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 pat down the sides of his body, and then

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

nods again and steps to the door, standing with one foot in

few steps closer to me not too close, but close enough to be conversational. “As he should be. Your

a little shrug, studying Calvin’s face carefully. As I do, I wonder a little how did he blend so seamlessly into the shadows? It’s not that dark out here was I just so distracted that I missed

is something

says, dipping into a little bow. “The ceremony today was very moving, as was the vote. It is inspiring to

ask, turning my head a little. “Do you…not get this

is instead to…tell the people how they feel about the royal family. And then punish

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

say that I think this policy is wise,” I murmur, wanting to shout from the rooftop that his father is

than that if you wish, Queen,” Calvin says, smirking a little as he takes a step closer at me and studies my face for a moment before dropping his gaze to

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

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

children of your own, Calvin?”

he thinks of them. “My Luna gave birth to our son just a few months ago – he’s just barely

– the alliance between parents who love their children. And damn it,

suppose, is perhaps what this

turn my head a little, curious. Something about his words strikes me

other child?”

“She is…well, she makes me