The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Chapter 127 – Sinclair Comes Home

Sinclair

The battle lasted for hours.

By the time we reached the border, rogues were already pouring into the territory. I fanned my men outin a wide net to intercept them, hoping that Hugo, Roger and my other squadron leaders were doingthe same at the other borders. This was the first time I’d been in a fight without Gabriel and Sean, andthough I was confident my warriors were up to the task, it felt strange to be in battle without them. Ofcourse it was completely worth it, I wouldn’t trust Ella with anyone else.

Just before the fighting began, I forced myself to put Ella and the baby out of my thoughts. If I let myselfworry about them I would be distracted from the battle, and that could be deadly. What’s more, if Ifocused on my sweet mate or what she might think of the violence I was committing, I might not be ableto do what was necessary to win. War is brutal and ruthless – there’s no room for softness or tenderfeelings, and Ella inspires nothing but.

I told myself that I’d let myself feel the toll of violence when it was over. I had to turn off my emotions inthe moment in order to protect my pack and my family, and I could live with the callousness of being acold-blooded killing machine for a few hours. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I failed.

I lost count of how many rogues I killed, how many lives I ended with nothing more than my fangs. Asthe fighting dragged on, I focused only on the next step, the next target. I took my fair share of blows,becoming beaten and bruised as the night continued. Claws sliced into my ribs, teeth dragged downmy back, and my own blood and sweat blended with the mud and fluids of dying rogues.

When it was all over the earth suddenly seemed too quiet. I’d gotten so used to the sounds ofaggression and pain, the blood rushing in my own ears, that I worried something might be wrong with

my hearing. Shaking myself, I recall that the wilderness should be serene and still – if anything isabnormal it’s the blood soaking into the ground as far as the eye can see.

I look around the forest, watching my wolves patrol for signs of survivors with a sense of grim pride. Ithadn’t been easy, but we did our job. For the first time I take an inventory of my own injuries, noticingthe lingering pain in my ribs, and the beginning of a wicked bruise on my leg.

I can’t relax until I know that the other fights succeeded as well, so I shift and race back to the car toretrieve my phone. Roger, Hugo and the other commanders all sent messages saying that their areaswere secure, and the former two are already on their way here to provide backup in case we need it. Icall them off, instead turning to the reporters who followed us into the field, filming the battle.

I look into the nearest camera, trying to hide my impatience. I want to send the pack reassurance, but Ineed to get back to Ella too. I know she made it to the safe house alright and that nothing will happenas long as they’re there, but this entire ordeal has been incredibly unnerving. “I’m pleased to report thatthe invasion has been successfully stopped. My enforcers have pushed back and eliminated the roguethreat, with minimal losses on our side. I will provide more details in the hours and days to come, but Iwant to assure everyone that Moon Valley is safe, and the all clear signal will be issued as soon aspossible.”

The reporter standing next to the cameraman frowns, raising his hand to his ear. “Alpha, headquartersis saying the all clear was already given – hours ago.”

“What?” I demand, my face crumpling into a grimace. “That’s not possible.”

“I don’t know how it happened, but they’re certain. It doesn’t sound like anyone took it seriouslybecause they could see from our footage that the threat was ongoing, but the signal was definitelygiven.”

I pause, trying to wrap my head around this idea. The only people in the territory who can issueemergency orders (or call them off) are myself, the Alpha council and the King. As I process this,something else occurs to me. Everyone with access to technology would see the footage, but we keepthe sirens and all clear signal systems for people who don’t or who aren’t connected in the moment. Mysafe houses are technology free for very good reason – because when the Prince attempted toassassinate my father, the hitman tracked him through his devices.

A horrible possibility enters my head then. If the all clear went out then Gabriel and Sean would havefollowed protocol and taken Ella home.

What if our fears were right, and this was a distraction? My wolf growls. If the King can call for the allclear the Prince probably found a way to use his father’s authority to give the order, and then Ellawould have come out of hiding.

Damn it, this is Lydia’s doing! I think bitterly. She knows our protocols, she knows the systems. Ifeveryone else was still inside hunkering down, the Prince’s men could have intercepted Ella or waitedfor her at the house, and no one would notice a thing.

“I have to go.” I declare gruffly, turning on my heel and striding back to the cars. I call Hugo and Rogerand brief them along the way, beyond furious with myself for not foreseeing this possibility. They try toassure me that it’s probably nothing, but I won’t have it. I can feel that something is wrong in my gut.

We race back to the city, breaking every speed limit possible along the way. I’m silently praying to theGoddess the whole journey, begging her to let me be wrong.

Of course, I wasn’t wrong.

When we get back to the house, I discover one of the guards in charge of protecting Ella lying in abloody heap on the doorstep. “Alpha.” He groans, clutching a wound in his stomach. “I’m sorry.”

“Shit, help him.” I order, slipping my hands under his arms while Hugo takes his feet and we cart himinside. We lay him out on the couch and Roger leaves to call for a doctor. “Jeremy, where are theothers?” I ask sharply, trying to stay calm even though I’m fairly certain my entire world is about to end.

“Dead.” He moans, tears burning in his eyes. “Gabriel, Sean… they’re all dead.”

“What happened?” I inquire, my hands clenched in fists at my sides. He hadn’t said Ella’s name, but ifher protectors are dead and she’s not here… only a fool would hold onto hope in such circumstances.

“They ambushed us, surrounded us so we had no choice but to fight.” He coughs, and crimson liquidstains his lips. “We were so outnumbered… we never stood a chance. And then Ella… they were aboutto kill Gabriel and she must have known we’d lost. She got out of the car and told them to leave usalone, she gave herself up to save us.”

That did it. The leash I’d been holding on my emotions snapped as my entire world shattered. Anagonized roar bursts from my lips, and I crash to my knees, unable to believe my ears. I’ve neverknown such pain, to not only lose my mate but our pup, and to think it happened when I left her alone.

No! She can’t be gone. My wolf howls desperately. I would feel it, I would sense it.

I don’t believe this. I spiral into denial right along with him, It can’t be true. It’s too horrible. What wasshe thinking – impossible, noble little fool. Why would she sacrifice herself!

“They killed Gabriel anyway, and she was so furious… she just attacked them.” He shakes his head, asif he still can’t believe how fearless she’d been. “I’m so sorry, Alpha.” He groans, “they took her.”

I’ve entered a strange fog, and it takes me a moment to understand. My head jerks up, “Wait a minute– they took her?”

“Yes.” He nods, “They put her in the car and drove off.”

“They didn’t kill her?” I demand, needing to be certain I understood him correctly.

“If they did, they didn’t do it in front of me.” He murmurs regretfully.

“Dominic?” Roger says, looking at me with obvious concern.

“This is Lydia.” I hiss. “The Prince isn’t this strategic.” A moment ago it had felt as though everything Iknew and loved was breaking into a million tiny pieces, but now the destruction halts. Nothing is fixedor restored, the collapse is simply stalled, with my heart hanging in the balance. Now the ridiculouskernel of hope burgeoning in my chest surges forward, and I replace myself forming a plan. “I want to talkto them – right fucking now!”