Page 89 of The Alpha

He drew in a deep breath as he held her to him. “I am fine, little one. Melvale told me something… shocking.”

“That’s putting it mildly, I suppose,” Melvale lamented. Poor Irene. But he didn’t attack her, didn’t roar or try to bite her or lunge at the others. Hmmm, that was good.

“What’s going on out here?” Irene asked as she entered the dining room. “Maida, get back in this kitchen.”

“She sensed my distress,” Markhel said. “It is good she came to me.” He smiled at Maida, bent to her and kissed her hair. “I am fine. Return to your task. Spend time with your friends.”

Maida stood on tiptoe prompting Markhel to bend closer. She kissed him on the cheek then hurried back to the kitchen.

Irene remained and eyed them. Melvale sighed. “We need to tell you some things.”

“No kidding,” she said. “Shall I fetch Wilfred and the others?”

“No,” Markhel said. “Maida needs to feed. We will tell you which things you can relay to the others, then if you wish, we will meet later and tell you more. All of you.”

Irene glanced between them. “Hmm, well, okay. What is it? Why did Melvale’s eyes turn blue?”

“I already mentioned why,” Melvale said. “I’m a Muiraran Alpha. I… I will eventually rule over all the races here.” He glanced at Markhel and back. “Including the human race.”

Irene’s eyes rounded to saucers. “WHAT?!” Her jaw dropped, and she openly gawked at him. “How is that possible. You’re… you’re… well, you.” She walked up to him and poked him in the chest. “You oversized marshmallow. How are you going to do that?”

Melvale smiled in amusement at her new description of him. Ever since she heard how he cried when he saw Captain Kolbeck propose to Princess Raina, she’d been using it. Kitty informed him of it while he was locked up in a containment cell. She filled him in on things about their assignment he couldn’t recall, and a few things that had happened since their return. Then Kwaku arrived, told him they needed his help to find his mate, and made him drink one of his draughts. The rest he could remember bits and pieces. Except a few times when his Alpha half took over. Those were a blank.

“Stop stalling and tell me,” Irene huffed.

Melvale shook himself. He should be paying attention, not rehashing what had already transpired. “I have… well, the power to do it. Once I get control of it, that is.”

Irene gaped at him anew. “Tell me he’s kidding.” She turned to Markhel. “Tell me!”

Markhel heaved a sigh. “He is telling the truth.”

She scrunched up her face and stood in front of Markhel now. “You mean to tell me he can command you and make you do things?”

“Yes, though I will be capable of doing the same thing.”

“What! You too?!”

Markhel shrugged. “I am his Beta. His second in command.”

Irene stepped back. “I… what… wait a minute. Alpha, Beta, what are you, a wolf pack?”

“No,” Melvale said. “Youare my pack. You and all the other races.”

Irene frowned. “What if I don’t want to be?”

“It does not matter what anyone wants,” Markhel said. “An Alpha does not rise up among our people unless he is needed.”

Irene’s frown deepened. “Why would he be?”

The brothers exchanged a look. “It means the races must unite to fight a common enemy.” Melvale said. “And we have only one.” He looked at Markhel, who gave him a nod to continue. “The Dissans.”

Irene’s face twisted up in confusion. “Who are they?”

“More likewhatare they,” Melvale said. “Nasty, giant reptilian creatures who do nothing but consume. They destroy anyone or anything that gets in their way, and they are relentless hunters.”

“They kill without thought,” Markhel added. “And feed on their victims.”

Irene’s eyes widened. “Well, that’s not very neighborly of them, is it?”

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