Page 109 of The Alpha

Pari stopped a moment and stared at him as he proceeded down the stairs. Zara caught up to her. “Give him a chance, young one. He does not yet know how to navigate these waters.”

She turned her gaping face to the beautiful woman. “What?”

Zara chuckled. “You have much to learn. And you have been through a lot.” She gave her a knowing look. “I will help you with him.”

She swallowed hard. “Help with what?”

Zara smiled. “Understanding him.”

“But… why do I need to?”

Zara’s eyes turned sympathetic. “There is such brokenness in you, child. You cannot see or believe what is happening.” She put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. “Come, let us catch up to our men.”

Pari’s breath caught on the words “our men” and it took her a moment to get moving again. Zara waited for her and remained at her back. So, she was protecting them as was Kwaku. Okay. She wasn’t going to argue with that.

When they reached the first floor, Uncle Al stepped out of his apartment. “Where are you going?”

Pari looked at her little party and shrugged. “The store.”

“We are cooking,” Kwaku said proudly.

Melvale eyed the door leading into the vestibule and the street beyond. His eyes were slightly narrowed, and she wondered what he might be thinking.

“Pari, what’s with the pink hair?” Uncle Al asked. “And your tattoos. I knew there was something different about you!” Hestepped out of his apartment and looked her up and down. “You look great, kid.”

She smiled, hugged him, then let him go. “We’ll be back.”

“Do you need money?” Uncle Al asked.

“No,” Melvale said. “We are prepared to purchase what we need but thank you for offering to help her.” He faced him. “She will want for nothing.”

Uncle Al gaped at him. “What?”

“Never mind,” Pari said and gave Melvale a shove toward the door.

“Are the two of you really dating?” Uncle Al asked as she went into the vestibule. “And do you have your key?”

“Yes, Uncle Al!” She called as they went through the second door to outside.

As soon as they went down the stoop’s steps, Melvale stopped and took in a long, deep, breath. He then sniffed the air a few times. “This way.” He started down the front walk.

“What?” Before she could move, he’d reached the sidewalk.

“Let him hunt,” Kwaku said next to her. “You will stay with us, little treasure.”

“But…” Her face screwed up. “Wait a minute, hunt?” Kwaku put a hand on her shoulder and guided her to the sidewalk. There was no sign of Melvale. Pari looked up one side of the street then the other. “Where did he go?”

Zara joined them. “Kawahnee,” she said in awe. “He has speed.”

“Yes, Pretty One. His Alpha’s attributes are surfacing. He will be difficult to control, I fear. Unless…” He looked down at Pari. “You control him.”

“What?! Me?!” Pari had no idea what they were talking about.

“We have much to talk about,” Zara said again. “But first, let us follow him as best we can. You know where he is going, Kahwanee.”

“Yes.” He looked down at Pari again. “You, little treasure, will find him.”

“What?” Sandwiched between the two, she looked at one then the other. They were both so tall, she was going to get a kink in her neck in no time. “What do you mean? He’s gone.”

---