by Celia Kyle
Her human roar rang through the air, hanging over them all and she could feel the stare of every person in the space. Every wolf in the space. She had no doubt they all had the ability to drop to four feet and transform into beasts.
And now they knew. Or at least had the truth put to words by Lissa.
Galen snared her bicep, grip firm but still gentle as he turned her toward the front of the restaurant. He lowered his voice but still spoke loudly enough for her to hear. That meant everyone else could as well with their enhanced ability. “I don’t know what’s got into you. Is this some sort of hormone thing? Perrin warned me—”
Perrin warned Lissa about a lot of things too. Specifically the fact that she needed to remain calm, needed to keep from getting over excited because when she did…
When she did, her son reacted. The first wave of pain hit her when they were half way to the entry, the roll of her son inside her sending a bolt of agony down her spine. She stumbled and caught herself on a nearby chair. The only thing that kept it from toppling was the fact it held an occupant. The sudden move had her out of Galen’s hold and so she now clutched her stomach with that free hand. She gasped and heaved, fighting for air and battling to banish the agony.
“Melissa!”
She ignored him, but she couldn’t ignore his hands on her. Not when their son reacted to the connection by stretching and growling. It was too soon. She couldn’t give birth yet, but he didn’t want to listen.
“What is wrong with you?”
“You.” She snapped and the baby seemed intent on clawing his way out of her to attack Galen.
Shouts and snarls of Greek filled the air, one voice on top of another, and she tuned them out as she focused on her baby. Large calloused hands grasped her and she gasped, shooting her gaze to the owner. She marginally relaxed when she met Stavros his gaze.
“Come. I take you home now. Perrin is meeting us there.”
Lissa shook her head. She didn’t want to go there ever again.
“Yes. Yes. I know my Alpha and what you are saying cannot be true. It hurts the baby, yes? Perrin will assist you and I will keep the baby safe.”
“No.” She shook her head, but then he didn’t give her a choice. With Stavros’ touch and Galen’s distance, her son calmed and the large male easily swept her into his arms. A wide path opened to them, and then they were striding toward the front entrance and through the doors.
Leo stood there, his dislike still present and palpable, but seeming to be slightly less harsh. Why? Did he finally realized his Alpha wasn’t the wonderful man all assumed him to be?
It didn’t matter. The pack didn’t matter. None of this mattered. She was done being a pushover. A good bit of the pack filled the restaurant tonight and by morning, everyone would know how Galen was treating her and his plans. She imagined he’d be happy to see the back of her come morning.
Stavros carefully slid her into the back of the limo and joined her, issuing orders to Leo in a spattering of Greek and then they were on their way. She closed her eyes, the throbbing pain from her son now settling into a low pulsing ache. She closed her eyes as they navigated the streets, unwilling to watch the scenery speed by. She knew enough to understand that Leo had called Perrin and that they were headed to Galen’s villa while he handled the problem she’d created.
She’d created? No. It was him. Him and that Alpha bitch.
It seemed like she just closed her eyes and then she was opening them again as the limo pulled to a stop. Once again she was carried and Stavros did not stop moving until they’d reached her room. Perrin was already there waiting for her. He brought his portable ultrasound along with other testing devices and had already pulled back the covers for her.
“Perrin…”
“No talking. Get changed and get into bed.” He was issuing orders as only a doctor could.
Stavros lowered her to her feet and finally slipped his arms from around her but spoke to Perrin. “The Alpha ordered the house cleared of all but the necessary staff. Leo is outside the door. Call out if you need anything.”
Leo. He’d just as soon leave her to rot than help her.
“Let’s see what you’ve done to yourself.” Perrin reached for her and she scooted away.
“I’m tired of hearing that. I’ve done nothing but get pregnant by your piece of shit brother. Everything is my fault. Everything that happens is due to something I’ve done. I’m just…” She hated that tears stung her eyes.
“Okay… Shhh… It’s a joke, Melissa. Breathe with me now. You know this isn’t good for either of you.”
“Galen isn’t good for either of us.”
“I know, and he won’t come near you without your permission. I thought…” He shook his head. “I didn’t realize what was between you two, but now…” He held out his hand, palm up. “Let me help you.”
Her baby whimpered. She felt him whimper, and that made the choice for her. She padded to the doctor and allowed him to help her, allowed him to ease her to the bed and then assist her in retaining her balance as she changed and he kept his gaze averted through it all.
Before long, she was resting on the mattress as Perrin examined her and subsequently the baby via ultrasound. It didn’t take him long to confirm that her son was fine and Lissa hadn’t been injured. When he was done, he packed away his tools and stood to leave. He moved toward the end of the bed and stopped to glance over his shoulder at her.
“Leo told me what you said and—” she opened her mouth to stop his attempts at justifying his Alpha’s behavior. “Just wait. I’m not saying you’re unjustified or mistaken in your beliefs. I don’t know what’s going on between you two or what made you think what you do, but the last thing he would ever do is harm you physically or keep you away from the baby. He hates even letting you out of his sight. You’re his mate. This distance between you is slowly killing him.”
She grimaced. “I’m sure. That’s why he’s turning to Andrea. Pulled the other leg.”
Perrin shook his head and faced her once again, arms crossed over his chest. “He couldn’t betray you even if that was the one thing he desired above all other. You’re his mate.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
Shock filled his features. “Melissa, you’re it for him. Wolves mate for life, and you’re his. You’re pregnant with his pup.”
She rolled her eyes, unable to believe his words. “Accidental pregnancies happen all the time.”
He shook his head. “Not for wolves. The fact you conceived his child proves your claim on him. Our people are able to conceive children via in vitro if necessary, but natural pregnancy only occurs between mates.”
And there’s nothing more natural than what we did together.
Perrin continued. “Each wolf has one mate, and you’re his.”
“I wish I could believe you.” I wish I could believe that Andrea is lying.
“Try. For you, for the child, for the pack. Just try.” He sighed. “Galen is keeping away from the villa and it’ll be just you and his most trusted guards tonight. We’ll see how you feel in the morning and then I think you two need to talk.”
“I would—”
“As your doctor and as a member of the Liakos pack, I’m asking you to talk to my brother, my Alpha. If you need someone nearby, I’ll be here, but after the restaurant… things are in turmoil. We need you two to work things out in some way so he can restore order to the wolves. Right now,” he shook his head. “It’s not looking good.”
Her heart froze. “What do you mean?”
“A wolf being accused of abusing his mate is a very serious thing and what you said in the restaurant is being repeated to one and all. There are rumblings of removing Galen.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what that means.”
“The only way an alpha can be removed is through challenge… and death.”
Chapter Eight
The next morning, Lissa pulled on a pair of loose fitting pa
nts and a clinging maternity top. Both outlined the large bulge of her stomach and were easy to move aside for Perrin’s examination. Now all she had to do was wait for him. Leo had already brought her a breakfast tray filled with meat which she’d eaten without hesitation and now she rested on a window seat, staring out at the riotous ocean. The waves were much like how she felt. Tumultuous and uneasy, unable to settle. Even the baby continued to stretch and push against her in response to her unsettled state.
Low voices sounded from below, the heavy thud of the front door being pushed closed reaching her and she knew someone had been granted entrance.
Perrin.
Now it seemed she’d be examined, given the all clear, and then she’d have to face Galen. It wasn’t something she was looking forward to, but it was necessary.
Masculine voices grew nearer, some entreating and some downright aggressive and she wondered if Galen had violated Perrin’s orders. She’d been told that the pack doctor was above all others when it came to matters of health. Apparently not.
With a sigh, she slowly turned her body, dropping her feet to the floor, and uncurling herself in preparation of the doctor’s entrance.
Except, when the door open, that’s not to who met her gaze.
“Andrea.”
The Alpha bitch smiled. “Good morning. How is my child?”
A low masculine gasp reached her and she met Leo’s gaze over the woman’s head. Fury filled his gaze, the expression directed at Andrea and then it flicked to Lissa. So many emotions filled his face, flickering from regret to fury and then he was gone. He whirled on his heel and stomped away. His level of anger made her wonder if he was finally realizing the type of male his Alpha truly was.
“My child is perfectly healthy,” she countered.
“He’s yours for now. We’ll see how long that lasts.”
Her son trembled within her womb, and she laid her hands across her stomach. “Forever. You intimidated me once, and I ran. But this time, you can be damn sure you are not getting your hands on this baby. Neither of you are.”
“Like I said, we’ll see.” Andrea smirked.
No. It wasn’t happening. Period. If denials didn’t work with this woman, she could revert to the truth as Perrin explained it. “No matter my problems with Galen, I’m his mate and this is his child. He wouldn’t hurt either of us.”
Yellow eyes clashed with hers, Andrea’s inner wolf making its presence known with that bright flare. The shape of Andrea’s mouth changed, wolfen fangs pushing through her gums and she curled her lips to expose the deadly teeth. “No, but that doesn’t mean I won’t.”
Andrea took a step farther into the room, and Lissa scanned the large space for some type of weapon. Andrea’s wolf was close to the surface, and Lissa realized it was only a matter of time before the Alpha bitch attacked. Her only hope now was to stall and if that failed, hit Andrea hard enough to distract her while Lissa ran for help. No matter what problems swirled around her and lingered between her and Galen, he had issued orders for her care. She didn’t imagine he was aware of Andrea’s presence.
Unless he was.
She hated this fucking indecision, this unease and wavering beliefs in him.
“So what’s your plan, Andrea?” Lissa eased toward the bed, particularly the bedside table. Maybe she could grab a lamp…
“You. Gone.”
“And Galen is okay with this?” Keep her talking. Keep her talking.
“I told you before you ran, you stupid bitch. Galen and I are meant to be together. We’re ruling this pack. I may not be his mate, but I am his equal. That baby is ours.” The woman flexed her hands and fur erupted from her pores. “Make this easy on yourself. Don’t fight.”
Lissa clutched her stomach. “He won’t live if you take him now.”
Andrea bared her teeth with a growl. “I have a doctor who will ensure he lives and you… don’t.”
The Alpha bitch took another step toward her and Lissa reached for the bedside lamp, hand trembling as she fought to wrap her fingers around the decoration. “But there’s still a risk to him.”
“Stop delaying the inevitable.”
“Do you really think Galen would want you to gamble with his son’s life in such a way?”
Andrea smirked. “Who says he doesn’t already know?”
A harsh, growling, snarling voice cut through their conversation. “I do.”
Part of her may hate him, but she sighed in relief to see him framed in the bedroom doorway. “Galen.”
Where Lissa whimpered in relief, Andrea purred. “Galen.”
“Alpha,” he snapped the correction. “Get the fuck away from my mate. Now.”
“But Galen…” Andrea turned her attention to him fully and took a step in his direction. “We had plans—”
“Before I found my mate,” he growled, the sound rolling and growing in volume with each passing heartbeat. “And you’re why she ran. Aren’t you?”
He took a step toward her and Andrea stiffened. “I told her what we’d discussed. That we would take the child of another—”
“Adopt, you crazy bitch. Adopt.” He rolled his shoulders, and fur sprouted and coated his neck and cheeks. “You almost cost me my family.”
“No,” she shook her head. “I’m your family. With the baby, we’ll be…”
Andrea must have finally realized the truth, recognizing that Galen wasn’t backing down from his aggressive stance. He wasn’t attempting to console her or agree with her in any way.
“We’ll…” her voice was thin and high-pitched, and Lissa watched as the disbelief rippled across her body. “We’re… You said…”
Galen released a rapid whip of Greek, the words seeming to pierce the woman’s heart.
“But—”
“But nothing! You may be an Alpha bitch, but not mine. No more.” He launched into Greek once more and Andrea flinched as she dropped her gaze to the floor.
Lissa may have despised the woman, but it seemed as if Galen was grinding her beneath his boot heel. “Galen…” she eased away from the bed side table and took a step toward him. “Don’t you think—”
“Don’t you speak, you hairless bitch!” Andrea spun on her, gaze intent and hate filled her expression. “I’ll—”
Then he was there, arm wrapped around Andrea’s waist and bodily lifting her from the floor. The woman tried to shift, fur sprouting over her skin, arms and legs shortening and transforming, but a harsh word from Galen had the change halting in its tracks.
“Enough!” Galen shook her. “Enough.” He hauled her to the bedroom door and tossed her into the hallway. She spied Leo and Stavros lurking nearby, and the men were quick to grasp their Alpha bitch. “Secure her and contact the Greece Alpha.” The words were immediately followed by a howl from Andrea. “You do not speak! You are lucky you are breathing! You interfered with a mating and will be punished as such. Get her out of here.”
He remained in place, even after the guards disappeared with the snarling Alpha bitch. He stood framed in the doorway, his broad shoulders tense. It wasn’t until the barks and howls died down that he allowed himself to move. But it wasn’t to come to her. No, his entire body slumped, his shoulders dropping and spine curling in. He took a deep breath as if he was preparing himself to face her, but yet he still remained in place.
He was… She didn’t want to call him broken, he was too strong and fierce a man for something like this to shatter him. No, not broken, but cracked. Vulnerable. He took another of those deep breaths and finally straightened, turning toward her. Pure determination and unbendable steel filled his expression. The wolf was still near the surface with its sprinkling of fur and yellow eyes, and she could practically see his Greek pride wrapped around him in a cloak. This was the man she’d first met, the one who swept her off her feet and into his bed within twenty-four hours of meeting. He’d convinced her to spend her vacation with him with that fierce desire and overwhelming dominance. He’d bulldozed her, coddled her,
cared for her with the sweetest touches and most passionate embraces. He made her fall in love with him the same way, and even as she ran, that love hadn’t been truly banished.
And even what damage it suffered beneath Andrea’s actions, it had been slowly repaired by the time they spent together. Those remaining dents and dings were filled when pure surprise coated his features at Andrea’s words, and he was quick to tear her from their lives.
“You’re not leaving. I thought I could be the bigger man and let you leave since you despise me so much. But that is impossible. You are staying.” The words were firm and not to be denied. He was the Liakos pack Alpha at this moment. “You may hate me all you like, but you are mine. That child is mine.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I will not have my family outside my den.”
“No—”
“I will not let you go.” He released a growl, curling his lip and exposing one elongated fang in a pure threat.
He didn’t understand.
“If you would let me finish. I was saying that, no we won’t be outside your den.” Some of the tension left his body, but still he remained in place. Lissa took a step toward him, and then another, gradually lessening the distance between them. “As long as you tell me Andrea was lying. “
Shock filled his features. “Of course she was lying. A Greek male—an alpha—would never do such a thing to his woman.”
His woman wasn’t exactly a declaration.
“Am I your woman?”
Now he glared at her. “You have been since the moment I laid eyes on you, the moment I scented you.” He huffed. “Why are we discussing this? You are my mate. This is done. There is nothing else to talk about.”
She took another step forward. “What does that mean?”
“I do not know why you continue. You love me. I know this, so why do you fight?”