Page 15 of The Alpha

Al looked Dallan up and down, then took in Zara. He whistled long and low. “You’re gorgeous, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

Zara smiled. “Thank you.” She looked toward the door leading into the spare bedroom and disappeared after Kwaku.

Halden turned to Raina. “Let’s take Al downstairs and fill him in.”

“Are you sure?” she hedged.

“Quite.” He looked at Dallan. “Good luck.”

Dallan gave him a curt nod and sauntered toward the kitchen, Shona right behind him. Halden wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. All he did know was that poor Melvale was unpredictable, and that the Time Masters were going to have to make sure he didn’t cause a scene if they brought him here. Halden and Raina had seen what Melvale became when he caught Pari’s scent.

When he saw her being harassed by that cad Jeffrey and his friends, the Muiraran Time Keeper went crazy, leapt across an entire street, and would have made short work of Pari’s tormentors if not for Dallan, Kwaku, and Melvale’s brother, Markhel. The three of them were able to subdue Melvale long enough for Kwaku to open a door and get them all back to the palace. There had to be witnesses, and perhaps that had something to do with Pari’s disappearance. All they could do for now was track her, find her, and bring her back to the palace.

“You want me to do what?”Melvale squeaked.

Kwaku gave Zara an almost pained look, before giving his attention back to him. “Drink dis.” He held up a goblet filled with a red mixture of some sort.

“What is it?” Melvale asked, suspicious.

“Someting to help you concentrate while you help us track.”

“Track what?” Melvale looked past them. “Where are the others?”

Zara stepped forward. “Do you want to get out of the containment area?”

“Yes, of course… oh,” Melvale stopped and looked at them. “You want me to stay calm, is that it?”

Kwaku gave him a grave look. “It is de only way you can do dis widout doing damage. Your Alpha must stay calm to track.”

Melvale heaved a sigh and stuck a hand through the bars. “Oh, very well. Give me that.”

Kwaku handed him the goblet. “Drink all of it. We cannot take any chances.”

“Fine,” Melvale groused. “But don’t think for one minute I’m going to make a habit of downing your concoctions every timeI’m not feeling myself. The other side of me, he’ll calm down soon enough.”

Kwaku raised an eyebrow. “We shall see. Now drink.”

Melvale sighed again, glanced at Zara, who was giving him a sympathetic look, and shook his head in resignation. “Well, bottoms up.” He drained the goblet, grimacing when he handed it back to Kwaku. “I hope this works.”

Kwaku smiled. “Trust me, it always works.”

Melvale was about to comment, when his vision blurred. “Oh, stab me, there’s three of you!” He peered at a beaming Kwaku. “Are we leaving now?” He looked at Zara, giggled, then crumpled to the floor.

Melvale opened one eye,then the other. There was an off-white ceiling above him, and he had to blink a few times to clear his vision. “Wh-what…?”

“Melvale…”

He knew that voice but couldn’t quite place it. Then it hit. The most wondrous scent! His eyes went wide as he sat up and took a big whiff. His breathing picked up; one word etched in his mind.Mate.

He pulled his upper lip back from his teeth and sniffed again. “Where is she?”

The voice was low, almost a growl. Was it his? He blinked a few times, but the scent assailing him was too intoxicating to ignore.Mate!

In one swift move he was on his feet, eyes wide.

“Easy now, Melvale,” the familiar voice said. “Keep control.”

He was unsteady, his body swaying, as he took in the dark-haired man before him. “Time Master…”

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