Page 189 of The Alpha

Dr. Merrill gaped at him then quickly collected himself. “The pleasure is all mine, Melvale.” They shook hands, and Pari found herself inching closer to her “boyfriend.” She didn’t know what this was going to entail, only that something had changed. Something… big.

She watched as Dr. Merrill and Melvale spoke a few moments about her new friends’ travel plans and when they might be returning. Melvale told him they’d be gone at least a month if not longer, and that Pari would contact him to make her next appointment.

Dr. Merrill gave Pari a heartfelt look as she and Melvale prepared to leave. “I’m proud of you, Pari.” He leaned toward her. “Don’t let your fear rule you. Be present. Be brave.”

Pari smiled, shook his hand, and together, she and Melvale left the office.

59

Dr. Charles poured himself another drink. She was back, and he wanted this little meeting to go smoothly. But even he needed something to brace himself with. The creature he’d aligned himself with was more than a little interested in the Muirarans, and though he’d thought to cage her, he could get more of what he wanted working with the thing. What she was, she hadn’t fully disclosed, despite the time they’d spent together. But one thing was clear, she hated Muirarans, and that was something they had in common.

Okay, hate was a strong word. He loved the one he’d had in his possession and couldn’t wait to get his hands on him again. He could study his prize for years, so long as he could keep him alive for that long.

“You’re late.”

Dr. Charles jumped, almost spilling his drink. “Youare early.” He faced the cloaked figure.

A scaly bony hand reached out and pointed at him. “You let him escape.”

He cringed. Her voice was like fingernails on a chalkboard. Rough, raspy, and at times, almost squeaky. “There was a situation.”

She approached, tossing back the hood of her cloak, exposing her hair and features. Her skin was almost reptilian, her face a cross between something humanoid and a lizard. Her eyes were surprisingly human-looking though. And her long hair was white with wide swaths of black. She was hunched, as if someone bent her and she couldn’t straighten up. She had a mouth full of pointed teeth and a wicked smile he learned was always a bad sign for him. She was wearing it now, and he did his best not to cringe. He needed her technology and by golly, he was going to do whatever it took to get it.

“You are a fool, Dr. Charles,” she hissed at him.

He heaved a sigh. “And what have I done to displease you this time, Lida?” He clasped his hands behind his back and waited for her venomous reply.

“You had him!” She made a fist and hit the table, cracking it.

He sighed again. “Try to refrain from breaking my furniture, hmm? It’s not in the budget to replace any.”

She sneered at him. “What happened?”

He went to a chair while sipping his drink and sat. “While you were off galivanting to who knows where, we captured him. My prize from Hawaii.”

“Yes, then you lost him,” she sneered. “But you also captured another.”

“True, but unfortunately, she got away as well.”

“She?!”

“Yes, a female.”

“Muiraran?”

“No, human. But a most curious one.” He sipped his brandy, wishing he’d poured a bigger drink.

The creature Lida paced to the other side of the meeting room and back. “How did he react to this human?”

“One could say he was quite taken with her if his actions were any indicator.”

Lida let out a wail. “No!”

Dr. Charles’ eyebrows shot to the ceiling, and he eyed the brandy decanter on the other side of the room. “No?” he managed to say calmly.

She closed the distance between them and stood before his chair. “You worthless insect. What have you done? What have you kept from me?”

Unable to help it, Dr. Charles waved a hand in front of his face. Her breath was rancid. “I captured my prize. To do so I needed some bait. He seemed rather interested in protecting the young lady whilst she was being harassed by a group of human males.”

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