Page 99 of The Alpha

“But… you can command him?” She nodded at the man bowing before them.

“Yes.”

Pari shook her head. “I’m confused.”

The bowed man began to chuckle deep in his throat.

“Rise, Time Master,” Melvale said.

The man straightened, took one look at her, and smiled. “Pari, Alpha Melvale.” He gave them a slight bow then looked Melvale in the eyes. “How can I be of service?”

“Take us to Pari’s home.”

“Uh, excuse me,” Pari said raising a hand. “But, um, can you put me down?”

Melvale looked at her. “No.”

“What?”

Both his eyebrows went up this time. “No.”

“But… didn’t you just tell me I can command you?”

“Yes.” He gave his attention back to the tall black man in the purple and yellow robes. “Take us now.”

Pari watched Melvale’s eyes grow brighter, and the other man bowed again. “As you command, Alpha Melvale.” He straightened, his eyes locked with Melvale’s for a moment beforeone of the most beautiful women Pari had ever seen came alongside him.

She smiled at Pari then looked at Melvale. The man beside her put his arm around her. “Pretty one, take us to Pari’s home.”

The woman looked at Pari, then Melvale, then bowed her head to them. “As you wish.”

The man spoke again, this time in another language. It sounded familiar, and she wondered if it was the same language Melvale spoke— or rather, Bondrah Miah—spoke to her when they were prisoners of Dr. Charles. The woman he spoke with earlier sounded like she was speaking it too.

Pari gaped when the man pulled the woman into his arms and kissed her! As soon as he broke the kiss, she started to sing.

“Close your eyes, little one.”

“What?”

“Close them. Tight.” Melvale’s eyes took on a different sort of intensity, and she sensed she’d better do as he said.

Pari squeezed her eyes shut as a rumbling sounded, then got louder. She buried her face in the crook of his neck as he held her tighter. She swore the ground shook beneath their feet as the beautiful woman’s voice grew louder. She could feel pure power surrounding then, and it was starting to freak her out.

“Hold on, little one,” Melvale spoke into her ear. His voice was surprisingly gentle, considering this was the unpredictable side of him. She really ought to come up with her own nickname for him. At least until she figured out what Bondrah meant.

“Shhh,” he whispered into her ear. “Do not be afraid.”

Good grief, had she just whimpered? Her ruminating about nicknames while an earthquake was taking place around them didn’t help to steady her nerves. But, wait… the shaking had stopped, and the noise was decreasing in volume. Melvale started to move, and it wasn’t long before a familiar scentpermeated her senses. She shivered, and knew she was home. But… how?

“You may open your eyes, little Pari.”

She did, heard her ragged breathing, and blinked in the pitch black. “Where are we?” Though she had a good idea. “Is this my building’s basement?”

“Yes, my little treasure,” said the other man.

Before she could say a word, the light came on. The woman stood near the bottom of the stairs, her hand still on the light switch. Pari gaped at the familiar surroundings, and tears welled in her eyes. “How is this possible?” She shook, unable to help it, as the tears flowed.

Melvale went down on one knee, then sat, cradling her in his lap. “Shhh, Kahtala Miah. You are safe. You are whole. And you are home. Do not cry, I cannot bear it.” He tucked her head beneath his chin and gently rocked her back and forth.

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