“Damn,” she whispered, grabbing a towel to pat dry her face. Her gaze lifted until she stared deeply into her own eyes reflected in the mirror.

“You really screwed up.”

A sound at the door made her start and she spun, watching it swing open. Obsidian blocked the doorway with a scowl on his face.

“I locked that.”

“I opened it.” He glanced at the handle before returning his attention to her. “Don’t try to keep me away from you again.”

“I wanted privacy.”

His mouth thinned into a grim line. “Adjust to not having it. I don’t like you out of my sight.”

She was tempted to tell him she didn’t care what he wanted but the hard glint in his dark eyes prevented her from speaking.

“My mate was always near me unless they took her away to do harm.”

Alli’s heart raced a little at the mention of 46.

“You’re not at the mercy of those sadistic bastards anymore. I’m safe and you don’t need to watch me all the time.” His concern softened her anger.

Silence stretched between them while they had a staring contest. Alli lost and dropped her gaze to his chest. “I really should go home. You’re recovering well enough to pick fights and I need to figure out what is going to happen to my life.”

“What does that mean?”

She took a deep breath, noticing a few marks on his upper body that might turn into bruises from his tussle with Jericho. She didn’t see anything alarming that wouldn’t heal quickly though.

New Species had amazing recuperative abilities.

“I kidnapped you from the NSO. They’re still debating on how to punish me. I’m sure I’ll be asked to leave. That means I need to pack up my stuff.”

“No one will punish you.” He snarled.

Her gaze jerked up and she saw the harsh lines of rage on his features. “They won’t hurt me. I broke their laws and I understand that they can’t allow me to do that without some kind of reprimand. I expected it. I think I’ll just be fired and escorted from the property. The house I live in came with the job. They’ll need to hire another doctor as soon as possible since they are shorthanded.”

He stepped inside the bathroom and approached until she had to arch back over the counter to avoid his body touching hers. Her chin tipped up to keep their gazes locked.

“You will live here with me.”

“I can’t.”

“You will.”

Her heart raced faster. “I’m not your mate, Obsidian.” The gentle reminder came out as a whisper and it was aimed at both of them. “I can’t stay here indefinitely and they’ll want my house vacated for my replacement.”

His arms moved and his hands gripped the edges of the counter beside her hips, effectively pinning her. He lowered his head until his warm breath fanned her face.

“Back off,” she ordered.

He shook his head, refusing to budge.

She wasn’t afraid, knowing he wasn’t a threat to her safety, but she was alarmed. He was acting aggressive again.

“You are not leaving.” He paused and his breathing came out a little fast. “Do you want to hit me? Do it.”

Memories surfaced of when she’d slapped his face. “I just want you to move out of my way.”

“No.” He invaded the remaining amount of space left between them until his chest pressed against her and the hard length of his sex nudged her belly when he leaned forward. “You. Stay.

Here.”

“You have an erection,” she blurted, unable to avoid glancing down to verify the source. There was no missing his aroused physical condition.

His response was a soft growl. “Hit me.”

“No!”

His dark eyes narrowed as she stared into them and a vicious growl emanated from his parted lips. His sharp fangs flashed.

Alli fought down panic. He must have a head injury. He wasn’t making sense and seemed to crave violence. His behavior was irrational and she was trapped inside the bathroom with him.

“Calm down, Obsidian.” Her voice shook. “I need to call Medical to inform them they should run some scans on you. I think something is wrong inside your head. You could have bleeding or swelling. You—”

“I’m fine,” he growled. His nose flared as he sniffed at her and tilted his head just enough to gain access to her throat. “No tests.”

She wasn’t surprised by his refusal. He could be stubborn and thick-headed. She tried to use logic with him. “You’re acting confrontational and you attacked another male.”

He sniffed again and lowered his face until his mouth brushed the bottom of her earlobe. “He provoked me. You need to stop scenting of food to draw other males. I’ll kill one if they attempt to mount you.”

She gasped. “Jericho doesn’t want me and stop accusing me of trying to attract men.”

She twisted enough to get away from his lips and flattened her palms on his hot skin. The push she gave his chest didn’t even seem to faze him since he didn’t lurch from the force she put behind it. She stared at his face but he seemed fascinated with her throat.

“Obsidian? What are you doing?”

His gaze finally met hers. “Looking for a spot to bite you that won’t do too much damage.

You’re too fragile and can’t afford much blood loss.”

Alli allowed his words to sink in and freaked.

“Help!”

Obsidian snarled. “Stop.”

She fought him and he worried she’d become bruised as her body thrashed between him and the counter. His hands gripped her hips as he spun away, lifting her in one fluid motion, and got her out of harm’s way. He caged her in his arms as his hold on her shifted to keep her high enough to prevent her kicking feet from striking the tile floor or the wall.

“Enough! Calm.”

He heard pounding boots rushing down the hallway and knew they were about to have company.

He howled in rage that Jericho would dare return after their fight. The male should know better than to challenge him for the female. His rival charged into the bedroom by shoving the door open hard enough to force the handle to embed in the plaster, breaking the doorstop.

“Put her down.” Jericho spoke deeply, his voice animalistic. He stormed closer with his hands opened as clawed weapons.

“She’s mine.” Obsidian couldn’t glance away from his opponent but he did gently drop Alli.

“Get in the shower where he can’t reach you without going through me.”

“Stop this!” Alli disobeyed him by stepping between him and the advancing male. Her hands shot out and she stood sideways, making the spread of her arms as wide as possible to keep them apart. “No fighting!”

“Are you all right?” Jericho halted in his tracks but he still posed a threat.

“He was going to bite me. I want to leave.”

She appeared frightened as she watched Obsidian. “Why would you want to do that?”

He reached for her but she jerked her wrist away before he could grab it. He froze, it sinking in how terrified she seemed to be of him. “To mark you.” He swallowed hard, inhaling her scent and verifying her terror. “I wasn’t going to cause severe damage.”

“You wanted to bite me.” She took a shaky breath. “With your sharp teeth. There’s something wrong with you and I insist that you go to Medical.”

“Shit,” Jericho muttered.

Alli whipped her head around to stare at him.

He frowned, dropped his hands to his sides, and stepped back. “Jericho? What is it?”

He blew out a deep breath. “He’s exhibiting territorial traits. It happened occasionally at the facilities we were held inside. He doesn’t want other males near you and he’s trying to stake his claim with a physical marker, um, bite.” He pointedly stared at Obsidian. “There’s no need for that. She won’t be taken to other males for breeding testing and your scent is already on her.

That’s warning enough for others not to attempt to share sex with her.”

“You want her,” Obsidian accused harshly.

Jericho backed farther away, tense. “I don’t.