The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Ella

I’m groggy, a few hours later, when I wake up because I honestly haven’t gotten much sleep. But still, I’m instantly aware that I’m awake because something in my body is…different.

s my eyes crack open, I have absolutely no idea what it is, and no real interest in finding out. Because nothing feels wrong or off…just… different…

So, I yawn and snuggle my body back against my naked mate, my spine pressed to his warm stomach. Sinclair gives a deep, sleepy little growl as he tightens his arm around me, holding me close even as he sleeps. I smile at this, happiness sweeping through me as I think about how lovely it is to have a mate that holds me and protects me even when he’s mostly unconscious.

And he’s so warm, and the bed is so soft, and the sheets are so smooth under my bare skin that I almost…

Almost fall back asleep…

But then? My eyes suddenly fly open.

Because there is…there is something new within me.

As I start to put the pieces together, I am instantly, starkly awake – and so is Rafe, I realize, as I peer through the dark over the side of the bed. My sweet baby is peering at me curiously through the slats of his crib – almost as if he can feel it too

This new…new thing within me, a bond that wasn’t there hours ago – but which is there now, just a tiny silver thread of something new

My hands fly to my mouth and my eyes instantly fill with tears because even though I didn’t experience this with Rafe – my wolf wasn’t awake then, after all, to help me feel it – I suddenly know precisely what it is.

My voice is shaky as I breathe the word, hardly daring to voice it.

“…baby – ”

Rafe burbles something, smiling at me and leaning forward, grabbing the edges of his crib, trying to pull himself up so that he can be closer – almost like he knows it too –

– the sound bubbling out of me, rich with joy. “Baby!” I say again,

his voice foggy with sleep, his had slipping to my waist as I spin to him, pushing him onto his back and throwing a leg over his hips so that I’m straddling him, my hands on

completely unable to contain myself, or think coherently, or make any

hips as he stares up at me, confused – worried but one look at

as I lean forward. “Don’t

me confused for a second – “Ella,”

go wide and I know,

his lap, his arms going tight around me as he stares down into my face. “Oh

hands in the air

his eyes suddenly flooding with tears as a mystified smile finds his lips. “Oh my god, Ella, another

wrap my arms around his shoulders, as he tucks his head against my neck and takes a few

and pride, and a

mate’s cheek and pull his face up to mine, grinning at him with abandon and wiping away his shocked and happy tears. “A

marvel as he sniffs his tears away, still laughing a little in shock. He pulls away from

Sinclair’s face back up to mine and kissing him, passing all my own joy down the bond. Because this moment

in his heart, holding me close

voice eager and

suddenly curious and a little anxious – is

steady hand on my cheek. “Close your eyes,” he murmurs, his voice excited, if soft. I do as he says, loosing a deep breath and draping my arms lightly around his neck before I close my eyes. I feel Sinclair connect to me down our bond, and then together we turn to the little silver bond that runs between both of us, just as Rafe’s bond does

almost as if he puts a

I

also has a line of sweetness and

with tears and

overwhelmed. “When Rafe was still

Slowly, Sinclair nods.

tell me!?” I ask, smacking him on the