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  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. “