Page 154 of The Alpha

She glanced at Kitty then did as he asked. He knew she liked this side of him, even if she thought of him as a dork and came across a little bit, well, what she might think of as femmy. He seemed perfectly harmless to her when he was like this. A far cry from the powerful Alpha side of him.

Kwaku entered the room and stood before them, hands on hips. “Alpha Melvale, are you all right?”

Melvale’s dark eyebrows shot up. “Of course. Did you know these girls are planning a Christmas party? Won’t that be fun?” He put an arm around Pari, pulled her close, and grinned like a loon.

Kwaku’s eyes widened. “Hmmm…” He looked at Pari. “Little treasure, will you stand next to Kitty?”

Pari looked at Melvale, who shrugged and let her go. She slowly left the bed and crossed the room to where Kitty stood.

“Thank you,” Kwaku said with a smile. “Melvale, get up.”

Melvale blinked a few times and stood.

Kwaku grinned and promptly punched him in the face.

“Ow! What was that for?” Melvale cried, his hands covering his nose.

Kwaku’s own face twisted up in confusion. “Where is de Alpha?”

“How should I know?” Melvale shot back. “Good riddance is all I can say. Maybe he’s taken the day off.”

Kwaku’s eyes narrowed. “And why would dat be?”

Melvale shrugged again. “Don’t ask me, I don’t recall seeing anything about this in the Alpha histories.”

Kwaku rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Neither have I. Dis is most curious.” He put an arm around Melvale. “Come wid me.” He smiled at Pari. “Plan your party, little treasure. We will be back momentarily.”

Kwaku dragged Melvale through the apartment and into the kitchen. “Out.”

“What?” Melvale said with raised eyebrows.

“De window. Out.” Kwaku crawled through the open kitchen window and scrambled up the fire escape ladder to the roof.

“Oh, out.” Melvale giggled and followed him.

Dallan was on the roof looking out over the city. He turned to them and eyed Melvale. “What is it?”

Kwaku tossed his head at him. “Dat is what I am trying to figure out. Watch.” He turned as Melvale caught up to them and punched him in the face again.

“Ow! Will you stop doing that?!” he groused.

Dallan peered at him. “Why is he no trying to kill ye?”

Kwaku shrugged. “Dat is just it. Dere is no sign of de Alpha.”

Dallan walked up to Melvale and looked him over.

“Donothit me!” Melvale ordered. “I might feel a little more than my normal self this morning, but that doesn’t mean you two can use me for a punching bag.”

Dallan crossed his arms as he studied him. “Yer eyes are normal, yer voice, well, a bit dandier than it usually is. What’s happened?”

“I don’t know, I woke up this way,” Melvale said. He glanced over his shoulder at the fire escape ladder. “Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got a party to plan.” He turned on his heel and set off.

Kwaku and Dallan each grabbed him by a shoulder and pulled him back. “Yer no going anywhere just yet, Alpha Melvale.”

Melvale let go a tiny groan. “Do you have to call me that?”

Dallan studied him some more. “What’s wrong with him?”

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