Page 143 of The Alpha

“Yes?” He bent to her again, his eyes brightening.

Pari couldn’t believe it, she was fidgeting. “No one else can call you Bondrah but me, right?”

“That’s right.” He smiled and to her surprise, including half the room given the murmurs around them, rubbed his nose playfully against hers. “Only you may call me that.”

“So… should I call you Melvale like, now, when we’re with all these people?” She had to make sure, considering she could summon the Alpha side of him using that name.

“As you wish, Kitten,” he said and straightened.

She was about to comment when a siren sounded outside. It grew closer, then passed the building and began to fade, but not much.

Another siren sounded, and Uncle Al left the room. “I wonder if there’s a fire someplace.”

The Muiraran king and his people all stared wide-eyed at Melvale before shifting positions and looking at anything but him.

Pari also looked at him. “Melvale, are you okay?”

“I am fine.” He bent to her again. “And you are safe.”

“Kwaku,” King Jaireth said. He nodded toward the front door.

Kwaku, Zara, and the guy that looked like a genie, Simon, left the apartment.

Shona blew out a breath. “Okay.” She nodded to herself. “We can handle this.”

Dallan also let out a breath. “Should we take them and leave, Your Majesty?”

“No.”

All eyes became fixed on Melvale. He tucked Pari against him again. “She does not wish to leave yet.”

“Are ye sure, man?” Dallan asked as another siren sounded. “Ye canna be drawing attention to yerself, ye ken.”

“I have not.”

“Are you sure?” King Jaireth drawled as he glared at him.

Pari studied the king. He looked… nervous?

“You needn’t worry, Your Majesty,” Melvale said. He led Pari to the dining table, pulled out a chair for her at the opposite end, and motioned her to sit. She did, and he sat beside her. “Let us play a game.”

King Jaireth drew in a breath and let it go, asanothersiren sounded. “By the Creator…” He facepalmed and let his hand slide down to his chin.

Melvale smiled at him. “I will do nothing to endanger Pari, King. That includes, drawing attention to myself.”

Pari watched the two face off. Melvale reached under the table, took one of her hands in his, and gave her a tender smile. “Are you hungry?”

“Archer, Kitty, and Geran are bringing back food,” Shona volunteered and smiled at Pari. “Burgers and fries.”

She smiled back, unsure of what to do. Everyone acted so nervous earlier but seemed to be relaxing little by little.

The buzzer sounded again, and this time Shona got up to answer it. Melvale let go her hand and stood, his eyes brightening.

“It is only Archer and the others,” King Jaireth said. “Calm yourself, Alpha.”

Melvale stood behind Pari’s chair, blocking any view of her from whomever entered.

The smell of food wafted in, and her stomach growled. She turned in her chair as several newcomers made their way into the dining room.

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