Chapter 41
41
“ W here are we going?” Pari asked.
Melvale smiled and hoped Kwaku and Zara had done their part. “You’ll see.” They were just passing the Brooklyn Library, and all his senses were on high alert. There was risk involved in their “date”, and he didn’t want to walk into any trouble. But if this was what it took to win her heart, then he’d do it.
“Are you thirsty?” Pari asked. She nodded at a man and his wife selling bottles of water near a couple of coolers.
“I’ve taken care of that.” He stood, her hand in his, and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Unless you want some now? Are you thirsty, Kitten?”
She blushed. She’d been doing that a lot today. He took it as a good sign. Was it because he’d slept next to her bed on the floor? They’d taken the room Raina used when she and Halden stayed with Pari. Kwaku and Zara used Pari’s bed.
“Um, I could use some. It’s warm today,” she said.
He gave her a regal nod. “Then you shall have some.” He pulled some cash from a pocket in his shorts and bought them each a bottle of water. Melvale handed hers to her, then opened his. Not holding her hand made him feel empty somehow, and he hurried to take it again. The Alpha side of him was quiet, for once, and he wondered how much danger there could be in this endeavor of his.
“This way,” he sang, and they were off again. Melvale led her through one of the tunnels that emptied into the park, then left down a path.
“Uncle Leo’s hot dog cart is this way,” she said happily.
“Is it?” He smiled. Of course, he already knew that. Leo was part of his plan. Little did Pari know their entire day was a date.
They reached Leo’s cart. The man scowled at Melvale then smiled at Pari. “Well, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Hi, Uncle,” Pari said with a smile. “Melvale has a surprise for me.”
Leo scowled at him again. “I just bet he does.” His eyes flicked between them. “Well, you need anything?”
“Two loaded dogs,” Melvale told him.
“Hmmm,” Leo said and got to work. “Drinks?”
“We have water,” Pari said and held up her bottle.
Leo eyed the bottle then Melvale. “What are you two up to?”
“Oh, this and that,” Melvale said evasively. He smiled at him, then put an arm around Pari. Her uncles might as well get used to the idea that he wasn’t going anywhere.
Leo slapped together their orders while attempting to drill holes into Melvale with his eyes. It didn’t work. His smile only broadened.
“Here!” Leo huffed and shoved the containers of food toward them.
Melvale took one, handed it to Pari, then paid the man before he took the other. He tossed a twenty in the tip jar, smiled, and steered Pari back onto the path.
“See you later, Pariwink!” Leo called after them.
Melvale’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. Leo and Al would warm up to him eventually. Once they got over their abject shock that he wasn’t human…
“Uncle Leo acts gruff, but he means well,” Pari said.
“I know.” He stopped, took in their surroundings, then spied the faint trail that led into the woods. “This way.”
“Where are we going again?”
“I didn’t tell you the first time you asked, and I’m not going to tell you now.” He smiled at her, winked, then led her into the trees.
“If I trip and drop my lunch, I’m going to blame you,” she laughed.
Melvale smiled. She was in a good mood. He knew part of the reason was because she was home. This was familiar territory for her. She was comfortable here.
After a few moments he stopped and smiled. Kwaku and Zara had done their jobs.
“Melvale!” Pari breathed. “What is all this?”
“Lunch.” He held up his food. “Come.” He approached the cloth covered table and two chairs that sat beneath the trees. The table was set with two place settings of fine china, glasses, and silverware. A bowl of fruit acted as a centerpiece, and there were an additional couple of small, covered plates which Melvale knew contained more food.
He placed his loaded dog container on an empty plate, then motioned Pari to do the same. “Now, let’s sit and eat.” He pulled her chair out for her, making her giggle.
“I can’t believe you did this. Does Uncle Leo know?”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy we’re dining on his wares.” He helped her sit, then went around the table and took his seat. “Hand me your plate.”
“What? Why?” she asked.
He crooked his fingers. “Hand it over.”
She did, and he proceeded to carefully take her food from the container and place it on the plate. He handed it back to her and did the same with his own food. That done, he took the white linen napkin and placed it on his lap.
She blushed a deep red and did the same. “No one can see us, right?”
“Would you rather we dine in the middle of the park’s large meadow?”
“No!” she said, wide-eyed.
“I didn’t think so.” He pulled the lid off one of the plates to reveal a relish tray of various vegetables. “Oh, it’s those baby corn things. I love these!”
She laughed. “Melvale, how did you do all this?”
He looked into her eyes. “I had a little help.”
“Kwaku and Zara?” She eyed the second plate. “May I?”
“Of course,” he said with a smile.
She pulled the lid off. “Brownies!”
“Al told me they were one of your favorites.”
“They are,” she said, eyes bright. For the first time, she looked at him with admiration in her eyes, and his chest swelled. Progress at last!
She reached for a brownie, and he cleared his throat. “Lunch first, Kitten.”
Pari drew her hand back. “Oh, all right.” She picked up a fork and started to eat. She delicately picked at her food, and he tried not to make his observations obvious. But it was hard to take his eyes off her. She was beautiful and vulnerable, a bit exotic and all the things he could ask for in a mate. A tear threatened to escape over the fact this beautiful little creature was his. Well, almost.
“Melvale?” she said softly. “Are you okay?”
His eyes met hers. “Oh, Kitten, I am more than okay.” He almost took her to some fancy restaurant in Manhattan but knew it would make her uncomfortable. She didn’t think she deserved to dine in one of those places. He would fix that. For now, he would give her what he knew she’d be comfortable with, yet make it wondrous for her.
They ate, and Melvale began to relax. Kwaku and Zara were watching over them from the trees, and he hoped they were well hidden. He sensed no danger and didn’t pick up the scent of fear anywhere near them. He discovered he could smell ill intent when he was a prisoner in the lab. There was none of that either. They were safe. For now.
They finished their hot dogs, munched on the relish tray, then started on the brownies. Pari drained the water bottle then started in on the glasses of water on the table. “I can’t believe you did all this. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. We’ll sit a bit, then I have a little something else planned.”
She smiled automatically. “You do?”
Melvale smiled back. She was enjoying herself. “I do.” He winked again and popped the last of his brownie into his mouth. He would have Sheveer make some when they returned to the palace.
“This is nice,” Pari said, voice soft. “Being hidden like this where no one can see us. Our own special place.”
He nodded. “It’s supposed to be.”
She put her hands in her lap and looked at the table. “When are you leaving?” She looked up, realizing her mistake. “I mean, us. You and me and…”
“I know what you meant. I thought you might like a few days at home. But we will have to return.”
She swallowed hard and nodded. “Of course. But Uncle Al and Leo…”
“We’ll speak with them,” he cut in.
Her eyes widened. “We will?”
“Yes. And, eventually, tell them what I am.” He reached for another brownie and took a generous bite.
Pari stared at him. “Oh, um, I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea. Not right away that is. Maybe I can tell them we’re going camping or something?”
He gave her a slow smile. “My beautiful little Pari, they are going to have to learn the truth. They’ll be safer knowing when one thinks about it. And besides, I’ll have to send someone to help your Uncle Al in the shop, and also help them with anything else they might need while you’re away.”
She blinked a few times. “So… does that mean I’m coming back?”
He sighed. “You’ll visit.”
Pari gave him a blank stare. “Wh-what do you mean visit?”
He closed his eyes a moment. “You cannot live here any longer. It’s not safe.”
Her lower jaw trembled. “B-but…”
He held up a hand. “No, Kitten.”
Now her lower lip wobbled. It made his whole chest clench.
She sucked in a breath, and he hoped she didn’t start crying. He didn’t think he could take it. Who knew what the Alpha side of him would do?
“Never again?” she whispered.
He gave her the tenderest look he could muster. “It’s not safe, little one.”
She swallowed hard again and sat straighter, trying to collect herself. “Why do they want me?”
He knew she was referring to the doctor and his cronies. “Because of me.”
She shook her head. “I still don’t understand. I know that makes me sound stupid but…”
He reached across the table and slapped his hands on the surface. “Kahtala Miah.”
She stilled, eyes locked on his. “B-Bondrah?”
The Alpha rose up quick and sharp. “Kahtala Miah. I am your safety. Your haven, your shelter in the storms. None who dare steal you from me, will live.”
She sat back, eyes wide.
Well that’s just great! Melvale told his Alpha side. You scared her, you idiot!
“Bondrah?”
Melvale felt the Alpha side of him grin. You were saying?
Melvale rolled his eyes. Okay fine.
Pari leaned toward him. “What’s going on? Who am I talking to?”
Melvale looked at her and seemed to be in control, yet the Alpha was right there with him. “What color are my eyes?”
“Blue,” she said without hesitation.
“I see.” He looked at his hands, ran his tongue over his front top and bottom teeth. No fangs. Hmm. “And now?”
She looked at him. “They’re um, getting brighter.”
“Really? But I don’t feel… oh… yes, I do…” Power surged through him, and he had the urge to take Pari into his arms and carry her off to someplace far from harm. Every muscle tensed; he had to fight to stay in his chair!
“Bondrah?” she said innocently.
It was his undoing. “Ohhhh, nooooo…” He shut his eyes tight. That didn’t work. The Alpha was right beside him. It was the only way to describe it. “Okay, I can handle thisssss.” He cringed as he jumped to his feet, the urge to take her and run so powerful, he couldn’t help but move in her direction.
“Bondrah?”
“You are summoning me,” he said in a gravelly voice. Then in a higher pitch. “Oh, stab me! So that’s what’s happening?”
“What?”
He’d reached her chair and without thinking, pulled it away from the table and lifted her into his arms. “Kahtala Miah.” He bent his head to hers and rested his forehead against it.
“Bondrah,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing?”
He drew back, looked at her, and his fangs descended. “Keeping you safe.”
Melvale held her tighter and took off at a run.