He’d assigned a New Species guard outside to protect Ellie from being taken while he worked. He’d go to any lengths to keep her safe. He met Justice’s gaze and didn’t look away. His friend knew how deeply his feelings for Ellie ran.

Justice watched him with curiosity. “I’m concerned because you act so differently when it comes to the female.”

“I am aware but I would never hurt her. Trust me.”

Justice’s cat eyes narrowed. “I do. I’m sorry for implying otherwise but you have to admit you’re not always yourself when it comes to your female.”

“I’m aware of that as well.”

The two men studied each other. Justice spoke first. “They are pressuring me to bring her to see them, to verify that she is fine. I have no choice and you know that we must appease their concerns.”

It was difficult to be reasonable when it came to Ellie but he knew Justice had a good point. The humans were still wary of New Species and they had to be concerned with her well-being. To be honest, if it were any other New Species male with a human female, he’d be closely monitoring the situation too. Fury sighed, calmed, and knew Ellie wouldn’t leave him willingly. He needed to allow the humans to see her.

“They want a doctor to examine her. They are worried. Hell, I’m worried. We’ve talked about crossing this line but I know of no one who has so far, except you and her.” Justice paused. “So we’re compatible sexually?”

Fury nodded. “A little different as we suspected but it works out extremely well. She doesn’t need a doctor. I would not hurt her.”

Justice frowned. “What about biting?” His gaze roamed her bared skin around her throat and shoulders. His gaze swung back to Fury. “They are more fragile than our women and they don’t heal as fast.”

“I don’t bite her.”

“You actually bite during sex?” That surprised Ellie. The discussion about her sex life with Fury embarrassed her but curiosity won out. “I didn’t know that.”

Fury looked at her and flashed his fangs for a split second when he lifted his upper lip. “I don’t think you would enjoy it.”

She studied his canine teeth. “Probably not.”

Fury snorted, amusement flickered in his brown eyes, before he faced Justice. “I will allow her to go but I stay at her side. Those hate groups have already attacked her for working here. I won’t risk her life now that it’s rumored she lives with me. It’s made her a bigger target.”

“I understand but Director Boris is adamant that you not be present. He is afraid you’ve dealt out severe enough abuse to her that she’d be too terrified to be truthful in your presence.”

“I don’t give a damn what Boris wants,” Fury growled. “She’s mine and not his. She is none of his concern anymore.”

Ellie shifted her weight, eased her body out of the corner, and wiggled around Fury. He let her move until she tried to step away from him. One arm snagged around her waist to prevent her from leaving his reach. He pulled her back against the front of him until she leaned back against his body. Ellie relaxed. She loved him holding her regardless of the circumstances. She curled her fingers around his forearm to assure him she didn’t plan to move.

Justice watched them with interest. “Did you mate her the first day you brought her into your home?”

“We mated last night.” Fury’s body relaxed. “I don’t trust Boris. I don’t trust anyone with her life. She’s mine, Justice. I won’t allow anyone to harm her. Not even you with your concerns.”

“I’d never harm her,” Justice swore softly. “I give you my word nothing will happen to her and I would defend her with my life. I need to take her with me to see the director. We’re close to taking over and he will be gone soon but for now we must work with him. I’ll bring her right back. They want a doctor to examine her first but I won’t leave her side. We need to set their minds at ease, Fury. They are concerned about our breeding habits combining with theirs. They are sure you bred with her and they will not leave this alone.”

“They don’t know for sure if Fury and I have been intimate, right?” Ellie spoke.

Justice nodded. “All it will take is one whiff to tell them the truth. Now that you are close to me I can smell Fury’s scent. You are covered in it.”

Ellie hesitated. “Guess what? We can’t smell as good as you guys do. All we can do is study things with our eyes and speculate.”

Justice slowly smiled. “I forget about that. We take it for granted.”

She nodded. “They can only hypothesize about what Fury and I have done together.”

The smile faded from Justice’s face. “You are living with him.”

“She’s mine,” Fury stated softly with a threatening tone. “She will continue to live with me. That isn’t up for debate.”

Justice studied Fury very closely. “Are you all right? You’re very possessive.”

“I’m fine. I admit I feel possessive. She is mine and it is that simple.”

Justice hesitated. “You definitely mated her. This is far beyond breeding with a female. I will take her to see Boris and then bring her back to you. I won’t leave her side.”

“You will protect her as if she is one of ours,” Fury demanded.

Justice nodded. “She is yours and that means she is one of ours.”