Page 90 of The Alpha

Melvale was about to comment when he spied Pari standing near the kitchen door. He immediately moved toward her. “Pari…”

She backed up and hit the wall with wide eyes. “What you just said about humans… is… is it true?”

“Oh, stab me, you heard?”

She stared at him, then Markhel, and nodded. “Is it?”

Melvale’s hearts quaked. It was an odd sensation, and for the first time in a very long time, he sensed he was backed into a corner he might not be able to get out of.

He looked her in the eyes. “Yes.”

She sidestepped and scurried around him to Irene. “Are you human?”

“Yes.” Irene narrowed her eyes at Melvale. “You mean to tell me you didn’t bother telling this youngun about all this?”

Melvale ignored her, cocked his head to one side and gave Pari the most tender look he could muster. “It’s true, my little Pari.”

“Don’t call me that.” She took a step back as her breathing picked up.

“No,” Markhel said. “Do not get upset with him, please.” He took a step forward.

Melvale didn’t realized he’d moved until he was standing in front of his brother. “Do not touch her.” The threat in his voice was clear as a bell. This, of course, only served to make Pari step away further. He watched her, fighting the urge to take her in his arms and go. “Pari…”

“What are you, really?” she asked.

He sighed. “Brother, my eyes…”

“They are mixed.” Markhel gave him a heartfelt look. “You should take Pari and return to your quarters.”

“No,” Pari said. “I… I don’t think I want to go with him.”

Melvale sank into a chair and put his head in his hands. “I will not force you to go with me, Pari. But I wish you would.”

“He will not do well without you by his side,” Markhel pointed out.

Polly and Mary entered the dining room. “Irene, where’s the extra flour… oh.” Mary snapped her mouth shut. “Are we interrupting something?”

Melvale ignored her and focused on Pari. “Please, will you accompany back to my quarters?”

Pari put a hand to her chest and looked at him, eyes full of suspicion. “What was that part you said about commanding… no. Controlling humans? You would bend humans to your will?”

Melvale sighed. “Pari, I can explain.”

“Good, because I’m not going anywhere with you until you do. You’re not going to, like, take over the world or anything are you? Make slaves out of us?”

He closed his eyes with a sigh. “No, Kitten, I…”

“Don’t call me that either,” she blurted. “I… I’m not sure of what you are.”

A half-hearted laugh escaped him. “That makes two of us.” He took a deep breath, surprised the Alpha side of him wasn’t fighting to make an appearance. But since he was the one that upset her, why would he? Time to use a different tactic. “I will explain everything once we’ve returned to my quarters.” He left the chair, closed the distance between them, and offered her his hand. “Come, Kahtala Miah.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “Your eyes are turning blue.”

“Fast too,” Irene commented and peered up at him.

“Brother,” Melvale said with a hint of alarm.

“Do you have control?” Markhel asked him.

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