Page 33 of The Alpha

Dallan rubbed his chin in thought as he continued to stare out the window at the street below.

The doctor could have seen footage, figured out dates, and decided Pari was the easier target. They obviously also figured out that she was what Melvale was after. “So, they broke into this place and were waiting for her.”

“What was that?” Shona asked beside him.

He shook his head. “All this technology, as ye call it, Flower. I dinna think I like it.”

“I’m sure it does a lot of good. I’m fascinated by it.”

“It scares me,” he admitted.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked out the window. “You don’t have to be scared. Technology has nothing on you.”

He smiled down at her. “If that were true, then Melvale would still be here.”

Her face fell, and she snuggled against him.

Dallan held her, knowing she was thinking the same thing he was. If these men could take down Melvale, then they might be able to take down any one of them. And that meant, none of them were safe.

12

"Wakie, wakie..."

Pari opened her eyes. She was still on the floor of her cell, one hand against the wall between her and the alien man. His hand was in line with hers, touching the glass wall. He faced her, eyes closed, and she wondered if they'd tranquilized him again.

"Come on, wake up."

She recognized Oswald's voice and raised her head to look at him. She frowned when she caught sight of Dr. Charles just behind him, a pleasant sort of anticipation wrapped up in his smile. Whatever he had planned, he was going to enjoy it. Was it her murder?

She swallowed hard and slowly climbed to her feet, her eyes on their other prisoner. He'd not left her side all night. The thought touched her, and she wished she knew what compelled him to try to stay so close.

"Good morning, Miss Lindir," Dr. Charles greeted. "Sleep well?"

She glared at him and said nothing.

Dr. Charles smiled and held up a syringe. "I've made something just for you. A little cocktail to rid me of deadweight." He gave her a wicked grin, and she sank to her knees, unable to help herself. So, this was it.

She shook her head as reality sank its ugly teeth into her. "You monster..."

"Hmmm, most think of me as a savior. The one to rid mankind of the Muiraran threat. Of course, in my line of work there are always casualties, but I'm sure you're smart enough to realize that."

"Doctor?" Oswald said and turned to face him. "What...?"

"Well don't just stand there, Oswald. Bring her out. I've got work to do."

Oswald's eyes rounded to saucers. "Sir?"

"Get on with it," he snapped.

Oswald looked at the syringe in the doctor's hand. "I thought we were going to run more tests on the female."

"Femalehuman, man. She's worthless. Like I said, deadweight. I need to be rid of her."

Oswald's eyes widened further. "But Dr. Charles..."

"For Pete's sake, Oswald, if you can't follow a simple order, then I'll have Mr. Vance take care of her."

Oswald's eyes flicked past him to the doors behind them. Pari could see a man dressed in dark green through the small window in one of the doors. He wore some sort of beret. Was he military?

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