Laurann Dohner - Obsidian

I promise it won’t involve sharing sex but it will be violent.”

Kregkor nearly knocked over his chair in his haste to get away from the angry Species female.

He paled and inched closer to the door. “Stand down, Breeze. I’m strongly suggesting sessions for you.”

“I strongly suggest you stop insulting my friend.” Breeze stood too. “Get to the point of why we are here and be polite. You don’t want me to teach you manners.” Breeze shifted her gaze to Alli. “I am against this but the alternatives are grim. Obsidian could have killed Destiny. We know he isn’t feral but he’s dangerous.”

The therapist stayed by the door, clear of Breeze. “Fine. You’re leaving Homeland, Allison. Justice is sending you to Fuller Prison.”

Her heart jumped into her throat. Prison? They are locking me up? Oh god! She’d never see Obsidian again.

“As a doctor,” Breeze snarled. “You are frightening her on purpose and misleading her. Stop.”

Breeze whipped her head in Alli’s direction. “The headshrinker is predicting Obsidian is a threat to the lives of other New Species. He recommended you be separated from the male immediately in order to give him a chance to bond with others.

He’s using the stuff he reads in books to state that Obsidian won’t do that as long as you are here.

His desire to mate seems his only priority.”

“Enough!” Kregkor shouted. “I am conducting this meeting. You’re out of line.”

“Shut up.” Breeze kept staring at Alli. “The separation will be temporary but necessary.”

Disbelief and dismay flashed through her, choking her with emotion. Her hand trembled so much the water splashed onto the tabletop and file as she opened it to take a sip to avoid actually coughing from how dry her mouth suddenly felt.

She swallowed the water, struggling to find words that would keep her with the man she loved. There had to be a way.

“The decision has been made.” Breeze looked at her with sympathy as her tone softened. “The alternative is bad.”

“He will be sent to the Wild Zone?”

She hated the thought but it wasn’t the end of the world. She could live there with him. Tammy loved it there with her mate, Valiant. She’d only met the woman when she’d toured Reservation after taking her job. The week she’d spent there had been nice. She’d have a possible friend nearby and other mates either stayed or visited regularly.

“Worse,” Breeze breathed, tears filling her eyes.

Alli didn’t understand and it alarmed her that her friend was so upset. What could be worse than being sent to live with some of the most untamed, unfriendly New Species ever rescued?

“He’s dangerous and a threat to any and all New Species,” Kregkor informed her coldly. “He can’t be allowed to make another attempt on someone else’s life. He will either integrate with society or he will be terminated.”

Alli released the bottle, her eyes widening as she stared at the therapist. “What?” She had to have heard him wrong.

“Lethal injection, Allison.” The son of a bitch crossed his arms over his chest. “They believe it would be kinder than locking him inside a prison cell until he dies naturally. I tend to agree. They can’t have him going around murdering people because he doesn’t get his way. You are responsible if his mind can’t be salvaged. Are you proud of yourself? This is what happens when you decide to throw your ethics in the garbage to scratch an itch.”

Breeze spun, snarling at him. “Get out!”

He hit his shoulder against the wall when he fell back, terror widening his eyes as he yelled, “Security!”

The door jerked open, nearly slamming into the asshole. “What is wrong?” The male officer sought out Allison first then glanced at Kregkor.

“Get him out of here,” Breeze ordered. “He’s being offensive.”

“You don’t give the orders here.” Kregkor found some courage to stand up to the pissed-off Species now that an officer had arrived.

Breeze narrowed her eyes and stalked a few feet closer. The therapist looked as if he were about to piss himself as he jumped to wedge himself between the door opening and the Species officer.

“Get him out of here, Flame.” Breeze growled at Kregkor. “He’s more afraid of me than you, head shrink.”

“No doubt,” Flame muttered, turning to grab the therapist’s arm. “Let me take you to get some coffee. You must never anger one of our females.

You should know better.” He gently pushed, forcing the guy out of the room, until the door closed.

Alli was ready to fall apart as she waited for Breeze to look at her. “He’s lying, right? Nobody is going to kill Obsidian, right?” Her voice rose, close to hysteria.

“Sit,” Breeze urged, taking a seat to her immediate right.

Her knees collapsed and her ass hit the chair hard. “No one would allow that to happen. Not here. Not after all he’s gone through and survived.”

Warm hands took her shaking ones, holding on to them. “Allison, we had a few males go crazy and they attempted to murder Justice and Jessie while they slept inside his home when he chose her for a mate. They were Species who were not right in their heads. It was a very difficult decision that had to be made after that happened.

We have to protect our people from anyone who would do us harm. That includes other Species with minds that are too broken to ever be fixed.”

“No!” Hot tears ran freely down her face. “Obsidian isn’t dangerous. He’s not. He and Destiny don’t get along. That’s all. He doesn’t know any better. He just needs time. I’ll talk to him and make him understand. I can do it.” She nodded furiously. “We can live at Wild Zone, away from everyone if that makes him seem safer to you.”

Her voice broke. “You can’t kill him. I won’t allow it.” Her mind raced, desperation clawing at her insides. “I’ll go to the press. I’ll do anything to save him, damn it. You can’t do this! I won’t let you.”

Breeze leaned in, watching her with her own tears shining in her pretty brown eyes. “Shut up.

Take deep breaths right now.”

Alli’s chest hurt too bad to do it at first and instead she just managed to pant.

“Don’t make threats,” Breeze whispered.

“You’d be viewed as hostile and while you don’t care right now, you would when you found yourself locked inside a cage at Fuller Prison instead of treating their sick. I know you’d do anything to save him. I would too. That’s why you need to listen to me. I have no intention of allowing your male to die. We are friends and you love him.”

She studied Alli closely. “You need to calm down and listen to me while we’re alone. Do you trust me?”

Obsidian’s life was in danger. Alli silently pleaded with Breeze—her only hope in saving him. “Yes.” They were friends. She knew what a great, kind woman the Species was. She had a big heart despite her gruff exterior at times.

“You are willingly going to allow them to transfer you to Fuller Prison to be a doctor there.

I am going to make sure Obsidian learns how to play nice with others. Moon and some of my friends will help me. We’ll take care of him, Alli.

We’ll make sure he knows you didn’t leave him and that you’re coming back. It will motivate him to stop attacking others. I know our males and they are damn good at getting what they want.

He wants you.” She paused, released one of Alli’s hands, and wiped at her tears. “Once everyone sees he can be calm and fit in, Justice will stop listening to that head shrink. I’ll get you back here to Obsidian.”

“How?” She was able to compose herself a little.

“I will. Trust me on that.”