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 –

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

pushing him onto his back and throwing a leg over his hips so that I’m straddling

almost in pieces because of it, completely unable to contain myself, or think

suddenly awake, his hands tightening on my hips as he stares up at me, confused – worried but one look at my thrilled face makes

as I lean forward. “Don’t you feel

at me confused for a second – “Ella,”

then his eyes suddenly go wide and

well, shifting me back a little so that I’m sitting in his lap, his arms going tight around me as he stares down into my face. “Oh my god,” he murmurs, still shocked, still feeling it out- making sure that

my hands in the air above

a mystified smile finds his lips. “Oh my god, Ella, another baby

tucks his head against my neck and takes a few shaky, happy breaths, passing all of his emotions to me

sudden anxiety, and joy, and pride, and

pull his face up to mine, grinning at him with abandon and wiping away his shocked and happy tears.

staring at me like I’m a marvel as he sniffs his tears away, still laughing a little in shock. He pulls away

Because this moment – I’ve been

with all the love in his heart, holding me close and rocking me back and forth before he

his voice eager

and a little anxious

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 so slim, so tenuous and

as if he puts a mental finger out and strokes it, just gently

a glowing rush, I suddenly

sweetness and determination within it not that that Rafe lacks

open my eyes they’re filled with tears and my lower lip

you know all this?” I ask quietly, completely overwhelmed. “When Rafe was still

Slowly, Sinclair nods.

didn’t you tell me!?” I ask, smacking