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…”

Calvin to pat down the sides of his body, and then his

I nod back to him and give him

again and steps to the door, standing with one foot in the ballroom and the other out on the balcony, a constant

glancing at Conner and taking a few steps closer to me not too close, but

face carefully. As I do, I wonder a little how did

something else going

says, dipping into a little bow. “The ceremony today was very moving, as was the vote. It is inspiring to see how much your people support you – the wolves and

a little. “Do you…not get this kind of support from your

chagrined. “My father’s policy is instead to…tell the people how they feel about the royal

raise my eyebrows, genuinely surprised that he’s being so candid

shout from the rooftop that his father is a tyrant, but working very, very hard to be

as he takes a step closer at me and studies my face for a moment before dropping his gaze to Rafe in my arms. ” I certainly won’t tell anyone.” He’s quiet for a moment and I adjust the baby so he can see my son

handsome boy,” he says, smiling at Rafe. “I’m sure he’ll grow to

up at Calvin, curious. He’s young, I think my own age – certainly younger than Sinclair – but, well, I’m

you have children of your own, Calvin?” I

bringing his gaze up to mine. “Two,” he says, his smile growing as he thinks of them. “My Luna gave birth to our

him, liking him even more now that I know he’s a father. There’s something about that – the alliance between parents who love their children. And damn it, even if I was determined to hate the Atalaxians… well, I can’t hate

perhaps what

head a little, curious. Something about his words strikes me as…wrong. And I can’t put my finger

your other child?” I ask,

makes me laugh more