Page 77 of The Alpha

He blinked a few times. “I have no idea what that is.”

“What did ye say earlier about the doctor?” the Scot demanded. “He was right about what?”

Peter closed his eyes and sighed. He might as well talk. At least he’d live a little longer.

He opened his eyes and gave the three men a resigned look. “Dr. Charles knows about your race. The Muirarans. He captured some that were of mixed blood. Human and Muiraran. He got them to talk, and one of them, a younger one, told us a few things.”

“What happened to de oders?” Kwaku asked.

Peter sighed. “They refused to talk, so he killed them.”

Kwaku sucked air through his nose, his eyes narrowing to slits. The Scot looked like he was about to punch holes in the stone walls, and the white-haired Markhel… his back was to Peter. The air around him began to shimmer.

“What’s happening?” Peter asked with no small amount of concern.

Even Tylahs turned on his chest to look. “Uh-ohsssk.”

“Kwaku, get him out of here!” the Scot yelled.

They grabbed Markhel, shoved him out of the cell, and closed the door, locking themselves inside.

Peter yelped as the shimmering air around Markhel increased, and he turned into a huge black lion. The thing was as big as a horse! The beast lunged at the bars, bending them inward, several of them breaking, and let out a long, loud, roar. The animal’s hot breath blew Peter’s hair from his forehead, causing Tylahs to jump onto the arm of Kwaku and run up to his shoulder to hide.

There was no doubt in Peter’s mind that he’d soiled himself that time.

25

When Pari and Raina returned to the living area of Melvale’s quarters, they found him near the tall shimmering gold curtains. He had one forearm braced against the wall, his head resting against it.

“I should leave the two of you alone,” Raina said.

Pari didn’t want her to go but didn’t want to beg her to stay either. She hated her weakness, the crying, the fear. “Okay,” she said with little enthusiasm.

Raina gave her a sympathetic look. “I must get back to Halden. I’ll explain later why.” She looked at Melvale. “He can tell you if you ask him.” She hugged Pari. “I’ll see you soon.”

Pari nodded, everything around her winding to a standstill. An odd sort of numbness came over her, and she wondered, not for the first time that day, if she was going into some sort of shock.

Raina let her go. “You should check out what’s behind the curtain. If it’s anything like mine and Halden’s quarters, it will be beautiful.” She gave Pari another little hug, then headed for the door.

Pari watched her go, then looked at Melvale. He stood perfectly still, as if he was afraid to move. “Are you okay?”

He raised his arm and rested his head against the wall itself. “I am sorry, Pari. I can’t help myself.”

“Oh, you mean the pool?” She took a few steps toward him. “Thanks for the clothes, by the way. They’re really cool.”

He lifted his head, but didn’t turn around. “I chose them for you. I was unsure what you would like. But considering the time we took you from…”

“2024…”

“Yes.”

She looked at the short-sleeved, light pink tee-shirt. It just reached the top of the Levi’s she wore. For shoes he’d picked her out a pair of Chucks with simple white socks. She’d never owned such expensive shoes. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He still hadn’t moved.

“Can I… come over there?” she hedged.

“Yes.” He lifted his head from the wall and looked up. “That would please me.”

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