Page 70 of The Alpha

“Wait a minute,” Pari said. “Princess?!”

Raina stopped and turned. “I did say I had things to tell you.” She kept going and disappeared into the short hall.

Pari looked up at him. “What did you need to tell me?”

“I’m going to tell you where you are. And then,” he said with a sigh. “I’m going to tell you when you are.”

23

Pari’s jaw dropped. “Say what?”

He took her by the hand and led her to the chaise lounge. Her hand was so small in his, almost like a child’s. Pari was surprised his skin was soft, yet… not. She sensed the power in him, and knew without a shadow of a doubt, he could crush her windpipe with one of those hands. No matter how graceful and beautiful they were.

“Where are we?” she asked sounding calmer than she felt.

He sat, and they were almost at eye level. “We are on what you would refer to as the West Coast of the United States.”

Hadn’t Halden said as much earlier? “I’m not in New York? Not even upstate?”

“No. This is the West Coast, the Pacific Northwest, to be precise, or it was.”

Her heart dropped to her toes. “What do you mean, was?”

He gave her a sympathetic look, his eyes reminding her of a big sad puppy’s. “There was a war among your race. It caused considerable damage. Not to mention a change in weather patterns and climate.”

She blinked in disbelief. “What are you saying?”

He took her hands in his, and she wondered if it was to keep her from bolting from the room. “Pari, Kahtala Miah, you are in the far future. In the year 3698 to be exact.”

Yup, okay, it was a good thing he had a hold of her. She caught sight of the floor coming up to smack her in the face, but he caught her, pulling her against him. “Kitten!”

Her head lolled to one side as black spots assailed her vision. “No…”

“I’m afraid it’s true. This is where much of my race and a few others, reside. There is so much to tell you, I’m not sure where to begin. But first, you should spend time with Raina, get cleaned up.”

Pari realized she was on his lap, and looked at his face as he cradled her against him. “I’m not home.”

His eyebrows knit as he gazed at her. “That depends on who you’re asking.”

“What?” Pari blinked as she began to feel faint again. “Help…”

Melvale held her close, tucking her head against his chest. “It’s all right, Kitten. You’re safe here. Nothing can hurt you.”

“What about my uncles?” she asked against his chest.

He stiffened. “Raina and Halden spoke with them. They know you’re with me, and that you’re safe.”

She looked up at him. Her heart pounded in her chest. Partly because she just learned they’d time traveled, and partly because she was being held in the arms of the hottest guy ever. “Are we prisoners here too?”

The concern in his eyes almost did her in. “No, little one, of course not. This is my home.”

She swallowed hard as tears filled her eyes. She didn’t know why she was crying; other than the fact she was at this man’s complete mercy. “Am… I a prisoner?”

He held her tighter, his face drawing closer to hers. “No, my beautiful heart. You are free to roam the palace as you please.”

She gasped. “Palace?”

He ran his fingers through her hair. “Yes, Kitten. Palace.”

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