Page 22 of The Alpha

If Dallan hadn’t been watching, he’d have missed it. The shift was instantaneous. Jaireth must be more than a little upset at the news they’d given him.

A gray and brown wolf the size of a small horse stood before them, his eyes a menacing yellow. He growled at them, then jumped over the side of the balcony of the king’s private quarters where they were meeting, and disappeared into the trees below.

Shannell hurried onto the balcony. “Oh, no. He’s upset.”

“You think?” Shona said as she peeked out from behind Dallan.

Archer ran a hand over his short-cropped brown hair. “Well, this is a fine bloody mess.”

“That’s not helping,” Shannell said. She went to the balcony’s balustrade and looked down. They were six stories up, and Dallan was quickly learning that Muirarans, and perhaps himself, had abilities he’d yet to witness. He never thought to ask Shannell what physical form her heart took. He did know her heart fed off wisdom. How much that influenced the heart’s physical form, he didn’t know.

“He’ll come back once he’s had a good run,” Shannell said. She went to a chaise lounge and sat. “You’ll want to take Markhel with you, and Archer.”

Archer’s eyes popped wide. “Me?”

“Yes, you,” she shot back. “You’ve been in training, and your natural talents will come in handy.”

“Natural talents?” Shona said.

Her mother raised her eyebrows at her. “Picking locks. Breaking into places. Thievery.”

Archer blushed and shrugged. “It’s a gift.”

“Some gift!” Shona sighed and turned to her Muiraran mother. “Can you suggest anyone else?”

“If Melvale’s mate is human, you should have some other humans standing by to calm her. But I imagine your father will want this Pari and Melvale brought directly to the palace to keep them safe. So long asshestays calm, Melvale will.”

Shona glanced at Dallan and back. “Gotcha. She knows Halden and Raina already.”

“Perhaps the Lord Councilor?” Shannell suggested.

Dallan eyed her. “I’ll no risk him, Yer Majesty. He has a family and wee bairns.”

Shannell smiled. “He is also bonded with Tylahs.”

Dallan looked at Shona as realization dawned. “Och, aye.” He smiled.

Shona smiled back. “Did I tell you my mother is brilliant?”

“I ken she is.” He smiled at Shannell. “Fine, I’ll take Raina, Halden and the Lord Councilor with us. You’ll have things ready when we bring Melvale and Pari back to the palace?”

“Yes. We’ll prepare Melvale’s quarters for them.” She stood and joined him at the balcony’s balustrade. “We do not know what shape Melvale and his mate will be in when you retrieve them. Nor do we know if they’ve been allowed to touch. If they haven’t, Melvale’s Alpha will be unpredictable. Dangerous. They’ll need time together.”

Shona looked at her. “Kwaku said Pari can walk away from all of it. There’s no pain from a bonding to bind her to Melvale.”

Shannell sighed. “Which is why we must make sure she can’t walk away.”

“But you can’t force her to fall in love,” Shona argued.

“No, but we can give them a chance, let Melvale have her to himself and watch over them in a calm setting. If there is no threat to her, he will naturally try to take care of her, win her.” Shannell smiled sweetly. “In time, she will become a prize beyond anything you could possibly imagine. She is his heart.”

“Everyone keeps saying that,” Shona echoed.

“Because it is true.” Shannell looked over the balustrade. “Fetch Markhel. Take Maida with you as well to help with Melvale’s mate once you have her. That is, if she’s conscious.” She looked Dallan in the eyes. “Infiltrate wherever it is these men are keeping them, let Tylahs do his work, then get Melvale and his mate out of there and bring them straight to Melvale’s quarters.”

“Aye, Yer Majesty, we will.” Dallan gave her a slight bow, then eyed Archer. “Get what ye need and meet us in the meadow of the library.”

“Yes, Time Master.” Archer bowed, then left the balcony.

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