faced Breeze.

“I heard what happened. We need to talk.”

Chapter Eighteen

Alli was worried. She hadn’t been returned to her home but instead had been taken to Security.

It wasn’t a cell but the sterile room wasn’t exactly the reception room in the nicer part of the NSO offices. Breeze had escorted her there but fled to get water immediately. Seconds had ticked into minutes then turned into an hour. The door opened.

The Species female wasn’t alone when she reentered the room carrying a bottled water. Dr.

Kregkor followed closely behind, wearing slacks and a white dress shirt. Two of the top buttons were undone and he hadn’t even taken the time to tuck it into his pants. She had no idea why a therapist had come.

“Allison.” He gave her a curt nod as he took a seat across the table. The folder he placed between them didn’t bode well—never a good thing to see in a doctor’s hand when they wore a dour expression. “I would say it’s nice to see you again but it’s not.”

Breeze gripped one of the chairs at the end of the small table, spun it with her free hand and collapsed to straddle the back of it. She placed the water in front of Alli with gusto, the loud thump causing Alli to start.

“What is going on?”

She didn’t like it one bit, whatever it was. Her question was directed at the Species female since she didn’t know the doctor quite as well. Breeze’s dark gaze met hers and anger burned there, her emotions clear.

“I’ve been assessing Obsidian’s behavior,” Kregkor announced. “I’ve been kept informed of his progress and his mental state.”

It made sense to her. He was on the NSO payroll even if he didn’t make many visits to Homeland that she was aware of. Alli gave him her full attention. “Okay.”

He leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m very disappointed in you, Allison. You’re a disgrace.”

It was a verbal slap that stung. Breeze growled low, threatening. The doctor shot her a dirty look.

“You stay out of this. I heard your opinion but I’m the expert. The only reason you were permitted to join this meeting is because she has the right to have another woman present when enclosed in a room with a man. We’ll discuss New Species paranoid tendencies at another time.”

“You aren’t Species,” Breeze muttered but dropped her gaze. “Allison has done nothing wrong.”

“I disagree.” He examined Alli with a critical eye. “You slept with your patient while he was in a fragile stage of recovery. This is what happens when you spit in the face of physician conduct.

I informed Justice that I could file charges with the medical board to have your license to practice stripped from you. You’d be ruined.”

Alli was really glad she was sitting down. Her hands trembled and she clutched the water in front of her to steady them. It was ice cold but not nearly as chilly as the attitude coming from the other man.

“Don’t threaten her,” Breeze warned. “Justice told you he wouldn’t allow you to do that and you must do what he said. You work for us. You’d break your confidentiality clause if you told anyone what happens on NSO lands. You’d be ruined.”

“Stay out of this,” Kregkor snapped back.

“This is a human matter.”

“She shared sex with a Species. It’s both. You have no idea how persuasive our males can be.

This isn’t Allison’s fault. He wanted her and took her.”

Alli was grateful to Breeze for attempting to defend her since she’d lost her ability to speak. It staggered her to be attacked when she hadn’t expected it. The threat of being taken in front of the medical board horrified anyone in her profession.

The doctor ignored Breeze. “You both know it was wrong, Allison.” He tapped a finger on the closed file on the table. “You kidnapped the patient to provide unorthodox methods that defy your training and are in direct opposition to the regulations of the institution you work for. To make matters even worse, you engaged in sexual intercourse with him.”

Her mouth opened but then closed. She couldn’t refute any of his accusations.

He leaned in closer. “You have become detrimental to Obsidian’s mental health. You’ve stunted his ability to make a connection with other New Species and now he nearly killed one. I have been consulting on his case since he was transferred to Homeland. I’ve seen him progressively spiral downward in a matter of days. He isn’t the first one who has gone through the process of adjusting from captivity and abuse to making the transition into becoming a functioning part of New Species society. I’ve monitored them all since I accepted this duty and it’s a travesty that you weren’t immediately fired upon your arrest.

You never should have been given access to my patient.”

His words wounded but they also angered her.

“Have you spoken to him?”

“No. I didn’t have to. His behavior speaks volumes. He is irrationally obsessed with engaging in intercourse with you.” He glanced at her chest before his gaze narrowed. “You obviously seduced him with your knowledge of their baser mentality regarding sex. All you had to do was flash your breasts at him and he wouldn’t have been able to resist your advances.”

Breeze growled again—a low, throaty sound that wasn’t pleasant. “Are you implying we will fuck anyone who flashes their skin at us?”

Kregkor ignored her but a muscle in his jaw ticked. “You should be arrested for molestation and rape.”

Her jaw dropped open. “You…” She clenched her teeth to prevent her from calling him a dirtyminded son of a bitch. His accusations were insulting and insane.

“Asshole,” Breeze supplied. “Quit now before I lose my temper.” She hit the desk with both fists. “Then we will really have a crime of someone being touched who doesn’t want to be.

I promise it won’t involve sharing sex but it will be violent.”

Kregkor nearly knocked over his chair in his haste to get away from the angry Species female.

He paled and inched closer to the door. “Stand down, Breeze. I’m strongly suggesting sessions for you.”

“I strongly suggest you stop insulting my friend.” Breeze stood too. “Get to the point of why we are here and be polite. You don’t want me to teach you manners.” Breeze shifted her gaze to Alli. “I am against this but the alternatives are grim. Obsidian could have killed Destiny. We know he isn’t feral but he’s dangerous.”

The therapist stayed by the door, clear of Breeze. “Fine. You’re leaving Homeland, Allison. Justice is sending you to Fuller Prison.”

Her heart jumped into her throat. Prison? They are locking me up? Oh god! She’d never see Obsidian again.

“As a doctor,” Breeze snarled. “You are frightening her on purpose and misleading her. Stop.”

Breeze whipped her head in Alli’s direction. “The headshrinker is predicting Obsidian is a threat to the lives of other New Species. He recommended you be separated from the male immediately in order to give him a chance to bond with others.

He’s using the stuff he reads in books to state that Obsidian won’t do that as long as you are here.

His desire to mate seems his only priority.”

“Enough!” Kregkor shouted. “I am conducting this meeting. You’re out of line.”

“Shut up.” Breeze kept staring at Alli. “The separation will be temporary but necessary.”

Disbelief and dismay flashed through her, choking her with emotion. Her hand trembled so much the water splashed onto the tabletop and file as she opened it to take a sip to avoid actually coughing from how dry her mouth suddenly felt.

She swallowed the water, struggling to find words that would keep her with the man she loved. There had to be a way.

“The decision has been made.” Breeze looked at her with sympathy as her tone softened. “The alternative is bad.”

“He will be sent to the Wild Zone?”

She hated the thought but it wasn’t the end of the world. She could live there with him. Tammy loved it there with her mate, Valiant. She’d only met the woman when she’d toured Reservation after taking her job. The week she’d spent there had been nice. She’d have a possible friend nearby and other mates either stayed or visited regularly.

“Worse,” Breeze breathed, tears filling her eyes.

Alli didn’t understand and it alarmed her that her friend was so upset. What could be worse than being sent to live with some of the most untamed, unfriendly New Species ever rescued?

“He’s dangerous and a threat to any and all New Species,” Kregkor informed her coldly. “He can’t be allowed to make another attempt on someone else’s life. He will either integrate with society or he will be terminated.”

Alli released the bottle, her eyes widening as she stared at the therapist. “What?” She had to have heard him wrong.

“Lethal injection, Allison.” The son of a bitch crossed his arms over his chest. “They believe it would be kinder than locking him inside a prison cell until he dies naturally. I tend to agree. They can’t have him going around murdering people because he doesn’t get his way. You are responsible if his mind can’t be salvaged. Are you proud of yourself? This is what happens when you decide to throw your ethics in the garbage to scratch an itch.”

Breeze spun, snarling at him. “Get out!”

He hit his shoulder against the wall when he fell back, terror widening his eyes as he yelled, “Security!”

The door jerked open, nearly slamming into the asshole. “What is wrong?” The male officer sought out Allison first then glanced at Kregkor.

“Get him out of here,” Breeze ordered. “He’s being offensive.”

“You don’t give the orders here.” Kregkor found some courage to stand up to the pissed-off Species now that an officer had arrived.

Breeze narrowed her eyes and stalked a few feet closer. The therapist looked as if he were about to piss himself as he jumped to wedge himself between the door opening and the Species officer.

“Get him out of here, Flame.” Breeze growled at Kregkor. “He’s more afraid of me than you, head shrink.”

“No doubt,” Flame muttered, turning to grab the therapist’s arm. “Let me take you to get some coffee. You must never anger one of our females.

You should know better.” He gently pushed, forcing the guy out of the room, until the door closed.

Alli was ready to fall apart as she waited for Breeze to look at her. “He’s lying, right? Nobody is going to kill Obsidian, right?” Her voice rose, close to hysteria.

“Sit,” Breeze urged, taking a seat to her immediate right.

Her knees collapsed and her ass hit the chair hard. “No one would allow that to happen. Not here. Not after all he’s gone through and survived.”

Warm hands took her shaking ones, holding on to them. “Allison, we had a few males go crazy and they attempted to murder Justice and Jessie while they slept inside his home when he chose her for a mate. They were Species who were not right in their heads. It was a very difficult decision that had to be made after that happened.

We have to protect our people from anyone who would do us harm. That includes other Species with minds that are too broken to ever be fixed.”

“No!” Hot tears ran freely down her face. “Obsidian isn’t dangerous. He’s not. He and Destiny don’t get along. That’s all. He doesn’t know any better. He just needs time. I’ll talk to him and make him understand. I can do it.” She nodded furiously. “We can live at Wild Zone, away from everyone if that makes him seem safer to you.”

Her voice broke. “You can’t kill him. I won’t allow it.” Her mind raced, desperation clawing at her insides. “I’ll go to the press. I’ll do anything to save him, damn it. You can’t do this! I won’t let you.”

Breeze leaned in, watching her with her own tears shining in her pretty brown eyes. “Shut up.

Take deep breaths right now.”

Alli’s chest hurt too bad to do it at first and instead she just managed to pant.

“Don’t make threats,” Breeze whispered.

“You’d be viewed as hostile and while you don’t care right now, you would when you found yourself locked inside a cage at Fuller Prison instead of treating their sick. I know you’d do anything to save him. I would too. That’s why you need to listen to me. I have no intention of allowing your male to die. We are friends and you love him.”

She studied Alli closely. “You need to calm down and listen to me while we’re alone. Do you trust me?”

Obsidian’s life was in danger. Alli silently pleaded with Breeze—her only hope in saving him. “Yes.” They were friends. She knew what a great, kind woman the Species was. She had a big heart despite her gruff exterior at times.

“You are willingly going to allow them to transfer you to Fuller Prison to be a doctor there.

I am going to make sure Obsidian learns how to play nice with others. Moon and some of my friends will help me. We’ll take care of him, Alli.

We’ll make sure he knows you didn’t leave him and that you’re coming back. It will motivate him to stop attacking others. I know our males and they are damn good at getting what they want.

He wants you.” She paused, released one of Alli’s hands, and wiped at her tears. “Once everyone sees he can be calm and fit in, Justice will stop listening to that head shrink. I’ll get you back here to Obsidian.”

“How?” She was able to compose herself a little.

“I will. Trust me on that.”

A thousand things could go wrong. “How long?”

Breeze wiped the other side of her face, using her pants to dry her fingers. “I don’t know.

Weeks. Maybe months. It depends on how stubborn Obsidian is. You need to be a good doctor and keep your job at Fuller so I have access to bring you back.”

“He’s really stubborn,” she admitted. “What if he won’t listen to you or Moon?”

“He will. He wants you back.”

Alli wanted to fall completely apart but it wouldn’t do any good. The logical side of her knew that. “Will you promise me something?”

Breeze leaned back, releasing her other hand.

“What?”

“You need to let me see him first if the worstcase happens.” She mentally plotted kidnapping him again. She’d hire whoever the hell she had to, no matter how much it cost, to save Obsidian if they felt he was too dangerous to live. They’d flee the country. Mercile employees had done it and were still on the loose. “Promise me.” She held her breath, praying.

“I promise.”

“Swear on your life,” Alli prompted.

Breeze smiled. “You got it.” Her smile faded.

“You will get to say goodbye to him if he’s too stubborn to listen to reason.”

“Thank you.” She’d have to believe her since she didn’t have any other choice. Her gut instinct told her that Breeze wouldn’t lie to her.

* * *

Justice pulled Jessie onto his lap as he watched Fury crawl on all fours closer to Salvation’s back.

The child sniffed, his little body tense and slowly turned his head.

“I can’t sneak up on him anymore.” Fury pulled his son into his arms, the boy giggling, dropping his toy to cling to his father instead.

“He’s becoming more aware of his keener senses.”

“He keeps trying though,” Ellie teased, stepping into the living room with a tray of snacks.

“Is Daddy trying to steal your toys again and make you jump when he scares you? Bad Daddy!”

Jessie laughed. “I’m going to think it’s a riot if those are the first words he learns to speak.”

She sobered. “Of course that’s better than some of the things our future children will pick up at our house.” Her head turned to study her mate.

“They’ll be of the four-lettered variety judging by the way my mate reacts to phone calls.”

Justice shook his head. “I have a defense.”

“You hate being called after you leave the office? What was the emergency anyway? You left too fast to tell me what was going on.”

Justice glanced away to stare at Fury. “Obsidian attempted to kill Destiny at the men’s dorm.”

“What was he doing there?” Fury nuzzled his son’s cheek, handing him the plastic truck. “Is Destiny harmed? Obsidian?”

“Destiny was injured but he’ll heal. Obsidian was taken to Medical to be checked over as well.

Trisha wanted to make sure he doesn’t slip back into a coma. She said it’s doubtful but she is being cautious. I agreed.”

Ellie sat next to her mate and son on the floor.

“Sounds typical of newly freed males. They enjoy fighting and are aggressive.”

“Uh-oh. I don’t like that look.” Jessie peered into her mate’s eyes. “He’s not really settling in, is he? You’re worried? There was the fight with Jericho, then he was belligerent with you and Fury, and now this. What was he even doing at the dorm? He had been moved to Allison’s last I heard today. Did they get into another argument?”

“The males were giving him a tour of his future home and Destiny challenged him over Allison.

He’s protective and worries Obsidian might be too rough to be around her.” Justice sighed.

“Kregkor happened to be in his office when the incident report came in to alert Medical that both males were being brought there. That was why I was delayed getting here. He’s suggested we put Obsidian down for being too dangerous.”

The mood of the room changed, the tension level high.

“We don’t bust our asses to locate and save Species just to kill them. I know we have to consider the option but Obsidian is a special case.

That guy has been through hell and he’s going to need more time to adjust to being here. It’s that simple.” Jessie cooled her temper. “The shrink is an asshole anyway. I had a run-in with him before I left the office. I hope you told him to kiss your ass and leave. He’s barely here anyway. He’s about as helpful as a tick on my ass.”

Humor struck Justice. “A bloodsucking bug?”

“That’s exactly how I think of him after he pissed me off.” Jessie shrugged. “He stormed into my office to demand I have Allison arrested. You were in a meeting so he decided I would be the one to annoy.”

“Arrested for the kidnapping?” Ellie sounded annoyed. “It’s none of his business. That issue was dealt with.”

“He didn’t agree with our punishment for her.”

Fury handed his son a cracker. “He said it was a reward to offer her a job at Fuller Prison. I told him he hadn’t been to that facility and no one would enjoy spending time with anyone who used to work for Mercile. Those prisoners would have been her patients if she’d taken the job.”

Jessie glanced at everyone. “You’re going to love this one. You ready?”

Ellie lifted a cracker off the tray. “Will I choke if this is in my mouth? You have that tone.”

“Yeah. Don’t eat it just yet.” She smirked. “He stated that Obsidian is being molested and raped by one Dr. Allison Baker. He called him his helpless patient.”

Everyone laughed except Justice. “He didn’t say anything about that to me.”

“Well, he sure did to me.” Jessie faced him.

“I had to hear a fifteen-minute rant. I pointed out that Obsidian is twice her size and weight, stronger than three normal guys combined, and explained the Species sex drive to him. You’d think he’d know since he’s the NSO shrink. I told him we were glad she didn’t press charges against him. Species males go after what they want with about as much finesse as a bull in a china shop.”

Ellie laughed. “True but we happen to love stubborn men.” She leaned against Fury, winking.

“I love you.”

One of Fury’s arms wrapped around her waist to pull her closer. “I love you too.” He glanced at Justice. “What did you say to the head shrink when he suggested we kill Obsidian? I hope you snarled a little and showed him how displeased you were.”

Justice shook his head. “I have to play nice with him. And don’t call him that term. I’ve been assured by him that it’s offensive.”

“Kregkor is offensive,” Jessie muttered.

Justice nodded. “Agreed.” He held Fury’s gaze. “I refused to agree to kill Obsidian. Kregkor argued but we came to a compromise. We have to pretend his opinion matters for a while. Our public relations team believes it would look good if we had him on our staff, considering what all of us have endured. It makes leery humans happy to believe we are all in therapy.”

“You all underwent that crap when the original four facilities were discovered.” Ellie frowned.

“It wasn’t effective. It only made things worse from what I heard.”

“It wasn’t fun,” Justice agreed. “They didn’t understand us and wanted to hear about our feelings.”

“We were pissed,” Fury muttered. “They told us that was natural.” He had a disgusted look on his face. “It just annoyed us being forced to talk to the head shrinks and wasted our time.”

Justice hesitated. “That’s why we call them that but let’s agree not to say it in front Kregkor.

He gets called that often by Species he requests to speak to and hates it.”

Fury snorted. “He doesn’t understand us. It’s a waste of time sending our people to him.”

“So what was the compromise?” Jessie rubbed his chest.

“Obsidian is territorial over Allison and he won’t allow anyone to get close to him either. I think some time apart would do him some good.

We can’t have him attacking any male he finds threatening by attempting to kill them. Taking her out of the equation for a little bit will prevent that from happening. Kregkor demanded she leave Homeland immediately and I agreed to have her sent to Fuller.”

Jessie paled. “As a member of the staff, right?

Not as a prisoner?”

He reached up and caressed her cheek. “Allison will work there.”

She blew out a relieved breath. “How long will she be gone? I got the impression her and Obsidian might have growing feelings. You can’t expect them to just forget about each other if that’s the case.”

“I didn’t specify a timeframe. Kregkor was happy she wouldn’t have access to Obsidian and I thought her being gone would help Obsidian bond with our people. We’ll see how he does without her and we can bring her back at any time if she works at Fuller. It will also give Allison a way to redeem herself for stealing Obsidian.

Her motives were pure and she saved his life. I’d really like her at Medical again.”

“We had to punish her,” Fury concurred. “But that doesn’t mean it has to be forever. She is an excellent doctor who risked everything to save one of our males. We want her on our side.”

He smiled at his son and kissed his forehead.

“Besides, Salvation loves her and she makes him smile. I trust her with his life.”

“Kregkor is handling telling Allison that she must leave. Breeze insisted on being there. She also wants to be the one to tell Obsidian about the decision that has been made.” Justice watched the baby intently. “I agreed to both since I’d rather be here with my friends and mate.”

Jessie leaned in, her lips brushing his ear. “He is adorable. Do you want a son?”

He masked his expression before looking her way.

“You can’t hide anything from me. I see the longing in you to go over there and play with him. I think it’s about that time.”

A slow smile curved his generous mouth. “We should work on that.”

“You’re hiring Allison back for sure, right?

She really is fantastic.”

He nodded. “Definitely.”

* * *

Obsidian wanted to go to Alli’s space but the female doctor had given orders that he couldn’t leave. Moon paced next to his bed in the small room, glancing at him from time to time.

“I shouldn’t have listened to Darkness when he said to allow you both to work it out with fists.”

“The male wanted to fight and he accused me of abusing my female.” An emotion close to regret filled Obsidian. “I didn’t mean to harm him so bad.” Maybe not but he was less burdened by guilt after he’d been told the male would fully recover within a week.

The door opened and Dr. Trisha North stepped inside. “Good news. You didn’t dent your head any worse than before. You don’t even need stitches.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I do need to give you a shot though.”

“No. I want to go to Alli. I’ve been here for hours.”

The door opened again and a familiar female stepped inside. He remembered her and her threats. “Breeze.”

“Obsidian. I like the name and I see you remember mine.” She held a tray in one hand.

“Don’t be a baby and take the shot.” She stared at him defiantly despite his angry watchful gaze.

“I’m not here just to see you get poked. We need to talk about Allison.”

“Breeze,” Trisha warned, removing the syringe from the metal surface.

“Take the shot.” The Species female continued to regard him. “Then we talk.”

“No.”

“What is it for?” Moon joined the conversation.

Trisha licked her lips. “Doctor’s orders. You’re not leaving here until you take this. Do you want to stick around a while longer, until you decide?

That’s fine with me but I’m going home after this.”

“Give it to me.” He just wanted to see Alli. She had grown pale when she’d seen his blood and he hadn’t enjoyed the way she’d stared at him after learning he’d fought for her.

The doctor swabbed the skin on his upper arm and he clenched his teeth, expecting pain when the needle pierced his flesh. The Mercile technicians always made sure they inflicted as much pain as possible when they gave injections. Obsidian was surprised when he felt only a slight prick before she withdrew the needle and tossed the syringe into a box on the wall.

Breeze stepped closer. “How do you feel?”

Spots appeared before his eyes and lightheadedness made him sway where he sat on the edge of the table. A low groan filled the room and he realized he’d made that sound. Firm hands gripped him and he fell back, landing on the bed instead of the floor.

“What the hell?” Moon growled. “What did you do to him?”

“We needed him to remain calm,” Trisha whispered. “I gave him a strong sedative. I’m out of here now. What is said is none of my business. I can’t repeat something I didn’t hear.” She stopped by the door. “Good luck, Breeze. I’m rooting for him and your plan.” The doctor left, firmly closing the door behind her.

“What plan? Why have we drugged Obsidian?” Moon hovered closer, his voice deepening with anger. “What have you done, Breeze? This joke isn’t funny.”

“Notice me not laughing. Shit has hit the fan.

The head shrink has labeled your angry friend as a dangerous threat to all of us.” Breeze bent over him, holding his gaze. “Don’t panic, Obsidian.

You’re safe.” She stared at the other male.

“What?” Moon sounded shocked.

“Worst-case scenario with a newly freed male.” Breeze nodded, her expression harsh. “He threatened to attack Justice and Fury, fought with Jericho, and now this shit with Destiny.”

“Destiny challenged him and was insulting. He practically begged to get his ass handed to him with some of those taunts.” Moon growled. “This is bullshit. Sure, Obsidian shouldn’t have tried to kill him but he’s still figuring things out. We came from a kill-or-be-killed existence. What the fuck does the head shrink expect? Water balloon fights and slap matches when we grow angry at one another?”

Obsidian struggled with his body but couldn’t move. He flashed back to waking with Alli’s unknown scent that first time. He couldn’t even move a finger this time or control the rise and fall of his chest. They’d given him a strong drug. He had no choice but to seethe as he listened to the conversation.

“Nobody wants it to come to that.” Breeze glanced down at him again. “I asked Trisha to dose you. I knew you’d be very angry and male when we had this discussion. In other words, irrational and violent.” She glanced at Moon. “This is kind of cool. I wish I could have all of you restrained when I have to break bad news.” Her gaze dropped to him. “You’re so docile it’s cute.

I’m almost tempted to see how it feels to pinch your cheeks the way mothers do to their young on television.”

“Breeze,” Moon growled. “Don’t screw around. What are we going to do?”

Her expression clouded with severity. “Sorry.

Rare moment I had but I’m over it.” She took a deep breath. “I’m going to talk and you are going to listen. I’d ask if that is all right but you don’t have a choice.”

He was going to growl at her when the drugs wore off. He’d enjoy frightening the female to gain retaliation.

“Once upon a time in a land right here,” Breeze whispered.

“Damn it, Breeze!” Moon grabbed her, yanking her away. “That’s not funny!”

“I wasn’t trying to be. We all heard fairy tales when we were children. I think he could relate to why we have worst-case scenarios of newly freed males if he understood what happened to cause it.

He needs to hear the story.”

“I’ll do it.” Moon bent, staring into his eyes.

“Here’s the condensed version. Some of us were really screwed up in the head by Mercile and a few of them plotted together to kill Justice because they didn’t agree with him choosing a human mate. You can relate to that because of how you want Dr. Allison.” He sat on the edge of the bed, using his arms to brace on both sides of him.

“They almost murdered him and his mate. They died trying and it made us realize that not all of us are right in the head. We’d do anything to protect our mates and our friends. That includes killing the ones who are a danger to them. You would kill to protect Dr. Allison.”

“Your version is too blunt,” Breeze muttered.

Moon shot her a disgusted glance. “Be quiet.

That’s how males relate to each other. He understands me fine.” He snapped his head back to hold Obsidian’s gaze. “You beat on Jericho, threatened Justice and Fury, and now almost killed Destiny when you should have just beat on him until he couldn’t get up or hit you back.

You’re considered dangerous and that’s a real bad thing. We can’t have someone walking around who might kill other Species.”

“Now it’s my turn,” Breeze pushed Moon.

“Move.”

The male hesitantly stood, stepping away from the bed. “Be blunt.”

“Fine.” She bent, her hair falling to create a curtain around his face. “They sent Allison away to be a doctor. She is fine but on her way to somewhere far from here where you can’t see her.”

Rage boiled and he struggled frantically, mentally screamed his frustration. His body didn’t respond to the command to get up and find her. Instincts hammered him to hunt for her.

Hands gripped his face firmly, making him aware of the Species female.

“Your eyes are rolling back into your head.

Look at me and focus.”

He wanted to hit her but his hands wouldn’t curl into fists. She stood in his way—everyone did—to reach Alli.

“You can’t get her back unless you learn to join our society.”

No one would be able to keep him apart from Alli. He’d leave Homeland if they’d taken her away. It didn’t matter how long or how far he had to go but he would find her.

“I can imagine what you’re thinking and plotting. I would be doing the same. They will have to kill you before they allow you to escape Homeland. You’re dangerous and the humans would panic having a wild Species on the loose in the out world. They have weapons you’ve never seen before and your strength wouldn’t matter. You wouldn’t survive a day. You want her back? You can get her returned to you but you must control your temper.” She smoothed the hair from his forehead. “You can either die or you can learn what you need to survive here. We’ll get Allison back to you if you show them you aren’t dangerous.”

Moon suddenly walked around the bed, flipped Breeze’s hair back and bent his face close in able to be in his line of vision. “We are on your side and we’re going to help you. You need to leash down your urges. Think back to the times you wanted to kill a technician but resisted because it would cause your mate harm.”

Obsidian more than remembered—he’d done it countless times.

“It’s going to kind of be like that. Seem cool and controlled, reasonable when you aren’t, and we will be able to have her returned to you.”

“We aren’t your enemy. That’s something you need to learn. You made everyone afraid and now you need to show them you aren’t so damaged that you can’t fit in with your own people. We’re family, Obsidian. I know you’re enraged but the only way you’re going to get Alli back is by fitting in. It’s not fair, it wasn’t our decision, but that’s the truth.”

“It is,” Moon agreed. “Think about it. Learn control while the drugs work their way out of your system. How you get out of that bed is going to determine if you live or die.”

Breeze nodded. “We want you to have Alli.

She is depending on you to do this so they will return her. She didn’t want to leave you but they made her. She’s terrified you will die. You should have seen her tears. I promised her that we’d do anything to help you survive. Don’t let her down.”

That statement made him close his eyes. Is she being hurt? Who has her? Where is she? Is she afraid? He hated the helplessness he felt.

A masculine hand gripped his shoulder and he snapped his eyes open and stared at Moon. “Are you worried about her? She’s safe. No one would dare harm her. She just isn’t here anymore. No one is keeping her prisoner or abusing her. She’ll be given housing similar to what she has now.

Relax. Prove you’re not deadly and no one will feel the need to protect her from you.”

He’d never harm his Alli.

“We’ll get her back,” Breeze swore softly.

“She’s my friend and you’re going to be one too.

You may be stubborn but so am I.”

His eyes closed again. He needed to think.

Chapter Nineteen

Three months later

“He looks really good.” Alli hugged her waist, overcome with so many emotions she wasn’t sure which one was the strongest. Obsidian played soccer with over a dozen males on the side yard next to the men’s dorm. His hair was down, the silky strands blew in the wind, and her fingers flexed from the desire to touch him.

He’d filled out more, judging by his arms and chest, which were displayed in the red tank top that also accented his tanner skin. He ran across the grass barefoot, kicked the ball and it made it past the goalie. He turned—she was sure he smiled and high-fived another male wearing the same-colored shirt.

“He’s healthier and stronger,” Breeze agreed.

“He’s not as lean as when you last saw him. I told you all this when you arrived. Do you believe me now? Why are we hiding inside Smiley’s room spying on your male?”

That was the problem. Is he still mine? Fear wrapped its icy tentacles around her heart. She’d been a mess since she’d received the call three hours before from Homeland. They’d offered her the option to visit Obsidian. It had been a dream come true but at the same time, worry had nearly given her an ulcer.

Sixteen weeks and three days had passed since she’d been escorted by a few members of the NSO task force to one of their vans. Fuller Prison was less than an hour’s drive from Homeland.

The new boss had been an asshole with a Napoleon complex—she’d barely tolerated him. The entire facility had been contained by high walls similar to Homeland but it was a lot smaller. The job sucked but she’d endured treating the prisoners, hoping to get “the call” saying she could see Obsidian.

“Allison?”

She refused to look away from the man she loved as he ran the length of the yard. “Yeah?”

“Are you well? Was it bad at Fuller?”

“I thought about him every day. It helped battle the loneliness.”

“You didn’t make new friends?” Breeze’s voice drew closer.

“No.” She pushed back unpleasant memories of the time she’d spent away. “It was a coin toss whether the prisoners or the guards were more offensive.”

“Did they offer to share sex with you?”

Too many times to count. The question did make her curious enough to turn her head and stare at her friend. “I was the only woman working there. What do you think?”

Breeze sniffed loudly. “I don’t smell a male on you. Is that it? Did you form a bond with someone else?”

“Hell no.” She took a calming breath, the sharp retort revealing too much of her anger. “Sorry.

Let’s just say it isn’t the best job in the world. I’d be a billionaire if I got a dollar for every time one of them hit on me.” She gazed back out the window of the third-floor apartment to locate Obsidian. “Has he missed me?” Hope flared while she watched him kick the ball.

“He doesn’t speak of you at all.”

Ouch. The jab to her heart felt as though a knife had been shoved into it.

“He did at first, maybe two weeks. After that he stopped.”

“Oh.”

“I think it made him too angry.”

Alli glanced back. “At me?”

“At you being gone. He knows you didn’t abandon him. I left no doubt in his mind that you had no choice. Moon and I were very blunt with him.” She lowered her voice. “Although I wanted to break it to him more gently.”

“What does that mean?”

Breeze moved close enough to peer outside.

“Moon and I had different ideas of the best way to handle Obsidian. It worked out well though.

He’s made friends and has a job.”

“Really?” That was good news.

“Lots of friends. Moon taught him how to drive and guessed right when he believed he’d take well to delivering things around Homeland.”

She wanted to ask about women but couldn’t stand to hear the answer. It might very well shatter her heart if Breeze named off the ones Obsidian had slept with. She turned, spotting him again.

It wasn’t hard to do since her eye was naturally drawn to his tall frame. It was torture being so close yet so far away from him.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“About what?”

“If he bonded with another female.”

The knife in her heart turned into a javelin.

She said nothing, didn’t even look back, unable to face that possibility yet. In her mind, she liked to imagine he pined for her as much as she did for him. The bad thing about daydreams was reality had to come crashing in at some point.

“Allison?”

“Don’t,” she whispered. “I don’t want to know.” I couldn’t take it.

“You no longer care about Obsidian? I am surprised.”

Her head whipped around, gaping at Breeze.

“I still love him. Not a day has gone by when I didn’t worry that he’d meet someone else and forget all about me. I just…” emotion choked her.

A smile played at the Species’ lips. “There were none. He refused all offers to share sex.”

Knees weakened in relief. “Really?”

A sharp nod. “He said he was done with females.”

That respite was short-lived. “What does that mean?”

“His mate rejected him and he was separated from you. He said he didn’t want another female to matter to him.”

She gazed back out the window, silently suffering. “Were there a lot of women who hit on him?”

It was pathetic to ask but she couldn’t resist.

“Many. He’s attractive and mysterious to our kind since he’s different. They are accustomed to being pursued by males and he isn’t into the chase.”

Had Breeze hit on him? She bit that question back, smothering it in a blanket of jealousy. It was stupid to feel that way since he wasn’t hers.

Regret was a bitter pill to swallow. She should have signed those mate papers. It would have given her access to him sooner, possibly even prevented her from being sent away in the first place.

“He is also exceedingly polite and courteous.

Many of our females are charmed by him when he drops off packages and supplies to them during his work shifts. Some believe he is too shy to touch them while others think he might be too embarrassed to reveal his bare skin if he has scars.”

That had Alli not only stunned but gaping at Breeze. It had to be a joke but there wasn’t a hint of a smile or humor when she studied her closely.

There were a lot of ways Alli could describe Obsidian but none of those fit the man she’d known.

He was aggressive, a bully, opinionated, blunt, and sometimes downright crude. He also didn’t have a modest bone in his body when it came to stripping out of his clothes or taking them off a woman.

“Obsidian?” Maybe Breeze had started to talk about someone else and she’d been too distracted to notice.

“Yes. He is very sweet and docile now. He’s really taken to Species life. You should be very proud of him.”

She turned to the window again, not wanting Breeze to see her pain. It seemed her leaving might have been the best thing to happen to him.

His personality had undergone a drastic change and he’d thrived in her absence. Guilt nagged at her when she identified her disappointment. It wasn’t right but she’d hoped he’d been like a bear with a thorn stuck in his paw and only she’d be able to make it all better for him when she returned. Reality bit her hard in the ass.

Obsidian laughed at something someone said, smiling so big she could see the white of his teeth from three floors above. He seemed really happy and carefree as he played and interacted with his new friends. He had found a home finally and she wasn’t a part of it.

Breeze touched her shoulder. “They will be finished soon and scatter when the game ends.

We need to hurry to make sure we don’t have to track him down to another location. He will be surprised to see you.”

“No one told him I was coming?” She figured they would have but she’d obviously been wrong.

“We thought it would better if he just saw you.”

Warily she faced Breeze, carefully studying her. The only reason to avoid telling him of her visit was if they expected him to take the news in a negative light. She’d asked to see him from afar just so she didn’t act like an idiot by gawking at him or throw herself into his arms. Instead the time watching him hadn’t given her a moment of composure first. It had just shown her how he didn’t need her anymore.

The other woman avoided eye contact, her smile seeming a little forced. “Let’s go.”

Alli didn’t budge. “What is going on? Why wasn’t he told I was invited to visit him?”

Breeze glanced at the floor, the wall, even at the ceiling before finally meeting her gaze. “We weren’t sure how he would respond. He has refused to speak of you at all. Every time Moon or I, anyone for that matter, says your name, he just walks away. No discussion, no explanation. He just avoids us for a day.”

That was really disheartening and telling at the same time. “Take me back to the gates. The task force is waiting there to drive me back to Fuller.”

Dark-brown eyes narrowed. “We’re going to surprise him downstairs.”

“I’m leaving.” Alli inched around Breeze, heading for the door.

The woman gripped her shoulder, holding her fast. “Not so fast.”

Frustration, fear of the unknown and possible heartache battled. “You didn’t tell him I was coming and you said he gets angry just hearing my name. It’s obvious that he won’t want to see me.

I’m not going to do that to myself.”

“Do what?”

“Watch him reject me,” she admitted. “It would tear me apart.”

“Leaving without talking to him would do the same. You won’t know how he reacts until you face him. Both of you were once bonded. The attraction could still be very alive.”

It was on her part but Obsidian might have grown to resent her. All the fears she’d had of him using her for a crutch to get past the pain of losing his mate and waking in a new world brought her insecurities to the front again.

“You’ll regret leaving if you don’t at least say hello. What could it hurt?”

“It would destroy me from the inside out if he looks at me any different than he used to,” she whispered, admitting her deepest fear. “I still love him. I never stopped.”

Breeze sighed softy. “You won’t know until you face him. Love is so complicated. I’m glad I don’t suffer from it and hope I never do. It’s amazing how smart, strong people turn into frail, frightened idiots once their hearts are involved.”

The hand dropped away. “Let’s go and get this over with. At best, you’ll be dealing with a male who is starved of sex and he’ll make up for lost time between you two. At worst, he’ll state that your coming for this visit was a mistake. You’ll have your answer either way.”

“I’m terrified.”

“He won’t harm you physically. I can guarantee that.”

“That’s not what I’m afraid of.”

“I know. I was trying to use humor during a stressful moment. Big fail on my part. Let’s go.

You’re still stalling.”

“Shouldn’t you warn him first or something?

Give him a minute at least to let it sink in that I’m here before he’s confronted?”

Breeze latched on to her hand, tugging. “Good try but no dice. Now is a good time.”

Alli stumbled a few times, her legs leaden with dread. Her world might be about to come crashing down on her head. There would be no mental barriers she could erect that would protect her if the time they had spent together were moments he regretted.

The game was still in full swing when they left the side door of the dorm. Some males were sitting on the grass in the shade of the building. Alli could feel their stares turning her way but she only had eyes for Obsidian. He was bent slightly, watching the ball about to be tossed in from the sideline where it had gone out, but frowned when the one holding it paused.

The other players began to turn in her direction, watching her approach with Breeze. They were either fascinated by two women at the game or they knew who Dr. Allison Baker was. Obsidian finally realized there was a stir and glanced their way.

He spotted Breeze first and smiled openly, welcoming her presence. His gaze shifted to Alli. She stopped walking, unable to move when his expression hardened, became closed and his dark eyes narrowed.

“Allison has come to speak to you,” Breeze stated loudly. “Doesn’t she look wonderful, Obsidian?”

Someone growled and Alli was pretty certain the unhappy sound had come from the man she loved. It hurt when he turned his head away to say something to one of the males closest to him.

She wished the ground would open under her, just take her somewhere dark, where she could fall apart privately away from the prying eyes of everyone within sight. He obviously wasn’t happy to see her as he continued to ignore her.

Her heel caught on the grass when she stepped back to make a hasty retreat. Breeze saved her from an embarrassing fall by gripping her arm.

The Species hissed. “He’s being an ass.”

“Thank you.” She gently wiggled out of her hold. “I’m leaving.”

“Don’t. Give him time.”

Alli spun, carefully watching her step as she fled. It was difficult to keep it to a fast walk when she really wanted to run. The man she’d known never would have shunned her but he had.

It seemed more than his appearance had changed.

Grief threatened to spill out loudly, along with the tears she fought to contain.

She made it to the front of the building where an escort leaned against a Jeep. Flame smiled when he saw her.

“That was fast. Are you ready to leave, Dr. Allison?”

“Yes.” She desperately tried to keep it together until she could fall apart in private. “Please.”

He noticed her distressed state. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she lied.

He nodded sharply. “Is there anywhere else you’d like to visit while you’re at Homeland?”

“No. Just take me to the main gate.”

She inwardly winced at the way her voice cracked. The Species officer studied her face suspiciously. His next words confirmed it.

“Did a male inside frighten you? You are not fine.” His hand snatched hers, long fingers curling around the back of it, and clung. “I’m here.

Talk to me and tell me what happened.”

“Don’t touch her,” a deep, masculine voice snarled.

Alli’s spine stiffened. She’d remember that harsh, angry tone anywhere. And the man.

“What’s wrong, Obsidian?” Flame let go, frowning at something behind her. “I wasn’t harming her. She’s distressed about something that happened inside.”

Turn around. Look at him. Her mind ordered her to do it but her feet may as well have been stuck in concrete. She just couldn’t do it. Why had he even followed her to the street?

“I’ve waited three months to talk to you yet you couldn’t wait two minutes to talk to me? I was excusing myself from the game.” His voice was still deep but the rough edges had gone out of it.

She swallowed hard and moved, facing him slowly. He was just feet away, bigger than life.

The changes in his face were more evident up close as she studied every inch of it. His cheeks were fuller, the scars either faded or just hidden by the slightly longer hair along his temples. The sun had darkened his skin slightly from the hours he must have spent outside.

The memory of his powerful stare paled in comparison to the real thing. His eyes seemed a softer brown than she remembered, more beautiful, and his black eyelashes longer. He blinked but didn’t move otherwise while they watched each other.

“Is everything okay?” the New Species officer asked but she ignored him.

“Go away, Flame,” Obsidian rasped. “Now.”

“I’m assigned to Dr. Allison while she visits Homeland.” Flame didn’t take orders well. “I can’t.”

Obsidian’s gaze shifted away from her, breaking contact with hers. “Go away, Flame.” He frowned. “I’ll take responsibility for her well-being. We need to talk in private.”

“Oh. Um. Okay. I’ll take a walk. Maybe grab a sandwich inside.” He skirted around them with a wide berth, striding to the front doors of the dorm quickly.

“Hi,” she managed to whisper, cleared her throat, and spoke louder. “You have gained weight. It looks good.”

He stared at her again and his frown deepened.

The uncomfortable moment was painful. All her daydreams of seeing him again were a bitter pill to swallow. He didn’t respond at all.

She decided to try again. “I saw you playing soccer. I’m glad you seem to have made so many friends.”

Silence. He blinked, the frown still firmly marring the skin shadowing the sides of his lips.

Maybe she should ask him a question, something to respond to. It was worth a try. “How have you been?”

Eyebrows lifted, widening his eyes slightly. He didn’t reply.

Slow-burning anger and sadness combined inside her. “You followed me out here to order Flame not to touch me because you wanted to have a staring contest? Is that it?”

“I waited for three months to see you and you couldn’t wait one minute for me to excuse myself from the game?”

He took one step, paused, then another. He crouched in front of her and she had no idea why he did it. She glanced at the ground between them to see if maybe she’d dropped something but he suddenly plowed into her as if he were performing a tackle. He hit her hips with enough force to knock her off her feet but she never slammed into the ground. He straightened as he continued to sweep his body forward and slung her over his shoulder as though she were a sack of potatoes. One hand gripped her ass firmly to hold her in place while his other arm hooked behind her knees to pin them against his chest.

“We’re not doing this here,” he grumbled, spinning fast enough to make her dizzy before storming in the direction of the dorm.

Alli was astonished that she was draped over Obsidian’s shoulder while he carried her inside the door. The sound of men talking ceased instantaneously as soon as the doors closed.

“Is there a problem, Obsidian?”

She twisted around, trying to identify the speaker but her hair and his blinded her.

“No. I’m going to my room. This is Alli.” He kept moving, not slowing his pace. “She’s visiting me.”

“Um, okay.”

“Have fun?” The hesitant, unsure tone of some guy’s voice was clear.

“It seems he might not be immune to females after all,” another one laughed. “Don’t break her.”

“Thank you for the advice!” Obsidian yelled.

“I appreciate it.”

He didn’t take the elevator, instead he jogged up the stairs, jarring her with every tread. Her hips bounced on his broad shoulder and she was grateful she’d been too nervous after getting the call from Homeland to eat lunch. He turned on the second-floor landing and strode quickly down a carpeted hallway, which she caught glimpses of as their hair swayed in and out of her face. He paused, opened a door and stepped inside.

They were alone in his room. The locks clicked into place, the distinctive sound loud. He spun away from the door, took four long steps and halted. She grunted when he dumped her onto the couch, not really gentle about it. It was a soft landing but hard enough to knock a hard breath from her lungs.

Obsidian stood over her looking anything but calm or reserved when she focused on his face.

His lips were parted, fangs showed and his eyes were narrowed on her. “Alli.”

He said her name in a way that made her uncertain if she should be afraid or happy. The husky tenor was certainly filled with emotion. She just wasn’t sure which one. Anger or passion?

“Stand up.”

She shifted a little to sit upright and used the couch arm to push to a standing position. Her knees managed to hold her when she put weight on her legs. He was close enough to touch if she reached out a few inches but she just tilted her chin up to peer at his face.

“Strip.”

Her mind blanked, refused to work, then his demand sank in. “What?”

He dipped his head a little closer. “Take off your clothes.”

Her mouth hung open, that being the last thing she’d expected him to say.

“Do it or I’ll rip them off you.” His breathing increased as his broad chest rose and fell faster.

“My control is at the limit.”

She remained motionless, trying to make sense of what was going on. He’d ignored her, carried her off to his room, and now wanted her naked.

One word slipped out. “Why?”

“It would be difficult to spin you around, bend you over the back of the couch and fuck you otherwise.”

She sank back down on the couch when her knees turned to jelly. Obsidian crouched in front of her. “Do you want me taking you this way?”

His gaze lowered down her body, hesitating over her breasts but focusing on the vee of her thighs.

“I am hungry.”

Alli reached out and her fingertips brushed his face. He looked up. A hundred questions filled her mind. She was confused, not sure where to even start. His mouth tightened into a white line and his hands gripped the edges of the cushions on both sides of her hips.

“I understand.” His eyes closed. “Slow down.

Too fast,” he growled. His eyes opened and his tone changed, sounded calmer. “Did I say I missed you?”

It seemed as if a thousand pounds lifted off her chest. That confession was one of the best things she’d ever heard. He hadn’t forgotten about her after all. She was pretty sure he’d been talking to himself more than her when he’d closed his eyes.

It meant they were both nervous.

“You did?”

His eyes closed again as his nose flared, inching closer while he tilted his head. Is he going to kiss me? Her heart pounded and she licked her lips in anticipation. Obsidian’s face buried against her throat at the side, breathing her in as his nose nuzzled her skin. A soft groan came from him.

“You still smell of food,” he rasped. “Do you know how often I ate French toast just to be reminded of you?”

Her hand slid into his hair, stroking the silky mass as her other hand gripped one broad shoulder. He pressed tighter against her body, his chest firm and solid. She wanted to cling to him and only resisted for a second before she hugged him tightly, both arms sliding around his back.

“They sent you away,” he rasped. “It drove me insane.” His nose rubbed the column of her throat, one hand slipping behind her back to pull her flush against him. “I’ve needed you.”

“Me too,” she admitted. “So much. Every single day.”

Obsidian bumped against her knee and she spread her thighs to allow him to wedge his hips between them. He really was bigger, the weight he’d put on over the months wasn’t just visible, she could feel it. That wasn’t the only thing that seemed bigger. The rigid press of his cock nudged against her pussy.

“You smell so good. So mine.”

His warm breath gave her the good kind of chills as it fanned across her skin with every breath he took. She regretted not removing her clothes when he’d ordered her to, hating the barriers between them. All she wanted was to be skin to skin with him.

“Let me go.”

“No.” He pulled her closer. “Never.”

“I want you.”

Those three words had a powerful effect on him. Air filled his chest enough to crush it against hers when he sharply inhaled and a rumbled growl was the sexiest thing she’d heard in three months. The hand on the small of her back dug lower until he cupped her ass, jerking her more firmly against his cock.

Alli softly moaned when his hips rocked, rubbing against her clit with the drag of his long, hard shaft. Even clothes couldn’t deter the pleasure. He grinded against her in a slow, steady pace that drove all thoughts from her mind. Her hands fisted his shirt, clawing at it, seeking skin.

Both of them panted, low moans filling the room, and his teeth nipped at the curve where her shoulder began. The feel of his fangs set her on fire, the sharp points not breaking skin but the danger of it was there.

“Mine,” he groaned near her ear when he kissed upward, trailing his hot tongue along the path.

Oh yeah, she agreed. All yours. His hips moved a little faster, the friction between them increasing as they heated up. Raw ecstasy hovered just out of her reach. She didn’t even care if she came faster than a rocket going off. It had been too long, too many lonely nights remembering the intimate memories they shared. Fantasy wasn’t as good as the real thing.

He snarled, his hips bucking in wild, rough jerks and it was enough. It was that last little element she needed to come. The climax centered where their bodies touched and she cried out his name before her breath was stolen away when her brain was hit with the first sharp blast of rapture.

They clung to each other, riding through it, and warmth seeped across her lower belly through her clothes. Obsidian had come with her. He stilled but his hold on her didn’t ease. She didn’t mind having a hard time catching her breath, being pressed between him and the back cushions of the couch.

Her eyes were closed and she kept them that way, tenderly exploring his back with her hands.

She longed to feel his smooth, hot skin. The shirt was in the way and she refused to ask him to put enough space between them to remove it. At times she’d been afraid she’d never get the opportunity again.

Chapter Twenty

Obsidian kept a strong grip on the small female he held. Alli smelled the exact way he remembered and he was grateful that she hadn’t changed her scent. The swelling of his dick receded but he refused to let her go.

It was more than the way she seemed to fit against him that made him resist loosening his arms around her. She’d realize he’d just come in his pants. It wasn’t his proudest moment or how he wanted their first sexual encounter to be if they were ever reunited. He just hadn’t been able to stop when she’d moaned as he’d stroked his cock against her.

Move, he ordered his mind. He wanted to recover the moment and make it right. Moon had told him repeatedly that females enjoyed romance and males who had patience. That advice had been lost in the need to reconnect with her.

Moon and Breeze hadn’t lied to him all the times they’d sworn they’d get Alli back to him. It had all been worth it. He’d fought his rage at first when the people who claimed to want what they believed best for him had taken away the female who belonged to him. He was smart and had adapted well to learning the game he needed to play.

He’d acted polite, said the words they wanted to hear and been a model Species. His reward massaged his back through his shirt. Alli.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he demanded.

“Hold on.”

Her legs lifted, hooked at his waist, and he adjusted his hold on her to support her ass and midback. It took a lot of willpower to ignore the uncomfortable dampness of his pants clinging to his dick when he hauled her up and stood. The apartment wasn’t big but it was his space. He made it to the bedroom in ten long strides.

His gaze drifted around the room with annoyance. He hadn’t known she was coming today or he would have cleaned up the clothes he’d tossed on the floor. The bed wasn’t made but he had changed the sheets the day before. He sniffed, not picking up any offensive odors except his shoes in the closet. It was faint enough that he doubted her human senses would pick it up. Their spent passion also teased his nose and tortured him with the urge to strip her bare. He’d missed everything about her but especially the sweet taste of Alli in the throes of arousal and release.

She pulled her head back enough to look him in the eye. Their blue color sucked him in and held him captive. Her little nose was adorable and so her. His attention lowered to her tentative smile and he groaned, going for it. He hadn’t been able to kiss her much before she’d been taken but nothing was damaged about his memory.

Soft lips opened under his, her mouth hot and welcoming as his tongue met hers. It made his dick hard with jealousy that it wasn’t one with her too. The idea of penetrating her both ways urged him to take one more step until his legs hit the side of the bed. He broke the connection, needing to get their clothing out of the way. It took reserve to gently lower her instead of tossing her on his mattress.

“Strip,” he ordered, hoping this time she’d do it.

She released him when he straightened away from her. He backed up, tearing at his shirt. It sailed to the floor when he threw it and he quickly shucked his pants. Alli hadn’t seemed to notice that the front of his pants was wet where his semen had soaked them and he used the bunched material to swipe his skin to remove the evidence.

She had lain back, lifted her legs and yanked off each shoe.

Satisfaction struck when she didn’t neatly place them on the floor but instead threw them without a care where they fell. He didn’t glance to see where they landed, not wanting to miss the sight of her baring every inch of her body for his enjoyment. Her hips rose as she wiggled out of her pants and it only made his dick harder.

Hurry, he silently urged. He needed her.

Wanted her. Had to have her. His hands gripped his thighs just to prevent himself from helping her. She didn’t have other clothing and he didn’t want her to be angry if he tore them to shreds.

The sight of her blue panties made him snarl, not happy she still wore the annoying obstacles.

He’d told her to get rid of all of them but she’d disobeyed. Ways to teach her why she shouldn’t wear them instantly made his dick throb in anticipation. He’d play with her pussy until she begged him to mount her. She’d get a reminder to not wear them before he did that though.

She tossed the pants away and her thumbs hooked the delicate straps of the tiny scraps covering her sex to wiggle her hips again. The curve of her naked ass almost snapped his control while it hovered above the sheets. He wanted a view of it from another angle—bent over in front of him with his hands gripping her on both sides to hold her in place while he pounded against it with his dick buried inside her deep. She sat up to drop the panties off the edge of the bed and finally removed her shirt. The bra hid her nipples and he growled again.

“Are you okay?” She paused.

“Take it off!”

“A little impatient?”

She smiled as if amused, something he couldn’t comprehend. There was nothing funny about how much he craved getting a glimpse at those rosy nipples he longed to lick and suck.

“Alli,” he warned, “it’s been too long.”

The bra slid off her shoulders after she unhooked the back, bared her beautiful soft mounds with taut peaks. She spread her bent knees apart, revealing her glistening pussy as if he needed incentive to join her. He struggled to keep in control. He wanted it to be good for her too. She rolled to her side, pushing up on her hands and knees. Her hair flipped over one shoulder when she tossed her head, adjusted a little until her ass faced him and smiled at the sight of his astonishment.

“I know. I’m wet, so ready, and I want you.”

Her tongue licked her lips. “I dreamed about you mounting me. Take me.”

Animalistic urges surged so strongly inside him that he swayed a little on his feet. Forget polite, taking things slow, or Moon’s advice on how to treat a human mate. His knee dipped the bed as he settled it on the edge and his gaze lowered to her ass. It was pale and rounded, lushly curved.

He wanted to grip it with both hands just to squeeze.

Her back bowed, she arched her ass higher and spread her thighs enough to give him a view of the slit of her pussy. Pink, slick heaven he wanted to enter was right in front of him. She wagged her ass at him enough to make him want to howl.

“Enter me slowly,” she urged. “It’s been a while and you’re bigger all over. I think you even gained a little weight there.”

He glanced down to stare at his dick then darted a glance to her pussy. It slightly cooled his raging lust. He didn’t want to hurt her. His hands hesitated at her hips when he inched closer.

Alli lowered her chest enough that her nipples touched the sheets and she bit her lip, watching him watch her. “Don’t torture me, Obsidian. I want to feel you inside me.”

He wasn’t torturing her, that was what she was doing to him. He adjusted his bent legs on the outside of hers to make their bodies fit together more easily. His dick didn’t need guidance with his hand to target the entrance of her pussy. She rolled her hips when the crown of it nudged the seam of her sex and she froze when they were perfectly aligned.

He began to tremble enough that he wrapped his fingers around her hips and gripped her hipbones to hide how much she affected him. His mate could drop a Species to his knees and make him shake from wanting her so badly.

Sleek arousal coated the tip of his dick and he nudged her, the small opening tight but accepting. They both groaned as he sank into her. Her pussy gripped him firmly, fit him perfectly. She was made for him as he pushed in more.

“Yes,” she encouraged.

He withdrew a little, a strong current of pleasure rolling through him from just moving inside her. He thrust back in. It was impossible to decide which motion was the best. The pace increased as her pussy stretched enough to assure him he wouldn’t break her and he let go of one hip, dropped forward and caught his upper body weight before he crushed her under him.

He molded his body around hers, buried his dick inside her until they were completely connected and nuzzled her with his cheek. “Tell me if I’m too rough.”

He rocked his hips in long, deep thrusts. Alli’s moans grew loud and ragged, urging him to go faster until the headboard banged insistently against the wall. His balls drew up tight, a warning that he was going to explode and fill his mate with his seed.

He slid his hand around her and found her clit.

Two fingers captured the little bud between them and he massaged it. Vaginal muscles clenched tightly around his dick, squeezing him, and he fought to hold back spilling into her.

“Come,” he demanded harshly. “Now.”

She jerked under him and her pussy milked him when her climax made her cry out his name.

He had no reason to cling to control anymore.

Obsidian let go, growling loudly, as he reclaimed his mate.

Alli smiled, her hand roaming Obsidian’s chest, which was pillowing her head. His heartbeat was slow and steady under her ear. She enjoyed the sense of total peace she felt curled tightly against his side.

“I missed you.”

His heart rate increased. “You’re not leaving my side. They won’t take you away from me again.”

She had a job still at Fuller but she had no wish to return. “Good.”

He suddenly rolled over, pinning her under him, to stare into her eyes. “You aren’t going to argue?”

“No.”

“You’re mine.”

“Even better.”

His gaze widened. “You agree?”

She tried to put her feelings into words but he spoke before she could.

“You don’t want to tell me that it’s too soon and I need more time? You have no protests that you worry I don’t know what I really want? I have thought of many things to say to respond to those accusations.” He frowned. “I expected an argument.”

“I’ve had a lot of time to think in the past three months.”

“What does that mean?”

“I love you.”

He smiled, pure happiness hitting him at hearing those words and the way she gazed at him with sincerity. “I feel love too.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that. I was terrified you’d have found someone else or decided you’d made a mistake being with me.”

“I don’t want another female. You are the only one for me.”

“I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to kick my own ass for trying to be noble but I was so afraid I’d end up hurting you somehow. That’s the last thing I wanted to do. You come first with me.”

He shifted his weight enough to brace most of it on one arm to stroke her cheek with his thumb.

“I worried that I was too hard on you. I have learned that females don’t enjoy being given orders.”

She smiled. “I kind of like that about you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Breeze said you’re super polite now and I can’t even imagine.” She laughed. “Of course you ordered me to strip right off the bat. It turns me on.”

A soft growl rumbled from him. “I can tell you what to do?”

“In the bedroom. I can’t promise I’ll be happy with that outside it, but in here, always. On you it’s sexy.”

“You mean that?” He arched his brows, studying her closely. “That’s the truth?”

“Yes.”

“Let go of me.”

She hadn’t expected him to say that but slid her hands away from his neck. He rolled away to the edge of the bed and sat up to open the drawer on the nightstand.

“What are you getting?”

He turned to face her, twisting his upper body.

“Come here.”

“Okay.” She got on her hands and knees, crawling the few feet to him, and peered at a folder in his hand. “What is that?”

He placed it on top of the nightstand and both of his arms wrapped around her, lifting her to sit across his lap. He reached inside the drawer and pulled out a pen. His gaze held hers.

“Sign the papers.”

Shock shot through her and she glanced at the folder. Are those what I think they are? She really hoped so as she turned her head to stare at him.

“I thought I’d have to argue with you a lot before you’d agree.” His voice deepened. “Sign them. We’re in the bedroom and I’m giving you an order.”

“What are they?” Her voice sounded as shaky as she felt. She wanted a confirmation before she got too excited.

He frowned. “You know what they are. Moon saved the mating papers from when they were drawn up the day Justice and Fury came to your home. I demanded he give them to me months ago. They have been waiting for you.” He leaned in and his nose touched her, staring deeply into her eyes. “You’re my Alli,” he rasped. “My mate.

Sign them.”

She nodded, blinking back tears. “Okay.”

He smiled and handed her the pen. She nearly dropped the thing and gripped it tightly as he lifted the folder, gently placing it over her lap. He reached around her with his other arm, using both hands, and opened it.

Tears blinded her until she blinked them back.

She skimmed the document. Basically it was a contract stating she was agreeing to live under NSO laws, wanted to be a member of the New Species Organization, and was committing to being Obsidian’s mate.

He leaned in until his lips brushed her ear.

“Don’t read them, Alli. The words aren’t important. You’re my mate.”

She dropped her focus to the bottom of the page and stared at one signature already on it.

Obsidian’s name was there in ink. He held her gaze when she looked up.

“You already signed this?”

“The day Moon brought them to me.”

Her heart melted.

“Sign, Alli. That’s an order.” He smiled. “I’m being sexy. Don’t make me bite you.”

She laughed and used one hand to steady the paper while she did as she was told. “I might like it.” She threw the pen back into the open nightstand drawer. Her gaze lifted to his. “I’m all yours. It’s official.”

“I’m going to make you happy, Alli.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I am.”

“I was willing to show you all the ways I could do that.” Humor glinted in his eyes. “Are you sure you are happy?”

Her teeth snagged her bottom lip, chewing on it. “Maybe not.” She couldn’t pull off a serious look and grinned. “I did want a turtle when I was a kid but my parents said no. I could think up stuff that makes me sad so you can cheer me up.”

“A turtle?” He suddenly grinned. “What about a horse? Did you ever want one of those? Darkness said something that I haven’t forgotten.”

“What did he say?”

“You could ride me like a pony if you wanted.”

Her eyes widened, surprised he’d just blatantly made an offer that would put her in charge, but then she imagined what it would be like straddling and fucking Obsidian. “Oh yeah. I totally wanted a horse.”

“How do you feel about dogs?”

“I love them. Why?”

“I share some traits with them.” He growled.

“I’ve learned to appreciate what I am and not resist my instincts with you.”

“I happen to love you just the way you are.”

“I’m going to love you a lot, Alli.” He brushed his lips over hers. “All the time. Forever.”

She believed him. Later they’d have to discuss the possibility of having children but for right now, she just wanted to be with him and make up for lost time they’d been separated. Their children, when or if they had them, would look just like their father but she hoped his sons would be a tad less stubborn.

“What are you thinking about?” He studied her. “You look amused.”

“I’m imagining that pony ride. Lie back.”

A soft growl rumbled from him. Everything about Obsidian was sexy and he was all hers.

Obsidian felt absolute contentment for the first time in his life as he stared at his mate. He had worried that he might have lost his Alli forever when he’d been told she’d been sent away. Raw, gut-wrenching grief had plagued him for the first weeks they’d been separated. He’d hated everyone, blaming all for her loss. 46’s death had been hard on him but life without Alli was unbearable.

She meant everything to him.

Breeze and Moon had battled him every step of the way by not leaving him alone. He had to fit in if he wanted to be with Alli again. He would have done anything to make that possible.

He’d needed to make friends and stop snarling at anyone who approached him. They’d repeatedly risked their lives by facing off with him while he dealt with overwhelming rage. Both had kept assuring him he’d get her back—he just needed to learn how to become a functioning member of New Species society.

The game was on. He’d been determined to learn their rules and do anything they required to get her returned to him. They wanted him to speak words of kindness so he’d set aside his pride. In time he actually had begun to like other Species. Some of the walls he’d built were slowly chipped away as he heard the stories of survival and loss from males who lived at the dorm. They all shared a bond, some more than others.

Not a day had gone by when he didn’t miss his Alli. Night had been the worst. The bed seemed too empty and he’d brushed his fingers through his hair or touched his own chest just to help keep the memories of her fresh. Breeze would take pity on him sometimes and check on Alli and give him updates.

His Alli was safe and well, working at Fuller.

It had kept his hope alive that she’d be in his arms soon. When Moon had brought the mate papers to him he’d promised that they’d sneak over the walls of Homeland and retrieve her themselves if that’s what it took to get her back if she wasn’t returned within a four-month period. The waiting had been hard but he’d had hope.

He’d only had to wait three months.

He stared into her eyes—something he’d never take for granted after she’d been taken from him.

His mate was finally in their home and she’d never leave him again. They’d be happy together. He wouldn’t allow anything less.

Her fingers caressed his chest as she leaned over with a smile that melted his heart. She owned it and him. They were true mates. He’d once had misery and suffering but now he had a lifetime of happiness to look forward to.

“I love you, Alli.”

“I love you too.”

Her lips met his, kissing him as his arms wrapped around her. He wasn’t ever going to let her go. Mine!

Content

Obsidian
Laurann Dohner
Book 8 in the New Species series.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty