“You belong to me, Alli.”
The sad way he said her name tore her apart. He honestly didn’t seem to understand the sacrifice she made by being strong enough to say no. “We’ll wait until you settle into the men’s dorm and meet more Species. Adjust to being free and the new world you’re in before you make that kind of serious decision.”
“They aren’t taking you away from me. We will move into the men’s dorm together.”
She no longer would have a home once the new doctor arrived, nor was she sure if she’d be allowed to stay on at Homeland if she wasn’t Obsidian’s official mate. “I need to use the phone to make some calls.”
“Why?”
She didn’t want him to freak out by mentioning it was possible that she’d be escorted off NSO land if they didn’t sign the papers. “I need to go over a few things with Justice or Fury. I have my stuff packed up but don’t know where it should go.” That wasn’t a lie but it wasn’t fully the truth either.
“It will go where you go, with me.”
Everything was black and white to him. It reinforced her belief that she was doing the right thing. Life wasn’t that simple. He’d learn that once the boundaries of his world were expanded.
“I’ll fix you lunch and make those calls while you eat.”
“You aren’t hungry?”
“No. I can’t eat as much as you do.”
He eased away from her and she released him, slipping off the edge of the island. “We’ll work on your cooking skills later. How about some sandwiches? I have chips too.”
Obsidian shadowed her as she prepared his early lunch. It was a good thing New Species provided groceries because it would cost a fortune to feed him in the outside world. Alli left him in the kitchen at the counter to go into her bedroom.
Her hands shook as she called the main office and asked to be transferred to Justice’s office. They put her right through to him.
“Allison? What can I do for you?”
“I’m really sorry about Obsidian’s behavior.”
“He’s newly freed. We expect aggression. You shouldn’t get between males in that situation. I could have handled him.”
She didn’t doubt that Justice North could fight but she didn’t want Obsidian to be hurt or worse, sent to Reservation. He wasn’t naturally antisocial but just hadn’t learned how to get along with others yet. “I wanted to talk to you about the mate papers.”
“They are being prepared and should arrive within the hour.”
She hesitated, debating her words carefully as she spoke softly, hoping her voice didn’t carry to the other room. “It’s too soon. He doesn’t understand that he has a lot more options than just being with me.”
“You don’t want to be his mate?”
“I do.” You have no idea how much. “I…love Obsidian but I’ve had months to spend with him and I’ve dated enough men to be sure what I want in one. All he ever had was a mate and now me.”
The silent response made her gut twist.
“I’m the first woman who has ever kissed him,” she whispered, her gaze locking on the doorway. “His experience is very limited, Justice. I don’t want him to regret mating me down the road when he meets other New Species women. He should have choices and the freedom to grow without locking himself into a permanent situation. As much as I want to spend the rest of my life with him, it wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of him. I would feel I’m doing that if I didn’t give him the opportunity to adjust to his new life first.”
“I understand and appreciate your candor.” He paused. “How limited is his experience? He had a mate. What do you mean, you’re the first female he’s kissed?”
She stood and gently eased her bedroom door closed and rushed into the closet to put another sealed door between her and Obsidian. New Species hearing was incredibly sensitive. It was a conversation she didn’t want him to hear.
“His mate only allowed him to touch her when she craved sex. She was in love with someone else before they met, from what he’s told me. She didn’t allow him to explore many sexual experiences. She’s the only woman besides me that he’s been with.”
Silence stretched again. “You want our females to offer to share sex with him?”
“No!” She hated the way that denial burst forth. “I mean, I don’t hope he sleeps with someone else… I love him but he should have those options available so he knows he has choices. I’m afraid he might be so serious about me because I’m all he knows. Does that make sense?”