Numbers (New Species #14-15)(58)

“I’m not planning on transferring to the women’s dorm. Candi wants to stay here.”
“She’s comfortable living with all males around her?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Hero had something on his mind and he shared it with his friend. “Is everyone accepting her?”
Torrent held his gaze. “Because she’s human? Is that what you mean?”
“Yes.”
“They think of her as Species. She was raised at Mercile. They respect her, Hero. Her story has been told to all.” Torrent turned his head, watching Candi. “She’s like a Gift in size, but has the courage of one of our strong females. She escaped from captivity on her own and killed to gain her freedom. Then she walked right up to the front gates without fear and demanded entry. She’s an amazing female.”
“She is. I’m just worried that there might be some problems with her living in the dorm. Some of our males don’t trust humans. I’m supposed to return to duty tomorrow and am hesitant to leave her in our home. I plan to take her to the females.”
“Stop worrying. She could run around the dorm without you at her side and not encounter any problems. The males would love it.”
Hero growled low. “Why?”
“Relax. They know she’s your mate. Everyone is curious about her, and Jinx has a big mouth. He told them how brave she is, and they’d like to talk to her. That’s all. No one is used to a female who looks like a Gift going near them without being timid and fearful. They feel protective of her and want to help her become accustomed to freedom.” 
He relaxed. “I understand.”
“Speaking of which, some of the males have wanted to approach you with a list they put together.”
“What kind of list?”
“They want to take turns helping you feed your female. Everyone knows you didn’t excel at cooking when we were learning, and you admitted as much by having one of them cook for you both. A group of them would like to offer to bring you meals for a while. The females have offered too. I know last night they covered dinner.” Torrent shook his head. “You lucky bastard. No one wants to deliver meals to me. Accept the help.”
“I will, for Candi.”
“Some of them have offered to teach you how to make whatever she likes.”
“I’m aware.”
“Good. Take them up on it. That female needs to gain weight. It makes me want to beat whoever nearly starved her to death where she was kept.”
“I know. I feel the same.”
Torrent lowered his voice further. “How are you handling having her back in your life now?”
“I’m grateful. I was shocked when I realized she had survived. I didn’t know how to process it.”
“I don’t blame you. You’re lucky, Hero. You got her back.”
He studied Torrent. “Did you lose someone at Mercile?”
The male refused to meet his gaze, shifting his body instead. “I got attached to one of our females that they brought to me a few times for breeding experiments.”
“One who survived?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“I’m sorry.”
Torrent shrugged. “Not all of us got out. She probably would have rejected us bonding long-term. She was a primate and afraid of me. I was working to gain her trust, but then we were freed. I looked for her but…” He shook his head. “I even checked the other locations we were taken to while the humans were trying to figure out what to do with us, and giving us counseling. She didn’t survive. They allowed me to view some of the bodies they recovered, and she was among them.”
Hero felt bad for the male. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“We weren’t bonded like you are with your female. I just felt for her. I grieved her loss but that’s how it is. Appreciate your Candi.”
“I do.”
Torrent looked at him and smiled. “I leave in a week to return to Reservation. I look forward to that. I enjoy working with the Wild Zone residents and the rescued animals.”
“I thought about taking Candi there, but Tammy said I should keep her here for a while.”
“She’ll be safer here at Homeland. We held a phone conference yesterday about the issues we’re facing at Reservation as we expand our walls. Security isn’t as tight as it could be. We’re leaving the original walls up until the new ones can be built, but we’ve had humans infiltrate some of the areas we’ve bought. A group of them have been harassing our human neighbors.”
“Why?”
“To try to force them to sell their properties to them instead of us. We leave the owners alone if they don’t wish to sell. The same can’t be said about that group. The local sheriff and deputies are helping, but we’re spread thin.”
“Can you send some of our task force members there?”
“They are filling in here for gate and wall duty since so many of our males are needed at Reservation. I’ll be grateful when all the walls are up and we’re secure again. I’m going to get more of the Wild Zone residents involved with protecting our borders. I’ll be in charge of them.”
“Were they tired of taking orders from Valiant? He’s not the friendliest male.”Torrent chuckled. “No, he’s not. One Wild Zone resident already moved to the hotel to avoid him. They were clashing.”
“Leo? He’s a mellow male.”
“No. The other lion male. Lash took an interest in Tammy and their cub.”
It alarmed Hero. Tammy was his friend, and so was Valiant. He would protect their cub too. Noble was his godson. Tammy said that meant that if anything ever happened to her and her mate, she expected him to rear the boy as his own child. He took that responsibility with great honor. “Instinctual interest?”
“Not according to Lash. He doesn’t want to take out the cub and claim Valiant’s female as his own. This isn’t a lion-pride thing. He’s just curious about them, but Valiant was having none of it. They fought a few times and it made Valiant territorial. He isn’t allowing Tammy or his cub out of his sight. Moving Lash helped calm him a bit, but I was asked to take charge of the Wild Zone residents for a while.”
“Do you need help?”
“Your priority is right there.” Torrent glanced at Candi. “We’ll be fine.”
“Let me know if you need me. I spent quite a bit of time with the Wild Zone residents. Valiant doesn’t see me as a threat, regardless of how stirred up he must be.”
“I will, but I think I can handle it.”
Hero focused on his mate. She laughed at something one of the females said. He smiled, enjoying watching her have fun. Torrent moved away and left the kitchen.
Candi glanced over at Hero. He stayed close, assuring that she was happy and safe. Midnight sliced up the steak and Sunshine fried taco shells. Bluebird sliced onions.
“I hate these.” The female sniffed. “They bring tears to your eyes and make your nose twitch, but they taste good.”
Candi leaned in and sniffed a few times. She jerked back when it burned her nose. “That’s awful.”
Bluebird laughed. “Your eyes are watering now.”
She reached up and wiped away the wetness. She sensed her mate behind her immediately. His hands curved around her hips. “Are you upset?”
“I’m fine.”
“It’s the onions, Hero.” Bluebird chuckled. “We’re not making her cry. Grab a knife and dice avocados. You might as well help since you’re hanging around.”
“I don’t want to interfere.” He released Candi and backed off.
Midnight snorted. “Just like a male. He probably can’t identify what an avocado is.”
Candi peered up at him. “I don’t know either. Is it that red ball thing?”
“That’s a tomato.” He pointed to a green, oval thing. “I believe that’s it.” 
“I’m impressed.” Sunshine turned off the fire under the oil. “You get to eat with us for that. Grab plates. You know where those are, don’t you?”
“Of course.” Hero spun, walked to a cupboard, and yanked it open. “They are right here.”
“That’s where we keep ours too.” Midnight brought a plate of sliced steak over to the island. “Both main kitchens at the dorms seem to be set up the same way.”
“What can I do?” Candi glanced at the females.
“You’re learning. You didn’t get burned frying steaks.” Midnight shot Sunshine a grin. “So you’re way ahead of some of us.”
“I forgot,” Sunshine hissed. “Not all pans have hot handles. The blue ones in my apartment don’t burn my hand.”
“They aren’t cast iron skillets and our private pans have protective handles.” Midnight took the plates from Hero. “Sit. I’ll chop up the rest of this.”
He took a seat and Candi sat next to him. The females handed them each a plate with two tacos that were filled with vegetables and meat. She sniffed at it, not sure about those onion pieces she could see on top.
“Try it,” Hero urged. He leaned in closer and showed her how to hold one as he took a bite. “Mmmmm.”
She grinned and mimicked him, taking a bite. She closed her eyes, enjoying it. She swallowed and stared at her male. “Good.” She faced the females, all of them watching her. “I think I can make tacos. I like them.”