Page 44 of The Alpha

“Yes, Lanysssk!” Tylahs disappeared into the backpack.

Shona entered the room dressed in a black tee-shirt, black cargo pants, and black boots. Archer outfitted them, much the same way Melvale would have. Her eyes raked over Dallan’s attire, before turning to Archer. “Were you purposely going for the James Bond, spy look?”

Archer adjusted the utility belt he’d just put on. “Actually, I was going for practical and tactical.” He chuckled. “Hey, that rhymes.”

Dallan rolled his eyes at him. “Are we ready?” He gave Archer a pointed look. “Or d’ye need to feed again?”

Archer glared at Kwaku. “Someone keeps eating all the ice cream.”

Kwaku gave everyone an innocent look. “What?”

Halden entered the room dressed as the others. Raina took one look at him and sighed. “I want to come.”

“No, dove. It’s far too dangerous.” He took her in his arms and kissed her. When he broke the kiss, he looked into her eyes. “I’ll not risk your life.”

She held him tight. “What about you risking yours?”

“Don’t worry,” Evan said. “I’ve seen these guys in action. Halden will be safe.”

“You’re not worried?” Raina asked.

Evan shrugged and brought his index finger and thumb within a hair’s breadth of each other. “Perhaps a teensy-weensy bit. But I’m more worried about me screwing things up.”

“You’re the getaway driver,” Lany said. “All you have to do is stay in the car.”

Dallan took in the group. Archer, Kwaku, Zara, Markhel, Lany, Halden, and himself would go in and retrieve Melvale and Pari. After Tylahs took care of the guards, of course. They’d break them out, then get out as fast as they could. If they had to open a door to the palace they would, but they didn’t want to give these people, whomever they were, a show of their abilities.If they knew what Dallan and the others were capable of, they might begin a relentless hunt for them, and he didn’t want to risk his team or any other Muirarans the doctor and his men might happen upon. They didn’t want the doctor to know more than he already did. He knew too much already. Which was why Dallan planned on capturing him.

He went to Lany and tapped the backpack. “Tylahs.”

The little Sarian popped his head out and blinked at him with his big amber eyes. “Yes, Time Mastersssk?”

Dallan bent to get eye level with him. “Ye ken yer no to kill anyone, right?”

Lany sighed. “I’ve already told him…”

“He’s going to be tempted if he thinks yer in danger, Master Lany,” Dallan reminded him.

Lany sighed again. “You have a point.” He glanced over his shoulder. “You’ll be good, won’t you little buddy?”

“Yes, Lany. I be goodsssk.”

Dallan straightened. “See that ye are.” He turned to Shona. “Ye have the map?”

“Yes. If Markhel is right, which I’m sure he is, they’re still in a rural area in Jersey, just outside of Cranbury.”

“Good, they havena moved Melvale or his mate.”

Markhel closed his eyes. “I cannot sense him, but last night, he was very much awake.”

“Aye, I felt him too,” Dallan said.

“He is trying to bond with her,” Kwaku said. “As much as he can under de circumstances.”

“So long as he keeps it up,” Halden said. “I imagine we’ll find them in no time.”

“Agreed,” Dallan said. “Let’s go.” He turned to Markhel. “Secure yer mate, man. We have to leave.”

Markhel nodded and went to Maida who was standing quietly in one corner of the room. “Come, little one.” He took her by the hand and left the apartment.