Page 38 of The Alpha

Halden smiled. "We're making spaghetti. We watched Pari make it and thought we'd give it a try."

Markhel looked at the pot on the stove and peeked into it. "Smells good. But I am hungry now." He eyed the refrigerator.

“This will be ready in a few moments," Raina said happily.

Halden's smile faded. "Zara said you found something." His eyes flicked to Raina and back. "Shouldn't you be searching now?"

"I must eat. Do you not leave for patrol properly prepared?"

“Of course," Halden said.

"I am preparing." He sat at the kitchen table and watched them with narrowed eyes.

"That's not unnerving at all," Halden drawled.

"Hmmm," was all Markhel said.

"As soon as the pasta is done, we can eat," Raina announced. She looked at Markhel, and he caught the worry in her eyes. "What if we can't..."

"Do not speak it.” He was resolute. "We will find them."

"How can you be so sure?" she asked.

He took a deep breath and let it out. "Because eventually my brother will let the Alpha side of him rise up and take over.Once that happens, there is no mistaking the power that will be unleashed."

Halden and Raina's eyes went wide. "How much power?" Halden asked.

Markhel smiled slyly.

"Never mind, I don't want to know." Halden dumped a package of pasta into a pot of boiling water. "So that's why you don't seem worried about finding them?"

"I am worried," Markhel declared. "I worry Melvale will leave none alive for us to question."

Raina exchanged a look with Halden.

"Will he really...?" Raina began.

"Melvale will try his best not to kill anyone. He is trained to injure only, and to kill only when he must. But an Alpha operates on pure instinct. The two must merge."

"How does that happen?" Raina asked.

Markhel stared at the stove. "He must touch his mate. Ideally, hold her, for a long period of time. Days, preferably. Perhaps weeks.”

Raina stirred the pasta. "This is so much more complicated than what we went through."

"Yes," Markhel agreed. "It is. But of all my people, he is the wisest choice to rise as Alpha among us. He is wise, educated in many things, and has mercy." He looked them in the eyes. "He will make an excellent Alpha for my people and yours."

Before Halden or Raina could comment, Dallan entered the kitchen. "Something smells familiar."

"We're having spaghetti," Raina announced. “It's almost done." She gave Dallan an expectant look. “Melvale?”

The Time Master sighed. "Other than the glimpse Markhel had, we’ve no found anything. My guess is, they've taken Melvale and Pari out of the city. Perhaps out of the state."

"How are we to get to them?" Halden asked.

Dallan pinched the bridge of his nose. "I've fetched us a driver."

Markhel's eyebrows shot up. "Kitty?"

---