Page 179 of The Alpha

Dallan joined him. “Ye best hope she starts referring to ye as her boyfriend.”

“I’m trying,” he sang in a low voice “She’s scared. So scared.”

“Aye. This might prove tougher than any of us thought.”

“I’d give her the world if I could, Time Master.”

Dallan sighed. “Melvale, from what I understand about this Alpha business, ye well could.”

Melvale looked at him and realized it was true. “Oh, stab me. And here I was fretting over providing her with a halfway decent wardrobe.”

Dallan smiled. “One step at a time. Ye might start with that bag she fancies.”

“Yes, and what about you?”

He glanced at Shona and smiled. “I’d give her the world as well. But I’m no the one equipped to do it. The sooner ye can win Pari’s heart the better, man. Remember that.” He patted Melvale on the back, then went to join his wife and if Melvale’s guess was right, rescue poor Archer.

He rejoined Pari who appeared to be deciding between two different wallets. A red one and a black one. “The black,” Melvale said.

She gave him a shy smile. “Because it goes with everything?”

“Precisely. This means you can get another bag.”

The saleswoman grinned. “Anything you have in mind?”

Melvale glanced around then smiled at Pari. “Whatever my friend wants.”

Pari smiled back. “Thank you.”

Melvale’s eyes raked over her. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Now all he had to do was convince her of that. “It’s my pleasure.”

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Pari clutched her shopping bag as if someone would snatch it from her at any moment. She’d never owned anything so fine, and though she’d thanked Melvale for the gift ten times over in the last half hour, she still felt guilty for letting him buy the bag and matching wallet for her.

They rode up the old wooden escalators to another floor, and Melvale began sorting through some of the women’s clothing. Pari watched him, realized what he was doing, and made a sound.

He looked up. “Yes, Kitten?”

“Um, why are you looking at women’s clothes?”

He smiled. “For you, of course.” He pulled a little black dress off a rack. “Hmmm…”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, um, that’s too fancy for me.”

He arched an eyebrow at her. “Is it?” Melvale studied her a moment. “Size six?”

She blushed. “Y-yes.”

“Bordering on an eight is my guess.” He looked the dress over then put it back. “Let’s try the eight.”

She tried not to laugh. “Um, I…”

He held up a hand. “Let me do the shopping here.”

Her jaw dropped. “What?”

Shona joined them, several dresses draped over one arm. “Let him dress you,” she whispered in her ear. “Trust me, he’s good at it.”

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