The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

“Please,” the shadow says, his voice awkward and apologetic.

I’m still rigid with fear when Conner storms out onto the balcony, his hand smacking the shadow-person in the chest, slamming him against the wall. ” Who the hell are you!?” Conner demands.

“Please!” the shadow says again, “I’m so sorry! I was just standing out here, also getting fresh air! This is a complete accident!”

And suddenly, the voice snaps into place in my memory. “Conner!” I call, Rafe fussing in my arms, not liking the sudden change in my energy and the fear spiking through me, though I’m calmer now. “Please – it’s the Atalaxian Prince. He is – I don’t believe he means us any harm.”

And even though something about that concept doesn’t match up – an Atalaxian? Not meaning us any harm? Especially after the meeting I just had with my uncle?

Still, somehow, I know the truth of it down in my bones. He doesn’t.

Conner glances at me and then backs up a little, removing his hand from the Prince’s chest. “Should I escort him out of here, Luna?”

“No,” I sigh, shaking my head. “Not unless he wants to go, of course. But the night air is for everyone. I can’t have it all to myself just because I’m the Queen.”

The prince looks between Conner and I for a moment, stepping further into the light so I can see his pale features and the details of his chic black suit. “I would…stay, for a moment, if that’s all right? Have a quiet word with you, so that we don’t leave this evening on bad terms?”

“That’s fine,” I say quietly, somehow a little pleased that he will stay. I’m still terribly curious about him, perhaps despite myself.

“Would you mind?” Conner says to the prince, his voice tight. “If I performed a body check? To ensure that you don’t have…”

allowing Calvin to

stands up and nods to me, his face quite serious, I nod back to him and give him a smile, grateful

in my voice. Conner nods again and steps to the door, standing with one foot in the ballroom and the other out on the balcony, a constant threat to Calvin should he make one wrong

says, glancing at Conner and taking a few steps closer to me not too close, but close enough to be conversational. “As he should

I say with a little shrug, studying Calvin’s face carefully. As I do, I wonder a little how

something else

bow. “The ceremony today was very moving, as was the vote. It is inspiring to see how much your

little. “Do you…not get this kind

afraid it’s not a question we ask them,” he says, his voice a little chagrined. “My father’s policy is instead to…tell

surprised that

murmur, wanting to shout from the rooftop that his father is a

before dropping his gaze to Rafe in my arms. ” I certainly won’t tell anyone.” He’s quiet for a moment and

son is a very handsome boy,” he says, smiling at Rafe. “I’m

He’s young, I think my own age – certainly younger than

children of your

his smile growing as he thinks of them. “My Luna gave birth to our son just a few months ago

between parents who love their

is perhaps what this

Something about his words strikes me as…wrong. And I can’t put my finger on it just

other child?” I ask,

she makes me laugh more than I thought anyone ever could.