Page 46 of The Alpha

Shona looked him in the eyes. “I know. Now get in the car.”

He took one last look at the van across the street, caught sight of Maida and Raina watching them through the front bay window of Al’s apartment, and gave them a nod.

Markhel started the van and pulled away from the curb.

Dallan took a deep breath, opened the back driver’s side door of the sedan and climbed in, scooting across the seat to make room for Shona. Lany sat in the front with Evan. The latter started the car, and they were off.

Shona rolled the windows down to ease his discomfort and took him by the hand. With all the windows down it wasn’t so bad, and he looked out at the passing scenery. Businesses, eateries, and eventually brownstones and some newer apartment buildings Archer said were built within the last year. Seemed the man had done his homework. Melvale would be proud.

They got on what Shona called a freeway and headed west. Eventually they came to a huge bridge and after crossing it, she informed him they were now on Staten Island, and would soon be in the state of New Jersey.

Shona pulled her hair back into a ponytail to keep it from flying every which way because of the open windows.

“D’ye wish me to put the windows up, Flower?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Evan said without hesitation.

“No problem here,” Lany chimed.

One of Tylahs’ legs popped up from the depths of the backpack. “I’m okaysssk!”

Dallan gave Shona a somber look, then gave it to the others. “I thank ye.”

Evan looked at him in the rearview mirror. “We’re all good, son.”

His heart stirred. “Thank ye,” he said again for no reason, other than the word “son.”

Shona put her hand on his leg and gave it a pat as she smiled. She then leaned her head against his shoulder. Of all the assignments they’d been on, this was, by far, the most dangerous, and everyone knew it. For if a foe could capture and contain one such as Melvale, and he a Muiraran Alpha, then what hope did the rest of them have if any of them were captured? The fact theycouldbe captured was unnerving enough, without thinking about what else might happen. They had to do this quickly, cleanly, and with as much stealth as possible.

They drove for at least another hour before Evan entered a small town. He looked at Dallan in the rearview mirror. “According to Markhel, he sensed Melvale close to this place.” He nodded at something ahead of them. “There’s a small park. We should stop don’t you think?”

“Aye, yer right. Pull over and park the car.” Dallan sent the order through his heart to Markhel’s, and soon the team had exited their vehicles and were gathered around a picnic table.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have all worn black,” Shona pointed out as a few passersby stared at them.

Kwaku ignored her and scanned the area, then closed his eyes.

Markhel did the same.

“Anything?” Dallan asked.

Kwaku shook his head. “Noting, Boyeee. We should wait here; he will have to wake up sometime.”

“Markhel?” Dallan asked.

He opened his eyes. “Kwaku is right. My brother sleeps or is unwillingly unconscious.”

“Most likely the latter,” Lany muttered to himself.

Archer looked around, spied a fast-food place across the street from the park and smiled. “Lunch is on me then.” He pulled a wad of cash out of his pants pocket.

“Good grief,” Evan cried. “Don’t wave that around!”

Archer stuffed the cash back in his pocket. “Who wants what?”

“How can you think of food at a time like this?” Evan asked.

“His heart feeds off of eating and enjoying his food,” Shona said.

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