The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Ella

I feel the poor human woman’s shoulders shake and I take a deep breath, remembering my duty to her as well. “Come on,” I say, trying to keep my voice light as I turn her and her daughters away. “I’m so sorry about this – let’s get somewhere more peaceful.”

And as we begin to walk away, I leave my faith in Sinclair to settle this as he will. But I hope to hell the Atalaxians know what’s good for them, because my mate?

He won’t hesitate to fight, if they push him to it. And if they do? I shake my head, considering how fast each of them will lose.

But I put this out of my mind, chatting lightly with the woman as we move away, asking her name. The woman introduces herself as Tempest Bowers, a journalist and the wife of an elected official of one of our eastern provinces. Genuinely pleased to meet her, I begin to ask more questions about their lives as we move to the head table, where I know for certain that there is plenty of candy for the girls to take.

But before we can get there, someone hits my shoulder – hard as they pass, making me stumble. My ankle twists in my high heel and I lose my balance, threatening to fall, gasping and holding Rafe tight to me.

Tempest grabs my arm just in time.

“Oh my goodness,” she says, her eyes wide as she helps me regain my balance. And then both of our eyes move to follow the hateful old man my uncle, of course who hit me hard with his shoulder on his way out. He does not bother to look back and apologize.

Of course, why would he? He did it on purpose.

“He’s a hateful old creep, isn’t he?” I ask, frowning after the man, and the woman to my surprise – bursts out laughing.

“He is certainly a piece of work,” she says, nodding along and dropping my arm. “Do you…know him?”

“He’s my uncle,” I say with a grimace, making her laugh again, harder this time.

“I have some in my family,” Tempest says, looking after him as he storms from the room, “who are…less pleasant too. So, I can emote with that.”

table where Sinclair and I had our dinner and I hand the girls as many candy bars as I can find left on the table, knowing no one will miss them. The girls begin to grin as their

laughing. ” Go find dad, all right?” she

beautiful girls,” I say as

you,” Tempest replies, reaching out to run a finger across Rafe’s sleepy cheek. “Your own is

happy little sigh, looking down at my kid with a smile. “And I

over her shoulder, seeing Sinclair striding

you to this,” she says, gesturing towards him. “But it was very nice to meet you, your highness – and thank you, very much, for your help over there.

eyebrows going up. “You did nothing wrong. And please call me Ella,” I say with a grin. “After that? We

laughs and nods, stepping away from me with a little wave just before

voice worried. Then his eyes follow my new friend as

all. I mean honestly, why would the Atalaxians even come to a party of mixed humans and wolves

sense,” Sinclair replies with a grimace, “that they were looking for a bit of a fight. Or, at least

I ask, my eyes

Sinclair murmurs, his eyes on the door where Xander just left, “if the Atalaxians brought him to have someone to pick their fight for them. I mean, come on they had to

looking towards the door. “Bringing someone who they knew would

look up at Sinclair to ask

think unconsciously reaching for the baby. I smile a little, handing him over to her, pleased to see how

Sinclair and I turn my fond gaze to him now. He’s not as familiar with human wedding traditions as Cora and

there listening to Sinclair recap the events? He’s every bit

a deep breath, so grateful again for my family,

Roger says, his hands on his hips as he, too, looks towards the door. “I don’t trust this. If he was publicly embarrassed and his new nation didn’t stand up

agree,” a voice chimes in, and Roger and Sinclair part to reveal Calvin standing there behind them, his own face worried. “I came to let you know that trouble is brewing, but…I think you’ve already figured

a step forward, my face falling. “Is he…do you know what he has