The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

“Ella,” Clavin says, his voice thick with emotion. His hand continues its path, reaching for me, his fingers brushing the velvet sleeve of my gown before I can pull away.

“What,” I whisper, taking a few steps back, wanting space between us. “What was that?”

“I don’t – ”

Before he can finish though, we both turn towards the darkened doorway to the balcony. I instantly recognize the silhouette I see there as my mate’s and breathe out a breath of relief.

I mean it’s not that I think that Calvin or I did anything wrong, or that Calvin was going to hurt me, but whatever passed between us? It was strange.

And suddenly as I remember the pulse that happened last night, when Calvin touched my hand – I want my mate here, now, at my side.

“Is everything all right out here?” Sinclair growls, his voice low and full of the threat that his words don’t carry.

He takes a step forward into the darkness as Calvin takes a step away from me and bows to him, both a formality shown to a king and a display of deference to an Alpha who thinks he might sense a threat to his mate.

“Everything is fine, Dominic,” I say, holding out a hand to him, doing my best to keep my voice light though I suspect I’m failing a little bit. “Prince Calvin was just telling me about his children. Did you know that he has a son just older than Rafe? And his daughter is three.”

not know,” Sinclair says, prowling to my side, his eyes fixed on the Atalaxian prince. “Your family keeps such information close to their chest, do

we do share it with our closest friends. And I very much hope that after this trip that I will be able to tell my children about my new friends

so as well,” I say, hoping my words assure Calvin that I’m on his side, and to persuade Sinclair that no matter what

at my side, pressing his hands into his pockets and looking

at me, his face genuinely pained. “I was not, What did he

refusal to look me in the eye. Calvin sighs deeply as he listens, lifting a hand

then at Sinclair. “It is…please, I beg you you to consider that there was and is dissent within our nation. While I’m sure that some of our delegation encouraged Xander and support his disgusting ideas, some of

Sinclair says slowly. “Then I’d look forward to speaking further with those

you’ll allow me to set it up,” the prince says quietly,

mouth, clear that that’s his final word on the

a good night as well, a move that adds another tick in his favor as far as I’m concerned. I quite like it

knowing that’s less important at this particular moment, I look up at Sinclair. “Is everything all

you the same,” he says, looming

confused.

Sinclair says, shaking his head at me a little. “Having private conversations with a member of

say, waving a hand towards the door. “He wants to make

he’s just telling you he wants a change,” Sinclair growls, “to get you on his side. He knows you’re soft hearted!

but that’s something you value about me. You can’t have it both ways – you can’t love that about me and then use it as a reason

and then nods his head. “All right, that’s fair,” he murmurs. ” But Ella, we agreed that you’d let me take the lead on these things – that you would allow me to take care

at him with wide and loving eyes. “Dominic, if you tell me never to see him again, I won’t. But last night you told me to trust my instincts, and they’re telling me to trust him. Prince Calvin – he speaks to me and if this is an in with the Atalaxians?