Page 56 of The Alpha

She tapped him again.

His smile grew.

Pari smiled back. “Are you awake?”

No response. “Bondrah Miah?”

Nothing.

Pari let go a long sigh, then froze at the sound of the big wooden door opening.

“Pari?” a familiar voice whispered. “Pari, are you awake?”

She struggled against her handsome captor. “Over here!” She didn’t care if she wasn’t whispering. “Raina!”

“Pari!” but Raina’s voice was still low.

Raina hurried to the bed, Halden right behind her. She stopped up short, took one look at Pari’s predicament, and smiled. “Oh, I see the two of you are getting along nicely.”

Pari gaped at her. “He won’t let me go!”

Halden put a finger to his lips. “Shhh, donotwake him.”

Pari tried to struggle out of his hold. “He’s drugged or something, I don’t think he’s going to wake up.”

“He will eventually,” Halden warned in a whisper. “Now hold still.” He took Bondrah by the shoulder and pulled him onto his back.

Pari rolled with him, and now lay on top of him. “Oh, this is so much worse.”

Raina giggled.

“It’s not funny,” Pari hissed. “I’ve gotta go!”

“What?” Halden said.

“To the bathroom?” she shot back.

“Here, let us help you,” Raina said through another giggle.

Between the two of them, they managed to pry Bondrah’s arms off her, and she rolled free, almost falling off the couch, bed, or whatever it was.

Halden grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. “Are you all right? Are you injured?” His eyes flicked to Bondrah, and he slowly backed away pulling Pari with him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

He looked at her. “Take care of your business, then let’s get some food in you.” He looked at Bondrah again. “Don’t worry, I think we have time.”

She looked at the handsome alien. “What… what are you two doing here? What is this place?”

Raina took her by the arm. “Come with me.” She gave her a tug and pulled her toward the open arched doorway on the other side of the room.

“But…” Pari began.

“Let’s get you taken care of, then we can talk. Thank goodness this place has great plumbing.”

“But where are we?”

Raina didn’t answer. She pulled her through the arched doorway, down a richly paneled hallway, through something resembling a walk-through closet, and into an equally rich looking bedroom. “Wow,” Pari breathed as Raina kept going.

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