Chapter 45
45
T hey hadn’t spoken five minutes when the door buzzer sounded.
“I’ll get it,” Uncle Al said. He went to the tiny foyer and pushed a button on the call box. “Who is it?”
“Melvale,” crackled over the speaker.
The Muirarans stiffened, including the king, his daughter, and her husband who was introduced to Pari as Dallan. Kwaku joined Uncle Al in the foyer and opened the door.
Moments later, Melvale entered the apartment and walked into the dining room. King Jaireth stood. “Alpha Melvale.”
Pari left her chair, fighting the urge to run to him. She glanced at King Jaireth, whose eyes were glued to Melvale’s bright blue ones. The king raised a hand to the corner of his mouth and pointed at it. Melvale quickly wiped the same corner of his own mouth then wiped his hand on his shorts.
Did he have dirt on his face or what? “Melvale?” Pari said in a soft voice.
His eyes scanned the room before he looked at her.
She swallowed hard. “Bondrah?”
He gave her a wide smile, reached her in two strides, and took her into his arms. “Kahtala Miah,” he whispered. “You are safe.”
“Yeah, I… I guess so. There’s a lot of people in here.”
He drew back and looked down at her, smiling. “You are lovely.” He ran his fingers through her pink hair and his smile grew. “Would you like to play a game?”
She smiled back. “Sure.”
“Monopoly?”
Pari grinned in relief. She had no idea where he’d been or what he’d been doing and, in that moment, didn’t care. He’d come back safe and sound. But…
“Bondrah?” she whispered and crooked a finger at him.
He raised his eyebrows and bent down. “Yes, precious one?”
“What happened?”
He looked her in the eyes. “You are safe.” He put his cheek against hers. “That is all you need concern yourself with.” He gave her a tender kiss on the cheek and Pari thought she might faint! Warmth shot through her, accompanied by that wonderful peaceful sensation. She looked at him in wonder and nodded.
He straightened as he tucked her against him and took in the room.
Everyone, with the exception of Uncle Al, bowed.
Pari watched in fascination. Even the king and his daughter bowed? But they were royalty! Shouldn’t Melvale bow to them? Or was… wait a minute. They’d called him Alpha Melvale. Alpha meant leader. Did that mean…?
“Come, Kitten,” Melvale said. “Let us teach the king how to play.”
That got her attention. “You want to play Monopoly with your king?”
Melvale smiled. “Yes. It will be good for him.”
She took in his deep voice, the bright blue of his eyes, and yet, once again this was Melvale, but it was also Bondrah. But Bondrah was her private name for him, like Kawahnee was a private name Zara and a few others used for Kwaku.
She scratched her head and looked up at him. “Bondrah,” she said, barely above a whisper.
“Yes?” He bent to her again, his eyes brightening.
Pari couldn’t believe it, she was fidgeting. “No one else can call you Bondrah but me, right?”
“That’s right.” He smiled and to her surprise, including half the room given the murmurs around them, rubbed his nose playfully against hers. “Only you may call me that.”
“So… should I call you Melvale like, now, when we’re with all these people?” She had to make sure, considering she could summon the Alpha side of him using that name.
“As you wish, Kitten,” he said and straightened.
She was about to comment when a siren sounded outside. It grew closer, then passed the building and began to fade, but not much.
Another siren sounded, and Uncle Al left the room. “I wonder if there’s a fire someplace.”
The Muiraran king and his people all stared wide-eyed at Melvale before shifting positions and looking at anything but him.
Pari also looked at him. “Melvale, are you okay?”
“I am fine.” He bent to her again. “And you are safe.”
“Kwaku,” King Jaireth said. He nodded toward the front door.
Kwaku, Zara, and the guy that looked like a genie, Simon, left the apartment.
Shona blew out a breath. “Okay.” She nodded to herself. “We can handle this.”
Dallan also let out a breath. “Should we take them and leave, Your Majesty?”
“No.”
All eyes became fixed on Melvale. He tucked Pari against him again. “She does not wish to leave yet.”
“Are ye sure, man?” Dallan asked as another siren sounded. “Ye canna be drawing attention to yerself, ye ken.”
“I have not.”
“Are you sure?” King Jaireth drawled as he glared at him.
Pari studied the king. He looked… nervous?
“You needn’t worry, Your Majesty,” Melvale said. He led Pari to the dining table, pulled out a chair for her at the opposite end, and motioned her to sit. She did, and he sat beside her. “Let us play a game.”
King Jaireth drew in a breath and let it go, as another siren sounded. “By the Creator…” He facepalmed and let his hand slide down to his chin.
Melvale smiled at him. “I will do nothing to endanger Pari, King. That includes, drawing attention to myself.”
Pari watched the two face off. Melvale reached under the table, took one of her hands in his, and gave her a tender smile. “Are you hungry?”
“Archer, Kitty, and Geran are bringing back food,” Shona volunteered and smiled at Pari. “Burgers and fries.”
She smiled back, unsure of what to do. Everyone acted so nervous earlier but seemed to be relaxing little by little.
The buzzer sounded again, and this time Shona got up to answer it. Melvale let go her hand and stood, his eyes brightening.
“It is only Archer and the others,” King Jaireth said. “Calm yourself, Alpha.”
Melvale stood behind Pari’s chair, blocking any view of her from whomever entered.
The smell of food wafted in, and her stomach growled. She turned in her chair as several newcomers made their way into the dining room.
“Melvale!” a woman chirped.
“Kitty…”
The woman was pretty, with long dark hair and hazel eyes. She practically launched herself at him and the two embraced.
Pari watched as her belly knotted. This was Kitty?!
They let go of each other, and Kitty smacked him on the arm. “Where have you been, you big goof? We were so worried.”
He shrugged. “Here, hanging out, as you say.”
Pari noticed he sounded more like Melvale now. Unable to help it, she stood, and went to one side of the room so she could see his expression.
He didn’t look at her, his eyes were fixed on Kitty. “I’m sorry you worried.”
“Everyone did. Next time tell somebody where you’re going, okay?” Kitty hugged him. “Regardless, I’m so happy for you.” Her eyes flicked to Pari, and she smiled. “Hi.”
Kitty made a face at Melvale as she released him and shook her head. “We’ll have none of that.”
Pari managed to take her eyes off Kitty to look at him. Was he wiping away a tear?! Was he that happy to see this woman?
Pari’s heart sank and an all too familiar dread filled her.
“I’m sorry, I get overwhelmed at times,” Melvale said. “Thank you.”
Kitty gave him a heartfelt look. “You deserve the best.”
He smiled at her then motioned to Pari. “Here she is.”
Kitty smiled at her again and approached. “Hi, I’m this goofball’s friend.”
Pari stared at her and forced a smile. “Hi.” Pari continued the forced smile and fought the urge to run upstairs to her own apartment. It hit so fast; she didn’t have time to collect herself.
Melvale was at her side in an instant. “Pari, may I introduce Kitty Morgan?”
Pari looked at her and tried to beat back the feelings of disappointment, jealousy, not to mention a hint of rage. She was so attuned to gaining and losing friends, she found herself using all three as a shield. But what good would that do? How much more pathetic could she be?
“Pari,” Melvale said gently beside her.
She noticed his arm was around her, but it did nothing to dispel the icy chill forming in her gut.
She looked at him and bit her lower lip to keep her jaw from trembling.
Melvale steered her toward the kitchen. “We’re going to make some popcorn.”
“I’ll help!” Kitty chirped.
“No, friend,” Melvale said. “Pari and I will take care of it. Sit down and eat.”
“Alpha Melvale,” a man with short-cropped brown hair and brown eyes approached. “Here, take these.” He handed Melvale two white bags, and a couple of drinks.
Melvale took the bags, handed them to Pari, then took the drinks. “Come along, Kitten.”
She blushed to her toes at the use of the endearment in front of so many and followed him into the kitchen. As soon as they were inside, he set the bags on the counter, took the drinks from her, and set those down too. That done, he picked her up and sat her on the counter. “Now, my lovely one. Tell me why you feel so despondent and full of despair, hmm?”
“D’ye think he killed them?” Dallan asked King Jaireth in a low voice.
The king rolled his eyes. “I have no idea what he did. It would depend on which side of him was more dominant at the time.”
“Were all those sirens because of Melvale?” Shona hissed.
Jaireth shrugged. “I cannot answer that. We will speak to him alone, when his mate is elsewhere. She is… too broken to understand such things. I do not wish to see her regress or damage any progress Melvale has made with her.”
“Broken,” Shona repeated and nodded in understanding. “I can sense her fear. The poor thing. What has she been through?”
“We do not know,” Jaireth said. “But I wish to find out. Thank the Creator Melvale’s heart can heal her. The stronger their bond, the more healing she will receive. We must guard the bond at all costs. See that it grows.”
Dallan shook his head. “But will it strengthen if we take them back to the palace?”
Jaireth sighed in resignation. “I am not sure. If he eliminated any threat to them here, and left no trace, then they can stay longer. But if danger arises, then I want them brought back immediately.”
“That sounds easier said than done,” Shona commented.
“I take it I missed a lot,” Kitty said as she plopped into a chair next to Shona. She glanced toward the kitchen. “Pari’s a pretty thing. I love her hair!”
Jaireth eyed Kitty. “Yes, and she could do with some human companionship.” He drummed his fingers against each other and smiled at her.
“What? Really?” Kitty chirped. “I can be besties with her. We can go shopping!” She waggled her eyebrows at everyone.
“Kitty,” Shona began. “Pari is pretty messed up. She’s got… issues. Raina and Halden said she sees a therapist.”
“Oh,” Kitty said and looked at the table. “Maybe what she needs then, are a couple of good friends.” She smiled at Shona. “Like us.”
Shona looked at Dallan. “What do you think?”
Dallan slowly nodded. He knew how much Shona needed Kitty at times. Friendship was important. If Pari didn’t have any friends, and Melvale tried to fill all the places that needed filling in her heart as Dallan had tried to do with Shona… well, he was going to find that Muiraran Alpha or no, he wasn’t going to be able to fill them all. “Aye, Flower. The poor wee lass needs friendship right now. Mayhap Maida can befriend her as well. I ken it was discussed earlier.”
“Yes, it was,” Shona agreed. “Before we rescued them.”
Jaireth drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Then it is decided. Kitty, can you stay longer?”
“I can take her back to almost the same moment Shona and I fetched her to begin with,” Dallan said. “She’ll not be missed.”
Jaireth nodded. “Good.” He smiled at him. “You’re getting more control.”
Dallan shrugged. “‘Tis easy to picture the moment I was there last.”
“True.” Jaireth leaned toward him. “But it also takes great skill.” He leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smirk. “You didn’t know that, did you?”
“Dad,” Shona huffed.
Dallan rolled his eyes. “Nay, I didna.”
Jaireth popped his neck and reached for the bag Archer placed before him. “I didn’t think so.”