The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Cora

“Well,” Hank says, sighing contentedly as he wraps an arm around Sarah’s shoulders. “With Ella here in the city able to patch up anyone pretty much instantly and cure a variety of diseases just by holding people’s hands, there’s not as much use for me here.”

“Oh!” Ella squeaks, and I laugh because I can tell that she feels guilty for making Hank feel a little redundant.

“No, Ella,” Hank says, grinning at her. “Sarah and I just talked about it and I think we can be of more use up in the Northern provinces. There’s a great deal of people there – both humans and wolves – who are without healthcare, and especially without a surgeon.” He shrugs. “I think we can do some good.”

“I think that’s really cool, Hank,” I say, grinning at him.

“I think it’s right,” he says, smiling at me. “But still, I’m glad we got to be here for this, and to meet Jesse.”

“I’m glad too,” I say softly, smiling at my friend. Because as much as my life is full now, and I have less and less time to spend at the clinic…I will certainly miss him.

Hank leans forward to give me a kiss on the cheek, his own quiet farewell, and then Ella walks he and Sarah from the room, murmuring something about Sinclair wanting to say goodbye.

When he leaves, Roger walks quietly over to me, his hands in his pockets, his eyes on the door. “What was that all about?”

“Well,” I say, smiling up at him, ” you’ll be glad to know that Hank is moving away – up to the northern provinces, actually.” I don’t know much about the kingdom’s territories up there, but I do know that it’s a lot of wild land and a lot of rough living. I wonder, privately, if it will suit Hank and Sarah, who don’t exactly strike me as country folk.

“Oh,” Roger says as he purses his lips and looks towards the door, nodding slowly.

I click my tongue, my face bursting into a grin.

“What?” Roger asks, turning to me.

“I can’t believe you’re not crowing with victorious joy,” I say, laughing and shaking my head at him.

“Well,” Roger says, lifting his chin, though he can’t fight his smile anymore. “My mother told me that if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

I roll my eyes. “Words you’ve never lived by.”

the bed and smiling as he looks at the baby and me. “I’m a role model

sleeping boy. “He’s going to reform for

leaning close

give him one week,” I whisper to Jesse,

me laugh harder. Jesse’s eyes flutter open a

closer and rocking him so that he’ll go

the fun,” Roger sighs, stroking a hand over

to have to get a lot less sleep,” I say, lifting my head to grin at my mate. “Because we laugh a lot in this family. And I don’t intend

me, confirming my thought, and leans in for a

Ella

comes to the bottom of the stairs, Rafe tucked still sleeping in his arm, and frowns up at me as I descend

is leaving, going to work in the northern provinces! I say to my

surprise for a second, and then he smiles. And how on earth would I make him

know, I reply, scowling. Some sort of…King edict.

and then turns to Hank and Sarah as they reach the

Sarah and Hank. “I hear you’re leaving. It’s a shame – you’ll

frowning at his King, and then he glances back at me. “You know,” he says, shaking

the packs in the northern provinces are very tight-knit

says, nodding. “Their healing practices are said to be

I come to his side and pout at Hank and Sarah, really not wanting them to leave. “Even just so Ella has an excuse to call you back to the capital every once in a while to throw you a party and see

eagerly, letting them know I want that

us. “For such incredible opportunities. And for introducing us. Sarah and I are…” he

that,” I say, tucking my clasped hands under my chin and beaming at them. “And you’ll keep

a hand on my shoulder. “I owe you everything, Ella – keeping in touch is the least we can

say, raising my eyebrows, but Sinclair

head at me even as he smiles. “Your path is your