The Werelion Tycoon’s Forgotten Mate: Howls Romance
Page 11
Lissa gasped and tightened her hold on her stomach as she backed away from Galen’s intimidating presence. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do. Without question.”
“I saved this baby from hell at your hands.”
His features tightened and his body seemed to grow in size. His shoulders widening, muscles increasing, hands slowly transforming into claws. She took another step back, putting more space between them. Not that the increased separation would truly protect her. Nothing would shield her from an alpha bent on destruction.
“Our history and that child are why you’re still breathing. The fact that you are not familiar with our culture is also staying my hand. Do not mistake this hesitancy as weakness.” His chest expanded as he breathed deeply, and when he exhaled, his size seemed to lessen slightly. “There is no reason to fear me. Now. There are many things to discuss, and there is still much time before you give birth to devise how to handle things going forward.” Another deep breath. “Now, gather your things. We will leave within the hour.”
She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere with you, Galen.”
“Yes, you are. I will not have my orders questioned by you once again.” He was so unforgiving, so unbendable, which was yet another reason she refused to go with him.
“No.” There wasn’t much more for her to say. Excuses and justifications weren’t anything amidst Galen’s overwhelming power. So nothing else was worth saying.
The yellow in his eyes overtook any hint of humanity within him. “I do not think you understand your position, agapi mou. You carry my child and that child will be born in Greece surrounded by his pack. That is the way every Liakos Alpha came into this world and my child will be no different!”
“And I don’t think you realize we’re in the United States. I am a U.S. citizen, and my baby will be born here. Unless you’re willing to start an international-interspecies incident by kidnapping me.”
“Like you kidnapped my own pup?”
Fury filled her, the emotion fueled by the constant fear that had dogged her heels for so long. “I did not kidnap my own baby. I saved him. Why can’t you understand that? How can you so callously throw away his life?”
Galen pressed his lips together, forming a white slash across his face, and a rolling growl filled the room. “I will pretend I did not hear those words from your mouth. You are the mother of my child, and you are pregnant, so much will be forgiven. But do not think for one moment that your behavior can continue. I cannot and will not allow your constant insubordination.”
Lissa snorted. “You act as if you’ll be in my presence long enough for me to continue acting this way when that is just not going to happen. You’re leaving without me. That’s all there is to it. Because I refuse to allow my baby to be pulled into your violent, hate filled world. A child needs love and safety and he wouldn’t find either with the Liakos pack. With you.”
A new emotion flickered across his features so quickly that she wasn’t sure what she’d seen. It was there and gone from one heartbeat to the next. “Regardless of your feelings, that doesn’t change the fact you carry my heir and you will return to Greece with me. Immediately.”
A bone deep lethargy overwhelmed her, sinking into her body and dragging her down. She’d been working so hard these past months, spending hour upon hour on her feet so she could save money to support herself after the baby’s birth. Now, being so close to Galen, and fighting with him, sapped her of what little strength she still held. She just had to hold on a little longer, remain on her feet a few more minutes. Once she got him out of her apartment, she could fall to pieces. But not a moment sooner.
“And regardless of your feelings, I am not returning to Greece. I’m staying right here and having my baby at the hospital down the street. Nothing you say or do will make me change my mind. Are you so heartless that you make me return to a place I hate?”
His expression remained firm and unshakable. “Yes.”
“Galen,” she leaned against the wall, catching her weight with first her hand, and then she leaned against the firm surface. The tiredness continued to pull it her, as darkness crept into her vision.
No, not now.
“Galen,” she squeezed her eyes shut tight and battled to push the urge to faint back. “I am-”
“Melissa?”
“I am not—” She was losing the fight as the darkness wrapped around her in a cloying blanket.
“Melissa?” Galen’s voice was hoarse and thin.
She didn’t want him near her, didn’t want to depend on him once again, but she hoped he was still human enough to care for their child. “Don’t take him from me, please. Please don’t take him. He’s all I have left. Please…”
The last thing she saw before unconsciousness took her was a brief flash of worry.
Galen, worried? Never. Then again, she was carrying his heir. She mustn’t forget the heir. After all, the Alpha bitch wasn’t going to.
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About the Author
Celia Kyle
Ex-dance teacher, former accountant and erstwhile collectible doll salesperson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Celia Kyle now writes paranormal romances. It goes without saying that there’s always a happily-ever-after for her characters, even if there are a few road bumps along the way. Today she lives in central Florida and writes full-time with the support of her loving husband and two finicky cats.
https://celiakyle.com
Copyright © 2020 by Celia Kyle
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