“Destiny challenged him and was insulting. He practically begged to get his ass handed to him with some of those taunts.” Moon growled. “This is bullshit. Sure, Obsidian shouldn’t have tried to kill him but he’s still figuring things out. We came from a kill-or-be-killed existence. What the f**k does the head shrink expect? Water balloon fights and slap matches when we grow angry at one another?”

Obsidian struggled with his body but couldn’t move. He flashed back to waking with Alli’s unknown scent that first time. He couldn’t even move a finger this time or control the rise and fall of his chest. They’d given him a strong drug. He had no choice but to seethe as he listened to the conversation.

“Nobody wants it to come to that.” Breeze glanced down at him again. “I asked Trisha to dose you. I knew you’d be very angry and male when we had this discussion. In other words, irrational and violent.” She glanced at Moon. “This is kind of cool. I wish I could have all of you restrained when I have to break bad news.” Her gaze dropped to him. “You’re so docile it’s cute. I’m almost tempted to see how it feels to pinch your cheeks the way mothers do to their young on television.”

“Breeze,” Moon growled. “Don’t screw around. What are we going to do?”

Her expression clouded with severity. “Sorry. Rare moment I had but I’m over it.” She took a deep breath. “I’m going to talk and you are going to listen. I’d ask if that is all right but you don’t have a choice.”

He was going to growl at her when the drugs wore off. He’d enjoy frightening the female to gain retaliation.

“Once upon a time in a land right here,” Breeze whispered.

“Damn it, Breeze!” Moon grabbed her, yanking her away. “That’s not funny!”

“I wasn’t trying to be. We all heard fairy tales when we were children. I think he could relate to why we have worst-case scenarios of newly freed males if he understood what happened to cause it. He needs to hear the story.”

“I’ll do it.” Moon bent, staring into his eyes. “Here’s the condensed version. Some of us were really screwed up in the head by Mercile and a few of them plotted together to kill Justice because they didn’t agree with him choosing a human mate. You can relate to that because of how you want Dr. Allison.” He sat on the edge of the bed, using his arms to brace on both sides of him. “They almost murdered him and his mate. They died trying and it made us realize that not all of us are right in the head. We’d do anything to protect our mates and our friends. That includes killing the ones who are a danger to them. You would kill to protect Dr. Allison.”

“Your version is too blunt,” Breeze muttered.

Moon shot her a disgusted glance. “Be quiet. That’s how males relate to each other. He understands me fine.” He snapped his head back to hold Obsidian’s gaze. “You beat on Jericho, threatened Justice and Fury, and now almost killed Destiny when you should have just beat on him until he couldn’t get up or hit you back. You’re considered dangerous and that’s a real bad thing. We can’t have someone walking around who might kill other Species.”

“Now it’s my turn,” Breeze pushed Moon. “Move.”

The male hesitantly stood, stepping away from the bed. “Be blunt.”

“Fine.” She bent, her hair falling to create a curtain around his face. “They sent Allison away to be a doctor. She is fine but on her way to somewhere far from here where you can’t see her.”

Rage boiled and he struggled frantically, mentally screamed his frustration. His body didn’t respond to the command to get up and find her. Instincts hammered him to hunt for her.

Hands gripped his face firmly, making him aware of the Species female.

“Your eyes are rolling back into your head. Look at me and focus.”

He wanted to hit her but his hands wouldn’t curl into fists. She stood in his way—everyone did—to reach Alli.

“You can’t get her back unless you learn to join our society.”

No one would be able to keep him apart from Alli. He’d leave Homeland if they’d taken her away. It didn’t matter how long or how far he had to go but he would find her.

“I can imagine what you’re thinking and plotting. I would be doing the same. They will have to kill you before they allow you to escape Homeland. You’re dangerous and the humans would panic having a wild Species on the loose in the out world. They have weapons you’ve never seen before and your strength wouldn’t matter. You wouldn’t survive a day. You want her back? You can get her returned to you but you must control your temper.” She smoothed the hair from his forehead. “You can either die or you can learn what you need to survive here. We’ll get Allison back to you if you show them you aren’t dangerous.”

Moon suddenly walked around the bed, flipped Breeze’s hair back and bent his face close in able to be in his line of vision. “We are on your side and we’re going to help you. You need to leash down your urges. Think back to the times you wanted to kill a technician but resisted because it would cause your mate harm.”

Obsidian more than remembered—he’d done it countless times.

“It’s going to kind of be like that. Seem cool and controlled, reasonable when you aren’t, and we will be able to have her returned to you.”