Page 24 of Grumpy Alien Billionaire (Mates of Veritas #2)

I lean back in my chair, the leather creaking under my weight, and stare at the holographic report floating above my desk. Dead Bobs. Dozens of them. Each one a perfect replica, each one a dead end. My jaw tightens, the scales along my neck bristling. I hate loose ends. They itch like a splinter under my skin, and I’m not the kind of Vakutan to let an itch go unscratched.

I flick the report to the side, and it dissolves into a shower of pixels. My fingers drum against the desk, the sound sharp and impatient. I need answers, and I’m not getting them sitting here. I activate the holocom, and Pyke’s face materializes in front of me, his red scales catching the light, his expression as unreadable as ever.

“Pyke,” I say. “I need permission to go after Bob. I need to confirm if he’s dead or not.”

Pyke raises an eyebrow, his golden eyes narrowing. “Denied.”

I lean forward, my claws digging into the edge of the desk. “Why not?”

He tilts his head, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “You really want to know?”

“I’m asking, aren’t I?” My voice rises, the frustration bubbling over.

Pyke chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that only makes my scales itch more. “I think you and your jalshagar should have a talk before you go cavorting around the world looking for a man who may already be dead.”

The holocom blinks out before I can respond, leaving me staring at empty air. My fist slams into the desk, the wood splintering under the force. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I mutter to myself.

I push back from the desk and stalk across the room, my tail flicking in irritation. Pyke’s words echo in my head, and I can’t shake the feeling that he’s holding something back. Something important. I stop in front of the window, the city sprawling out below me, and let out a growl.

“Talk to Tyler,” I mutter, repeating Pyke’s words. “What does she have to do with this?”

I turn on my heel and head for the door, my mind racing. If Pyke thinks Tyler has something to say, then I’ll hear it. But I’m not waiting around for answers. I’ll get them myself, one way or another.

The door to my office swings open, and Tyler strides in, her arms straining under the weight of a massive paper bag. The smell of smoked meat hits me like a freight train, and my stomach growls in response. She’s got that grin on her face—the one that says she’s up to something but isn’t ready to spill yet. She drops the bag on my desk with a thud, then pulls out a six-pack of my favorite beer, setting it down with a clink.

“What’s the occasion?” I ask, leaning back in my chair, my tail flicking lazily behind me. My eyes narrow as I study her. She’s too cheerful, too deliberate. Something’s going on.

She hops up onto the edge of my desk, her legs swinging like a kid on a playground. “Who says there’s an occasion?” she says, her voice light and teasing. Her blue eyes sparkle with mischief, and I can’t help but smirk.

“You’re a terrible liar, you know that?” I say, standing up and circling the desk. She doesn’t move, just keeps grinning at me like she’s got the upper hand. I grab her by the waist and pull her off the desk, spinning her around and plopping her down on my lap. She lets out a squeal, and I give her a playful spank, the sound sharp in the quiet office.

“You know I love this, right?” she says between giggles, squirming in my lap.

“I know you do,” I say. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. “Just like I know you’re up to something. Spill it, Tyler. What’s going on?”

She twists in my lap to face me, her hands resting on my shoulders. Her grin falters for a moment, and I see something flicker in her eyes—nerves, maybe? She bites her lower lip, and I can feel her heart racing under my hands.

“Lanz,” she starts, her voice trembling just a little. She takes a deep breath, like she’s steadying herself, and then she says it. “I’m pregnant.”

The words hang in the air between us, heavy and final. My hands freeze on her waist, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. Pregnant. The word echoes in my head, while emotions—shock, pride, fear—all tangled up in a knot in my chest. I stare at her, my golden eyes searching hers for any sign that she’s joking, but all I see is raw honesty.

“Pregnant,” I repeat My hands move to her stomach, my claws brushing against the fabric of her shirt. There’s a life growing inside her—our life. A child. My child. The thought sends a jolt through me, and I pull her closer, my forehead resting against hers.

“Are you sure?” I ask, my voice rough with emotion.

She nods, her lower lip trembling. “I took three tests. They all said the same thing.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, and then I kiss her. It’s not gentle or sweet—it’s fierce, possessive, full of all the things I can’t put into words. She’s mine, and now there’s a part of me growing inside her. The bond between us feels stronger than ever, and I know, without a doubt, that this is what it means to be jalshagar.

“It’s wonderful news,” I say, my voice steady but warm, my hands still resting on her stomach. I can feel the tension in her body, the way she’s holding her breath, waiting for my reaction. I tilt her chin up so she’s looking at me, her blue eyes wide and uncertain. “Tyler, this is… incredible.”

She exhales sharply, like she’s been holding that breath for hours, and her shoulders slump in relief. “You’re not… upset? I mean, I know we haven’t talked about this, and it’s so soon, and?—”

I cut her off with a kiss, my lips pressing against hers, firm and reassuring. When I pull back, her cheeks are flushed, and she’s staring at me like I’ve just handed her the stars. “Upset? Tyler, I can’t wait to be a father. To our child.” My voice drops, low and possessive, and I feel her shiver in my arms. “You’re mine, and this baby is mine. There’s nothing in this galaxy that could make me happier.”

She melts against me, her arms wrapping around my neck, and I pull her closer, my tail curling around her waist. Her heart is racing, and I can feel the warmth of her skin through her shirt. She’s so small, so fragile, and yet she’s carrying something so powerful, so precious. My child. Our child.

“Lanz,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “What if… what if it’s not safe? I mean, you’re Vakutan, and I’m human. What if our bodies aren’t… compatible?”

I chuckle, the sound deep and rumbling in my chest. “Tyler, the Precursors made sure of that. They designed us—all of us—to be able to interbreed. Our child will have the best of both of us. Your strength, your resilience, your kindness. And my… well, everything else.” I grin, and she laughs, the sound light and musical.

“You’re so full of yourself,” she teases, poking me in the chest.

“And you love it,” I shoot back, catching her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. “But seriously, Tyler, there’s nothing to worry about. Our child will be perfect. Just like you.”

Her eyes soften, and she leans into me, her forehead resting against mine. “I love you, Lanz. So much.”

“I love you too, Tyler,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. “More than anything.”

Our lips meet again, this time softer, slower, and I pour everything I’m feeling into that kiss—my love, my pride, my protectiveness. She’s mine, and I’m hers, and now there’s a part of us that will live on forever.