The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 212

Chapter 212

Chapter 212 – Tattletales

Ella

“Four broken ribs.” The doctor assesses grimly, “and with all the exercise you’ve done since the initialbrakes, they haven’t been able to set or heal. I have an injection I can give you to fuse the bonesquickly, but it’s painful, and we still need to set them first.”

“What about his other injuries?” Henry inquires anxiously, seated on the other side of me.

“I’ll do a scan to assess the exact placement of his ribs, and I can extend it to the rest of his abdomento rule out internal injuries. I don’t see anything else of concern.” The doctor shares with much moreoptimism.

“He’s got a good size lump on the back of his head.” I inform the physician, still running my handsthrough Sinclair’s hair.

‘Then you two will match.” Philippe interjects, reminding us all of the way I headbutted his chin in myattempts to reach Sinclair. “When you’re done with him, you ought to check her for a concussion.”

“I hardly think that’s necessary.” I complain, reaching back to see if the area is tender, then reflexivelywincing when my fingers graze the swollen knot at the back of my skull.

“It is.” Five dominant voices assert, the loudest and most forceful coming from my lap. I send Roger,Henry, Philippe and Gabriel mutinous glances, much good that it does me.

“I was already planning on examining her.” The doctor relates, having the unbelievable nerve to look atSinclair now, rather than me. “From the sounds of it she’s been much too active following her collapse.”

“What collapse?” Sinclair demands fiercely, his eyes pinning me with a suspicious glare. I turn myindignant gaze on the doctor now, but my mate catches my chin and returns my attention to him. “Don’tblame them for telling me what you should have told me yourself.”

“And when should I have done that?” I argue, feeling truly overwhelmed now. I can’t believe they’re allganging up on me when Sinclair is injured and needs our attention most. “You’ve been back tenminutes and you’re in much worse shape than I am. Rafe and I are fine, you’re the one we need toworry about.”

“What happened, little wolf?” He asks, his voice gentle, for I’m sure he can sense my genuine distress.

Taking a deep breath, I force the words out in a rush, speaking as quickly as I can in the futile hope thathe might not catch all the details. “It wasn’t a big deal. My blood pressure spiked when Gabriel’s dronesfound the wreckage from the bomb, that’s all. I passed out and they sedated me. I slept for three wholedays, so I’m much better rested and healthy than you are.”

Sinclair’s pupils contract, and his irate gaze swings to the King. “You let her watch you search for thewreckage?”

Gabriel shifts uneasily from foot to foot. “Well, we didn’t know what we would replace. Besides, Ella is theonly reason we knew something had happened.”

“And did none of you consider the possibility that you would replace us dead?” He sits up, power rolling offof him in heady waves, “It was sickening for me to see that scene and I’ve been in battle. What the hellwere you thinking?” A flash of the gut-wrenching horror Sinclair felt when he woke from the bomb blastslips through our bond, and my wolf whimpers in my head. 1

“Dominic, it’s okay, come back to me.” I encourage, trying to guide his shoulders back down. He obeys,but I suspect he only does it to settle my wolf.

“It’s not okay.” Sinclair tells me, his voice like gravel. He reaches up to cup my cheek. “I’m sorry youhad to see that.”

“It might have upset me, but it wasn’t enough to convince me you were gone.” I remind him, leaningdown to kiss his pillowy lips, “My faith in our bond kept me from believing the worst.”

“So much so that she didn’t eat or bathe, or sleep again after she woke up.” Philippe offers, his armscrossed over his chest. “She just kept trying to escape.”

I tear my attention from Sinclair, truly outraged now. “Would you stop this?!” I exclaim, feeling as thoughI might scream. I’m so sick of my pack of overbearing babysitters that I could honestly throttle them.And for once, I don’t give a single damn that they’re tattling on me, I care that they might further upsetmy mate when he’s already hurt and grieving. “Do you have any idea what he’s been through! Hedoesn’t need to be worrying about me right now. What is wrong with you all!?”

A tender purr begins to vibrate in my lap, and I can feel Sinclair’s wolf reaching out to mine. “Don’t bemad at them, baby.” Sinclair murmurs, sliding his hand to my nape and massaging my tense muscles.“I know you don’t like seeing me hurt, but they’re telling me exactly what I need to know – what I wantto know.”

I shake my head defiantly. “No, you need to come first this time.” I reply thickly, wondering how theycan all be so blind. “You almost died… you lost Hugo and your men.” 3

“And if I had died, they would have been doing exactly what I wished – taking care of you and Rafewhen I couldn’t.” Sinclair croons.

“What, by being intrusive, overbearing bullies?” I sniff, hating the very suggestion of him truly beinggone.

“Is that so different from me?” Sinclair asks with a crooked smile.

“Of course it is – because you’re my mate.” I reply fervently. ‘You’re only do it because you love me.”

“Well why the hell do you think it’s different with us, Ella?” Philippe grouses, pulling my attention awayfrom my mate.

“Because Dominic would disembowel you if you let anything happen to me.” I answer easily, my wolffeeling a bloodthirsty thrill at the thought of our mate’s prowess.

Roger rolls his eyes, sarcasm heavy on his tongue. “Guess again genius.”

Gabriel clears his throat, diplomatically adding. “I think what Roger means is – why would we have tofear that if Dominic was dead? If that’s the only reason we were doing it, why did we continue when wethought he was gone?”

I look between them, slowly piecing together the clues. When the realization strikes, I turn to Sinclair forconfirmation. Do they mean what I think they mean? I mean I know Henry is fond of me but…

“Of course they love you, Ella.” He says, assuaging my doubts and making me feel extremely guilty forgiving them such a hard time.

“We’ve been trying to take care of you because we would be heartbroken if anything happened to you.”Henry contributes, “And that’s why we’re telling Dominic what’s been going on – because we wantwhat’s best for you, and he’s the only one to whom you’ll truly respond.”

‘That and you won’t tell him yourself.” Roger mutters, but there’s only humor in his voice.

“Roger.” Henry bites, shooting the wolf a scowl before stealing one of my hands and squeezing it. “I’msorry we didn’t listen to you, Ella. But I’m not sorry for the rest. We were doing the best with theinformation we had. But never doubt that we acted from a place of love.” 1

My lower lip quivers, and I stare up at the men apologetically. “I didn’t realize… I’m sorry.” I try to fightback my tears, but my hormones are unrelenting. I swear once this baby comes, I won’t cry again for ayear. I vow to myself, wondering if this is a promise I can keep. The tears come all the same, but I try tokeep my voice steady, “I mean, not for disobeying you or smashing you in the jaw,” I tell Philippe, whochuckles good-naturedly. ” But for misunderstanding… I assumed the worst, and that wasn’t fair toyou.” It takes a moment to work myself up to the next part, but I manage. “I love you all too.”

One by one, the alphas return the sentiment, and Sinclair sends me a rush of affection which warmsme inside and out. “Poor little mate, dealing with all these big mean wolves all on your own. It’s nowonder you’re in such a state.” I can see Roger, Gabriel and Philippe making exasperated faces out ofthe corner of my eye, but I don’t care.

“It’s okay.” I tell him conspiratorially, not bothering to hide my devious grin. “I still got the better of them.”

‘That’s my girl.” Sinclair praises, pulling my head down for another kiss. It’s soft and tender, and withhis pride and amusement, comes a rush of delicious dominance. “Just as long as you remember thatyou won’t be getting the better of me – even if I am weak and injured.”

My wolf shudders happily, and I kiss him again. “I still look forward to trying.”

His wolf gleams in his green eyes. “And I look forward to catching you.”