The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Chapter 169 – Ella Hides

Ella

“Ella, why are we doing this?” Cora inquires in exasperation, her legs treading the steaming water ofthe palace baths.

“Because I’m avoiding Dominic and water is the only way I know to hide my scent.” I answer primly,swimming around her in circles. I’m wearing a borrowed swimsuit, and I’d even showered with Cora’ssoap and worn her clothes on the way here – anything to try and disguise my scent.

I then persuaded Gabriel to show me some of the hidden passages in the Royal residence so thatSinclair couldn’t track me through the halls, and as far as I know my mate doesn’t even know thesebaths exist. They’re a relic from a bygone era, when it had been in fashion to bathe socially rather thanin private. I wouldn’t know about them if I hadn’t asked. Luckily the King seems so amused by myschemes that he hasn’t shown any reluctance to help me, regardless of his friendship with my mate.

“This is silly,” Cora complains, rolling her big brown eyes. “He can’t make you forgive him if you’re notready.”

I snort with laughter, rubbing my belly and sharing my amusement with my unborn pup. ‘Try telling thatto an Alpha.” I retort wryly. “As far as Dominic is concerned he can declare our fight over and sex meinto complacency.”

“I still don’t see why you should have to hide. I mean he might think that but it’s not like it could actuallywork…” She trails off, studying me closely.” Right?’

“Well not the way you mean.” I admit flushing deep pink. “It’s not like it would change my feelings ormake me forget why I’m upset, but I also won’t be able to resist him.” I confess, heat pooling in my belly

at the very thought. “He has this power over me, Cora. Even though I want to stay angry because I feelin my bones that I’m right, part of me still wants him to replace me, because he’s my mate and it’s right thathe should.” She still looks confused, so I continue, “It’s a mark of his power, proof that I don’t ever haveto worry about being lost because he’ll always replace me. And it’s the same with sex… I respond to hisdominance on an instinctual level, and when he employs it against me… I don’t stand a chance – whichI hate but also secretly love.”

“So if he does figure out you’re here and drag you off like a caveman, you’ll cave?” Cora surmises,shaking her head. “My lionhearted sister? No, I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it,” I sigh mournfully. Til be putty in his hands and afterwards I’ll be all sated and sleepy andhe’ll start sweet talking me… and the next thing you know I’ll be cuddling up to him instead of kickinghim out of bed to sleep on the couch where he belongs.”

“That sounds diabolical.” Cora frowns, sharing my indignation with such ruthless tactics.

“Just you wait.” I chuckle,”If you don’t replace a way to dissuade Roger you’ll be in the same boat soon.”

“No, actually I think he got the message.” Cora denies, and an image flashes into my mind of an ostrichsticking its head in the sand. “He hasn’t made a move or mentioned it again.”

I can only scoff, “It was just yesterday, Cora.” Briefly I wonder if I’m making things better or worse bywarning her. The more I’ve considered it, the more I think a wolf like Roger might be good for my sister,and if she knows what’s coming she’ll be prepared. She’ll also probably resist her feelings all the more,which will egg his wolf on like nothing else. “I guarantee he didn’t give up that quickly. In fact, the morequiet things are the more worried I’d be. Knowing wolves he’ll wait until the very moment you thinkyou’re safe before jumping out and snatching you up.”

“Very well put, mate.” Sinclair’s rumbling voice sounds behind us, and Cora and I both jump a foot intothe air. I don’t know how he managed to sneak up on us, when I’m as attuned to his scent as I am, but

damned if he didn’t replace a way. Cora and I swim to the other side of the pool, determined to make abreak for it, but Sinclair is too fast. He’s there waiting when I reach the water’s edge, and before I canconsider turning to race away in the opposite direction he plucks me out of the sunken bath.

“Dominic, let me go! This isn’t fair.” I object, wriggling and writhing in his arms.

“I disagree.” He purrs with dark amusement. ‘These were your terms baby, you set the challenge and Irose to it. And before you try to pretend otherwise, you should know I can feel how satisfied your wolfis. She knows this is the way it’s supposed to be.”

He’s right, the tyrant. My wolf is all ready to roll over and show him her belly, to invite his own inneranimal to ravish her as if she’s not every bit as upset as I am that he’s leaving – if not more so. I’mmuttering mutinously under my breath now, but Sinclair doesn’t seem to mind, he simply hitches me upinto his arms and nods to Cora before carting me out of the room.

“You’re dripping water everywhere, you know.” I tell him bitterly, crossing my arms over my chest as wemove through the halls.

“I am?’ He inquires, sounding much too pleased with himself, the rat.” From where I’m standing it lookslike you’re the one making a mess of the King’s lovely parquet.” He has a point. I am the one who’s allwet, but I took a towel to the baths and he abandoned it in his determination to be an ogre.

At the same time, his wolf is growling in my head, making sultry declarations that have my own wolfsquirming with anticipation and need. Such a naughty mate, hiding from me, disguising your delectablescent… wasting the precious time we have left together making me search for you … fighting me whenall I want is to take care of you. What am I going to do with such an unruly little she-wolf?

You could release me and apologize for being a big bully and not letting me do my job as your Luna.She sasses in reply. If I’m unruly it’s only because you’re being especially unreasonable.

Sinclair strides into our rooms, and sets me on the ground, closing the door behind him. He standsbefore me with his hands on his hips, looming so close that mere inches separate us. No, it meansyou’re frightened and hurt and lashing out at me when all I’m doing is trying to protect our family. Hecorrects me sternly.

Sinclair prowls forward, and I back away, bracing myself for more admonitions. Instead my mate’sfeatures soften as he reaches for me. And that’s okay, because I don’t like it any more than you do andI know how important stability is to your sense of wellbeing – especially now that you’re breeding. Heshares, surprising me with this show of empathy. I also know that I represent stability and safety to yourwolf, so while you may be expressing your frustration about your role as my Luna, the real issue here isseparation anxiety. Sinclair concludes firmly. Am I wrong?

No, I squeak, so caught up in our conversation that I can’t stop to think how strange and right it seemsthat this is all happening in our heads.

I thought not. Sinclair nods, never taking his eyes off me. I know it’s frightening to feel so attached tome, when you’ve never relied on anyone this way before – but what you need to understand is that thisis what being mated is for wolves. It’s not a sign of weakness or unhealthiness, it’s a tribute to thedepth and strength of our connection. I feel the same dependance on you, Ella, but it doesn’t scare mebecause I know it’s right.

For a moment I’m truly startled by how well he seems to understand my feelings, but I quickly realizehow foolish this is. Of course he knows, I’ve probably sent half of these things through our bond. Still,it’s more reassuring than I could imagine to feel so seen by the man I love.

Sinclair is still going, still bearing down on me as I instinctively retreat. It’s also why it’s so importantthat we don’t waste a single minute together.

Now that we’ve shared this love, life without it seems unimaginable and fucking unbearable – and theremight come a day when that happens, as much as I despise that possibility.

Suddenly I feel absolutely wretched for avoiding my mate – for running and hiding when he’s exactlyright. I’m on the verge of tears for the dozenth time today, but this is the first time it’s due to my ownguilt, rather than my misplaced anger with Sinclair. “I’m sorry.” I hiccup, speaking aloud for the firsttime. I stop backing away, instead leaning forward and wrapping my arms around his middle. “You’reright. I’ve been acting like a child.”

Sinclair purrs and returns my embrace, squeezing me tightly. “You’ve been acting like a she-wolf who’safraid, and one whose mate isn’t giving her what she needs… but I just can’t this time, sweetheart.”

“I know.” I nod, sniffling. “But it was easier to blame you than face my feelings.”

“I know.” He croons, giving me the same acceptance and confirmation I’ve just offered. Of course, amoment later his tender tone goes dark and sultry, “But we still have tonight, plenty of time for me togive you that dominance you hate but secretly love…”

I gulp, my eyes going wide as I take in his wolfish features as I recall my conversation with Cora. “Youheard that?’ “Oh yes, trouble.” He confirms, sensual promise in his deep voice. “I certainly did.” i