“I do. I want Lauren to be happy.”

“I assumed you would. Tim sent a team to her house to collect her clothing and I had one of them look inside her jewelry box to learn her ring size.” Justice got a baffled look. “They need rings for some reason. It is a visible way for them to show they belong to a male and they expect males to wear a matching ring to show females they belong to her.” Justice lifted his hand to show the gold band. “See? I don’t wear it all the time since Jessie and I have managed to keep our mating from the press but I do while at home and at the office. It feels strange at first but you will adjust to something being on your finger.”

“How do I get rings?”

“Jessie is taking care of it.”

“We will thank you.”

“Lesson number two. Human females love romantic gestures. No need to be confused. It means giving them surprises that show our love while being thoughtful at the same time.”

“That’s a mate and what we do. We try to make them happy and put them first.”

“We are good at this. We just have to learn not to be so blunt. Don’t thank Jessie. She wants you to tell your mate that you had the NSO handle the arrangements when you spring marriage and the rings on her. It’s not a lie, the NSO did make all the arrangements since Jessie is considered Species and she had our people working on this. I trust my mate on these things and she said your female will be ‘blown away’ by the romantic gesture.” Justice chuckled. “I don’t argue with my mate on human matters. That’s lesson number three.”

“Don’t argue with my mate regarding human issues?”

“Exactly. You can’t win and I’m always learning new things. Humans are vastly different from us. That’s lesson number four.”

“Thank you.”

“Lesson number five is easy. Just be yourself. They know we’re Species, accept us for who we are and they chose to be with us over human males. Don’t try to be something you are not, thinking it will make her happier. Just expect to answer a lot of questions when she doesn’t understand something about us, be honest and remember that we’re aggressive by nature. Try to refrain from going over the top.”

Wrath nodded. “Thank you, Justice. I will remember.”

The other male stood. “Any questions?”

“She’d like to live here at Homeland once my duties to the task force are fulfilled. She has a friend living in the outside world and she wants access to her. They are very close.”

“We’ll work it out. Her friend is welcome here.”

“I don’t want to live with my mate in the dorms.”

“You’ll be assigned a real house, Wrath. We have the dorms because they were already being built when we were given Homeland. Our males enjoy spending time with each other and it’s easier for them to be closer to where they work. Mated males and some of the higher-ranked officers prefer some space and privacy. We’ll take care of it.”

A weight lifted from Wrath’s shoulders. “I am going to be the best mate possible.”

Justice stood and smiled. “I know you will. Congratulations.”

* * * * *

Lauren laughed. “Really? You refuse to take a mate?”

Breeze nodded. “We enjoy our freedom and our males tend to be overprotective and like to keep us close. Just be firm with yours. Do what I said.”

“Don’t take any shit.” She really liked the New Species woman. “I can handle that but Wrath is a sweetheart.”

“Our males never do anything half-ass, I can assure you of that.”

Lauren hesitated, unsure if it would be okay to ask. A question bothered her though. “Did 140’s mate make it? Wrath and I haven’t heard anything.”

The female nodded. “She is holding steady. Her mate is at her side and our doctors know what was done to her. I’m not sure of the details but they are hoping for a full recovery. It will just take time for her to regain her strength.”

“What about the others?”

She chuckled. “They are adjusting to life very well. One of them keeps asking to share sex with me but he’s got an attitude problem. Canines can be a little too aggressive when they are on the hunt. He’s been without a female for far too long and is attempting to make up for it now.”

“Is he the one who gave Midnight a little trouble and she dropped him on his ass?”

“Yes.” Breeze glanced at the door and smiled. “Your mate and Justice are coming. It’s just like I said. Justice was giving Wrath helpful hints about having a human mate. We always look out for each other and want everyone to be happy. You are Species now too.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” She meant it.

The tall Species stood. “Okay, my babysitting duties are over. I have a training session to barge in on. Some of the task force newbies are here and they get to fight some of our males to improve their skills. I enjoy watching that and sometimes I like to step in. Human males think women can’t take them down on the mats and it’s fun to see their shock when they find me pinning them down.” She winked. “Plus, I am considering sharing sex with one at some point. My best friend has told me some things that have piqued my interest.”

“What kinds of things?”

Breeze strode for the door. “You would consider it TMI. I know that saying. Happy mating, Lauren. Welcome to the family.”