The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Ella

I ignore the soft growl that rumbles from the doorway, though Calvin glances briefly in that direction.

“No, Calvin,” I say, shaking my head softly. “We did a little bit of research this afternoon. And I’m sorry to say it if it makes you sad, but you’re not my mate.”

“What?” he breathes, confused, his eyebrows knitting together. “But – ”

“Why do you think you are?” I ask, honestly conflicted now.

And Calvin sweetly and awkwardly blushes, looking down at the carpet. ” My wolf is…pretty convinced, Ella,” he murmurs, probably fully aware that the words are enough to set Sinclair off again.

“Really?” I ask, pushing now,” Because my wolf – she says that you’re important to me, but she wasn’t sure enough to give it the name mate. And everyone else I’ve asked, Calvin…they were sure. Is your wolf absolutely positive?”

He sighs now, looking down at his hands as he perhaps consults with his wolf inside. “It’s…the strongest connection I’ve ever felt, Ella,” he murmurs. “With anyone. Is it…is it not enough? Even if my wolf feels a little bit of doubt, and can’t give you a certain yes?”

And suddenly my heart breaks for this man who I realize is…lonely. Who had an arranged marriage to a woman I’m not sure he loves, who is surrounded by a Kingdom full of people whose deepest beliefs he at least doubts, if not outright disbelieves. Calvin – he saw the bond between us and he grasped at it desperately, wanting it.

Wanting the different life I potentially offered one with love in it, and a new world full of different ideas.

My heart – it absolutely breaks for him, and down the bond I feel Sinclair’s own pity as he feels my emotions along with me.

But still I can’t love him just because he wants me to. I have a mate whom I love very, very much.

“Maybe it would be enough,” I say softly, “in a different time, a different… life. But Calvin, we asked and had it confirmed. You’re not my mate – I only have one. And it’s Dominic.”

face twisted in confusion. “Who on earth would you

little bit. ” She’s not precisely on

don’t think they do. We honestly don’t know how much Xander told him, but since they

know, Dominic, I reply as Calvin stares at me in confusion.

quietly, leaning forward

in surprise as Calvin stares at me in confusion, feeling it too, and

contacting her today, and everything she said about our bond being a seed. By the end of it, Calvin stares at me

ready to confess my devotion to you, and all along it was…nothing romantic. Not at

he needs to watch himself, but I ignore him, reaching out a hand between us. “Just because it’s not romantic doesn’t mean it’s not important,” I say

mine until we feel that pulse between us. Until the glow forms between our hands, eventually raising sparks in the air. We both stare at it

“See?” I say. “Magic.”

tucks it into his pocket, glancing towards the door. “I’m sorry… I

now so that we sit close together. “Calvin, you have nothing to be

into his lap. “I was ready to leave my wife, Ella,” he murmurs,

interrupt, and he looks up to see me shaking my head. “You’d have gone home, Calvin. For your children. And eventually, you would have figured out that what’s between us? It’s special, but it’s friendship. And

a hand, pressing it softly to my cheek. “For what might have been, Ella,” he murmurs,

smiling a little, marveling at the magic that swirls in the air. But before

sweet baby in his arms, glaring at both of us. Rafe lets out a little

go,” Calvin murmurs,

see him leave. There’s so much

once, making me grin

been outvoted. “But Calvin, you always have friends here. I hope that you truly believe that. The Goddess has wrought a bond between us, though it may

friend in Atalaxia, though I may be the only one,” he says with a little shrug. Then he looks over at Rafe, sleeping in Sinclair’s arms. “Though I hope the numbers grow as