The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Chapter 311 – Cora at Home

Cora

When I wake up it’s almost eight at night and I groan, realizing that my sleep schedule is

completely wrecked. I’m reminded, suddenly, of my years as a medical resident when this sort of thing was normal – sleeping all day, taking night shifts, living moment to moment rather than a steady, scheduled life.

And quite frankly, right now? That sounds really wonderful, compared against a whole night of empty hours in which I have nothing to do but… think.

Think about what I’m doing in my life, think about my career which has gone in a really weird direction, think about my relationship…s.

About a certain kiss in the woods.

About a sweet doctor who, apparently, wants to build a life with me.

I sigh and sit up, looking around at my sterile little apartment. I never really decorated, I realize as

I look around at the grey and beige furniture, the simple linens, the charmless curtains. Everything is functional and high quality but none of it is… me?

Or is it?

I frown at my space, thinking of Ella’s sweet home that – even though Sinclair picked out most of the furniture before she moved in – still sings Ella Ella Ella in every corner. It’s warm and sweet

and comfortable. What does my space say about me?

I mean, I’m an orphan – I never had any possessions or any control over the environments in

which I lived, so where would I have learned to decorate? I never had a mother to show me how

So where did Ella…

rolling my eyes at myself, sick, again, of

love her so, so much – and I’m so happy she has what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me realize how unhappy I

roll over, reaching for my phone, seeking some kind of distraction from these disquieting- thoughts. But when I pick it up the first thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying to avoid leaving me an assortment of messages. I sigh and

– how did the baptism go?

Cora? You okay?

2

you get up – I know you were up all night but

heard from you.

I swipe the messages away and click through the rest of my phone, trying,

it bother me that there’s nothing at all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email, another message from

home? I’m… I mean, this is a little pathetic, but I’m outside. Can you let

your apartment door…

being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m not being fair to him, am I?

he doesn’t even want – despite what might have passed between us last night, it doesn’t

jump out of my bed and dash for the

get to it, I yank it

his eyes going wide, accidentally dropping the large bag of Chinese on the

I continue, smiling at him, “I just woke up – we were up all night. It’s – I’m very sorry. I should have texted before I fell

warm smile. “I get it – you had

you want to come in?” I ask, leaning against my door frame and gesturing towards my little apartment. “I am…well, I

his lips turning up a bit at the corner.

the coffee table, eating right out of the containers with the supplied chopsticks, Hank tells me all about his day. He held down the fort at the little free clinic we both work at, seeing both prospective mothers as well as

closely as he tells me his story, my eyes flicking over his handsome, serious face – his thick brown hair – his strong, capable hands-

feel something twist in my stomach as I watch him, something that makes

me blink and focus on him. “Did you

forcing myself to listen to his words. Then, I grimace a little. I’m sorry, Hank,” I say, giving him an apologetic look. “I got….lost in my thoughts a little bit. Forgive me.

to grab my hand, squeezing it a bit before sitting back. “I was just curious if you think Ella would want to be

up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she really be helpful there? I think that she would