The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 221

Chapter 221

Chapter 221 – Summit begins

3rd Person

James froze, staring at Isabel in shock and amazement. “Are you serious?” He inquired, not wanting toget his hopes up in case it was all a jest, or some strange test.

Isabel only flushed, starting to backtrack. “I… well, I just thought… I mean She stammered, lookinganywhere but at him. “I’m sorry, it was a silly

idea. You’re just so fond of her, I don’t know what I was think-”

“Of course I want to.” James interrupted, wanting to hold her so badly it hurt, but settling for a firm handon her shoulder. “Goddess Isabel, I’d love nothing more.”

“Really?” Isabel squeaked, a tremulous smile stretching across her features.

“With all my heart.” James confirmed, pinning her with a fierce gaze. “But I do have to warn you.”

“About what?” She asked, going still.

“I’m not going to settle for Sadie alone.” James informed her sternly. “I want you both. I was prepared towait -to fight for you – but you need to understand that letting me bond with her this way will changethings. There will be no getting rid of me now.”

Isabel trembled slightly, peeking up at him from beneath her lashes. Her expression was somewherebetween sullen and amused, “Was that ever an option?”

“No,” He chuckled, “but now that I know you realize it, I’m afraid I’m going to make things very difficultfor you.”

Isabel flashed her fangs, but light sparkled in her eyes as she issued her own challenge. “Right back atyou. It’s not going to be easy to win me, James.”

The soldier only grinned, at last pulling her into his arms. She didn’t come quietly, but once she wasthere she melted into him – a perfect fit. “Don’t I know it.”

The next morning, Cora was getting ready for her shift in the medical tent when she heard a few of theVanaran nurses gossiping. “They’re increasing the evacuations, but I think they’re worried about morethan simple detection by Emperor shit-for-brains.”

Cora smothered a snort at Damon’s unflattering nickname. She wasn’t usually one to eavesdrop, butneither did she see the harm in listening to this conversation – after all it’s not as if it was personal.Besides, as Ella’s eyes and ears in the camp, part of her job was getting a sense for the climate amonglocal staffers and refugees alike. The others only saw her as a medical trainee, but the Luna hadrealized the value of having her sister on staff here early on.

“Why do you say that?” The second nurse inquired, unpacking her own supplies.

“Because they’re not only sending guardians and enforcers this time.” The first replied, in the tone ofsomeone quite pleased to be in the know. “My friend in aviation saw the manifests and apparently thenew Moon Valley Beta is headed out on the first transport this morning.”

“Oh, the handsome one?” The second questioned, “Roger?”

Cora froze, suddenly extremely interested in the woman’s response.

‘That’s right.” The first she-wolf nodded, “And with as many people as they’ve already lost, I can’tbelieve the Alpha would risk sending his brother without a damned good reason. Especially not with thesummit kicking off later today.”

Cora dropped what she was doing, swinging her gaze to the clock mounted on the wall. It was fourforty five, and if she remembered correctly, the first flights departed at five. She raced out of the tentwithout a second thought, knowing she was probably causing a scene, and not caring.

She darted out of the main camp and headed straight for the airfield, not thinking about what she wasdoing or why. She acted on pure instinct, driven forward by the relentless pounding of her heart. WhenCora reached the tarmac she searched for Jame’s plane first. He was the most experienced soldierand the highest ranking pilot, so he was the most-likely candidate to ferry the pack’s Beta across theocean.

Her eyes landed on the two familiar figures just as they left the hanger and began approaching theaircraft, their bearing tired but alert. She set off at a run, and when she was within shouting distance,she called out to Roger. He turned immediately, genuinely surprised to see the woman hurtling towardshim.

He caught her by the arms before she could barrel straight into him, “Cora!” He asked urgently, “Whatis it, what’s wrong?!”

Unused to running for any distance, Cora bent double, trying to catch her breath. Roger leaned overher rubbing her back, “Easy now, it’s okay, you caught me. Just breathe.”

“I… you- why…” She gasped, frustrated with her inability to handle the brief exercise, “oh my god, whydo people run for fun – this is the worst!”

Sensing that no one was in immediate danger, Roger relaxed slightly, taking full advantage of theopportunity to soothe her. “I’ve got you, just take a minute. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Liar!” Cora accused breathlessly, pointing a finger at him. “You’re… flying back… to the continent.”

“I meant I’m not leaving right this second. James still has to get the engines warmed up. Come here,”He guided her over to the rolling staircase leading up to the plane, “Sit down.” He instructed, easing herdown onto the steps and kneeling in front of her, “What’s going on?”

‘Why are you going?” Cora managed to demand, her eyes wide and worried.

“I need to see the situation on the ground. There’s a lot of security concerns and I can’t very welladdress them if I don’t see them for myself.” Roger replied, still not understanding her panic, “Whywhat’s going on?”

Cora sighed in exasperation, unable to comprehend her own irrational reaction. “Nothing, I just… it’sdangerous isn’t it?”

Roger shook his head, preparing to tell her that he would be perfectly safe. However, before he got thechance, the pieces of this sudden puzzle clicked together in his mind. He realized that Cora was herefor him, for no other reason than that she’d heard he was leaving and was frightened for his safety.

His eyes lit up, as he took her cheek in his large hand. “Cora?” He prompted slyly, “You’re not worriedabout me, are you?”

‘What?” Cora snapped, thoroughly affronted. “Of course not. I just…” She trailed off again, lookingconfused. The big wolf almost felt sorry for her – almost.

“Just what?” He arched his brow, “voluntarily did more cardio than you’ve done in a year to demandwhy I was leaving? Abandoned your duties to run over here, shouting my name like your life dependedon it?”

“It wasn’t like that.” Cora replied haughtily, finally calm enough to breathe normally. She sat up andpushed his hands away, trying not to think about how nice they’d felt on her skin. “I thought maybe you

two needed medical support.” Roger could see her making up the words as she went, getting morefirmly behind the idea as it came together in her mind. “Yeah, I thought you might be going becausesomething had happened and emergency personnel would be helpful.”

“And it didn’t occur to you that we would have requested medical staff if we required them?” Rogercountered skeptically.

“What can I say, it’s very early, I guess my brain isn’t entirely turned on.” She shrugged, digging herheels in. “so, do you need a doctor to come along? Just in case?”

Though he was enjoying her performance, the suggestion of taking Cora along for the flight aroused hiswolf’s protective instincts. Before he could get a handle on his inner animal, he’d growled, “Not achance.”

Cora’s chocolate gaze sharpened, ‘Why not, if it’s so safe?”

Her suspicion returned the smile to Roger’s face, “You don’t have anything to worry about, little one. Ipromise I’ll come back to annoy you. If you like, I’ll even stop by the medical tent as soon as we land.”

Cora scowled, “Don’t call me that.” She shoved at his hand when he reached for her again. “I alreadytold you, I don’t care about your safety. And the last thing I need is you interrupting my work again.”

“Are you sure?” Roger posed, “Maybe you should give me a goodbye kiss before we take off, just incase.”

The human’s lip curled, and she began putting distance between them, “I would rather kiss a rabid bat.”

Roger grinned, giving chase. “Now how can you know such a thing without putting it to the test? I’ll tellyou what, kiss me now, and when I come back I’ll bring you a bat to compare. But I’d be willing to betmy bite is the nicer of the two.”

“I said no!” Cora glared, holding out an arm to keep him at bay, “there will be no kisses and no biting.”

“Come on, Cora, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” Roger teased, still tracking her.

With an exasperated groan, Cora spun around and began stomping back to the medical tent. Rogerwatched her with a wide smile, but he kept his next thought to himself. I could watch her stomp awayfrom me a thousand times, as long as she keeps coming back.