The Demon Who Fed on a Shark (15 page)

surprised?

“I don’t think surprised is the right word,” Alexis mumbled.

“Maybe horrified.”

Morgan sighed. As much as he’d have liked to deny it, Alexis was

probably right. Still, Morgan couldn’t help but be just a little bit

selfish. No matter how much he loved his family, he just wanted to

enjoy a few minutes of relaxation at Alexis’s side, without worrying, simply thinking about their future together.

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“The future is exactly what concerns me, ours and that of our

baby.” Alexis leaned against him, his warmth welcoming and

familiar.

“It’s all right. They’ll learn, in time.” Morgan didn’t have any

better words to offer Alexis, but he did know that no matter what

came, he’d stand by his mate’s side. He wouldn’t disappoint Alexis

again.

Alexis’s body relaxed slightly. “Thanks,” he replied. “Thank you,

Morgan.”

Morgan hid a smile, feeling warm inside as Alexis’s emotions

seeped through him. No more fears, no more doubts, no more

hesitation, only love. That would be his life’s motto from now on. His family would just have to deal with it.

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Chapter Five

Alexis arranged the lapels of his jacket for what it seemed like the

nth time. “How do I look?” he asked his mate.

“You look great.” Morgan pecked his lips. The light lip-lock

turned into a more seductive, burning kiss, and through their bond,

Morgan murmured,
“And you taste even better.”

There was something incredibly powerful in being able to talk

with his lover telepathically. Perhaps shape-shifters took it for granted and never really appreciated how special it was, but Alexis knew.

Alexis felt it, deep inside him, and was humbled that he’d been

granted this gift.

For the first time in weeks, his hunger had been sated. Not only

that, but his scar had also been healed, something Alexis had grown to believe would never happen. But most importantly, Morgan loved

him and they were together again. As they kissed, Alexis was filled

with a mix of ecstasy and gratitude.

The kiss broke far too soon, and Morgan caressed his cheek.

“Now, we should go. Your brother is probably going crazy trying to

keep my family from bursting in here.”

Alexis nodded and took a deep breath. He could do this. It

wouldn’t be easy. Morgan’s family would probably be pissed. But

Alexis had to make them see that he really loved Morgan.

He’d put on the best clothes he had in this room, an outfit Rhys

had provided specifically for the Cunninghams’ visit. Alexis hadn’t

bothered to put it on before because its elegance made his physique

looked even more ragged. Now, however, he could at last do it

justice, and it would at least give him a measure of confidence.

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Morgan took his hand and together, they stepped out of Alexis’s

room. The hallway was quiet, but farther away, they could hear

echoes of angry voices, growing louder with each step they took.

“I don’t care what you say,” Layton was shouting. “I’m not letting

my brother alone with that freak for a minute longer.”

“They need privacy.” Rhys’s voice was quieter, so Alexis’s barely

heard the words. He did, however, sense the effort Rhys was making

to remain a polite host. “And I would prefer it if you maintained

composure while under my roof.”

“I hardly think your preferences matter, Mr. Whitaker.” Skylar

Cunningham’s tone was as chilly as the winter frost. “We’ve been

patient enough, I believe. I want to see my son. Now.”

Morgan sighed.
“I’ve never seen my dad so angry,”
he said

through their bond.
“It’s disconcerting. He’s always been the calm,
diplomatic one.”

“I can’t blame him for his fury. If someone hurt my child, I would
do the same.”

It was funny to think in terms of children, and Alexis couldn’t

help a small smile. It encouraged him, and through that thought,

through Morgan, he found the strength to move forward. The

conversation in the room in front of them ceased as their relatives

sensed their approach. They went down the stairs and finally entered

the receiving room.

“You wanted to talk to us, Dad?” Morgan asked.

For a few moments, nobody spoke. Rhys was the first one who

recovered. He rushed to Alexis’s side and hugged him tightly.

“Brother…You look amazing. I can’t believe it.”

Alexis laughed and hugged Rhys back. “I feel better than I look,”

he said cheekily.

Rhys released him from the embrace and turned toward Morgan.

“Thank you, Mr. Pierce-Cunningham. I can’t even begin to explain

what this means to us.”

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“It was my pleasure and my duty as a mate,” Morgan replied.

“Had I known this was going on, I’d have come sooner.” He squeezed

Alexis’s hand.
“You should never have waited so long to tell me,”
he told Alexis through their bond.
“Never again, baby. Never again.”

Alexis offered him a small, secretive smile, wanting to say

something sweet and witty back, but unable to come up with anything

adequate. The moment was broken when Layton stalked forward.

“Mate? What the hell, Morgan? What are you talking about?”

Skylar Cunningham seemed torn between shock, anger, and

concern. “Morgan, we’ve already been over this. Alexis is not your

mate, remember?”

Morgan’s hands clenched into fists. “Don’t talk to me like I’m

addled, Dad. I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“That doesn’t seem like the case to me.” Skylar gave Alexis a

look that could only be described as poisonous. “I should never have

allowed Morgan to come here. What did you do to him? Why is he

like this and you’re suddenly better? Fix him.”

Somehow, Alexis managed to find his voice. “Morgan is not

broken, Mr. Cunningham, and I assure you I haven’t done anything to

him. We merely clarified some of the misunderstandings that led us to part.”

Layton arched a brow. “Oh? Like how you saw fit to seduce his

twin?”

Alexis winced. “I’m sorry about that, Layton,” he said. “I really

am. If I could take it back, I would.”

Layton released a bitter laugh. “Do you truly think something like

that can be fixed with an apology? You must be more stupid than I

thought.”

Alexis struggled to control his emotions. “Please, let’s not fall into insults. As I’m going to be Morgan’s mate, we are family now.”

Layton’s fist swooshed through the air, stopping inches from

Alexis’s face. Morgan glowered at his brother, his hold on Layton’s

arm tight and unrelenting. “Control yourself, Layton.”

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“And you do the same, Morgan,” Skylar said with a glare. “I

won’t accept you to behave like this with your brother.”

Layton looked hurt and angry, and Alexis’s heart clenched. He

didn’t want his lover to be parted from his family. The Cunninghams

didn’t have to like him, but if they could at least agree to get along, Alexis would be satisfied. “Please,” he said. “I know you hate me,

and maybe for good reason. But for Morgan’s sake, can we at least try to be civil to each other?”

Skylar narrowed his eyes at him. “For Morgan’s sake, I would like

to take him away from you.”

“Dad.” Morgan released a weary sigh. “Alexis is my mate, the

same way you and Father are for each other. I can feel him in my

heart, hear him in my head. This bond we have will never break. It’s

real.”

Skylar’s eyes widened. “You can hear him?”

Morgan nodded. “Our own fears kept us apart, but no longer.

We’ve learned our lesson, and we’re at last mated. But I can’t fully

enjoy this if you’re not happy for me.”

Layton’s eyes went from Morgan to Alexis. “I’m happy if you’re

happy. I’m just not convinced this is really what you want.”

“In time, brother.” Morgan wrapped an arm around Layton’s

shoulders. “And while we’re on this note, you should have never

discussed my connection with Alexis in my absence while he was

sick.”

Tension filled the room again, thick and almost palpable. “What

did he say to you?” Skylar asked.

“Nothing. I saw it in his memories.” Morgan’s voice was certain

and decisive. “I know you mean well, Dad, but you have to realize,

this whole thing is not only Alexis’s responsibility, but ours as well.”

Skylar clenched his jaw. “I admit I might have made a mistake in

discussing my doubts with your brother. However, that does not

change what Alexis did.”

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Layton took a deep breath. “I can’t promise anything, Morgan, but

I’m going to try. For your sake, I’m going to try to get along

with…with your mate.”

“We’ll try, Morgan,” Skylar added, “and I expect you to do the

same and be reasonable.”

It was more than Alexis could have asked for. He beamed. “Thank

you. You won’t regret this.”

Skylar and Layton didn’t reply, and Alexis could see the doubt in

their eyes. They were separated by a chasm now, him and Morgan’s

family, an abyss of their own making, but Alexis needed to trust that, in time, they’d manage to bridge it.

Just as he thought this, Morgan tensed by his side. A member of

the staff rushed into the receiving room, announcing the imminent

arrival of Alexis’s parents. And Alexis knew the day was just

beginning.

* * * *

A month later

“Leave me alone.” Alexis buried his face in the pillows, moaning

theatrically. “I shouldn’t have to study. I’m pregnant.”

Angel tsked at him. “If you don’t, you’ll never be able to catch

up.” He snatched the pillow from Alexis and mock glared at him.

“Come on. Don’t be lazy.”

Alexis gave his friend a pleading look. “Can I at least get a break?

I’m sick and tired of all this effort.”

He only half meant it, and they both knew it. Alexis actually

enjoyed learning and was glad for the distraction. Living in the

Cunninghams’ house meant having to withstand a great deal of

hostility. Morgan’s loved ones were doing their best, but things

wouldn’t change overnight.

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It had been particularly hard when Morgan had to return to the

university for his studies. Thankfully, they’d managed to arrange the continuation of the classes in long-distance terms. Alexis’s friend,

Angel, often showed up on weekends, ostensibly to help Alexis with

the material, but in fact, just to spend some time together. Alexis

knew that and appreciated it. It meant a lot to him, especially since his own family refused to see him beyond the medical assistance they

facilitated. Sometimes, Rhys called, but other than that, Alexis had no contact with them since the day he’d mated Morgan. It hurt more than

Alexis expected, but he hoped that once his son was born, love would

manage to overcome hate.

Angel placed the tablet aside and crawled closer to Alexis. “And

how have you been feeling lately? How’s my nephew?”

“Fine.” Alexis beamed. “He’s growing really quickly. Do you

want to touch him?”

Angel nodded eagerly and reached to pat Alexis’s swollen belly. It

was something his friends and family did a lot, especially since they couldn’t understand how the child had developed so quickly.

Apparently, the pregnancy of shark shifters could last all the way to two years. Alexis’s son—latest tests had confirmed the child to be a

boy—had grown so quickly they expected the birth to be any day

now.

It was a bit frightening, but Alexis felt ready for it. He had

Morgan, and he knew that between the two of them, they could raise

their son without fear. At the same time, he hoped that his child would bring their families closer.

“This is really amazing.” Angel smiled at him. “I wish I could

give Clark a baby.”

“There are plenty of children out there in need of your affection,”

Alexis replied. “Just enjoy yourselves for now.”

A knock sounded at the door. Angel didn’t seem surprised, so

Alexis gathered his friend must have sensed the new arrival come in.

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Angel pressed a light kiss on Alexis’s stomach then said, “It’s Mr.

Cunningham. Skylar.”

Alexis suppressed a sigh. “Go on. Go answer.”

Light concern shone in Angel’s eyes, and Alexis hated himself for

intruding in the family dynamics of Morgan’s loved ones. Angel’s

fathers had been good friends of the Cunninghams since before

Morgan was even born. Angel’s friendship with Alexis was putting a

strain on that, too.

Like Alexis had asked, Angel opened the door and allowed Skylar

Cunningham inside. “Hello, sir,” Angel greeted politely.

“Hi, Angel.” Skylar offered the antelope a small smile then turned

toward Alexis. “Can we talk for a moment?”

“Sure,” Alexis replied, somewhat surprised. “Please, have a seat.”

Angel discreetly took his leave and closed the door behind himself

while Skylar sat down on an armchair next to the bed.

“Your medic tells me the baby is due any day now,” Skylar began.