Moon wasn’t looking forward to what awaited him. His quick trip into the out world had turned into a possible publicity firestorm. It had been selfish to break the protocol that kept all Species out of the spotlight. He should have gone through proper channels and asked for an escort to take with him when he left Homeland.

He hadn’t wanted to admit Joy had left him again or seem weak to everyone by stating how much she mattered to him. Harley’s teasing had really stung his pride. Moon didn’t blame his friend for finding humor in his obsession with Joy. He’d have done the same if their roles were reversed but it had made him act in an irresponsible way. That responsibility rested squarely on his shoulders.

He refused to dodge the truth. Many Species looked up to him, as if he were a role model. He’d failed them by his impulsive act. He hadn’t considered all the risks. It wasn’t as if he’d known things would become violent or that a crazy human would show up at Joy’s home with a gun but a dozen other worst-case scenarios popped into his head now that he had hindsight. The direst one was that now Joy was linked to him. She’d become a target of anyone who disliked Species.

The soft female in his arms soothed some of his shame. His only real regret was that True had done him a favor and now there would be no way to conceal how he’d left. It would be a matter of fixing a security weakness, which meant he’d have to be honest so others didn’t use the same way to leave Homeland. Somehow he’d make it up to the male if he was reprimanded in any way. It was a given that Moon would demand to take full responsibility.

Justice and the council members were going to be disappointed. It wasn’t as if they’d lock him up for what he’d done but everyone would hear the story by morning. He climbed into the waiting helicopter and sat, keeping Joy in his lap. Trey took the seat next to them, hooking her saline bag above their heads.

Moon held Harley’s gaze. He didn’t say a word but he knew him too well. They were going to argue when they were alone. It wouldn’t be pleasant.

I’ll make this right no matter what it takes.

Chapter Sixteen

Moon didn’t bother to take a seat since there wasn’t any sitting room left. Two of the council members weren’t there. They had stayed at Reservation, but Jaded and Bestial were currently in residence at Homeland. He wished it were Brawn and Cedar instead. They were more easygoing.

He glanced around the room, seeing that Slade, Fury, Justice, Darkness, and Jericho were among those present. Breeze’s absence was noted and grieved. She’d have at least brought a sense of humor into the grim situation. He took a position in the center of the office instead of leaning against a wall. Harley hovered close, as if he were protecting his back.

Justice waited until the door closed before he spoke from the seat behind his desk, addressing Slade instead of him. “Trisha is treating the shrink?”

“Yes. She spoke to the hospital and they’ve emailed all records to Medical. Joy will fully recover. The human male wasn’t a skilled marksman and only managed to pierce the flesh of her upper arm. The bullet missed the bone and arteries. My mate is examining her now to make certain they didn’t miss anything. She’s in good hands.”

Justice put his elbows on his desk and bent his arms to rest his chin on both fists when his gaze fell on Moon. “I don’t even know what to say except I’m glad everyone is alive.”

Darkness growled. “That’s it?” Almost-black eyes glared at Moon. “How did you leave? I’ve spent the past ninety minutes reviewing the camera footage along the walls and at both gates. You were not caught on any of them.”

“Easy,” Fury warned. “We’ll get to that.”

“If he could get out, someone could sneak in the same way,” Darkness protested. “We could be breached at any moment. My team needs to know how he did it.”

“I exited from the hidden gate we recently constructed. I knew cameras hadn’t been installed there yet.” Moon took a deep breath. “It’s not True’s fault. He’s new and I’m higher ranking. I told him I was going on patrol on my motorcycle and used my authority, believing he wouldn’t question it if I lied by stating it was something I occasionally do.” He closed his mouth, not admitting more. He wasn’t going to give up True for showing him compassion.

“You lied?” Jericho made that deep sound in his chest that set everyone in the room on edge. It wasn’t exactly a growl but more of a disturbing grumble. “Why? Are you still suffering from the drugs? You were to turn yourself in to Medical immediately if you weren’t completely in control of your actions. You ditched the males assigned to keep an eye on you. They weren’t even aware you were gone until the call came in to Book.”

“It wasn’t the drugs.” He held Justice’s gaze. “Joy left me again. She did that before at site four and I just had to accept her loss. We knew so little about the out world then, or how to find humans who lived there. I wasn’t about to let her run away from me this time without going after her. I know I could have asked for an escort but my pride wouldn’t allow it. I thought I could return before anyone missed me.”

“Pride?” Jaded’s bright-green eyes flashed with anger as he hissed the word. “That’s what this was about? You got the urge to go hunting because a female got away from you?” He shot a frustrated look at Justice. “I think he should be returned to Medical. He’s obviously still feeling a bit primal from the drugs. He was released too early.”