Joy closed her eyes as her predicament settled in. “Great.”
The present
NSO Homeland
“What is going on?” Joy glanced at the New Species leading her through the building and continued, “I received a call that there was some kind of emergency with someone I counseled in the past. They said it was urgent that I come.”
A snarl came from farther down the hallway and made her jump. Her escort bolted away, abandoning her to rush into a room. She hurried forward despite that terrifying sound. She paused at the entrance to the room to stare in absolute horror at the scene playing out.
“Hold him down!” The New Species male who had escorted her yelled the order and two more Species males threw their massive bodies over the guy restrained on the hospital bed. An earsplitting howl fractured the room and an arm snapped free from the restraints. The Species clawed at the body over his chest, fisted the material of the other man’s shirt, and tried to toss aside the one attempting to hold him down.
“He’s still out of control!” the pale, shaken human shouted. “Paul? Where is that tranquilizer?”
Someone shoved into Joy from behind, nearly causing her to bump into the doorjamb as he rushed into the chaos. His ID tag identified him as a nurse.
“I’m here, Doctor!” The nurse uncapped the syringe in his hand just as all hell broke loose.
The guy being restrained let out another fierce howl and broke his other wrist free of the thick bindings holding him flat. He threw off two bodies, sat up, and punched the third Species square in the face, sending him crashing to the floor.
The enraged Species tore at the restraints, the sound barely audible over the commotion of men struggling to their feet. Joy stared in shock at her former client—466. His features were hauntingly familiar as he tossed his long hair back, despite the fact that she hadn’t seen him in over two years.
He slid off the bed after freeing his legs, growled at the doctor, and sent the man scurrying backward until he huddled in a corner. Worry came in a close second to Joy’s fear. Seeing 466 that way brought tears to her eyes.
What the hell has happened to him?
She had no answers but she wanted them.
It was clear the distressed Species planned to attack the doctor. One of the other New Species launched himself onto 466’s back but he just ended up being slung to the floor. Joy had to refrain from barging into the room to go to her former client, wanting to calm him down. Common sense held her still. Self-preservation did too.
“Moon!” the one he’d punched in the face shouted. “Look at me. You want a piece of someone? Come at me, damn it.”
466 spun and snarled, showing off sharp fangs as rage twisted his normally handsome face into something terrifying. He looked like someone out of control and filled with such hatred that he wanted to kill. He crouched into a fighting stance.
The doctor slid along the wall to get away from him and rushed toward the doorway. Moon allowed him to go, intent on attacking his Species opponent instead. The male nurse backed into Joy and dropped the uncapped syringe on the floor in his haste to escape the danger. He turned his head toward her, his eyes panic-stricken.
“Go,” the man hissed. “He’s going to kill any human he comes into contact with if he gets past
them
. He’s out of his mind.”
She hugged the wall as both of the human medical staff fled. She wasn’t leaving.
No way.
466—Moon—might need her. Her dazed mind accepted the name he’d obviously chosen.
“Moon,” the Species male growled. “Calm yourself. We are your brothers and friends. Think and remember us.”
A horrible howl tore from Moon’s mouth before he attacked. He hit the other male shoulder-first with enough force to slam his opponent into a wall. Plaster gave way. Another Species tried to grab him but Moon gripped his arm, his teeth savagely tearing into skin instead. The bitten male bled heavily as he spun away from Moon and stumbled to the door, holding his upper arm. Joy jumped out of his way as he staggered past.
“Run,” he demanded harshly. “The smell of blood will make him worse.”
The one who had been shoved against the wall hard enough to get his elbows trapped inside the plaster broke free and launched himself at Moon again as the other New Species guard picked himself up off the floor. It was horrifying to see Moon fighting them as his big body blocked the double assault by punching out with one fist while spinning to kick at the second Species. Both males grunted with pain as they were thrown away from him.
Joy had a horrible suspicion that Moon was under the influence of what some of her clients had referred to as a breeding drug. Mercile Industries had created an experimental concoction that sent the males into a nearly violent desire to have sex. The company had used it to force them to have intercourse in an attempt to impregnate the Species females. While under the influence of the drug, the Species males could become dangerous to anyone who got in their way.
The men still attempting to subdue Moon were both injured. It dawned on Joy that they might have to seriously hurt him in order to restrain him. Memories surfaced of the things she’d learned during their sessions.
The last weeks at site four flashed through her mind. The male she’d gotten to know so well wouldn’t hurt a female unless he deemed her dangerous. They’d spent every afternoon together, sometimes expanding the hour she’d required him to be there. He’d relaxed enough to talk to her after a few days. The sexual tension between them had grown with each passing day.
Seeing him as he was now, wild and fighting other males, wasn’t how she’d fantasized their reunion would go if they ever crossed paths again. He’d wanted her once and she hoped that hadn’t changed. She had to put a stop to the violence. Her main concern was for him. She instantly kicked off her shoes. She tore out the clip that kept her hair in a bun, shaking it free to fall down her back. She clutched the front of her shirt as she stepped into the room. Nothing could distract the male she’d known back then more than the flash of her skin.
A savage face turned her way as Moon sniffed loudly, his attention fixed on her now that he was aware of her presence. Her heart raced with fear. Every fiber of her being wanted to flee but she couldn’t take the chance that the other men in the room would possibly have to kill Moon to stop his rampage.
“Easy,” she crooned. Her hands trembled as her fingers slipped between the folds of fabric and tore. Buttons landed on the floor as air hit the skin she revealed. He’d see her black lacy bra but that was the point. His gaze lowered to her cleavage as she inched into the room, keeping her back against the wall.
“Get out!” one of the other Species snarled. “Run.”
It would only make Moon go into hunt mode. The predator side of him was too close to the surface to believe any other outcome would be possible. She knew Species and was betting her life on it at the moment. She released the destroyed shirt and opened her arms wide at her sides, showing Moon her palms to prove she held no weapons.
“I’ve got this,” she stated to the other Species. “Stay back.” Her voice came out shaky at best but it didn’t crack as she battled to keep her fright under control, knowing her plan could go tragically wrong.
She focused on Moon as she slid along the wall. He watched her, seeming to forget everyone else around them. His nostrils flared as he sniffed again and advanced, stalking her.
“Easy,” she whispered. “That’s right. I’m female.”
One of the Species staggered between them, trying to prevent Moon from reaching her. “Get out of here. He’ll kill you. He’s insane and doesn’t know any of us.”
Moon grabbed the male’s shirt, easily tossing him aside, where he landed on his ass.
“His instincts are in control,” Joy surmised. She studied Moon’s dark eyes and didn’t see any signs of recognition. It scared the shit out of her. Any sense of calm she had felt vanished. He could kill her but it was too late to change her course of action. “He’s less likely to kill me than you.”
He will probably want to fuck me.
She silently admitted she wouldn’t mind if he did. She’d made a mistake by running away from her feelings for him when she’d quit her job. It had hurt deeply but she’d been certain it was her only option. It had been a huge error to choose it over him but there had been no way they could be together even if she had been willing to risk everything. She’d thought a lot about Moon, almost to the point of obsession. The therapist had fallen for her client. It was inexcusable and unforgivable, but truth nonetheless.
Moon advanced as she pressed her back to the wall and turned her head to the side, expecting pain, but he didn’t hurt her when his body hit. Solid male pressed tightly against her and strong hands gripped her. He reached through the opening of her shirt to go for skin. His fingers and palms were hot, firm, as he slid them lower to dig inside the waistband of her skirt. The elastic gave and he grabbed hold of her hipbones.
She gasped when he lifted her off her feet but kept her pinned between him and the wall until his mouth hovered at the side of her throat. Hot breath fanned her skin as he panted. She was terrified as she helplessly hung there but he didn’t bite into her with his sharp fangs. His wet, raspy tongue surprised her when it licked the sensitive area of her throat underneath her ear.
He’s tasting me. Kill or sex?
That’s what is going through his mind right now.
She prayed he’d decide she was for the latter. Her mind scrambled to remember if she’d worn perfume that morning. She was certain she hadn’t. Nothing he would be able to smell should offend him. His lower body wedged tighter against hers and the feel of something hard nudging against the vee of her thighs reassured her somewhat. He was aroused. The stiff outline of his cock couldn’t be mistaken for anything else.
Their bellies were skin to skin since he wore only pants. She inhaled sharply when his mouth opened and clamped down over her carotid artery. He didn’t tear into her but he still could. His teeth paused there while her life was in his hands. She opened her eyes to stare at the New Species who were inching up behind Moon.
She lifted a hand to stop them and mouthed one word, “Sedative.” One of them nodded sharply, spun, and rushed out of the room. The syringe on the floor had been crushed during the fight. It had been uncapped and contaminated anyway, making it useless. She tentatively touched Moon’s biceps. They were thick and left no doubt about his impressive strength. Her fingers surfed his warm skin, rubbing.
“Do you remember me at all?” She took a breath. “Don’t hurt me. I’m no threat.”
He bit down but it didn’t break the skin. He had a firm grip on her though. The remaining Species inched closer in an attempt to launch a surprise attack. The body against hers stiffened. A growl rumbled from him, making his chest vibrate. He sensed a threat.
“He’ll rip out my throat. Get out. Do you think he isn’t aware of you? I’m fine. Back off!” Joy kept direct eye contact with the guard so he’d know she spoke to him.
The Species retreated immediately and Moon’s teeth loosened their hold. Joy stared at the male who hesitated by the door and kept her voice calm. “We’re fine. Just step out and get what I asked for. I’ll call if I need assistance.”
Scream.
That was the word she didn’t use but would be more accurate if things turned bad. “Let me see if I can calm him while you hurry to get what is needed.”
He looked unsure but backed away until he was out of sight. Joy slowly turned her head until her cheek rested against Moon’s. He had smooth skin—Species didn’t grow facial hair easily, if at all. She massaged the muscles of his upper arms.
“I missed you.” She spoke very softly, hoping no one but Moon could hear her heartfelt words. “I’m sorry I left. I was afraid.” She didn’t elaborate, certain that, in his current mood, he didn’t want to hear her rationalizations. “Why has this been done to you?”
So many unanswered questions tormented her. Was the damage permanent? Temporary? Was the person he used to be trapped somewhere inside his mind?
His hips nuzzled tighter against her pelvis, making her very conscious of the state of his cock and what was on his mind at that moment. The tight hold on her neck eased as his teeth released her. He might not recognize her in his drugged state but he was aware of her as a woman. She slid her hands up to his broad shoulders but he didn’t snarl or protest, seemingly happy to sniff and lick her skin again.
His hair was soft as she touched it and laced her fingers through the long strands at the base of his head, holding him close. She rubbed her cheek against his again, breathing in his masculine scent, which was so familiar to her—assuring her once again that she’d gotten way too close to her former client. Her body was alive and worse, she knew the symptoms of her own arousal. Part of her longed to wrap her legs around his waist and hope he’d take advantage of the position by tearing away the clothing between them.
Just the idea of them naked, him taking her, made her muffle a moan. She’d dreamed about him almost nightly and daydreamed about him daily. Those fantasies had primed her body to respond to the flesh-and-blood male. He didn’t have to kiss her or do anything but hold her to turn her on. All it took was being near him.
He inhaled deeply, taking in more of her scent. She hoped he’d remember her, that a memory would click into place. She’d been told by her clients that what they’d termed “breeding drugs” totally obliterated their ability to think but the fact that he didn’t seem to recognize her was disturbing.