Page 142 of The Alpha

“Princess, Shona,” the king corrected and retook his seat. He smiled at them. “Sit, and we will get to know one another.”

Pari glanced over her shoulder at Kwaku and Zara, who were waving at her to take a seat. She shook the girl’s hand, pulled out a chair, and with her heart in her throat, sat. All the while, she wondered where Melvale was.

45

They hadn’t spoken five minutes when the door buzzer sounded.

“I’ll get it,” Uncle Al said. He went to the tiny foyer and pushed a button on the call box. “Who is it?”

“Melvale,” crackled over the speaker.

The Muirarans stiffened, including the king, his daughter, and her husband who was introduced to Pari as Dallan. Kwaku joined Uncle Al in the foyer and opened the door.

Moments later, Melvale entered the apartment and walked into the dining room. King Jaireth stood. “Alpha Melvale.”

Pari left her chair, fighting the urge to run to him. She glanced at King Jaireth, whose eyes were glued to Melvale’s bright blue ones. The king raised a hand to the corner of his mouth and pointed at it. Melvale quickly wiped the same corner of his own mouth then wiped his hand on his shorts.

Did he have dirt on his face or what? “Melvale?” Pari said in a soft voice.

His eyes scanned the room before he looked at her.

She swallowed hard. “Bondrah?”

He gave her a wide smile, reached her in two strides, and took her into his arms. “Kahtala Miah,” he whispered. “You are safe.”

“Yeah, I… I guess so. There’s a lot of people in here.”

He drew back and looked down at her, smiling. “You are lovely.” He ran his fingers through her pink hair and his smile grew. “Would you like to play a game?”

She smiled back. “Sure.”

“Monopoly?”

Pari grinned in relief. She had no idea where he’d been or what he’d been doing and, in that moment, didn’t care. He’d come back safe and sound. But…

“Bondrah?” she whispered and crooked a finger at him.

He raised his eyebrows and bent down. “Yes, precious one?”

“What happened?”

He looked her in the eyes. “You are safe.” He put his cheek against hers. “That is all you need concern yourself with.” He gave her a tender kiss on the cheek and Pari thought she might faint! Warmth shot through her, accompanied by that wonderful peaceful sensation. She looked at him in wonder and nodded.

He straightened as he tucked her against him and took in the room.

Everyone, with the exception of Uncle Al, bowed.

Pari watched in fascination. Even the king and his daughter bowed? But they were royalty! Shouldn’t Melvale bow to them? Or was… wait a minute. They’d called himAlpha Melvale.Alpha meant leader. Did that mean…?

“Come, Kitten,” Melvale said. “Let us teach the king how to play.”

That got her attention. “You want to play Monopoly with your king?”

Melvale smiled. “Yes. It will be good for him.”

She took in his deep voice, the bright blue of his eyes, and yet, once again this was Melvale, but it was also Bondrah. But Bondrah was her private name for him, like Kawahnee was a private name Zara and a few others used for Kwaku.

She scratched her head and looked up at him. “Bondrah,” she said, barely above a whisper.

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