He reeled away. He couldn’t lose her, not when he’d just found her! But… didn’t he just tell her he’d take her back while they were visiting Irene and the others? Or was it he told her that she didn’t have to stay? Sometimes he didn’t know which part of him was talking!
“An old man said I could get a ride?”
He turned back to her. “What old man?”
“His name was Wilfred.” She paced before the large chaise lounge in his living quarters. He wondered at her sudden compliance to return here. Now he knew what prompted it. “What exactly did Wilfred tell you?”
She blinked a few times. “So… you do know him.”
“Of course, we’re friends. Just like I’m friends with his wife, Irene and…”
“That kindly old man is married to that crabby woman? The one that hit you over the head with a cast iron ladle?”
He caught the disbelief in her voice and sighed. “Trust me, she grows on you. And she’s very loyal and protective. They allare.” He went to the chaise and sank onto it. To think that not hours ago he’d woken up beside her and all was right with the world.
“So, can you take me?” she prompted, eyes downcast.
“I’m afraid I don’t have that ability. But I know who does.” He ran a hand down his face. “You must know that it is extremely dangerous for you to leave here.” He scooted to the edge of the chaise. “To leave me.”
She raised her face to his, her eyes holding a desperate look. “But my uncles. I have to know they’re alright.” Pari sat beside him. Melvale closed his eyes at the blissful sensation her closeness brought to every fiber of his being. “What if that mad doctor tries to take them? What if he wants to trade them for us?”
He gazed at her, looking so small beside him, and unable to help himself, put an arm around her. “I won’t let that happen. I’ll send someone to keep an eye on them.”
“No!” She jumped up to stand before him. “They’re looking for your race. Dr. Charles told me himself. He wants to enslave all of you and breed an army!”
He gaped at her. “Well, that’s not very sporting of him, is it?” Melvale stood and paced. “So, that’s his plan…”
“He knows about your people, Bondrah…”
He spun to her, the Alpha rising at the name. “Kahtala Miah.” Melvale swallowed hard. “What else did he say?”
“He… he knows you’re alien, and he wanted to experiment on you, cut you up to see what makes you tick. Find your weaknesses.” She gulped and her lower lip wobbled. “He was going to kill you!”
He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. She’d been through a lot in a very short time, so outbursts of this sort were to be expected. The thought didn’t make him feel any better or do anything to calm the Alpha inside him. Hischest tightened and he emitted a low growl. “He will be dealt with.” His voice was low, guttural.
She looked up at him and tried to back out of his arms. “Your eyes are blue.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing.” His voice was still low, and he thought to squeeze his eyes shut to quell the power pushing for release. But could the other side of him track down this doctor? Wouldn’t it be better if he struck first?
Nowthat ideaintrigued him.
“Why are you smiling?” Pari asked.
Melvale moved his hands to her shoulders. “Because I’ve a plan forming in my head. Come, Kitten. Let’s go pay someone a visit.” He let her go and started for the door.
She trotted after him. That too made him smile. “Who are we going to see?”
“An acquaintance. I’ll have him watch over your uncles and do some snooping.” He reached the door and turned to Pari in time to see her toss her hands in the air.
“But Dr. Charles might capture him!”
He took in her expression and sighed. It was a mix of exasperation and fear. Melvale drew closer and ran the back of one finger down her cheek. “Do not worry yourself, Kahtala Miah. I’ll not let anything happen to you or anyone else. This doctor, whomever he is, must be stopped. He is a threat not only to my race, but yours. And I have a strong feeling I know where he comes from.”
She looked into his eyes. “Where?”
“I’ll explain later. First let’s make sure your uncles are safe, hmm?”
She nodded in relief and stood still before him. Melvale bent his head to hers, and kissed her hair. “You are safe, little one. That is the most important thing to me.” He looked into her eyes. They were misting with tears. She had to be exhaustedemotionally and mentally by now. “We will do this one thing, then you must rest.”