Page 42 of How to Hide Your Angel Kid

That shadowy person-thing in the woods, who had tried to attack Galent? Pinks shuddered. “As much as I’d like to, that’s seriously a last resort. What if they use the magic in your curse to control you?”

Galent growled. But he didn’t say it was impossible. “We’ll find another way. Find something to stop me from hurting you or Zarrie.”

Pinks had heard about electricity and steel nets being used to subdue dragons, but he really didn’t want to hurt Galent if hehad a choice. Then a worse thought struck him: “The curse isn’t slowly killing you, is it?”

Galent frowned and turned his focus inward. “I... can’t tell. Dragons have long lives.”

Pinks pressed his hand to his stomach. “But our baby won’t just be a dragon. It’ll probably be a wolf, too. A mixed breed.”

Who knew how Galent’s curse would affect their child?

Worse, mixed breeds were something the kidnappers were targeting, too, not just rare species like Zarrie. Having two at-risk children... It made Pinks anxious.

“Hey.” Galent tightened his arms around Pinks and drew him even closer, so they were pressed chest-to-chest. “I’ll do my best to protect us.”

Pinks allowed Galent to reassure him. He held onto the giant and let himself believe, just for a moment, that Galent might stick around and help him with everything. So he wouldn’t be the only adult responsible for stuff. “You promise?”

“I promise.”

“Okay. But I also want to help. I know I’m weak—”

“You’re not weak.” Galent frowned.

“I am.” Pinks sighed. “Wolves are stronger as a pack. And alphas will always be stronger than omegas. I’m an omega without a pack, which makes me the weakest—”

“Sweety-Pinks,” Galent growled, cupping Pinks’ face with both his hands. “Why don’t you have a pack?”

Pinks scowled. “It’s all because of stupid pack politics. Packs are supposed to pool their resources together, right? But my pack never liked to do that. They were all ‘Every wolf for themselves,’ and when my mom fell sick and couldn’t afford the medical bills, they didn’t help in any way. They said we’d be able to pay it if we just tried hard enough.” Pinks bit down the anger rising within him. “She was on her deathbed! And we didn’t have the strength to worry about the bills.”

Galent froze, hugging Pinks tight. Quietly, he asked, “What happened after that?”

Pinks buried his face in Galent’s chest, his lungs constricting. “Dad and I were in debt. I was going to turn eighteen soon, and Dad fell sick trying to pay off Mom’s bills. It wasn’t looking good. We were thinking about taking out more loans to coverhisbills, and he just... One day he just officially disowned me, so the debtors wouldn’t come after me demanding payment. I know why he did it. But it just hurt a lot.”

“Fuck.” Galent rolled them over to cover Pinks with his body. “And your dad...?”

Pinks sniffled. “He refused to see the doctor. Then he died. I was so disgusted with the pack that I left.”

“You don’t have to worry about that anymore, all right?” Galent growled. “If you need help paying for anything, tell me. I’ll deal with it.”

“I don’t want to leech off you like—like a worm!”

Galent ducked his head and bit Pinks lightly on the shoulder. “It’s not leeching if I’m trying toprovidefor you.”

Pinks wiped his tears off on Galent’s chest. “Why are you doing this? Calling me cute nicknames and... and offering your protection?”

Galent sighed patiently. “Because I’m trying to court you.”

“We’ve known each other for less than a day.”

“So?” Galent stroked Pinks’ hip with his thumb. “We’ll be knowing each other for a lot longer.”

Because of the—the potential baby. Pinks gulped. Galent sounded too good to be true. “I already have my hands full with Zarrie.”

“That’s okay. I’ll help.”

“Don’t you have a job and everything?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ve got it covered.” Galent met his gaze fiercely. “In any case,you’re not weak.You came to my rescue. I would’ve gotten into a lot more trouble without you there, Pinks.”

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