He debated answering.

“880? Did you hear me?”

He decided to be direct. “I knew she wasn’t my mate. I remembered 46’s murder. I thought at first she might be a technician. I heard the words she spoke to me but I couldn’t move my body. I had finally decided she was another female brought to replace the mate they took. They needed her to control me.”

“Shit,” one of the females by the door sighed.

“It’s as we thought. They gave him a female to make him compliant. She was just a tool to them.”

A snarl of rage tore from 880. “She was my mate!”

Breeze motioned the other female to silence as she continued to warily watch him. “We know that and meant no insult. Did Alli harm you? Did she hurt you?”

“No.”

“She stole you to save your life. I want you to understand that. She cared for you and stayed by your side. She put her life at risk to save yours.

Do you know what happened to her?”

“No.”

“They locked her up. She’s a prisoner inside her home. She isn’t allowed to be a doctor anymore and is no longer trusted.” Anger deepened her voice. “We don’t agree with that but the males won’t listen to us. They are butt hurt over her being able to steal you as easily as she did. A mere little human smuggled you past all their security measures.”

“Butt hurt? Did she give them injections to make them unconscious?”

“No. Their pride is injured and they are being stupid,” one of the women by the door softly growled. “You’ve got to help her after all she did for you. It is the right thing to do.”

Anger gripped him at being given orders. “Humans are my enemy.”

Breeze growled back at him as the color of her eyes darkened. “She isn’t your enemy. She’s our friend and she woke you from a coma.”

He threw the shirt at her. “She is not my concern.” He hated the way his voice lacked sincerity. He didn’t enjoy owing anyone but if the human female had saved his life then he would feel honor bound to repay her some way.

Breeze caught it and rose to her feet. She hesitated. “One day you are going to be deemed well and leave Medical. Do you know what you are going to want?” She tossed the material to one of the females and reached for the front of her shirt to lower it enough to reveal the tops of her breasts. “Us. You’ll miss sex, won’t you? You had a mate. Remember her body? The feel of her in your arms?”

His body tensed as his gaze locked on the skin she revealed. He wasn’t interested and felt offended that she’d believed he’d be tempt to want her.

The female yanked her shirt up to cover the view of her cleavage. His gaze lifted to hers.

“That will be the last bit of skin you see on a female unless you get motivated to help Alli. I speak for myself and all our females when I say none of us will share sex with a male who allows someone we care about to remain in captivity. We’ve discussed it and you will be one lonely, sexually frustrated male unless you learn to care about Alli’s fate. Do you understand me?”

“She’s human and I don’t want to share sex with you.” He might injure Breeze’s pride by stating he didn’t want to mount her but she made threats. He didn’t care if she felt offended.

“Alli is Species as far as we are concerned.

She’s not your enemy or ours.” She backed up.

“Tell them you want to see her even if you don’t.

You could even say you feel depressed from missing her scent. Just be nice to her. Tell them you trust her even if you have to learn to do so.

She risked her life for yours. Remember that instead of what other humans have done to you in the past.”

He growled, resented being ordered what to do and say. The females seemed unfazed by his anger as they calmly watched him. The idea of seeing Alli again was very tempting. He wanted to know why she had gotten into trouble on his account. His pride refused to allow him to admit as much though.

“Don’t scare or harm her.” Breeze backed up more. “Remember, she believed you could be saved when others had given up hope. You will help her if you have any pride left. You owe her a debt.”

He considered his options as the females silently regarded him. It would be a mistake to show weakness, such as interest in speaking to the human. They could use it and her against him to attempt to control him. Mercile had done it often with 46. Of course Alli wasn’t his mate. They wouldn’t threaten to kill her if he refused to do as they demanded.

“I will see her to repay the debt,” he conceded carefully. “That is the only reason.”

The females withdrew but one of them tossed the shirt at him again. He caught it and the sweet smell of Alli filled his nose. Confusion filled him over why others of his kind would care so much about a human. They had all survived Mercile Industries and should hate humans too.

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.”