Page 194 of The Alpha

“Of course. I got my own.” He gave them a toothy smile and turned to leave. “Come see what else we brought. Oh, and we got lunch!”

Melvale sighed again. “Well, Kitten, we’d best go see what…”

She hugged him.

Melvale froze. “Kitten?”

Pari tightened her arms around him. “Thank you, for everything.”

A flicker of panic ignited in his hearts, and he stiffened. “For?”

She looked up at him. “Like I said. Everything.” Pari gave him a big smile, let him go, and started to leave. “Are you coming?”

Melvale watched her retreating form with wonder and followed. He might not have been able to kiss her, but a voluntary hug on her part was a definite win!

Later that eveningPari arranged cookies on a plate hummingHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Before she knew it, a beautiful voice joined in, and her jaw dropped. Was that Shona?

She brought the plate of cookies into her tiny living room where everyone was gathered. Shona stood by the tree with Dallan and was singing to him!

He gazed at her with such a look of adoration, Pari’s eyes teared up. She’d seen Melvale give her a similar look, but not as intense.

Pari watched Shona sing and noticed an instrumental accompaniment. Where was it coming from? Her little speaker was on the mantle, but she didn’t see anyone’s phone near it.

Melvale entered the living room, dressed almost entirely in black. His clothes looked like some sort of old-fashioned uniform. He wore a white shirt, a black double-breasted vest with brass buttons and fancy embroidery, a jacket of black velvet, black pants and his black boots. Could he have brought the outfit from the palace?

Her eyes raked over him. She was wearing the little black dress he’d purchased for her and a pair of black pumps with kitten heels. Her only jewelry was a simple pair of pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace Kitty insisted she wear. Pari had no idea where she’d obtained the jewelry but was happy to wear it. The ensemble made her feel elegant and sophisticated. Something she never fancied herself being.

“You look amazing,” Melvale said as Shona’s song ended.

Dallan didn’t hesitate to take his wife into his arms and kiss her.

Pari blushed and turned to Melvale, giving the couple their moment. “Thanks.” She offered him the plate. “Cookie?”

Dallan came up for air. “Chocolate chip?”

Everyone laughed.

There came a knock at the door. “I’ll get it,” Melvale said. “It’s probably your uncles.”

She smiled and hoped Uncle Al didn’t slip and tell Melvale what his present was over the last couple of days.

Melvale sauntered into the room carrying his gift! “Uncle Al…” she whined.

Her uncle held up his hands. “It’s heavy after carrying it up four flights of stairs. I was more than happy to pass it off.”

Melvale gave the box a shake. “I wonder what it could be?”

“Stop that,” Pari scolded. “Put it under the tree with the others.”

She smiled at the childlike look on Melvale’s face. “Can I open it now?” he begged with bright eyes.

“No!”

He laughed and headed for the tree. Pari thought she saw him stiffen but pushed the thought aside when another knock sounded at the door.

“That would be Leo,” Uncle Al said.

Pari went to the door, opened it, and gasped in shock as Jeffrey grabbed her.

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