Page 117 of The Alpha

“What extent?” She wasn’t exactly giving him a narrow-eyed gaze, but she wasn’t being casual either. This was serious stuff, and part of her was afraid to ask too many questions for fear she wouldn’t like the answers.

“Our hearts must be compatible to another’s. We have two, you see.”

Her eyes went wide. “Two hearts?”

“Yes, one physical, the other, well, physical to an extent and with a mind of its own.”

“Is it an organ? Like your liver or kidneys?”

He smiled. “Yes and no, it is… us.” He pointed to himself. “Almost like our soul, but not.”

She gulped. “You do have a soul, right?”

“Oh yes, and a spirit connected to the Creator.” He gave her a heartfelt smile. “Surely you know Him.”

She gaped at Melvale. “Are you… talking about God?”

“Mmm,” he said with a small nod.

Pari eyes went wide. She didn’t know what to say to that, so moved on. “So, this second heart, what does it do?”

“It looks for another’s heart to join with. The two become one and reside within the couple.”

“Inside both people?” She blinked a few times, trying to wrap her head around what he was saying.

“More or less, yes. Would you like to see?” He left the bed. “I can have Kwaku and Zara show you their joined heart.”

She shook her head. “No! I mean, not right now.” Really, there was only so much she could take in her own home. She wanted to come here to feel more grounded, but somehow, it wasn’t working. Maybe she should stop asking questions.

“Sit,” she urged and licked her lips. “Tell me… tell me what you …” Good grief, she had a drop-dead gorgeous alien man sitting next to her, and she couldn’t think of what else to say?!

“How about this.” Melvale took her by the hand. “Let’s sit here a moment in the quiet.”

Pari’s face screwed up in confusion. “Huh?”

He put a finger to his lips. “Shhh.” He gave her hand a squeeze, then gazed at the wall in front of them.

She gaped at him, before she looked around the room, then sat still. The sound of the shuttle train pulling out of the station across the street caught her attention, then faded as the train moved further and further away. She could hear some people talking and laughing as they passed by on the sidewalk below. There was the sound of traffic and the sounds of foodpreparation in the kitchen. It was a homey sound that made her relax, and she realized all the sounds were of home.

Pari closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of her apartment. The lemon scented candle she liked, the smell of laundry softener, the building’s own distinct scent. All of it was home.

“That’s it, my beauty,” Melvale murmured next to her. “You are safe here. Comfortable. So long as you’re with me.”

Pari’s heart skipped a beat at the word “beauty”, and she opened her eyes. “You… you think I’m…”

“Beautiful?” he finished.

She nodded without looking at him. Maybe it was just some endearment and there was nothing behind it. Man, was she insecure or what?

He leaned toward her ear. “Yes, little one, I think you are very beautiful.”

She sucked in a breath, unable to help it, as a massive tingle went up her spine.

He drew closer. “Beauty beyond compare.”

This time she shivered as all thought left. She tried to talk but couldn’t form any words. Good grief, he’d rendered her speechless!

“You don’t believe me,” he whispered into her ear. “But you will, Kahtala Miah. You will know your worth in my eyes, even though you cannot grasp it now.” He drew closer still. “I will show you, Pari Mae. I will teach you.”

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