Page 79 of The Alpha

“Yes. Now come.”

Pari was vaguely aware of the curtains parting as she approached him. His arm was still outstretched, and she put one foot in front of the other without thought. Whatever was coming through the curtain was halfway through, and she knew it was the same creature she saw before. Well, it would have to contend with Bondrah now.

She took his hand, and he pulled her into his arms and bent to shield her.

“He is my friend. Do not fear him.”

She tried to look up, but he put a hand to her face and kept her from moving her head.

“Shhh, little fairy. Stand very still.”

Her heart beat faster. “W-why?”

“Hush now. Stay still.” His voice was a mix of Melvale’s and Bondrah’s. Yet, weren’t they one and the same?

Clickety click, click, click…

She sucked in a breath.

“It’s all right, Kitten. He won’t hurt you.”

She tried to press against him. She knew exactly what that sound was! “Bondrah!”

He held her tighter. “You’re all right, you’re safe.”

She heard a chittering sound behind her. “Oh, heck no!”

“Pari,” he said softly. “It’s all right.”

She squeezed her eyes shut as hot breath brushed her skin. It had to be right behind her! She whimpered, unable to help it, and Bondrah, Melvale, she didn’t know what to call him at this point, scooped her into his arms and carried her to the chaise lounge.

He sat, holding her against him on his lap. “Shhh, now. Q just wants to say hello.”

She noticed his hand was no longer holding her head in place. Pari looked up at him. “Hello?”

“Hellosssk!”

She jumped and let out a yelp.

Bondrah held her tighter and emitted a low growl.

“Melvalesssk?”

Pari thought she heard the creature sniff, as if fighting tears. She opened her eyes, unsure of when she closed them, and looked at the massive monster standing not feet away. He was huge! “Wh-what is he?” She noticed Bondrah’s breathing had picked up. Pari drew away to look at him. His eyes were bright blue again. “Hey…”

He looked down at her. “Pari…” His voice was deep, but not gravelly like before.

“You okay?”

“Parisssk!”

She cringed against Bondrah, and he growled again. Pari tried to calm herself. She noticed whenever she was scared, he got… aggressive. Agitated. “Melvale?” she tried. He was staring down the creature a few feet away. She slowly turned her head and looked at it. The thing looked like a cross between a giant cat and a spider. It was covered with soft looking, thick, white-brindled fur, and had two huge transluscent-like eyes. Thecreature’s pupils didn’t even have a lot of color. The thing also looked like its feelings were hurt.

“Melvalesssk?” it said again.

Melvale shut his eyes tight. When he opened them, they were still blue but had the ring of steel gray around the pupils again.

“Are you okay now?” she asked.

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