The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Chapter 226 – Stress

Ella

After the meeting ends and Sinclair and I are safely ensconced in the privacy of our bedroom, I start to change out of my dress. No sooner is the delicate fabric pooled around my feet than my mate sidles up behind me, sliding his arms around my bare waist. “I can’t decide what made me prouder.” He rumbles in my ear, “Watching you put all those Alphas in their place about the humans, or seeing you go after James that way.”

I lean back against him with a contented sigh, turning my head so I can rest my cheek against his hard pec. “I don’t appreciate people criticizing you, when all you’ve ever done is serve and sacrifice for your people.”

He purrs, dropping his lips to the curve of my neck, “Leaders who can’t receive and accept criticism aren’t worth a damn, little wolf.”

“I don’t care.” I sniff, resting my hands over his where they rest on my belly. The baby is sleeping, but his heartbeat is strong and steady. “You don’t deserve to be treated that way.”

He chuckles, ‘Your wolf is really riled up, isn’t she?”

“Can you blame her?” I respond tartly. “After you’ve been gone for so long and then all of these cold-hearted alphas and the attacks? It would push anyone to the brink.”

Sinclair kisses his way down my shoulder while his wolf tries to appease my cranky canine in our shared mental space, lavishing her with nuzzles and kisses. “Such a feisty mate.” He praises, “Your spirit has always been one of my favorite things about you, but it’s not good for the baby for you to get so worked up. I can’t have you avenging my honor if it means putting stress on your body and the baby.”

“Well I don’t want to stress Rafe either.” I answer, feeling my mood swing abruptly, leaving me guilty and dejected. Tears well in my eyes and I stomp my foot in frustration, annoyed that I’m crying yet again and hating the Alphas and James for provoking my wolf. “It’s their fault, Damon and James and every one of those pack leaders who don’t give a damn about anyone but shifters. If they weren’t such assholes I wouldn’t be in this position.”

“I wasn’t blaming you, baby.” Sinclair croons, a steady purr vibrating against my back, “I know you can’t control being stressed. I just worry about you – now more than ever.”

”1 feel so raw.” I confess, wishing I could hug him properly – without my baby bump getting in the way. “I can’t decide if I want to keep our pup safe inside me forever, or get him out so that my weakness won’t be a threat to him anymore.”

can bare to see his disappointment right now. “Look at me, little wolf.” He instructs firmly, and my gaze jumps up reflexively – even if it is blurred with tears. ” Now listen to me

need to give yourself a bit of grace, sweetheart. I know that’s easier said than done, but I won’t accept that kind of talk.” Sinclair declares fiercely, his deep voice full of emotion.” You

counter, feeling myself begin to spiral despite his love and reassurance. Once again I’m caught in a current of emotion I can’t control or escape, “And you can’t focus on the war because I can’t cope on my own and

power, letting it wash over me. “Our baby is going

I argue, piping up before he can

it.” He proclaims. “And If youthink I could cope without you, you’re out of

made it this far without me.” I remind

didn’t know what the future would hold, and we survived so we could discover it one day. But we

something to be ashamed of.” His lips caress my salty- streaked cheeks, kissing away my tears. “Would you ever be this hard on me or Cora, for letting you

power and wise words take hold, and I feel the tension drain out of my body. I shake my

not.” Sinclair murmurs, offering me a soft smile. “Now, on a scale of one to ten how

when my wolf was

thought we could have some fun.” He shrugs, a devious glint in his green eyes. “After I teach your mischievous wolf what happens when she tries

that case, I’m much too tired.” I lie, even as heat pools low in my belly. Sinclair chuckles and shakes his head, flashing his sharp fangs in promise.” Nice try, baby. Have you

did you ask?”

have know that was a lost cause.” He teases, pulling me in for a kiss. I start to protest but he silences me with his lips and tongue, and suddenly I can’t remember why I was so outraged a moment ago. Everything else disappears,

3rd Person

beating slow and steady through her door, a clear sign that she was already asleep. He wanted to see her so badly it hurt, and though he’d made his intentions about her very clear, their relationship hadn’t advanced to the point where he could walk into her room and climb into bed with

the other pups, it wasn’t the same as holding his newly bonded daughter. He was sorely tempted to barge into the room anyway – he was dead on his feet and on the verge of a mental breakdown. He hadn’t ever been so stressed

would have to be enough. As if he’d willed it, Isabel’s heartbeat suddenly jumped and sped up as a light flicked on under the door. James’ spirits soared as the door swung open a

and dressed in a long silk night dress, her auburn hair loose and disheveled

stated honestly, not