Page 102 of The Alpha

Barohn smiled. “As will our grandnephew. He always was an idiot. How the Creator could have chosen one such as him to wield such great power, we shall never know. But at least we have something to work with.” He reclined. “Do this well, and do not get caught. You know what will happen to us if you do.”

She gave him a single nod. “I will act with the greatest discretion. His little female won’t suspect a thing.”

“You are sure you sensed nothing from her?” He examined a fingernail. “Nothing at all?”

Timmohn shook her head. “No, nothing.”

He smiled at her. “You feared for your life.”

She met his gaze. “For but a moment. I could have controlled him.”

Barohn flew into hysterics.

Timmohn sighed and waited for him to collect himself. When he did, he stared her down. “Concentrate on his female, make sure she knows she is not worthy to be his mate. Make her desperate.”

She thought of the girl’s big blue eyes. They were full of curiosity, not fear when Melvale brought her out from behind him. That meant he still trusted his great aunt. Good. “She will bend to my will soon enough. But you must do your part.”

His eyes narrowed. “He will sense me out. No, she is our best path to controlling him. Become her advisor. Make her love you.”

She gave him a slight bow. “As you wish, mate.” Timmohn stood straighter. “I am hungry. My heart needs to feed.”

He gave her an appreciative smile. “As does mine.” He stood, approached, and looked her up and down. “In fact, I’m rather ravenous.”

She arched an eyebrow and smiled back just before he backhanded her across the face.

Her head snapped to one side, and when she looked at him, her lips parted for the brutal kiss that would come next. When it did, she bit him, hard, and their feeding began.

“Where is he?!”Jaireth snapped.

“I have no idea, Your Majesty,” Zerbe said. “A guard came upon them just as the door Time Master Kwaku opened was closing. He said wherever they stepped into was dark, he couldn’t make out anything.”

“He is your son, can you find him?” Jaireth asked. He was going to punish Kwaku when he returned. But then, if Melvale used his Alpha powers on him, Kwaku had no choice but to do ashe was bidden. “When you do find him, you’re going to have to have a talk with that boy.”

“He is no longer a boy, Your Majesty,” Zerbe pointed out.

Jaireth sighed. “You are right. He is not.”

There was a commotion in the hall outside his office, and the door opened. His youngest Mykhal poked his head in. “Father!”

Jaireth came around the huge desk. “What is it, my son? Has something happened?”

The boy entered, he was six and a half, and a mischief maker, but Jaireth would have him no other way. “She’s coming! You must hide me!”

The door opened again and Alasdair, Time Master Dallan’s young brother, who was no older than Mykhal, burst into the room followed by Vyn Mosgofian, the son of the Lord Councilor. “She’s right behind us!”

“Who is behind you?” Jaireth asked. “Speak!”

Mykhal’s eyes widened as a smile curved his mouth. “That human. We ah… are playing a game, Father.”

He exchanged a knowing look with Zerbe. “Kindly play it elsewhere, my son.” Jaireth bent to him. “I am working.”

Mykhal frowned. “You are always working.”

He straightened and looked down at the three boys. “Ruling takes a lot of time, child.” He eyed the door and sighed. “Very well, into the cabinet.” Jaireth glanced at Zerbe, who gave him a single nod.

The Muiraran judge went to the ornate cabinet behind him and opened a door. The high shelves were stacked with Jaireth’s precious books, but the lower part was open. The three boys hurried into it, giggling, and Zerbe closed the door. “You should not indulge them.”

Jaireth smiled. “This time I must.” He held up a finger. “Wait for it…”

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