Moon (Laurann Dohner) ns-10 Read online

  “Harley loves them and we each keep one here. He has five of them at his home at Reservation.”

  “It’s beautiful.” The male walked around the bike, admiration in his gaze. “Is it difficult to drive with only two wheels?”

  “I’d suggest learning on a dirt bike at Reservation first. That’s what we did.”

  The male smiled when he paused in front of him again. “I won’t be going there for a while. I’ve been assigned to start working with the task force soon.”

  “I remember. You’re going to go on rescue missions with them so you can make first contact with Species.”

  “I like the humans on the force.”

  “Trey was impressed with your ability to deal with your aversion to humans when you trained with them. He recommended you for the job.”

  “They aren’t our enemy.” His voice deepened. “I only have a problem with the ones who harm others who can’t fight back.”

  “I’m glad you’re adjusting so well. Open the gate.”

  The male didn’t move. “Why?”

  “I’m going to patrol.” He shoved on the helmet, hating the lie. “It’s something I do from time to time.”

  “Species don’t leave Homeland without a full escort.”

  He knew the rules. “Take a good look at me. The helmet covers my face and the glass is tinted. Can you see my face through it, even with your vision?”

  True stepped closer, peering intently at him. “No.”

  “Exactly.” He flexed his gloved hands on the handlebars. “Every inch of me is covered. I’ll appear human. It’s a great disguise.” He had hoped the male would take a direct order from him but True wasn’t a pushover. “No one knows we bought the house on the other side of this gate. I’ll pull out of the driveway as if I’m a human living there. Sometimes we patrol outside our wall.”

  “No one informed me of this.”

  “Not all know about the location of this gate either.” He hoped that would settle the matter. “Open the gate. I’ll come back in through the main one. The humans watching won’t think anything of a bike coming in but they might grow suspicious if one leaves.”

  “I need to contact someone to get permission.”

  “You’re wasting time.” Moon growled to show his displeasure and frustration. He needed to go after Joy. “Open the gate now. That’s a direct order.”

  True frowned. “You chose this location because you hoped I wouldn’t know procedure, didn’t you? I’m not naïve. They would have informed me if you were going to arrive here. You want to leave Homeland without anyone knowing about it. Why?”

  Shit! Moon knew his plan had failed. He could attack the male and go but it would leave the location unguarded. He’d have to knock True out to get around him. He wouldn’t risk a breach at Homeland.

  “You’ve been ill.” True stepped closer. “Are you experiencing instability? I was told you were fully recovered.” His tone softened. “Tell me the problem and I’ll do whatever I can to help. Do you want out because you are feeling closed in?”

  Moon’s shoulders sagged. The level of remorse at attempting to fool the male rose. “I apologize. I did hope you wouldn’t question me. I don’t have permission to leave.”

  “Do you wish to go hunt for the ones who hurt you? I understand if you do but the task force hasn’t had any leads yet. I’m friends with some of them and would have been told if they were gearing up for a mission. Going out there blindly won’t do any good.”

  “That’s not why I want to leave.” He was a bad liar and wouldn’t try it again.

  True reached out and gripped his leather-covered forearm. “You wanted to break free. Homeland is large but you’re probably feeling contained within our walls. Why don’t you ask to be sent to Reservation? Perhaps a few days in the Wild Zone with some of the residents will do you some good.”

  Moon reached up the second True released him and tore off his helmet. “My female is out there. She left and I want to get her back.”

  Surprise widened True’s eyes.

  “She’s human. Ever hear of the term ‘cold feet’? Harley believes she suffered a bout of it when she realized I want to mate with her. I left her at human housing but found out she’s gone. They verified at the main gate that she left that way.”

  True shook his head. “I don’t know that term but does it mean she was frightened and ran away?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s annoying.” The male stepped back a few feet. “How will you find her?”

  “I looked up her address. They did a full background check before they sent for her after I was drugged. I’ve been out with the task force teams enough to know their driving laws. I want to speak to her and talk her into coming home with me.”

  “You’re sure she’s your mate?”

  “Pretty sure. I’m telling lies and breaking rules trying to see her.”

  “Do you believe she feels deeply for you?”

  Moon nodded sharply. “Yes.”

  “My shift ends at six a.m.” He reached for his belt and withdrew his sidearm, offering it to Moon. “Take this. You may need it. I hear the outside world is pretty dangerous.”

  Moon was too stunned to move.

  “I cared about a human once. I might have done something really foolish if I’d been given the chance to be with her. I was wrong about her being a good female so it didn’t work out for me. Good luck, Moon. Be back before my shift ends so I can let you in. We’ll both be in trouble if they find out I let you go.”

  Gratitude finally broke through his shock. He accepted the handgun, tucked it into the waistband of his jeans, and zipped his jacket. “Thank you.”

  “Be careful. Don’t forget, my shift ends at six. Sometimes they come five or ten minutes early.”

  “Thank you. I owe you a huge favor.”

  “Get your female and be happy. I wish that for you.”

  Moon shoved the helmet back on while True unlocked the gate, swinging open the solid partition that resembled brick on the other side to match the rest of the wall. He started the engine and slowly pulled forward. He shot the male a grateful look that he couldn’t see through the tinted glass as he entered the backyard of the house next door, not turning on the headlight until he reached the residential street.

  He was driving in the out world to go find Joy. He’d done it!

  Chapter Fourteen

  Joy cursed as she sucked on her bleeding finger. “Damn it.” The small injury had everything to do with her suitcase being overstuffed. She had shoved her weight over the top of it and struggled with the zipper to get it closed all the way.

  She stepped back and studied the two suitcases. It had been her intention to only pack enough clothes for seven days but she hadn’t figured on how tough it would be to pick out outfits. The black cocktail dress was a little too over the top but it was sexy. The blue almost-identical gown matched her eyes. It had been too tough to pick between them so she’d packed both.

  Jeans had been a must since Moon might want to take her on a tour of Homeland. She hoped he’d want to spend time with her. She’d had to take long- and short-sleeved shirts to match each pair depending on whether it was a day or evening stroll. The real trouble had happened when she’d thought about inviting him over to dinner. She’d yanked open her lingerie drawers at that point, seduction on her mind.

  What was sexy to a Species? Oversized nightgowns? Silky teddies? Maybe he’d enjoy seeing her in stockings and garter belts with nothing else but a matching panty and bra set? He had liked to watch porn videos when she first met him.

  That’s when she’d totally gone crazy by pretty much deciding to take it all. It was important that he found her as appealing as the women he’d obviously been drawn to.

  “I’m being such a girl,” she muttered, taking a seat on the side of her bed. “I know better.” She’d told her clients a thousand times that it was important that people accept themselves for who they were instead of focusing on changing