“Why did you do it if you knew it was wrong?” Tiger’s temper nearly boiled over but he managed not to lunge forward to attack.

“You never had a mate.” Tears welled up in the other male’s eyes. “I miss her so deeply.”

Tiger’s fists unclenched. It was hard to feel rage in the face of such raw pain.

“I am empty inside. I don’t sleep well. I force myself to eat and live. Some days I wish I’d died with her. I fought for so many years to survive. You know how strong our will to live is. I lost that when she was killed.”

Hot tears slid down Vengeance’s face and the shock of seeing a Species male cry left Tiger speechless.

“She had feelings for me. She would play with my hair and comb it with her fingers.” He reached up to touch his bald head. “It’s why I refuse to allow it to grow back. It reminds me of her. Some nights I howl from my grief. I run until my legs give way and I wait for winter to come. Maybe I will fall in the snow from exhaustion and the cold will keep me from waking. Do you think there really is a heaven? Do you think she’s waiting there for me? Will she be angry that I didn’t die right after she did? Sometimes I dream that she is mad at me for surviving when she didn’t.”

Emotion made Tiger’s chest hurt as he breathed. “Ven…”

The male lowered his gaze to the ground. “Our females aren’t interested in taking a mate. They resist any form of attachment now that they have been freed. Mercile gave me a female to see if mated couples could produce children but I grew to have deep feelings for her. It makes it worse when I’ve shared sex with a few of our females. They don’t touch me the way my mate did or allow me to hold them while I sleep. The human females seem so fragile that they should have a mate. I’d take such good care of one.” He wiped at his tears and met Tiger’s gaze. “I don’t mean to frighten them. I just want a mate again so bad. I think Species females would fight to the death to avoid being with one male now that they have choices but a human one accepts it. I keep thinking if I could just claim one that I’d have the time to show her how I’d never hurt her and that I would do anything for her. She would be here to get to know me.”

“Damn it, Ven, you’re breaking my heart. I came here to bust your head. You can’t keep going after human females.”

“I know. I see them though and something inside me just reacts before I can think it through. I’m so lonely and I would be an excellent mate.” His shoulders straightened. “I have no one.”

Tiger stalked closer and touched his arm. “You can’t just carry one off. It would be cool if it was that easy but it’s not.”

“I’m skilled at sharing sex and I have learned how to cook. I’m an excellent fighter. I would keep her warm in my arms and die to protect her.”

“I’m sure you would.”

“I’ve been learning more about their culture with the television. I know if I am ever to have another mate she is going to have to be a human. That’s how much I want one. They used to be the enemy but it doesn’t matter. I can’t stand being alone anymore. Mercile made me dependent on my mate and she had feelings for me. I just want that again.”

“Learn that they need more from a male than just being stolen and claimed. That’s why you scare them. It’s barbaric to toss her over your shoulder and run off.”

“They believe I would hurt their bodies by forcing shared sex. I would make her want me first.”

“You can’t make them do anything.”

Vengeance’s eyes narrowed. “I am very skilled with sex. My mate taught me well.”

A smile curved Tiger’s mouth. “Seducing a female and making her love you aren’t always the same.”

“They should be.”

“Life isn’t that simple.”

“I’m lost in this world.”

“We all are but we have each other. Stop charging after human females, Ven. You said you’re learning about their culture? Learn that. I’d suggest coming at them gently and talking to them. Allow them to get to know you first before you try to convince them to go home with you.”

“She isn’t with a male. I thought she might want one.”

“Yes. She is.” Tiger’s voice deepened. “She’s mine.”

“Your scent isn’t on her.”

“My mark is.”

“How did you lure her into being yours?”

Tiger released him. “It’s a long story and I’ve made mistakes.”

“So have I.”

“Let’s go inside and talk.”

Vengeance turned. “You are lucky, Tiger. Mate her and know happiness.”

Tiger wanted to curse. He’d really screwed up with Zandy. She’d locked him out of her apartment and refused to speak to him. He didn’t know how to make it right.

Chapter Thirteen

Zandy bit her lip and stared at the locked door, wishing there was a peephole. “Who is it?”

“It’s Creek,” a familiar female voice stated. “I brought you dinner.”

Zandy quickly unlocked the door and opened it wide. The New Species female smiled, holding a bag in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. She stepped inside the apartment and swept her gaze around the room.

“I thought you could use a drink after today. I know human females enjoy wine. Are you all right? Richard is fine but a little shaken up. I hope you are in the mood to eat a steak. I know you like to have that for lunch sometimes.”