“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 cl*t as his strong mouth tugged on it. A hot tongue slid lower to swipe at the entrance of her pu**y 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 cl*t 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 cl**ax 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 cl**axed 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 pu**y, 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 cl*t 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 h*ps 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 br**sts. 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 cl**ax while her vaginal muscles still fluttered from the aftermath. Her ni**les 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 br**sts 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.