The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Chapter 14 – Purchase

Ella

For a moment I don’t know how to answer the strange woman. Am I ready to begin learning how to bea queen? Is anyone ever? That’s the kind of job that takes a lifetime of preparation, and I still don’teven recognize half the words these people are using.

“Am I supposed to know what a beta is?” I whisper to Aileen, watching Sinclair stride out the door withan unreadable expression on his face.

“A beta is like a second in command.” She smiles warmly, coming forward and taking both of my handsin hers. Now that we’re alone, she looks me over with an approving nod. “Well you are a stunning littlething, I have to say. When Sinclair explained the situation to us I wasn’t sure what to think, but now thatI see you it makes a bit more sense. Any man would be lucky to have your genes passed down to theirpups.”

I bristle at this statement. I don’t mind the compliment, but after what happened with Mike, I’m notoverly fond of people commenting on my looks. I’ve already had one man reduce all of my value tophysical beauty, so I’m definitely not crazy about an entire society of werewolves looking at me throughthe same lens. Luckily if we pull this off, they’ll all believe I’m a shifter, but I suspect there will still besome questions. I’ll have to talk to Sinclair about giving me a good backstory.

“But being a beta is more than just a job, isn’t it?” I say, pushing past the awkwardness of the abruptsubject change. “It’s something you’re born into?”

Aileen seems to notice my discomfort, and takes her hands away. “Well yes, all wolves are born asalphas, betas or omegas.”

“And what do those things actually mean?” I press, not understanding.

“You can think about it like a class system, though it’s more complicated than that. Every wolf is borninto their role, and there isn’t any way of changing it. Alphas are the strongest both physically and inpersonality. That’s why they lead our packs, they are the only ones dominant enough to rule a lot ofvery powerful beings.” Aileen shares.

“But not all Alpha’s rule, do they?” I wonder aloud.

“No, only the strongest of the strong actually take control.” She clarifies patiently.

“So Sinclair?” Why does his name feel so electric on my tongue, why does the mere thought of himsend a shiver down my spine?

“Is the most powerful of the pack leaders. That’s why he’s campaigning to be king.” Aileen reveals.

“But why is it a campaign?” I inquire. “If it just comes down to brute strength.”

“Well in the old days they would just fight, but we’re more evolved now. Now we don’t just want a rulerwho can beat the competition into the ground, we want someone intelligent and compassionate.” Aileenexplains.

“I have a hard time thinking of Sinclair as compassionate.” I admit. He was certainly ruthless when itcame to our dealings. Then again, a little voice says in the back of my head. He did hold you when youcried.

Aileen looks as though she’s reading my mind. “Don’t let Dominic fool you.” She advises. “He’s had arough go of it with his mate. Trust me, once you get past all his walls and sharp edges, there’s a veryloving man underneath.”

“I don’t think I’ll be the one to get past those things.” I murmur doubtfully.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” She muses. “You’re giving him a pup – after all this time.”

I don’t know what to make of this statement, and before I can consider it, Aileen is forging on ahead.“Now betas are born mediators. They aren’t so bossy as Alphas, so they don’t butt heads with theleader vying for control. They’re more mellow and even-tempered, they balance the Alpha out. That’swhat my husband, Hugo, does for Dominic.”

“And omegas?” I ask.

“Omegas are on the bottom of the food chain, literally and figuratively. They’re smaller and weaker, andthey have naturally submissive natures. They’re followers, not leaders.”

“So compared to a human,” I probe, “where would an omega stand?”

Aileen’s lip twitches, “All wolves are stronger, faster and have sharper senses than humans, no mattertheir rank. We’re different species, even the weakest wolf will be stronger than you.” She pausesthoughtfully. “I wonder how Dominic will cope with that.”

“What do you mean?” I question anxiously.

“Alpha’s are very protective, very possessive. He’s not going to like the idea that you’ll be so vulnerableamong our kind.” She surmises, still halfway in her thoughts.

I can’t focus on this at the moment however – it’s not exactly news that Sinclair is bossy, and I’m stilltrying to wrap my head around the fact that magical creatures are real. “But how do shifters evenexist?” I burst out. “I mean, do we have some common ancestor?”

“No, the goddess created us separate from humans.” Aileen corrects gently.

Well this is new information. “The goddess?”

“The moon goddess, she rules over all creatures.” Aileen informs me, as if this should be commonsense.

“Why haven’t I ever heard of her?” I ask, holding my hands to my head in confusion.

“Humans are more distant from the divine. You don’t know about her, because you can’t feel her magicand influence. We can.” Aileen states matter-of-factly.

“Gosh that’s a lot to take in.” I mutter, trying to imagine what it would be like to feel celestial power, tocommune with the go ds of creation somehow. I never believed such a thing was possible. I never evenbelieved in a g od – how could I? My life hasn’t known manly blessings. It’s hard to believe in a higherpower when all you know is suffering. While I’m lost in my thoughts, a young boy comes runningthrough the door and Aileen catches him in a hug even as she scolds him.

“Naughty boy!” There was a huge smile on her face, and the child resembles her so clearly I know hemust be her son. “You should know better than to enter a closed door without knocking!”

There’s pure maternal joy shining off her face, and I have to wonder whether it’s the first time they’veseen each other that day, but when she speaks, it becomes clear that this is not the case. “Where’syour father, I left you with him only ten minutes ago!”

“I know but I missed you.” The boy grins up at his mother, and my heart melts in my chest. What must itbe like to love someone so completely, to have such a powerful bond to another being? I want it sobadly it hurts.

It’s still so surreal to think I’m really pregnant after all this time, that it takes me a moment to rememberI don’t have to long hopelessly anymore. I’m going to have that kind of love soon. I press my hand tomy belly with excitement. I can’t wait until my next check up, until I can hear that tiny heart beat again,and see the baby in a sonogram. Sinclair is taking me this afternoon – to a shifter doctor this time – andI’m counting down the minutes now more than ever.

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Thump thump thump.

Has there ever been a more beautiful sound than my baby’s heartbeat? If there has, I’ve certainlynever heard it. This appointment is so different from my last one. Instead of Sinclair towering over melobbing threats and accusations, he’s by my side, staring at the ultrasound screen with the widest smileI’ve ever seen on his face – completely transfixed.

I know exactly how he feels. These last few days I’ve felt like a higher power myself. I’m creating lifeinside me and it’s nothing short of a miracle. In the moments I can forget my troubles, I’m giddy withhappiness. I didn’t realize how low my hope had fallen until I felt such disbelief at finally becomingpregnant.

“I never thought this day would come.” I didn’t mean to say the words, but they fall from my tongue asfresh tears burn in my eyes – tears of joy this time.

Sinclair’s face turns away from the screen for the first time, his brilliant green eyes landing on my faceas a tender smile takes over his features. His massive hand slides around my crown, gently cradlingmy head as he lowers his brow to mine, until they’re resting against each other.

“It’s real.” He whispers to me, and I nod happily, taking comfort in his protective hands.

“Hmm.” The doctor mutters, breaking our revelry.

“What, is something wrong?” I ask anxiously. Sinclair’s thumb immediately begins brushing back andforth across my hair, instinctively soothing my fraying nerves.

“The baby’s just a bit small for my liking.” He tells us, making my heart race with worry.

Both men hear it immediately on the machines surrounding us, and Sinclair shushes me softly. “That’snot necessarily bad, is it?”

“Well babies develop at different rates, but for a man of your size and strength, I would have expecteda larger fetus.” The doctor shares.

My hands are shaking, but Sinclair doesn’t seem bothered. He snorts, “They told my mother the sameexact thing when she was carrying me, and I turned out fine. She was little, like you.” He adds warmly,“your body is doing it’s best, it needs to fatten up a bit before it can support a bigger baby.”

I have to fight the urge to laugh, and instead bat my lashes at him. “Then you should let me have all theice cream I want.”

Sinclair tosses his head back and laughs, “You are incorrigible.” He remarks wryly. “What am I going todo with you at the campaign dinner tomorrow?”

“Campaign dinner?” I repeat, confused.

“Yes, didn’t I tell you?” He looks genuinely surprised, or I might be more upset. “Tomorrow it’s out of thefrying pan and into the fire for our plan. I need you by my side. ”