Chapter 43
43
“ A lpha Melvale.”
His eyes sprang open, and he watched Kwaku approach slowly. He knew he was there, and that Kwaku and Zara had been guarding them for well over two hours.
Kwaku approached slowly, and Melvale emitted a low growl of warning. He’d managed to scoot to the nearest tree and was leaning against it, legs stretched out before him.
“It is alright, we have come to tell you it grows late.” He bowed, then lowered himself to the ground and sat cross-legged. Zara copied him and sat beside him, studying Pari.
Kwaku smiled. “You played?”
Melvale’s eyes narrowed. “Yes.”
Kwaku smiled at Zara then faced him again. “And did she respond to your play?”
He twitched his nose. “Yes.”
“Hmmm,” Kwaku mused as he looked at a sleeping Pari in his arms. “You cannot keep doing dis.”
Melvale hissed at him, baring his fangs.
“Do not get sassy wid me, pup,” Kwaku said annoyed. “You must win her.”
“His heart has wooed her again,” Zara pointed out.
“No,” Melvale said. “She asked questions. I… did not know how to answer.” He sat straighter and looked at Pari. “Shall I release her?”
“No,” Kwaku said. “Let your heart hold her. It needs to bond wid her as much as the rest of you, Alpha.”
He studied Pari then looked at them. “My eyes?”
“Bright blue,” Zara said.
He gave them a sage nod. “Who am I in this moment?”
“You are Alpha Melvale,” Kwaku said. “But to her,” he said with a nod at Pari. “You are Bondrah.”
He gave them a single nod. “She summoned me.”
“We saw,” Zara said.
“I had to take her. Bring her some place safe. I could not help myself.”
“Nor should you,” Kwaku said. “Alpha Melvale.”
He looked at them again. “Am I?”
“Yes,” Zara said. “You are merging, that is good. But when Pari calls you, the Alpha side of you is more dominant.”
Melvale nodded slowly in understanding. “And when she calls me Melvale?”
“Den dat part of you is more dominant in de moment. You will get used to it. Let your instinct guide you.” He leaned toward him and grinned. “Relish dese moments wid her. Let her ask her questions.”
“I want to take her,” he said, giving Pari an adoring look. His head snapped to them. “She is mine.”
“Of course she is,” Kwaku said. “But take her too soon and you will damage de bond you are building. Keep her safe, Alpha. Take care of her. Play. But do not mark or claim her before she is ready.”
“She must come to realize that she is yours on her own,” Zara said.
Melvale nodded. Deep down he knew this. He had to woo and win her, gain her trust. She had to trust him with her life and her heart. “I… I do not know what to do when she asks questions.”
Kwaku and Zara exchanged a look and smiled. “It is natural,” Zara said.
“I do not want her to fear me.” He looked at them. “I do not want her to fear us. She is taking on attributes. Speed, agility.”
“Good,” Kwaku said. “She may yet be able to protect herself when you are not near.”
He growled.
“She must learn to fight,” Zara said. “Just as Maida will have to learn.”
“And de mate of de Enforcer, whomever he may be,” Kwaku added. He heaved a sigh. “Who knows when he will rise up?”
“In the meantime,” Zara said. “We will teach Pari and Maida all they need to know. You cannot have her at your side every moment, Alpha. You will be called to battle.”
He looked at his precious Kahtala Miah, ignoring her remark. “I have no words at times, when I look upon her. I do not deserve such a prize.”
“But de Alpha of our age,” Kwaku said. “De one who will lead us into battle against our enemy, does.”
Melvale looked at him. “What must I do?”
Zara smiled. “Do not doubt the Creator’s choice for you, or that He has made you, an Alpha, Melvale. You are merging into one being. But you must remember, that at times one part of you may be more present than the other. Just as I can be gentle, I can also be fierce.”
“Yes,” Kwaku agreed. “But your fierce side is now greater dan you can possibly imagine, pup. Do not draw attention to yourself while you are here, even if we only stay anoder day.”
Melvale kept his eyes on Pari. They were right of course. He could turn savage, become a literal killing machine to protect her. But he didn’t want Pari to see him like that. Given the choice, he didn’t want to see himself like that! But when it did happen, he would eliminate threats without thought, his only goal, to keep her safe.
“I should wake her,” he said in a low voice.
“We will leave you,” Kwaku said. “Take her home, buy her a treat. Play some games. She was happy last night.”
Melvale smiled. “Yes, very.” His smile grew. “She likes games.”
“Den play, pup. Continue to bond wid her. Dere is a zoo in dis park. Perhaps bring her dere tomorrow.” His expression turned serious. “But know dat we have little time. King Jaireth will not wait long for our return.”
Melvale growled again.
Kwaku got to his feet and pulled Zara to hers. “Take care of your mate. We will watch over you from a distance.” He bowed, as did Zara, before they slipped through the brush and trees and disappeared.
As soon as they were gone, Melvale sighed and leaned against the tree again. Holding Pari was pure bliss, and he was loath to let her go. But they’d been under this tree long enough, and he had another surprise for her if they still had time for it.
Melvale smiled at the thought and drew his heart back. As soon as he did, he gently kissed Pari on the forehead then blew lightly on her hair.
She stirred, making tiny sounds that reminded him of a kitten. Yes, he’d picked a good nickname for her.
“Pari,” he whispered against her hair. “Wake up, little one.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him. “Hi.”
He smiled. “Hi.”
Her smile grew. “You’re… Bondrah Miah.”
“I am.”
She closed her eyes, and he thought she might drift off again. He gave her a little shake and her eyes flew open. “What?”
He smiled. “You must wake now, precious one.”
“Do I have to?” Her voice was soft, lovely.
“I’m afraid so. It grows late.”
She looked at him. “Bondrah?”
“Hmmm?”
“Your eyes are so blue. Your voice deep. Yet… you are like Melvale.”
He smiled as her words sank in. “I am… becoming one. A mix of both sides.” He bent his face to hers. “It is a good thing.”
She studied him. “Will your eyes stay blue, do you think?”
At least she wasn’t asking difficult questions, like, why he wanted her as his. She just couldn’t believe he would want her. Until she did, she would never say the words he longed to hear.
“I do not know,” he finally said. “Perhaps.”
“I like them blue.” She snuggled deeper into his arms. “They suit you.”
“Do they?” He arched an eyebrow at her, his face alight with amusement. She wasn’t fully awake yet, the effects of his heart holding her for so long still evident. He’d better enjoy this while he could. “Do you like them this way, Kahtala Miah?”
She smiled. “I do.”
He drew closer. “Then they shall stay blue for you, I’m sure.”
She smiled again, and a giggle escaped.
He held her closer and rested his cheek against the top of her head. He wanted to tell her he loved her, that he would protect her and keep her safe, but she wasn’t ready for those words. Not all of them anyway. “You are warm and soft,” he said instead. “I could hold you like this forever.”
Her chest and shoulders moved with silent laughter. “Probably not a good idea.”
He frowned and drew up to look at her. “Why is that?”
She blushed and gave him a sheepish grin. “Well…”
One eyebrow rose again. “Ah, of course.” He carefully raised her up to a sitting position, then in one move, got to his feet and placed Pari on hers. “We will find what you need.”
“Thank you.” She stuck her hands in the back pockets of her shorts. “Um, you do know what I’m talking about, don’t you?” She yawned, covering her mouth with one hand, then blinked a few times.
“Yes.” He put a hand to her soft cheek and ran a thumb under one sleepy eye. “You are precious to me.”
She smiled, still under the influence of his heart. “Thanks.”
He chuckled. She had no idea what she was saying. “Let us find a ladies’ room.” He scanned their surroundings. His other surprise—a horseback ride—would have to wait until tomorrow. “Perhaps the library would be best?”
“Or a coffee place. I could use a latte.” She yawned again then shook her head. “Wow, was I out or what?” Pari blinked a few times and took in her surroundings.
Melvale sighed. He wanted her in his arms again, but she was waking up, and once she did, her fear would grip her once more. That was his biggest enemy right now, and he planned to thwart it at every turn.
He looped one of her arms around his and guided her out of the trees to a paved path. It connected with another, and he knew this one would take them out of the park. She walked beside him and rested her head against his arm at one point, then jerked away, realizing what she was doing.
Yes, she was awake now. Blast it.
“Library,” she said and extracted herself from his arm. She picked up the pace, and he kept up easily with his long legs.
When they reached the library, she ran up the steps to the main entrance doors, entered, then cut left across the large lobby. He followed, his eyes scanning their surroundings. When she darted inside the ladies’ room, he kept a watchful eye and spotted Kwaku standing outside the library’s glass front doors. He sensed Zara but didn’t see her.
When Pari came out of the restroom she gazed at him as if seeing him for the first time. “So, did we… fall asleep in the park?”
A slow smile curved his lips. “You did.”
She facepalmed. “I am so sorry!”
“Don’t be.” Before he could say another word, Zara was at his side.
“Take care of your needs, Melvale. I will take care of Pari.” She smiled at Pari and motioned her to the library’s large lobby.
Pari blushed. “Oh, yeah. I guess you probably gotta go too.” She headed for the lobby, and he smiled again. She was even adorable talking about using the restroom.
When they left the building, Kwaku and Zara walked a few yards behind them to give them some privacy. After questioning Kwaku and Zara if they’d been out seeing the sights, Pari didn’t say much until they reached Franklin Street. Once there she headed straight for a coffee place. Melvale bought her a latte and a smoothie for himself. Kwaku and Zara bought their own treats and coffee, and Melvale remembered what Kwaku said about getting Pari a goodie. “Do you want a cookie or anything to go with that?”
“Maybe later.” She sipped her latte. “Okay, actually, one of those Rice Krispie treats looks good.”
Melvale smiled and got back in line. Kwaku and Zara moved closer to Pari and stayed with her while he purchased her treat. He was going to have to learn everything she liked.
Treats and drinks in hand, they started off. Melvale hadn’t taken two steps out the door when he stopped, his head whipping right toward her apartment, and pulled Pari back into the coffee shop.
“What is it?” Kwaku asked in a low voice.
Melvale looked him in the eyes. “King Jaireth is here.”
Kwaku frowned. “He is noting to worry about.”
“No, but I picked up another scent.” He held a stunned Pari tightly against him. “The doctor’s men are here too.”