The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 223

Chapter 223

Chapter 223 – Welcome feast

Sinclair

The entire capital seems to have turned out to welcome the delegations from around the continent, forbeyond the palace gates there is a sea of excited onlookers, clamoring to watch the parade of Alpha’sapproach the summit.

Gabriel and I lead our party down the palace steps to await them, and though our group is small, we’resurrounded on all sides by guards and courtiers. Servants gather just out of sight, ready and waiting torush forward and collect the traveller’s bags or do their bidding.

I keep Ella tucked under my arm, watching as the first delegations begin to stream in. Though none ofthe visitors have done anything too extravagent, given the somber tone of the event, they’ve certainlygone out of their way to show off their power and wealth.

The flood in dressed to the nines, driving their most luxurious cars and flanked by their fiercest lookingmen. Vanarium gleams everywhere the eye can see, and I have to squint against the glare of the metalin the hot sun.

It appears they all want to show off, but their reasons are undoubtedly varied. Some of the war’sopponents probably want to rub their prowess in our faces – to show us what we can’t have. Others aredoubtless trying to curry favor with their king, or simply win a leading role in the battles to come.

However no matter their motives, I see all eyes gravitating to Ella. They stay glued to her in a way thatbetrays their curiosity and admiration, and suddenly I wonder if they aren’t showing off for her sake.

We greet the Alphas, their families and Betas one by one – first Gabriel, then Ella and me. They bowfor us all, but none so deeply as for Ella, the one wolf among us who was not voted into power, but

chosen – created by the Goddess herself.

A new hope sparks in my chest, a prayer that my mate’s heritage might be enough to overcome ourrecent challenges. I always knew she was going to be my secret weapon- right from the very beginning– but I hadn’t expected everyone else to recognize it so quickly.

The welcome process takes the better part of the afternoon, but finally every delegation is settled intheir suites, and their staffs dispersed among the palace. Ella is practically sleeping on her feet by theend, leaning her slight weight into my side and resting her cheek against my chest, sweet sighs fallingfrom her lips. I carry her inside for a brief nap before dinner, but she wakes fresh and eager to get tothe feast.

It’s a good thing too, because the event isn’t the apolitical meet and greet we’d originally planned.Instead the Alphas dive straight into discussions of the war, and as enamored as they may have beento meet a living demi goddess, the consensus is far from supportive.

“Alpha Dominic, we were all extremely concerned when we heard of the attack on your convoy andwe’re beyond relieved that you’re alright.” The Storm Forest leader begins. I sense the ‘but’ comingalready, though it’s no surprise – I’d feared this Alpha would pose difficult. “But the fact remains theincident proved your war is already bleeding over into our territory.”

“It’s not my war.” I correct him coldly, ignoring my food and leaning back in my chair. “It’s all of ours – allshifter kind.” I glance around at the others, trying to gauge their reactions and replaceing a room full ofpoker faces.

Surely you don’t believe Damon will be satisfied with conquering one continent, especially not if all hissubjects flee here.”

“We can deal with Damon,” The FrostFang leader interjects, brushing off this concern. “Or leave him forthe humans to crucify.”

“Dominic, we know you came to us looking to novelxo rally support, and we applaud your determinationto return home and defeat the Usurper – it’s what any good leader would do.” The White Claw Alphacommends.” However you must recognize that things have changed since the Secrecy pact broke.

“You aren’t wrong when you say this war belongs to all shifters now – but it’s not because of the threatDamon poses,” The Black Alder leader proclaims evenly. “It’s because of the human threat. Everyshifter on the planet is at risk now, so we have to look beyond the tragedys in your homeland and thinkabout the future of our entire kind.”

“He’s right.” The Midnight Alpha adds, “A war is short sighted. Even if we win against Damon, it wouldonly be a temporary fix, a distraction from the human problem.” Ella shifts uneasily in her chair, and Ican sense her displeasure with this framing. “At this point it makes more sense to brace for all shiterscoming here, rather than funding a war that will only lead to more strife if you manage to win.” 2

‘That’s ridiculous.” Gabriel assets, “every shifter in the world cannot possibly be accommodated inVanara – and even if they could, it would only be a matter of time before the humans began searchingfor us.”

‘Then let them search, they’ve never found us before.” The Storm Forest leader scoffs.

‘They’ve never known we existed before.” The King reminds him, a warning note in his voice.

At that point, a silken voice pipes up beside me. “Not to mention the damage which would be done tothe human communities left behind.”

Every eye in the room turns to look at Ella, and Goddess love her, she stares back at them withunflinching determination. I don’t know a single she-wolf alive who could stare down this room ofintimidating wolves, but Ella doesn’t even bat an eye. When no one says anything, she continues,” I’vebeen amazed ever since I arrived in this land – from the freedom your people are privileged enough to

enjoy, to your technologies and advancement. It’s truly remarkable, but I wonder how many of you havespent time in our homeland?” She asks, resting her hand over mine.

No one moves or speaks, and I wonder if they’re merely stunned she interrupted them, or confused byher statement. Again she forges on, not waiting for permission. “What you must understand is that ourworlds are completely intertwined.

There is no separating the human and shifter economies – everything is interdependent. All thebusinesses, the industries and stocks – the only things which truly remain separate are thegovernments. Humans and wolves live side by side, even if they did not previously realize it.”

“Is there a point to this?” The Storm Forest leader inquires, earning himself a growl from my wolf. Theothers look chastened, but Ella only kisses my cheek, “It’s okay, my love.” She tells me, before turningback to them. “What do you imagine will happen if one third of the societies around the world suddenlydisappear?”

She inquires, ‘Your territories may be hidden, but they are not self-sustaining. You rely on imports andexports from across the globe. So if every economy, if every society other than yours collapses, whatdo you think will happen to trade and security? Are you prepared to take in millions of new citizens, justwhen all the international relationships you’ve built for centuries collapse?”

Her statement is met with potent silence, and I can see the Alpha’s reflecting on the undeniable truthshe speaks. It was a calculated argument, and not the one I expecte from my mate – at least notentirely.

“Well what are we supposed to do?” The Silver Dawn leader demands. ’The humans are alreadytalking of pre-emptive strikes.”

“From their perspective nothing is preemptive.” Ella corrects him. ‘The first blows have already beenstuck – the first hundred blows even. You forget that it is not only shifters suffering at Damon’s hands.Millions of humans are being displaced and murdered – they have every right to fight back, and it’s nottheir fault that they have no information about us or our perspectives to help guide them. It’s ours. Howare they to know we’re not all bad, when everything they’ve seen of us has been horrific?”

‘They have years of peaceful living as proof that it doesn’t have to be that way.” The Wind River Alphaargues.

‘That’s not what it feels like to them.” Ella insists. “You’ve always known that both societies existed, soyou can see the harmony we once struck. They are just replaceing out that everything they believed theirentire lives was wrong, and it’s happening right as the world explodes. That trauma would be enough toskew anyone’s perception.

All these politics are games of guessing the intentions of others and forming misconceptions based onour own biases. So I’m telling you that your understanding of their view is wrong, we have toacknowledge and appreciate that if we have any hope of getting through this without dismantlingsociety as we know it.”

There’s another pregnant pause, “So what do you suggest?” Gabriel prompts her, hiding a smile.“We’ve already reached out to some of their leaders, and we’re waiting for a response. But I suggestthat this summit should be the first of many. We need to send delegations to the humans, to show themthat we are not all Damon. Hell, we ought to bring them here if they’ll agree, let them see the sufferingour own kind are experiencing. We have the same enemy – we need to show them we can be allies.”Ella states, loudly enough for all to hear.

‘That’s madness,” someone mutters.

“Or genius.” Another adds wryly. “Whether it’s madness or genius, I guarantee it’s right.” Ella statesconfidently, offering them a Cheshire smile. “But you don’t have to agree with me yet. I’ve got all weekto wear you down.”

The other Alphas exchange astonished glance, and the man beside me leans over to whipser in myear, “Well you’ve certainly got a live one there.’

I chuckle, “And I’ve never loved her more.