Page 138 of The Alpha

“Or a coffee place. I could use a latte.” She yawned again then shook her head. “Wow, was I out or what?” Pari blinked a few times and took in her surroundings.

Melvale sighed. He wanted her in his arms again, but she was waking up, and once she did, her fear would grip her once more. That was his biggest enemy right now, and he planned to thwart it at every turn.

He looped one of her arms around his and guided her out of the trees to a paved path. It connected with another, and he knew this one would take them out of the park. She walked beside him and rested her head against his arm at one point, then jerked away, realizing what she was doing.

Yes, she was awake now. Blast it.

“Library,” she said and extracted herself from his arm. She picked up the pace, and he kept up easily with his long legs.

When they reached the library, she ran up the steps to the main entrance doors, entered, then cut left across the largelobby. He followed, his eyes scanning their surroundings. When she darted inside the ladies’ room, he kept a watchful eye and spotted Kwaku standing outside the library’s glass front doors. He sensed Zara but didn’t see her.

When Pari came out of the restroom she gazed at him as if seeing him for the first time. “So, did we… fall asleep in the park?”

A slow smile curved his lips. “You did.”

She facepalmed. “I am so sorry!”

“Don’t be.” Before he could say another word, Zara was at his side.

“Take care of your needs, Melvale. I will take care of Pari.” She smiled at Pari and motioned her to the library’s large lobby.

Pari blushed. “Oh, yeah. I guess you probably gotta go too.” She headed for the lobby, and he smiled again. She was even adorable talking about using the restroom.

When they left the building, Kwaku and Zara walked a few yards behind them to give them some privacy. After questioning Kwaku and Zara if they’d been out seeing the sights, Pari didn’t say much until they reached Franklin Street. Once there she headed straight for a coffee place. Melvale bought her a latte and a smoothie for himself. Kwaku and Zara bought their own treats and coffee, and Melvale remembered what Kwaku said about getting Pari a goodie. “Do you want a cookie or anything to go with that?”

“Maybe later.” She sipped her latte. “Okay, actually, one of those Rice Krispie treats looks good.”

Melvale smiled and got back in line. Kwaku and Zara moved closer to Pari and stayed with her while he purchased her treat. He was going to have to learn everything she liked.

Treats and drinks in hand, they started off. Melvale hadn’t taken two steps out the door when he stopped, his headwhipping right toward her apartment, and pulled Pari back into the coffee shop.

“What is it?” Kwaku asked in a low voice.

Melvale looked him in the eyes. “King Jaireth is here.”

Kwaku frowned. “He is noting to worry about.”

“No, but I picked up another scent.” He held a stunned Pari tightly against him. “The doctor’s men are here too.”

44

Before Pari could so much as blink, Zara was in front of her. “You must stay calm, child.”

Her voice was soothing, and Pari blinked a few times to keep her eyes open. The warmth that suddenly surrounded her was akin to the blissful peace she’d experienced while being held by Melvale.

Wait a minute! What did he just say? “Doctor’s men?”

“It is all right,” Zara said in that same soothing voice.

Pari felt Melvale’s entire body stiffen. He had an arm around her, pinning her to the front of his body. His smoothie was still in one hand, a huge sugar cookie in the other. She couldn’t see his face, but the low growl he emitted was hard to miss. She managed to turn around, despite his tight hold. “You mean Dr. Charles?”

His eyes started to glow.

Quick as a flash, Kwaku grabbed a pair of sunglasses off a customer as he was trying to maneuver around them to the door.

“Hey man! What gives?!” the young man groused.

“How about tree hundred dollars?” Kwaku said with a grin. He held up the cash as he handed the glasses to Zara, who quickly put them on Melvale.

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