Page 114 of The Alpha

Kwaku began sniffing the different fruits and vegetables and putting them in a basket Zara had the foresight to grab when they entered. Pari was so wrapped up in the looks they were getting, she hadn’t thought to get a basket.

She blew out a long breath to calm herself and tried to focus on why they were here. She glanced up at Melvale who was staring at the packaged carrots like they were from outer space. Of course, to him they were.

“Um, carrots,” she said and nodded at them.

“Yes, they are.” He pointed to the broccoli. “Tiny green trees.”

She laughed. “You are such a dork.”

“Why, because I said what they are?”

“Brah-co-lee,” she sounded out.

He smiled, his eye alight with… oh my, what was that? Not desire, this was something else. Affection?

She cleared her throat. “It’s called broccoli.”

“Of course it is.” His smile grew. “Do you need some?”

“I… well…” what could she say?Sure, I’ll get some, seeing as how I’m not going back to your palace with you?But Dr. Charles was still out there, and without these people to protect her, she was a sitting duck. “Will I have time to make something with it?”

He closed the distance between them as Kwaku and Zara moved on to another section of the store. Melvale took her hands in his. “You can bring it with us, if you like. But you cannot stay behind, my little one. No matter how much you wish to.”

Pari swallowed hard as tears stung the backs of her eyes. That’s not what she wanted to hear, but he was right. She was going to have to suck it up and return to the palace with them. “What about my uncles?”

“They will be watched. We have warriors trained to be discreet. If that foul doctor and his men are still sniffing around, they won’t know the difference between a Muiraran and a human.”

“How can you be sure? They managed to get their hands on you,” she pointed out.

“They got lucky. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”

“But…”

He gave her hands a squeeze. “I saw you were in danger the first time I saw you and attacked on pure instinct to rescue you. Perhaps if I’d had better self-control…”

Pari shook her head. “No, Melvale.” She looked at their hands. “Bondrah… he had control.”

He let go a shaky breath. “You have no idea how hearing you say that name affects me.” He held her hands tighter and pulled her close. “Pari Mae, my sweet little kitten.” He gave her a wide smile. “Allow me to get to know you better.” He bent to her and drew in a long breath through the nose. “You smell of summer and happiness, did you know that?”

She shook her head. “You are so odd.” Her voice came out a whisper.

“Better odd than insane,” he quipped. “I might have a few eccentricities, but therearethose that are mad, such as that doctor fellow.” His eyes narrowed a moment before he let his smile take over again. “Come, before Kwaku has to fetch us.”

He led her by the hand through the produce section and rounded the corner. Kwaku and Zara were inspecting the meat; neither looked their way as they approached, and Pari had a feeling the two had zeroed in on their conversation. Didn’t Raina tell her Muirarans had excellent hearing?

When they caught up to them, Pari noticed they had the ingredients for stir fry in the basket. There was also an assortment of fruits, some sausage links, and a loaf of French bread.

Melvale discreetly sniffed the air before his head snapped to Kwaku.

“Yes, you can smell it,” Kwaku drawled.

Pari’s heart rate picked up. “Smell what?” she asked in a quiet voice.

Melvale squeezed her hand. “Gun powder. Someone in here is armed.” His eyes narrowed again, and his upper lip pulled back from his teeth a bit.

Pari watched him carefully. No fangs descended, but she noticed how his muscles had tightened. He was on high alert. She looked at Kwaku and Zara, who looked as relaxed as before. Like they’d just come from a photo shoot depicting a tennis match at a country club.

Kwaku closed his eyes a moment, his head slightly cocking to one side. “It is not a concern, Alpha.”

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