Page 76 of How to Hide Your Angel Kid

“Don’t,” Pinks said again.

That’s not loud enough. You should howl with feeling.

Just as Galent angled his head to breathe fire, Pinks howled.

He howled his worry for Galent, that he might come back to find Pinks dead. He howled his fear, that Zarrie might lose one of them today. He howled for his family and his home; he howled all his love for his alpha. And he howled desperately, hoping with all his heart that Galent heard him somehow.

The flames sputtered and died in Galent’s mouth. Galent tipped his head down—his eyes red now—only to be struck by a bolt of green light.

He turned into a statue.

“No!” Pinks’ stomach dropped.

He fell to his knees and patted Galent’s stony, vertical slit, desperately trying to find the spot where Galent’s balls might be. To the side, AlphaBot grabbed one of the creatures, swinging it like a bat to smack down its friends.

The creatures shrieked and fired spells at AlphaBot. Somehow, the spells bounced off the robot instead of affecting him.

Pinks patted all over Galent’s belly like a floundering game of Whack A Mole, until color returned to Galent’s body.

Galent’s eyes flashed red. “Pinks.”

“Oh, gods!” Relief flooded Pinks’ chest. “You’re alive!”

Galent stretched his limbs and flexed them. Then he roared, charging toward AlphaBot and the creatures.

“Don’t hurt AlphaBot,” Pinks yelled.

“I won’t.” Galent grabbed one of the creatures and breathed his hottest blue flames on it, until it burned to ashes. Then he grabbed two more, and burned them too. “You won’t ever use me against my mate again.”

Between Galent and AlphaBot, the creatures were taken out, one by one, until none of them remained.

Pinks sank weakly onto the grass, shaking all over. “Gods, that was terrifying.”

“Sweety-Pinks.” Galent shifted back into a human, hurrying over and gathering Pinks into his strong arms. He held Pinks close and rocked him back and forth, stroking Pinks everywhere he could reach. “You howled me back. I couldn’t control my body. I was watching from the inside, fighting against their hold until your howl gave me strength.”

“It was you who told me to howl,” Pinks admitted. “The other week. Remember?”

“Yes. We all howled together.” Galent hugged him tighter.

AlphaBot strode up to them. Galent tensed.

The robot held out his steel hand. “We have not been introduced. I am AlphaBot.”

Galent glanced at Pinks. “How—”

“I saved up some metal magic. And, um. I made him come alive. Sorry? I guess I should go first.” Pinks stood, grasping one of AlphaBot’s huge fingers. “I’m Pinks. I was the one who woke you. This is my alpha, Galent.”

Galent sucked in a slow breath. “Sweety-Pinks.You just called me your alpha.”

Pinks flushed and ducked his head. “Youaremy alpha.”

Galent purred, rubbing their faces together. Then he straightened, bashfully offering his hand to AlphaBot. “Gosh. Uh, hi. I—I guess I bought you ages ago, before you came alive. I’ve always admired you in the movies. You’ve been my hero for a long time. But now that you’re sentient, we won’t keep you. You don’t have to stay here with us, but you’re always welcome to call this place home.”

AlphaBot looked around at the wildflowers, his eyes flickering. “I would like to get to know this place, first.”

“We’ll build a shelter for you in case it rains,” Galent said.

“Thank you,” AlphaBot said graciously.

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