Page 120 of The Alpha

“Yes, young pup.” He chuckled some more. “Wake your little treasure. Feed her. Den play.” He strode from the room, tall and regal, and Melvale didn’t wonder if Kwaku knew he was an Alpha before he himself did.

He looked lovingly down at Pari. “Oh, I hate to do this. You look so peaceful.” He bent his face to hers and touched the tip of his nose to her cheek. “You are mine, and I will be yours, if you will only have me.” He kissed her forehead, then did his best to rein in his inner heart. She was blanketed with its presence, and he honestly didn’t know he could do that. He was running on pure instinct, and though he knew he should let his Alpha side have its way, he wasn’t quite ready to relinquish his control. What if he carried her off into some dark corner and ravished her? Would that side of him be gentle?

“Yes, you will be.” Melvale said convinced. “You’re nothing but a big softie when it comes to her.” He cocked his head. “What? Nothing to say?”

His Alpha side remained quiet.

“Very well. Then you won’t mind if I wake her.”

“Mmmm…” Pari stirred in his arms, and Melvale realized the position he was in. “Oh, stab me!” He quickly deposited her on the bed and stood.

“Mmmhat?”

He supposed he could have at least put Pari on her back instead of plopping her face down on the mattress.

“Sorry.” He turned her over. “Hello there. Hungry?”

She blinked back sleep. “Wow…”

“Wow?”

Pari looked at him. “I had the best nap.”

He smiled. “Did you?”

She looked up at him. “Are you blushing?”

Melvale straightened. “What if I am?”

She pushed herself to a sitting position. “How long did I sleep?”

“Not long. You dozed off.” He looked toward the next room. “I think dinner’s ready.”

“Oh, yeah, they were cooking.” She scooted off the bed, stretched and yawned.

Melvale smiled knowing he was the cause of her sound slumber. When they were truly one, there would be all sorts of things they could do to take care of each other. But first, she had to believe that his intentions were genuine.

“Are you hungry?” he asked again.

Her belly rumbled, and she put a hand over it and blushed. “I guess so.” She looked in the direction of the kitchen. “Mmmm, something smells good.”

“Let’s go see what they’ve whipped up.” He offered her his hand.

She gave him a tiny smile, then took it. “We’re still eating at Uncle Al’s, right?”

“As far as I know. Your table isn’t big enough, remember?”

She smiled again, and they headed for the kitchen. Zara was just covering a large bowl with some plastic wrap. Kwaku already held a bowl of rice and wore a silly grin.

Zara studied them. “Sleep well?”

Pari smiled. “Yeah, I guess I dozed off. I must be more tired than I thought. Let me get my keys, and I’ll lock up.” She let go of Melvale’s hand and returned to her bedroom.

Zara eyed him. “Hmmm.”

“What?” Melvale hissed with a helpless shrug. “I didnotwillher to sleep.”

“No, but your heart is wooing her.” Zara winked at him, then made her way to the front door.

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