The Demon Who Fed on a Shark (17 page)

“A theory,” Morgan repeated. “On my pregnant mate.”

Layton winced. “It didn’t occur to me that it would shock him so

badly. I apologize.”

Morgan’s nostrils flared, and Alexis could sense his mate’s

protectiveness surge through him.
“It’s fine,”
he whispered through their bond as he gently touched Morgan’s arm.
“I’m not a porcelain
doll. I’m just worried about your parents.”

Morgan kissed his forehead and fixed Layton with a glare.

“Explain.”

“His touch…When he did…what he did a few weeks back…”

Layton fidgeted uncomfortably and looked toward Sophia.

Skylar took his cue and ushered the intruder out of their

proximity. Thankfully, she went with little fuss, and Layton began to speak again. “When Alexis did what he did, it felt like he released

something inside me. I’m making a mess of my own love life. I don’t

understand anything anymore. I always thought Corbin was my mate.

I just…I thought that maybe if I kissed him, it’ll help make things

clearer.”

In that moment, Layton looked so young and lost that Alexis’s

heart clenched. As if through a dream, he left his seat and headed

toward Layton. He took Layton’s hand and squeezed it. “Things are

often confusing in life. I don’t know what happened, but I do know

that love shows up in the most unexpected of places. I, for example,

never thought that one year into my studies, I’d be pregnant with a

shark shifter’s child. What we think is true isn’t always the case, but that’s fine.”

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Layton didn’t look convinced. “So it’s not your power?”

“It might be a side effect, but not in the way you think. You might

have been subconsciously suppressing your sexuality until you

managed to claim Corbin, and my spell must have broken through

that.” Alexis cupped Layton’s cheek. “But, Layton, you have to be

open to all possibilities. Often times, if you focus on one single goal, you miss other opportunities and they pass you by before you know it.

Corbin is a great man, and he might be your mate. Then again, he

might not. Only you can know that. But you have to figure it out with your heart and soul, and with your body as well.”

It was actually very strange to speak to Layton like this. Incubi

were naturally charming, but this was different, not about seduction or coaxing, but rather, about explaining and reaching out to another

person in need.

“There’s someone else,” Layton confessed, fidgeting, “someone

I’m attracted to. But I’m making such a mess of things. I don’t know

what to do.”

“Talk to someone. It doesn’t have to be me. You have a lot of

people who love you, your parents, your brother, your cousins, your

friends. They’ll all support you through this.”

A small smile appeared on Layton’s face. “Thanks. You know,

when you try, you’re not such a bad guy.”

The tension that had hovered over the entire area dissipated.

Alexis released a light laugh. “Thanks. I’m better now that I’m in

love.”

Layton smirked. “I suppose we’re even now, aren’t we?”

The situation wasn’t exactly the same, but Alexis wouldn’t look a

gift horse in the mouth. “Sure,” he said quickly. He was more than

happy to accept the olive branch.

Morgan joined them, his arm automatically going around Alexis’s

waist, but his focus on Layton. “You know you can talk to me,

Layton,” he said. “We never used to have secrets.”

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He was a little hurt, but he didn’t let it show. Still, Layton must

have sensed it because he sighed. “I know. I want that back, and

there’s no reason why we should hide.” Layton licked his lips, his

nervousness assaulting Alexis. “We’ll talk. I’ll just give Alexis’s

words some more thought. I want to have things clearer in my head.

But you’ll be the first to know when I figure things out.”

Morgan hugged his brother, and it looked so right and true that

Alexis finally felt things were coming back into place. “Whenever

you’re ready, brother,” Morgan whispered. “I’ll be here.”

As Morgan broke the embrace, Alexis couldn’t resist adding, “Oh,

and come visit your nephew more often. He’s requesting your

presence.”

Clear delight appeared on Layton’s face. “I have missed a lot,

haven’t I?”

He knelt in front of Alexis, making cooing sounds at Alexis’s

belly. It was very cute since Layton wasn’t the type of person to get overemotional over anything.

“He’s going through a rough moment,”
Morgan said through

their bond.
“He needs a bit of time to himself. It’s just the way he is.

But…”
The light of love flooded Alexis
. “I have him back. Thank
you, baby. Thank you so much.”

“There’s no reason to thank me,”
Alexis answered.

Morgan’s parents finally joined them and ushered them inside,

claiming the chill couldn’t be good for the baby. Skylar’s eyes were

suspiciously shiny, and Byron seemed tense, but not in a bad way.

And as he took in their emotions, Alexis finally allowed himself to

relax. Perhaps he and Morgan didn’t need to find someplace else to

live after all. Perhaps they were already home.

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Chapter Six

A few days later

Alexis scrolled through the pages of his manual with a tired sigh.

He’d reached the point where he was studying simply to pass the

time. He’d have much preferred to spend his time at Morgan’s side,

but Morgan couldn’t waste every possible second with him. Byron

was taking advantage of this opportunity to hammer in some more

information on the family business, not to mention that Morgan had

his own material to go through. Alexis felt pissed. What were the

advantages of staying at home pregnant if he couldn’t even get rid of school? Besides, he was horny all the time, even more so than usual,

and it was getting frustrating. And now, he was starting to sound like a petulant child. Damn, when was his baby going to come?

With a frustrated growl, he put the tablet onto the table and

relaxed. The day was pleasant, not quite cool, but not hot either, and Alexis loved sitting in the balcony, just enjoying the fresh air. Ever since he’d talked things through with Layton, he didn’t stay much in

his room, well, except when he slept and had sex with Morgan. Life

would be perfect if only he could do more of the latter.

Light laughter swept through his connection with Morgan.
“I’d

love to be with you, Alexis, but you know I’d never be able to focus if I
had you there.”

“Yes, I know.”
Sigh.
“Maybe you can make it up to me tonight.”

A flush of arousal replaced the amusement, and Alexis briefly

considered masturbating. He decided against it since anyone could

show up here and see him. While at a different point in his life, he

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wouldn’t have particularly minded, now, he needed to be more

responsible.

As if to confirm his thoughts, Sophia’s willowy silhouette

swooshed toward him from the hallway beyond the balcony. “Well,

what a surprise to see you here.”

“Hardly a surprise,” Alexis replied politely. “This is my home.”

“Your home.” Sophia chuckled. “That’s rich.”

Alexis didn’t bother to grace that with a reply. There was no sense

in even getting angry over Sophia’s pettiness. She’d clearly had her

plans thwarted by Alexis and wouldn’t have any qualms in hurting

him if he allowed it.

Ignoring her didn’t seem to work, though. She sat in front of him

and idly commented, “You know, the Cunninghams are only

pretending to accept you. Once that child is born, they’ll throw you

out.”

Suppressing his anger was getting harder. “Is that so?” he inquired

calmly. “I disagree.”

As he looked toward Sophia, the amount of anger and hatred that

struck him was staggering. “You’re not his mate,” Sophia snarled.

“You’re not his mate, and I can prove it.”

Morgan was already on his way toward the balcony. Alexis could

feel him approach. He wasn’t afraid of Sophia. What could she

possibly do here? But still, discretion was often the better part of

valor, and while Alexis might not worry about himself, his son could

indeed be harmed.

He got up and slowly backed away from her. “You can’t prove

anything because it’s not true. Good-bye.”

“You’re not going anywhere.” Sophia stepped in front of him.

“First you’ll hear what I have to say.”

Alexis crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine. Speak already. I

don’t have all day.”

“That child in your belly is mine.” Sophia glowered at him. “Once

he’s born, you will hand it over to me. I will raise it as he needs to be

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raised, like a shifter. The Cunninghams know this, and we’ve already

agreed it’s the best solution.”

Alexis gaped at her. That couldn’t be true, could it? The day

before, Skylar and Byron had seemed so relieved and accepting. She

had to be lying.

“You think that because you made nice with Layton, things are

suddenly perfect.” Sophia barked out a laugh. “Get over yourself.

You’ll never have a home here, whereas I already belong to the

family. I’m the best partner for Morgan, while you…You’re trash.”

Alexis bit his lip so hard he tasted blood. “It’s nice to see how

poorly you think of me. But you know what? I don’t care about your

opinion. Morgan loves me, and that’s enough.” He glared at her. “And

if you think you’re getting anywhere near my child, you’re in for a

disappointment. I’ll discuss things with Mr. Cunningham and explain

that I don’t believe I can share a home with you. Then we’ll see who

is out on the streets.”

The threat wasn’t entirely idle. His position in the house allowed

him to make demands, although Alexis would have preferred to stay

out of the limelight and simply enjoy Morgan’s love. Sure, he

couldn’t expect Skylar to actually throw Sophia out, but he at least

hoped the woman would be kept away from him.

Deciding he didn’t want to antagonize Sophia further, Alexis

turned to go. A vicious curse sounded from behind him. “You little

whore. I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.”

Sophia’s hand landed on his wrist and forcibly turned him around,

squeezing tightly. Alexis would have broken away from her hold, but

an intense burning sensation assaulted him. His heart started to race and excruciating pain coursed through him. It lasted only seconds

until she finally released him, but the damage was already done. He

was dizzy, sweating, and his skin felt scratchy, hot, like it would peel off if he even tried to move.

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Panic flooded his bond with his mate. Moments later, Morgan

burst into the balcony and violently pushed Sophia away. She hissed

his anger, instantly on her feet. “What are you doing, Morgan?”

Alexis would have been shocked at her audacity, except he

realized that she truly didn’t believe Morgan could sense what Alexis did. “I was trying to help him,” she said, but she didn’t seem like she believed her own words. Her attack on Alexis had been stupid, an

impulse, and she was regretting it now.

Whatever she said, the sign of the sting was clear on Alexis’s

wrist. But Alexis couldn’t think about that. He was trembling and in

pain. A horrible cramp passed through his belly, and he tasted terror in his mouth. “Morgan…”

Morgan took Alexis in his arms. “Hang in there, baby. It’s okay.

Everything’s going to be okay.”

Distantly, Alexis heard Morgan shouting for help. Suddenly,

there were people all over the place, swarming the area. Some

surrounded Sophia. Others went directly to Alexis. Alexis could

barely see them. His body was shuddering with waves of agony, but

he didn’t fear for himself. He feared for his baby. Morgan’s

knowledge flooded his brain, and he knew that a touch from a

jellyfish shifter could be lethal. God, he wanted, no, needed his son to be safe.

Morgan carried him out of the balcony and through the corridors.

Alexis lost track of his surroundings, but Morgan begged for him to

stay awake, to stay with him.

Finally, they reached the clinic, and Morgan deposited him on the

bed. The doctor ushered Morgan outside the room, and Alexis was

left alone with the medics and his own pains and fears. A terrible

suspicion gripped him, and he managed to gasp out, “Please. Save my

son. If it comes to that, leave me and save my son.” He didn’t care

about himself, just about his baby. He ached with the knowledge of

Morgan’s suffering, but in time, Morgan would be able to find

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another lover. Their son, however, was an innocent being, a new soul

who deserved a chance at life.

“Stay calm, Mr. Whitaker. We’ll do our best. Just—”

The rest of the doctor’s words faded into a blur, and Alexis

screamed as blackness encroached on his senses.
Save my son,
he tried to say again.
Save my son.
He couldn’t hear himself, and he fell into the void where not even his hunger existed.