Page 103 of The Alpha

They heard theclickity clicksound of a Sarian’s taloned feet followed by the creature coming to a skidding stop. Jaireth wagged his finger at the door and went behind his desk. Zerbe stood before the cabinet as stoic as ever.

The door to the royal office slowly opened and Kitty Morgan poked her head in. “Oh! I’m so sorry!” She ducked out.

“Miss Morgan!” Jaireth barked. “What is the meaning of this?”

Zerbe arched an eyebrow at him as stifled giggles came from the cabinet. Jaireth watched Zerbe give it a little kick with his foot to quiet them before he continued. His judge knew better than to deny his king a little snack.

Jaireth gave him a hint of a smile. “Enter.”

Kitty poked her head back in, gulped, and stepped into the room. “Forgive me, your Majesty, but I was… um, babysitting.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Oh?”

“Cari Mosgofian, she had to run an errand or two, and I volunteered. Actually,youvolunteered me, I hear.”

He sat back in his chair. “If you wish to remain in the palace, then you need to make yourself useful. Keeping an eye on my son is useful.”

“But all three?” Kitty snapped her mouth shut.

“I would think you capable of handling three small boys,” he retorted then leaned across his desk. “Where are they? You seem to have lost them.”

She gulped again. “We were playing hide and seek and they gave me the slip.”

He sat back. “So, they’re hiding are they? Well, you had best find them before they get into trouble. Your job was to keep them out of it.” He slapped his hand on the desk for good measure, making her jump.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” She curtsied, then bowed, then curtsied again before she slipped out the door. “Essie, they’re not in there!”

“But I can smell themsssk!” came the Sarian’s reply.

The door closed, and Jaireth laughed. He’d not laughed at all since they discovered Melvale was an Alpha. He needed this, as did his heart. He feared for Melvale and didn’t want anything to interfere with the two sides of him merging.

“Mykhal, come out,” he called.

Zerbe opened the cabinet door, and the three boys tumbled onto the floor. He smiled as they scrambled to their feet and after exchanging the same mischievous look, bowed to the Muiraran king. “Thank you, Father,” Mykhal said. “You have saved the game.”

He arched an eyebrow at him. “And you have allowed my heart to feed. I thank you.”

Mykhal bowed again. When he straightened, he ran behind the desk and tackled Jaireth, hugging him with affection.

Zerbe smiled at them, reached down, and ruffled Alasdair’s hair. “Where is your brother?”

“I do not know, Judge. But we can check his quarters.”

Vyn went to stand in front of him. “Have you lost Melvale?”

Zerbe looked at Jaireth as he frowned. “Were you boys eavesdropping?”

“Nay, Yer Majesty,” Alasdair said. “But ye canna help hear a few words when yer about to run into a room.”

Zerbe chuckled and shook his head. “What is to be done with them, my King?”

Jaireth ran a hand through Mykhal’s auburn hair and sighed. “You need to go easy on the human I put in charge of you. After all, she is your sister Shona’s best friend.”

Mykhal made a face. “She is annoying.”

“Ha!” Vyn said. “Then why are you always plotting jokes against her?”

Jaireth looked his son in the eyes. “Plotting jokes?”

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