The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Chapter 39 – The Truth Comes Out

Ella

I can’t explain it, but for some reason Sinclair’s tender care upsets me more than if he was angry. It’staken me a while to come back to myself –as the fog of my shock wore off and the utter safety andsecurity of being with Sinclair thawed my frozen senses, I found my emotions slowly returning. Just notthe ones I expected.

Do I want him to be angry? I wonder. Why? Because it somehow hurts me that he doesn’t seem to carethat I defied him? Because I feel badly for breaking his rules and want to see that they weren’t all forshow? Because I’m so angry with myself for what happened tonight, and I feel like I deserve to bepunished?

I don’t have the answers to these questions, though on some level I suspect all my theories have akernel of truth. Either way, I replace myself picking an argument, rather than letting him comfort me.

Sinclair sighs, though he still doesn’t release me entirely. “I didn’t want to worry you.” He explains, hishandsome features a hard mask. “There’s only been one so far, and you know I’ve been worried aboutyour stress levels.”

“Is that why you were called away the other day?” I inquire, his sudden disappearance from the kitchenmaking more sense now.

“Yes.” He confirms, “It was horrible honestly. Almost a dozen dead in broad daylight and twice as manyinjured. They didn’t smell like the same wolves who were in the alley with you tonight, but I’m sure theywere hired by the same person.”

“The prince?” I guess , shifting my hold on the ice pack as my fingers gradually go numb.

“That’s right.” Sinclair nods. “I’ve been searching for them ever since, but I think he’s probablyprotecting them.”

“Will you search for the ones who came after me tonight?” I murmur, not understanding the suddenbloodlust I feel. It must be my maternal instincts responding to the threat against my pup – I’ve neverwished anyone dead before, no matter what they’ve done to me, but I want nothing more than forSinclair to destroy those cruel wolves.

Sinclair nods. “I will hunt them down and tear them to absolute pieces.” He snarls, letting out more ofhis wolf than I think he intended.

I’m amazed to realize I’m smiling about such a macabre idea. Frankly I’m amazed I can smile aboutanything so soon after the attack, even if it is a somber grin. Either way the stretch of my lips pulls onmy cut, and soon my smile is a grimace of pain. “Ow, ow, ow.”

Sinclair tsks, “poor, vicious, darling.” He croons, resting his forehead against mine and petting mysides.

“Is it terrible that I wish them harm?” I whisper, gazing into his green eyes, mere inches from mine.

“Of course not.” Sinclair promises, smiling himself now, “you really are becoming more like a wolf everyday.”

A painful pang blooms in my chest. He seems so pleased every time I do something he considerswolfish. It might just be that he’s happy the pup is growing, but it really feels like he doesn’t approve ofmy humanity – as if he wants me to be a wolf and will take any scraps of behavior he can get. I’mgetting lost in my thoughts now, but Sinclair soon pulls my focus back to him.

Framing my face in his hands but careful to avoid touching my bruise, he prompts, “Would you like totell me why you snuck out tonight – after everything we went through the other day?”

I peek up at him from beneath my lashes, “Am I in a lot of trouble?”

“Just answer the question, Ella.” He admonishes. Part of me wishes he’d tell me I am in trouble – if Iam it means he hasn’t given up on me. But it worries me when he goes stoic and unreadable. Hisanger I can handle, his grim contemplation makes me fear he might decide I’m not worth the ha ssleand void our deal – taking the baby from me.

“I just needed a night away from all this.” I share, gesturing to our surroundings. “I needed to feelhuman again, just for a little while. And I thought it would be fine since we were sticking to humanterritories and businesses. I didn’t know about the other attack.”

“Ella, the other attack isn’t what matters.” Sinclair rumbles sternly, pulling my distracted thoughts backto the present. “I told you it was dangerous for you to be out without guards, you promised me youwouldn’t do this again and you broke your word at the very first opportunity.” I can see his temperflaring now, flashing in his eyes as we finally address the events which led up to the attack. “What wereyou thinking? After everything I’ve told you about the Prince, after everything you’ve learned is at stakein this campaign.”

“But it’s your campaign, not mine.” I argue. “And I’ve turned my entire life upside down, given up myentire identity to support it. At the very least I think I deserve a night to myself.”

“I will gladly give you a night to yourself.” Sinclair agreed, “but if you’re going to be out in the city, youneed protection!”

“I don’t want to have to ask permission just to set one foot out the front door!” I burst out. “I shouldn’thave to have babysitters just to go to the park or the grocery store. I don’t know how anyone can livewith those kinds of restraints, Dominic.”

“I understand better than you think, Ella.” Dominic confesses, “I don’t like having to drag around half adozen people with me either, but it’s a necessary evil. Just think about the baby, if not for yourself,

please take these precautions for the pup.”

I push down off the counter, shaking my head as I stride past him. “I don’t think you realize just howmuch you’re asking of me – or how difficult this is. A month ago I led a completely different existenceand now everything has changed and everything I thought I knew – was wrong. The only thing I haveleft is my independence, and now you’re demanding that too!”

“I don’t want to take your independence, or your freedom, Ella.” Sinclair insists, “And I know this isn’thow you wanted to have your baby – but it isn’t exactly what I wanted either. I always imagined I wouldshare the experience with my mate and that we’d be a family forever. I never imagined contracts andcustody and fake relationships.” Ouch. It’s completely true, and yet the statement cuts me to the core.“So we can make the best of our situation, or we can let it divide us. Now, I for one, think we should bea team. I want our baby to have two loving, united parents, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.” I murmur, tears springing to my eyes. I need to get out of here before I start to cry.“And I think we’ll get there. But right now I just need some time to myself. I’m going to sleep in myrooms tonight.”

I turn to leave, but Sinclair’s deep voice stops me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I pause, turning back in bafflement, “Why not?”

“You’ve had a traumatic experience, you might have nightmares.” He reasons.

I roll my eyes, turning back to the door. “I’ve had traumatic experiences before and I’ve always gottenmyself through them just fine – nightmares or not.”

“I understand that, but you don’t have to get through it alone anymore.” Sinclair counters, his footstepssounding behind me.

“And I understand that you might not want to let the pup out of your sight after the attack, but if youwant me to avoid stress, then I need some space to process this.” I reply, trying to empathize with hisperspective.

I can practically hear him grappling for another excuse, before he finally gives up the pretense andcommands. “Ella, I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that.”

“Excuse me?” I scoff, turning to face him.

He’s standing a few feet away, clenching and unclenching his fists as the muscle in his jaw twitcheswith agitation. Something about his behavior makes me think this has nothing to do with my potentialnightmares, or his own possessive instincts. I have the distinct intuition that he’s keeping somethingfrom me – like the first rogue attack.

Narrowing my eyes, I sidle forehead, feeling an inexplicable wave of intuition that not all is as it seems.“What aren’t you telling me?”

“What do you mean?” Sinclair questions impassively.

“I mean that you were already in a security frenzy before there was ever a rogue attack, and unlessyou’re a complete tyrant and just determined to control me, all these precautions must mean you haveanother reason to be afraid. I don’t think you’re a tyrant – despite your spot on impression at times – sowhat aren’t you telling me?” Now that I see it, it seems so obvious. I don’t know how I missed it before.

“Fine,” He sighs, looking as though he’s about to deliver my death sentence. “I’m sorry, Ella, but therereally was someone in your rooms the other night.”