Chapter 38
38
K waku entered Pari’s bedroom and studied Melvale. He held a sleeping Pari cradled in his arms on his lap. If Kwaku asked him to release her, Melvale feared he might rip his throat out. He shut his eyes tight to get rid of the feeling. After all, in order to rip the Time Master’s throat out, he would have to release her.
“Alpha Melvale…”
“I did not…” he opened his eyes and looked at him. “… will her to sleep.”
Kwaku crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at him. “No?” He arched an eyebrow. “But you are holding her dere.”
“She needs rest.”
“Perhaps so, but you cannot control her, pup.”
Melvale’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t call me that.”
Kwaku chuckled low in his throat. “You must let her fall in love wid you naturally. Do not use your Alpha’s influence to sway her. She must accept you for who you are, and who you will be.” He bent to him, his eyes on Pari. “She is broken, yes, but noting your heart cannot fix.”
Melvale’s shoulders slumped. “My heart led her to slumber.”
Kwaku’s other eyebrow shot up. “Hmmm.” He rubbed his chin as he studied her. “Your heart acted apart from you?”
Melvale nodded. “It would seem so.”
Kwaku’s head tilted slowly from one side to the other. “Interesting. And de Alpha, was dat side of you present?”
“Yes, we…” he shrugged. “Both were.”
Kwaku’s eyes widened as he chuckled. “ Very interesting. Dree sides of you.”
Melvale blanched. “That’s not funny.”
Kwaku shrugged. “It makes sense dat your inner heart would wait for de rest of you to merge, den join wid Pari. She will still host your inner heart in a way, and de two will become one.”
Melvale looked at Pari, sound asleep in his arms. “She’s not ready for this, Kwaku.” He gave him an imploring look. “Oh, stab me, I’m not sure I am either.”
Kwaku smiled. “Have no fear, pup. You will get tings figured out.”
Melvale hoped so. If his second heart was doing its own thing, and neither he nor the Alpha side of him had any control of it, then what was going to happen? “Kwaku, how am I to navigate this? If there are now three parts to me instead of two, how will the three become one?”
Kwaku bent to him. “Slowly. Remember, she is your heart. She will become one with yours, and den she will hold such power over you, dat you cannot imagine what it will be like.”
“But I am Bondrah,” he reminded him.
“Yes, and when she discovers what dat means, den de two of you will be ready.”
“For what?” Melvale asked, eyes seeking Kwaku’s.
He grinned. “You will put your mark on her. Den you will claim her.” He bent closer. “Mate her.”
Melvale pressed his lips together for a moment. “Oh,” came out a squeak. “So, according to my research, there wasn’t a lot about an Alpha marking a mate…”
Kwaku chuckled softly. “Do not worry, your Alpha will know exactly what to do.”
Melvale swallowed hard. “Maybe so, but am I going to like it?”
Kwaku grinned. “You are going to love it.”
His eyebrows shot to the ceiling. “Really?”
“Yes, young pup.” He chuckled some more. “Wake your little treasure. Feed her. Den play.” He strode from the room, tall and regal, and Melvale didn’t wonder if Kwaku knew he was an Alpha before he himself did.
He looked lovingly down at Pari. “Oh, I hate to do this. You look so peaceful.” He bent his face to hers and touched the tip of his nose to her cheek. “You are mine, and I will be yours, if you will only have me.” He kissed her forehead, then did his best to rein in his inner heart. She was blanketed with its presence, and he honestly didn’t know he could do that. He was running on pure instinct, and though he knew he should let his Alpha side have its way, he wasn’t quite ready to relinquish his control. What if he carried her off into some dark corner and ravished her? Would that side of him be gentle?
“Yes, you will be.” Melvale said convinced. “You’re nothing but a big softie when it comes to her.” He cocked his head. “What? Nothing to say?”
His Alpha side remained quiet.
“Very well. Then you won’t mind if I wake her.”
“Mmmm…” Pari stirred in his arms, and Melvale realized the position he was in. “Oh, stab me!” He quickly deposited her on the bed and stood.
“Mmmhat?”
He supposed he could have at least put Pari on her back instead of plopping her face down on the mattress.
“Sorry.” He turned her over. “Hello there. Hungry?”
She blinked back sleep. “Wow…”
“Wow?”
Pari looked at him. “I had the best nap.”
He smiled. “Did you?”
She looked up at him. “Are you blushing?”
Melvale straightened. “What if I am?”
She pushed herself to a sitting position. “How long did I sleep?”
“Not long. You dozed off.” He looked toward the next room. “I think dinner’s ready.”
“Oh, yeah, they were cooking.” She scooted off the bed, stretched and yawned.
Melvale smiled knowing he was the cause of her sound slumber. When they were truly one, there would be all sorts of things they could do to take care of each other. But first, she had to believe that his intentions were genuine.
“Are you hungry?” he asked again.
Her belly rumbled, and she put a hand over it and blushed. “I guess so.” She looked in the direction of the kitchen. “Mmmm, something smells good.”
“Let’s go see what they’ve whipped up.” He offered her his hand.
She gave him a tiny smile, then took it. “We’re still eating at Uncle Al’s, right?”
“As far as I know. Your table isn’t big enough, remember?”
She smiled again, and they headed for the kitchen. Zara was just covering a large bowl with some plastic wrap. Kwaku already held a bowl of rice and wore a silly grin.
Zara studied them. “Sleep well?”
Pari smiled. “Yeah, I guess I dozed off. I must be more tired than I thought. Let me get my keys, and I’ll lock up.” She let go of Melvale’s hand and returned to her bedroom.
Zara eyed him. “Hmmm.”
“What?” Melvale hissed with a helpless shrug. “I did not will her to sleep.”
“No, but your heart is wooing her.” Zara winked at him, then made her way to the front door.
Melvale’s jaw dropped. “What?!”
Zara didn’t comment as Kwaku opened the front door for her, and they disappeared into the outside hall.
“Wooing?” Melvale said lamely. “But I’m supposed to be doing the wooing.” He looked at his chest. “Though I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if you got things moving in the right direction.” He patted his chest with his hand then met Pari in the small foyer. “Ready?”
She smiled up at him. “They already left?”
“Yes.” He opened the door and motioned her through. She locked up behind them, and they went downstairs. By the time they entered Al’s apartment, Zara was uncovering the bowls of food as Kwaku passed out plates. Soon they were digging in.
“This is delicious,” Uncle Leo said. “Who made it?”
“Zara did,” Pari volunteered with a smile.
“It’s fantastic,” Uncle Al said. “Pari, get the recipe from her. I want to have this again.”
Pari’s smile faded. “Um, sure.” She glanced at Melvale, then Kwaku and Zara.
Melvale knew what she was thinking. Her uncles weren’t going to be happy if she was gone for any length of time. For one, Al would need help with the antique shop. He’d have to see to that. Then there was her apartment to think of. Hmmm, he supposed he could let the warriors assigned to guard Al and Leo stay there.
Melvale ate, pushing the thoughts aside. He had a more pressing matter to attend to. His date with Pari. Where should he take her? What should he plan? Did he want to impress her, or would that frighten her off? If that happened, he shuddered to think of the repercussions.
When the meal was over, Uncle Al brought out a board game. Melvale knew how to play this one, he’d learned while researching Shona’s time. But they had to teach Kwaku and Zara how to play, which turned out to be more entertaining than the game itself.
“What do you mean, I have to go to jail?” Kwaku asked. “I have done noting wrong.” He studied the board. “Dis little yellow card holds much power.”
Uncle Al cackled. “That’s what you get for buying Boardwalk and Park Place! I hope you rot in there!”
Kwaku’s eyes rounded to saucers. “Dis is a violent game.”
Zara giggled. “I do not think he means it literally, Kawahnee.” She rolled her dice, moved her little silver shoe, and took a card. “See, I have to pay double for utilities.” She showed Pari her card. “Right?”
“Yes, which I own. Pay up.” Pari smiled at Kwaku and Zara, then the rest of them.
“Everyone seems to have the misfortune of landing on your properties, little treasure,” Kwaku said, eyes narrowed to slits. “But I will get out of jail and buy more houses.”
“He learns fast,” Uncle Leo complained. “Better hope he doesn’t get out of jail too soon.”
Kwaku looked at him, then began to laugh maniacally.
“See, he can’t wait to get us!” Uncle Leo said while pointing an accusing finger at Kwaku.
Pari laughed boisterously, and Melvale grinned like an idiot at her. She was delightful!
“It is your turn, Pari,” Zara said.
Pari got her laughing down to a giggle, picked up the dice and rolled. She moved her little silver horse and landed on one of Melvale’s railroads.
“Ah ha!” he cried. “Pay up, buttercup.”
She glared at him. “Fine. You crooked railroad owner.”
“What? Me?” Melvale said innocently. “Just because I was fortunate enough to buy up all the railroads, does not make me crooked.”
“He is crooked,” Kwaku stated crossing his arms over his chest. “He should be in jail wid me.”
Pari laughed again and this time, Melvale could feel it in the marrow of his bones. He smiled at the sensation and looked at Kwaku. He smiled back. “Play is good, is it not, pup?”
He looked wide eyed at Pari. “Yes, it is.” By the Creator. They were bonding! So, it was true. An Alpha bonded with his mate through play.
“Your turn, Melvale,” Pari said. She set the dice in front of him.
He looked at her, his face full of wonder, picked up the dice and rolled.
“Doubles,” Uncle Al said. “Some people have all the luck.”
Melvale moved his little silver thimble and landed on the jail square. “Oh look, I’ve come to visit the incarcerated.”
Kwaku growled at him.
Pari nudged him in the arm with her elbow. “You get to roll again.”
“Judging from the look on the jailbird’s face,” Leo said. “You’d better roll fast.”
Melvale snatched up the dice and rolled again. “Three.” He moved his piece before Kwaku could flick it across the room with his fingers.
“Rent!” Leo shouted. “Pay up!”
Melvale smiled at Pari, counted out his play money and handed it to Leo. He winked at her, and his heart skipped when she blushed. So, this is what Kwaku was talking about. She was comfortable with this sort of activity and enjoying herself. This meant he needed to plan a date involving some sort of play. But what?
“It is your turn, Kawahnee,” Zara said.
“Is that a nickname?” Leo asked.
“Of sorts,” Zara said. “Where we come from, names are very important and can have different meanings. Kawahnee is only allowed to be used by those closest to him. One must earn the right to call him by that name.”
Pari looked at Melvale. “What do you call him?”
His eyes flicked to Kwaku and Zara and back. “By his first name, Kwaku.”
“So, you haven’t made the special list?” Leo teased.
Kwaku smiled and shook the dice in his hand. “He may call me such if he wishes.” Kwaku looked Melvale in the eyes. “He has more dan earned de right.” He threw the dice.
“Snake eyes!” Al said. “Lucky you, you got out of jail.”
Kwaku grinned. “Of course I did.” He moved his little silver car.
“Rent!” Leo chortled.
Kwaku growled at him. “You are a greedy landowner.”
“I’ve had lots of practice,” Leo shot back. “Now pay up.”
Al laughed. “Can you tell who collects the rent around here?”
Pari giggled and nudged Melvale’s leg with her knee. “Would anyone like some popcorn if I make it?”
Her uncles raised their hands. “Thanks, Pairwink,” Al said. “I could use a little break. I’ll melt the butter.” He left the table and headed for the kitchen.
Melvale watched Pari rise from her chair. “Do you need any help?” he asked.
“Nah, we got this.” She looked at him, a happy smile on her face. “Be right back.”
He watched her go and sighed in contentment.
“So,” Leo drawled as soon as she disappeared into the kitchen. He gave Melvale the eye. “Tell me, son. What are your intentions toward my niece?”
Kwaku took one look at Melvale, then Leo, and burst into laughter.