Page 202 of The Alpha

She nodded. “I want to see what happens.”

He grinned. “Very well.” Melvale held her tighter, bent his face to hers, and gently kissed her.

It was very similar, she noticed, but not quite the same. The presence or power that accompanied the Alpha’s kiss wasn’t there, but it was still enjoyable. In fact, when Melvale broke the kiss, she licked her lips and asked. “Can we try that again?”

He smiled. “Why, Kitten, what’s gotten into you? Do I still need thirty days to prove myself?”

Pari gave him a heartfelt smile. “I’m not sure, but I’m beginning to thinkIneed that time.” In truth, she wanted to see where this would go. So long as she could feel a love growing for him, she was willing to take the risk and believe she could have something with this man, even if he wasn’t human. She was still distrusting of herself and her own decision making. She had to do this right and move slow, or it might all blow up in her face.

Melvale nodded. “Understood.” He brought his face to hers and kissed her again. And this time, Pari wanted to see what would happen if she kissed him back.

“Wow,” didn’t begin to describe it, and for a moment, she was kissing the whole man. No two separate sides of him, but the being he was meant to become. He was there for a second or two, his presence and power surrounding her, and then it just as quickly faded and there was only Melvale.

He broke the kiss. “I need your help, Pari.”

“You felt it too?”

He nodded. “Together we can fix this. I’m sure of it.”

She slowly nodded. “Then I’ll help you.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “Thank you, sweet one. You don’t know what that means to me.”

Pari wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m beginning to.” And she was. This wonderful man was trying so hard to become what he was meant to be, and in doing so, Pari sensed she would become what she was meant to be too.

Melvale held her closer. “Are you ready to return to the palace with me?”

She kissed him on the cheek. “I am.”

He drew back and smiled. “Good. Let’s pack your things.” He kissed her tenderly on the forehead, pulled her into his arms and stood. “I still think you should have let me buy you that black bag.”

Pari giggled as she rested her head against his shoulder and let him carry her into her bedroom to pack.

63

The next morning, in the foyer of Pari’s building…

“We’resure gonna miss you, Pariwink,” Uncle Al said and hugged her.

Pari hugged him back with everything she had. “I won’t be gone long. Maybe a month.” She caught the look on Melvale’s face. He was standing behind her uncle, his expression a combination of longing and a hint of… regret? Was he unsure if this was going to work out?

She drew back then went to Uncle Leo. “You two take good care of yourselves.”

“You’ll call us, won’t you?” Uncle Leo asked.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Melvale said. “It’s best not to have contact with those we have in our protective custody. Safer that way you know.”

“Oh, yeah,” Uncle Leo said. “But you’d better have her home in a month’s time buddy, or we’re gonna go a round.” He scowled at Melvale who gave her uncle a smile in return.

“You have my word,” Melvale said.

“I’d better,” Uncle Leo huffed. “Well, I gotta get to work.” He kissed Pari on the cheek. “You be careful, Pariwink.” He marched up to Kwaku and poked him in the chest. “And you, I want to see the police reports from all this!”

“As you wish. I will have dem sent to you.” Kwaku bowed with a chuckle.

Pari didn’t know what Kwaku had told her uncles. She was too wrapped up thinking about being back in the Muiraran palace. She would be safe there, that’s for sure, but part of her still worried over her relationship with Melvale. He’d been building one with her on her terms. But once in the palace, would it be more on his, and could she handle it? When she became panicked, there wasn’t a lot she could do about it. Her issues ran deep, and though Melvale had helped her with some of them, she knew she still had a long way to go.

Pari also knew that if anyone was going to screw this up, it would be her. She’d always known emotions were powerful, but after these last two weeks, she’d just come to realize how much.

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