Page 47 of Possessed By the Leonid King

“It doesn’t just impact me, my Layla.”

“Oh, hell.” She waved his words away, “My friends and I were already outcasts. The nobodies. The orphans. The... The whatevers. Prejudice and side-long looks never went extinct, even if so many other things did.” Layla’s laugh masked tears. How could his world, a world of furry, fanged predators suddenly seem so much more civilized than her human life? “If you’ll take the risk with us, I’m willing to ask them.”

Rupex smiled at her. He opened his mouth a few times, then licked his muzzle. Layla watched his tongue with harlot eyes, lusting after him in whole new ways. Before, he had given her pleasure and credits. Now, he might give her a new life.

Her heart somersaulted around in her chest and socked her in the stomach. For the first time ever, she thought about living with Rupex and seeing his cubs—and they weren’t just products of a job well done.

I hope they’re as honorable and big-hearted as their father. And I hope they love me. I hope... I hope I’m a good mom. I hope I get the chance to try again with the first family I ever had.

Maybe one day... he’ll love me, too.

“What is it?” she asked as he stood, his tail tapping against her leg, a sign she’d come to associate with nerves.

Rupex’s padded paws flexed on her shoulders.

“If—if they love you as much as I’ve come to, then they’ll accept your offer, no matter who else is in your family. That’s all. I—”

“Who wants to have a fish fry?” Marcus’ voice suddenly boomed from the intercom next to the door of Layla’s quarters. “I’ve caught six roundfish and they’re all beauties! Nourishing beauties! Good for the mother-to-be!”

“Marcus!” Rupex released her and began to stride toward the door—before realizing he was naked.

“Oh, you’re in there. No surprise. When you’re done with your ‘business activities’, come on out! I’ll teach you the Servali way to fry fish over an open beach fire.”

“Privacy in this corridor! Go outside, Marcus. That’s an order.”

“Sorry to interrupt!” The intercom beeped to silence.

“Where were we?” Rupex turned back to her, his smile apologetic. “Oh, yes. Your friends. After we eat, let’s begin to trace their contracts and see if we can get in contact with them. Hopefully, they have usable skills, but even if not, they can be trained.”

Layla nodded, lips pressed together. He said it. ‘If they love you as much as I’ve come to.’

Tell him. Tell him you’re falling for him.

Years of fear kept her silent—for now.

Well. Show him, then.

“That’s a very generous offer you’ve made. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. How much I love—that you’re so thoughtful and big-hearted—while still being a tough kitty.”

Rupex growled, but he smirked in acknowledgement of her teasing.

“It’s a lot of trouble you’re taking on for me.” Layla bit her lip and fluttered her lashes seductively. “I think you deserve a special thank you. Is there something... you’d like?” She ran her hand over the curve of her achy breasts and down one hip.

With an audible gulp, Rupex swallowed and licked his whiskers. “I can think of a hundred things I’d love.”

That word again. Her stomach fluttered. “You’ll have to tell me all about them.”

Chapter Nineteen

Rupex could barely eat. He’d practically proposed marriage. He wasn’t changing his mind, but his mind was boggled. His poor father would have had a fit if were alive. First, his sister married a Canid, and now he wanted to mate with a human and add humans to his pride?

The gnawing shame was washed away with desire and something bigger. Love. He was smitten with his little queen, and her submission to him was more of an aphrodisiac than he could have imagined.

He’d feasted upon her monthly blood, he’d hunted her in the woods, and devoured her screams of pleasure as he took her in the wilds of his island.

Layla is mine. She is my Queen, the mother of my future cubs, however they come to be.

He watched her toss the fish bones into the sea and laugh with Marcus, who was shirtless and wearing a pair of loose cotton shendyt in red cloth, probably a gift from his Servali mother-in-law or late wife.

---