880 felt his chest tighten. “You chose well.”

The male stripped out of his chest coverings and sat down, tearing at his boots. “I hate these things. The entire uniform sucks but we’re required to wear them. Give me one more minute to get comfortable. I’ll teach you basic fight skills.

That will rid you of some of your excess energy.

I’ve seen Dr. Alli and I get why you’re on edge.”

He didn’t know what to say.

“You know that some of us are mated to humans, don’t you?” Moon removed his weapons, dropping them on his discarded shirt and vest.

“They aren’t like our females. They’re all soft and smaller.” He rose to his feet and walked to the center of the large area. “You had a mate from what I heard. I’m sorry for her loss.”

“I didn’t know some of our kind had mated humans.” He was surprised. “That works out fine?”

“Yes.”

“They murdered my mate in front of me.”

Moon’s mouth tightened into a grim line of anger and it flashed in his gaze. “Fucking Mercile. I know the rage you must feel. I didn’t have a mate but there was a female once I cared about. They did something to her, pumped her full of some experimental drug. It killed her. They didn’t care.”

He took a deep breath. “Do you still want to fight or talk?”

880 debated and sat down. “Talk to me.”

Moon sat a few feet away. “What do you want to know?”

“How do we mate with females who are so fragile?”

“The doctor is under your skin, isn’t she? They are very different from our females. Softer and not aggressive.”

“She struck me.”

Moon frowned. “Why?”

“I made her angry.”

“How did you respond?”

“I didn’t harm her or cause her pain. I soothed her temper by stroking her body until she wasn’t confrontational anymore. That’s why I want to mount her. They smell so good when they are aroused.”

The male he faced smiled. “Yeah. I know.” He licked his lips. “Damn tasty too. They have not learned control over their bodies either. They respond without restraint.” Moon chuckled. “Their males don’t appreciate their bodies the way we do. Did you feel inside her?”

A growl burst from him. “She’s too small to accommodate me.”

“Go very slow and be gentle. They stretch and she’ll be able to take you. I’ve been there a few times with human females. Just be aware of your strength. Restraint is the key word. I’ve never shared sex with one as small as her but some of our males have mated human females who are her size.”

“I was told the humans who murdered my mate are being held captive. I want at them. How do I do that?”

Moon sighed. “I hear you and I understand.

You’re never going to get access to them. They aren’t being held here by the NSO. Humans have them locked up in what they call a private prison system some miles away. They are contained inside small cages with a toilet and sink. They have no freedom. They suffer there for their crimes against us. They are separated from everything they held dear and aren’t going to be freed. I visited there once when it opened. It’s as bad as we were subjected to but in different ways.”

“What differences?”

“Open cages with bars where they can see each other. They have no privacy. We had that at least.

But they aren’t chained to the walls constantly.

Their cages are smaller than the rooms we were held in. The humans who guard them are just as cruel from what I understand. They are suffering.” Moon paused. “Death would be too swift a punishment. They will never be released and will have to survive a long time with those living conditions. Do you understand?”

“I still want to kill them.”

“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.

Alli was having the best dream yet about 880. A fervor of need radiated from her clit as his strong mouth tugged on it. A hot tongue slid lower to swipe at the entrance of her pussy 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 clit 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 climax 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 climaxed 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 pussy, 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 clit 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 hips and he lifted up.