The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Chapter 304 – The Goddess’s Light

Cora

I’m a little out of breath when I finally catch up with Roger and Rafe, having had to work hard to keep up with his long wolf stride.

“Rude,” I say when I finally come to a stop next to them. “You couldn’t have waited for me?”

“I’m being rude?” Roger says, raising his eyebrows at me in disbelief. “Cora, you’ve been nothing but unpleasant since the moment we stepped into the forest –”

I open my mouth with a little squeak of protest but Roger just rolls his eyes and ignores me, going on anyway. “This is supposed to be a sacred experience for Rafe and for us and you’ve done nothing but moan and complain. So yeah, forgive me if I wanted to get away for a moment and concentrate on the magic of this place

“Oh whatever,” I mumble, reaching out my arms so that he can hand me the baby.

“No from you way,” Roger retorts, holding the baby closer to his chest and turning a little away from me. “You don’t get to hold the baby now that we’re at the pool

“Yes I do!” I cry, “the priestess gave him to me!”

“I’m his godparent just as much as you are

—

“(

But suddenly, there’s a flare in the light from the pool, and Roger and I turn to it, surprised, both of our mouths falling open. I don’t know how I know it but…well, somehow, I get the sense that the pool – or whatever magic is in it – is irritated with us.

Honestly, it never occurred to

a little freaked out, suddenly. We’re both very aware that there’s magic in the world, but sometimes when you’re

then, nodding to him, and start to say that

out across the smooth surface of the silver pool. “We bring to you, tonight, this child, so

bring him into the spirit of your grace,” Roger continues, his own resonant voice sending shivers down my spine.

upwards through the trees and am treated by the sight of the full moon itself, beaming brilliantly down on us from above. Hey, mom, I say

moment. Because she is here, now,

anything – his vision hasn’t developed well enough yet – but he’s certainly curious. I put my hands out for him and this time Roger does hand him to me, letting me take the baby and unwrap his swaddling blanket. Then, when he’s free of it, Roger and I slowly walk as close

sky, to see the light surrounding him as it

have asked us

at the baby, and at Roger, and at the moonlight. It’s a beautiful moment, introducing the child to the world and to all the magic within it. I open my mouth to say something, to tell Roger that I’m sorry,

a quick hand to my

the moon, likewise trying

trembling a little, and

the air. Instead, it’s…felt as much as it is seen, communicated to our hearts and minds as much as our eyes.

to take the hand of a dark–haired little girl who has fallen to the ground, helping her up and brushing the tears from her face. Then, I see him again – older, but still young.- running across a battlefield, fear on his face but courage in every line of his limbs as he pushes himself to do what is right. We’re passed that quite quickly, though, and

–

and another in his hands, which he slowly lifts to place on the girl’s head as well. She smiles up at him with such love in

–

boy I don’t

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