The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 254

Chapter 254

Chapter 254 – Cora receives an unpleasant surprise

third person

” Well, it looks like you and I are the only bachelors left in this place , ” Cora commented to Gabriel ,watching Isabel and James in their far corner of the table . Thankfully, they weren’t as obvious abouttheir romance of her as her sister was of her and Sinclair .to whom one could easily be shocked if thecouple did not realize that they had an audience .

Isabel and James , on the other hand , had been snuggled together for the better part of an hour , closebut not really touching . really his _Proximity isn’t what gave them away it was their laser focus on eachother , not speaking or looking at anyone else . _ It was as if they were the only two people in the world. _

Cora felt a pang of jealousy and immediately forced her away , embarrassed by the ugly emotion .Instead , she tried to concentrate on her conversation with the king . ” Excuse me , but I happen to bedating a very handsome wolf named Thomas . “. Gabriel replied , not sounding annoyed in the least byher assumption of him.

Audible Gift Memberships ” Oh . ” Cora frowned , obviously disappointed to learn that even the Vanaran king was also part of acouple now . ” I’m sorry , I should n’t have assumed , ” she sincerely apologized , even as questionswelled up in the back of her head mind . Namely When had he become so sentimental that the sight ofjust one happy couple could make his heart overflow with longing ? What learning about another couldmake her boil with envy ?

” Okay . ” _ Gabriel assured him : “ It is intentional . I prefer people to keep guessing about my love life. ”

Cora concentrated enough to sneer sympathetically , ” Yeah , I ‘d imagine there are a hundred toomany opinions on that particular subject . ” _

” You can say that again .” Gabriel chuckled , taking a sip of his wine from him . Then , a mischievousexpression appeared on his face in the form of a small , secret smile as if he was about to admitsomething he should n’t . goes_ good though _ Someday soon I hope to make it official . _ _ ”

Cora forced herself to smile . Congratulations ! _ “ To make a relationship official in the world ofshapeshifters meant a formal claim : another mating ceremony . She tried to hide the sudden ,inexplicable pain that swallowed her insides from her , silently wondering if she was freaking out … ormaybe about to get her period . She was never so moody and she could n’t understand it . _ _

“ Thank you , but if it happens it will be after the war . Gabriel replied , visibly recanting her own hopesof him in favor of realistic expectations .

” Are you sure ? Cora asked , nodding at James and Isabel . _ _ ” Maybe they have the right idea ,bond while you can . ”

It was their last night in Vanara , either traveling to the halls of Altaran to replace Ella’s mother , or returningto the mainland with Sinclair to face Damon . Either way , they would all be separated by this timetomorrow … and goodbyes in times of war . They were the worst of all . _ Cora she knew that therewere never guarantees in life , and she knew especially the cost of fighting at home . Suddenly, animage flashed in his mind of her, a bloody vision of the operating room that afternoon , of a resistancefighter they had failed to save . Only in his mind ‘s eye of him was Roger ‘s face in that lifeless form ,instead of the stranger he had been unable to save .

“ Cora , are you okay ? Gabriel asked suddenly , worry seizing him as tears welled up on the human ‘slashes .

“ I’m fine . She assured him through a completely unconvincing smile . _ “ I just need a moment . Somefresh air . ” _ She gasped , pushing her chair back . He met Ella’s concerned gaze and shook his headto make sure she was right.her sister did not follow her .Unfortunately , there was nothing she could doto stop Roger from following her .

Cora moved stiffly for the balcony doors and ran out onto the terrace . The gardens were still decoratedfrom the night before , though they were much quieter now . Courtiers and delegations , all refugeeswilling and able to fight , _ _everyone was home preparing for war . _ Those who weren’t were back inthe dining room trying to enjoy what little time they had left together . Cora descended into the maze ofplants , sucking in great gulps of air as her awareness of her cruelly narrated.the scene . _ _ Andtonight they ‘ll all go up to their rooms and hold each other tight and make sweet , sweet love and I ‘llbe here … staring at a fucking leaf .

Cora made a face and shook herself a bit , “ Enough ! ” , she scolded herself . “ You’re being a brat . It’snot their fault they’re happy . ”

“ Talking to yourself , little human ? A familiar and infuriatingly deep voice sounded behind her . _ _

Cora jumped , turning back to look at Roger . ” You know where I come from , it’s rude to stalk lonelywomen in the dark and listen to their private conversations . ”

Roger frowned , as if racking his brains . “ No , no , we come from the same place and I don’tremember any rules like that . Also , is it a conversation if you are having it with yourself ? ” _

“ It’s the most private type of conversation . I answer haughtily , turning my nose towards thehandsome wolf . _ _ _ ” So do us both a favor and run before you make things even more awkwardthan they already are . ”

Roger pursed his lips , shoving his hands into his pockets as he crept forward . ” Well, since things arealready so awkward , I might as well ask why you’re crying … and why you were mad because

someone is happy . ” Cora crossed from _arms . on his chest From him, wishing he could kill this manwith his eyes alone … then trying and snorting when the big wolf just chuckled . ” Come on , ” Heencouraged , moving so close now that they were almost touching . _ _ _ ” Do you know that I can be a_ very good listener . ”

Somehow , Cora doubted that Roger’s services as an impartial friend and advisor extended to herfeelings for him … not that she had feelings, of course . ” Actually I ‘m going to bed . She lied quickly .But listen , in case we do n’t have one opportunity in the Tomorrow I want to thank you for being sosupportive of me . _ _ _ Tor helping me and getting me out of Moon Valley in the first place . _ _ _ Yousaved my life . She held out her hand , ” I hope we meet again . ” ”

Cora was counting the minutes until her and Ella ‘s departure , and dreading them . She knew thatsaying this goodbye would be difficult , but she was also the one she wanted the most to get out of theway .

” Oh, I see . ” Roger’s lips unfurled in an utterly devilish smile . “ I was wondering why you didn’tmention it . Dominic didn’t tell you . ”

” You didn’t tell me what ? Cora snapped , not liking the predatory grin on her face one bit .

“ Well , since the killer told Damon that the Alpha is dead , his next logical targets are Ella and the baby. _ This possibility seemed to be confirmed when Kieran was approached by Damon , so we madearrangements to ensure additional security on his journey . “. Roger explained vaguely , looking like thecat that ate the canary . _ “ You must realize that my brother puts the safety of his mate and his soneven above his own … he will spare no resource or expense for Ella and Rafe . ”

” What are you saying ? Ella Cora demanded , though she had a terrible feeling that she already knew .

” I’m saying you do n’t have to worry about getting separated or something happening to me whileyou’re on Altara .” Roger clarified , still smiling as he pushed Cora against the wall .

” Why not ? _ Cora swallowed , cursing her body as she instinctively backed away from the wolf .

Roger bared his fangs . ” Because I’m going with you . ” He stated , in a tone that sent shivers downCora ‘s spine . _ ” I’ll be with you every step of the way . ” Roger continued as Cora ‘s shoulder bladescollided with the stone , and he loomed over her , taking her cheek in his great hand . ” Day and night ,for the next few weeks … on a chain of deserted islands … with nothing to do but watch over yoursister with a dozen other guards . “” . she purred Ella, and Cora found her lashes droop , wondering ifhe was about to kiss her … and then wondering if she would have the strength to stop him .

He did n’t . “ I don’t know about you , ” Roger concluded , his dark eyes boring into Cora’s as shelooked up at him again , nervously licking her lips . His glowing wolf gaze dropped from her to followher little pink tongue from her, and suddenly the Beta was replaceing his pants too tight . _ ” But I’m goingto work hard to think of ways to entertain ourselves during those long hours on the boat and in thetemple . ” _ _ _

Cora’s heart pounded frantically against her ribs , her thighs clenching reflexively to ease the ache inher core . “ Surely a temple dedicated to the Goddess is a very holy and sacred place , ” Ella Corasuggested , her voice quavering . ” Probablywe will have tobe very quiet and respectful while we arethere . ”

Roger laughed , a sort of ominous , knowing roar . ” Sweet Cora , is that really what you expect ,knowing what you make of our kind ? ” ”

Suddenly, her mind returned to the changing holidays and traditions she was familiar with , and the fewshe was able to celebrate with Ella this year . She thought of the Solstice , with its bonfires , moonbaths , and wild hunt . She thought of the primitive , paganthe energy of those nights , the way they are

all rooted in ancient magic and base instincts , the raw sensuality they all seemed to bring to thesurface . She thought of the heady power of being alone with Roger in these completely nondescriptsettings , and tried to imagine yourself in a place of mystery and power , where all your senses wouldbe heightened even more .

And suddenly she understood why Roger seemed so pleased with himself .

It was clear that he did not expect her to be able to resist once they left together . He planned to makeher his , sooner rather than later . And the scariest part of all ? Cora had a very bad feeling that shewas going to have success .