“No,” Justice repeated. “Snow, you’re excused.”

The male left, closing the door behind him. Justice sighed loudly and leaned back. “You should have asked her to stay if you are so worried about that female, Darkness.”

“I didn’t think she’d kick out our team.”

Fury snorted. “You wanted her out of your life. Let her go.”

“She is at risk,” Darkness argued.

Fury took a seat and shook his head. “You can’t have it both ways, brother. She’s not some defenseless human. You were drawn to her because she’s tough. Mason has made no indication he’s a danger to her. The FBI has him closely monitored as well. They shared their findings so far. His relation to Jerry Boris might have been the only reason he searched for him. They haven’t found anything so far to indicate he knew or was a part of what Boris did to the NSO. Humans can be fiercely loyal to family. Do you know what I think?”

“I don’t want to know.” Darkness shot him a dirty look. “I’m leaving now.” He spun and marched to the door.

It came as a surprise when Snow waited just outside the building. The male approached with a grim expression. “You care about that female.”

“I don’t want harm to come to her.” He refused to admit more.

Snow licked his lips and glanced around, before slipping his hand inside his vest. He offered a card. “Here.”

Darkness glanced at the numbers written on it. “What is this?”

“The access code to the camera feeds we set up outside Katrina Perkins’ house. I didn’t remove them. The interior cameras were stripped but you’ll have a full view of the front and back of the property.”

Darkness pocketed the card. “Why did you leave them?”

Snow hesitated. “I liked Missy. She was sweet and I wanted to keep an eye on her. I think it matters more to you than me. I frightened her too much to pique her interest.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Snow looked as if he wanted to say more.

“What?”

“You had a female. Why give her up? Was it due to all she’d lose coming to be a part of our world?”

“I’m not a fit mate.”

Understanding dawned in the other’s male’s face. “It’s difficult to get over the past. There’s no point of a future if you can’t let it go.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“We adapt,” Snow reminded him. “We aspire to always become more than we were meant to be. Don’t you hold that goal as well?”

“I’m too damaged.”

Snow nodded. “All of us are to certain degrees. Some damage is visual, some scarred deep into our souls. It’s part of being Species. You are not the least likely male I’ve met to take a mate. Valiant has Tammy.”

“He at least was willing to take a mate.”

“Willing and being able to succeed are two different things. They made it work. That’s one male I couldn’t live with.” Snow smiled. “Do you think she’s deafened by now, hearing his roars? He isn’t the most patient or calm male.”

“He wouldn’t frighten her.”

“He scares me, along with the Wild Zone residents and they aren’t exactly what I would consider sane. It speaks volumes, doesn’t it?”

Darkness had a flashback of a moment with Kat. He could almost hear her voice. We have two volumes. High or mute. “I’m not him.”

“You’re more rational. He allows his feelings out in a big way. Too much so. He doesn’t know balance.”

“Nor do I.”

“Have you tried?”

“I’m not going to discuss this.”

“You care about that female. It’s a fact. Have you considered that she’ll meet some human? What if he hurts her? Humans can cheat on a female. They carry sexual diseases too. I went to one of her classes. Domestic violence is a problem in their world. I’d guess she wouldn’t seek a weak male to breed with. He could do serious damage or kill her.”

“Enough.” The things Snow described enraged him.

“Have you watched their news? They showcase home-invasion robberies, rapes, murders and random acts of violence. We don’t have those issues inside our borders. The walls around us protect our females from the violence of the out world. It’s our duty as males to keep them safe. Your female isn’t here.”

“She isn’t my female,” he snarled.

Snow smiled. “You wouldn’t have lost your temper before meeting her. You would have calmly corrected me. She’s already changed you.”

“I’m the same male.”

Snow shook his head. “Perhaps you should go home and take a good look in a mirror. You’re in denial. Lie to others but not to yourself.”

Darkness watched the officer stalk away. He clenched his fists, angry. Everyone kept giving him advice and that wasn’t the first time he’d been accused of not being honest. He went home and slammed the door. Faint trances of Kat’s scent lingered in the bedroom. He breathed through his mouth and entered the bathroom, flipping on the light. He gripped the counter, leaned in to take Snow’s advice.

The same male stared back at him in the mirror. He noticed no physical changes. He had forgotten to get his hair cut, the strands now long enough to rest on his shoulders. The last thing he wanted was to resemble Fury or the brothers he’d once lost. He made a mental note to get that done soon and strode into his bedroom. He studied the bed, memories of Kat unavoidable.