The Mystical Attraction of Alpha
Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Chapter 42 – Late Night Snack

Sinclair

I can hear Ella’s heart racing at a mile a minute, and the baby is starting to become stressed inaccordance to his mother. I’m worried too, Ella is small even for a human, and I’m big even for awerewolf, but I don’t believe the Goddess would have chosen her to carry my heir if she couldn’t handlethe toll. I need to calm her down quickly.

I begin to purr, petting her sides in long, soothing strokes. “Easy, little one. It will be alright.”

I can feel her nerves begin to settle, but it seems Ella’s mind is still in full revolt. “Stop that!” Shewhimpers, “I don’t want you to just soothe this away, I’m right to be afraid!”

“Of course you are.” I croon, not letting up on the purrs. “Childbirth is always scary, and it alwaysseems impossible – that’s why it’s a miracle. You’re going to have the best doctors in the country, Ella. Ipromise you’ll get through it in flying colors.”

“That’s easy for you to say.” She grumbles. “You don’t have to push a watermelon out of your privatesin five months! Oh g od, what have you put inside me?”

“Well technically, I didn’t put it there.” I remind her, trying to lighten the mood.

“Sinclair, I’m serious!” She snaps, “I don’t think I can do this!”

“Ella look at me,” I instruct gently. She shakes her head, refusing point blank, so I stop caressing herlong enough to catch her chin and turn her beautiful face up to mine. “I’m going to take care of you.” Ipromise. “If that means we have to induce the baby to come a couple of weeks early or do a cesarean,we will. We’re not going to put your body through anything it can’t handle.”

Ella is gradually submitting to my purrs, though I can tell she still wants to fight. I can see that keepingmy little human calm and relaxed through this pregnancy is going to be even more difficult than Ianticipated, but I’m not the least bit disappointed if that means we have to spend more time snugglingand talking this way. I like taking care of Ella – It’s in my nature as an Alpha to care for others, and Ineed to give this comfort every bit as much as Ella needs to receive it – whether she realizes it or not.

Ella sniffs sullenly, nestling into my warmth. “It really isn’t fair that you can influence my emotions thisway.”

“I know.” I commiserate, glad she can’t see my smile. The stubborn little thing clearly isn’t used tohaving help solving her problems, and I’m sure she doesn’t feel comfortable giving anyone else thatpower. I don’t tell her how much influence she has over my own feelings, however. The more time thatpasses, the more I realize how much my own mood depends on whether Ella is content – something Ihaven’t experienced with anyone but my mate.

With Lydia it was very different, my wolf was never settled unless hers was – and she fully expected meto manage her emotions for her, making every complaint in her life loudly and dramatically known. Ellais a very different creature, hiding her upsets most of the time and never expecting or even want me tofix them for her, but my wolf seems even more unhappy when she’s unsettled, than he was with Lydia.

My mind swirls with the implications of this, and I reason that it must be the baby once more. I’m soattuned and concerned about Ella because she’s carrying my heir, it makes perfect sense that my wolfis in this heightened state given our situation. I’m sure this connection is also why Ella seems only to besoothed by my purrs, and no one else’s. The instructor has gone silent – clearly an old hat at talkingcouples through the trials of childbirth and expecting panic attacks like Ella’s.

My sweet human is not the only first time mother in the room insisting the task ahead of them isimpossible, and I’m not the only mate purring. Still, when I stop for a moment to test whether the other

men’s purrs soothe Ella, her heart rate begins to increase again, and I know she only responds tomine.

It’s the pup.” I tell my wolf, who’s strutting around with masculine pride in my head. “It has to be thepup.”

_____________________

That night I wake alone in bed.

At first I’m not sure what woke me, it’s not until I realize my arms are empty and I reach for Ella that Iunderstand she’s missing. I sit up, instantly alert. She’s not in the room, and the bathroom is dark andempty. I surge out of bed, scenting the air. I don’t smell an intruder or sense anything off – not that Iwould. If anyone got close enough to sna tch her from my arms they certainly wouldn’t have left mealive.

I follow Ella’s intoxicating fragrance out the door and down the stairs, my wolf gradually calming as wenear the kitchen and I piece together the puzzle in my mind. She must have woken with a craving anddecided to sneak a late night snack.

I pause to listen at the door just in case, the familiar aroma of bacon filling my senses. A moment later Ipush inside, replaceing Ella stationed over the stovetop in the dim light. I flip the light on and she leaps halfa foot in the air, yelping in surprise.

“It’s alright sweetheart, it’s only me.” I promise, coming forward to wrap my arm around her.

She backs away from me instinctively, clearly not realizing I only want to feel her body against mine,but I catch her hand before she can escape my reach and gather her close. “Did you get hungry?”

Ella nods, flushing, “I didn’t want to wake you.”

I offer her a stern expression. “I want you to wake me when you get up in the middle of this night.” I tellher, “whether it’s to satisfy a craving, or to feed the baby when it comes.”

Ella blinks, and I wonder if she expected us to sleep apart after she delivers. “But you can’t help menurse. Why would you get up too?”

I roll my eyes, “because we’re in this together. If you have to wake up ten times a night, then I shouldhave to, too.”

“You say that now,” Ella snorts, “We’ll see if you’re still singing that tune in a few months.”

“I’m serious Ella, I don’t want to miss a moment of this experience. I’ve waited for it for a very long time.Besides I might not be able to give the baby milk, but I can support you while you do.” I reason, notgiving her an inch literally or metaphorically.

Ella narrows her eyes. “Are all shifter men like you? Or all Alpha’s? I guarantee you human menaren’t.”

I furrow my brow, thinking for a moment. “I don’t know – honestly. And I really don’t care what anyoneelse does. This is how we’re going to do it.”

“And what if I don’t want you to get up with me?” Ella poses, a devious glint in her eye. “What if I wantto let you sleep, or to steal alone time with the baby.”

I chuckle, pleased to see she’s comfortable enough with me to indulge her mischief. “Just try it and seewhat happens.” I tease back. “Now,” I continue, looking over her head to the frying bacon. “What’s onthe menu tonight?”

“Bacon.” She answers, not meeting my gaze.

“And?” I press, knowing her cravings are never so one note.

“Covered in chocolate.” She murmurs, flushing. I wait, sensing there’s more to the story. Ella does notdisappoint. “Dipped in guacamole and hot sauce.”

I can’t withhold my chuckle, and Ella looks up at me with wide eyes. “You think I’m gross don’t you.”

Oh if only she knew how far the opposite my feelings were. “Of course not – I think you’re pregnant.” Ianswer, nudging her towards one of the high bar stools. “Now you sit here and relax, beautiful. I’ll takecare of the food.” I’m pleased to see Ella no longer flinches when I mention her beauty. She obviouslystill doesn’t like it when others do, but now instead of seeming uncomfortable or annoyed, she blusheswhen I compliment her.

I finish preparing her snack with ease. The bacon was almost finished cooking already, and thechocolate is already melted. I pat the bacon dry and let it cool a bit, before cutting the strips in half anddipping them in the rich ganache. I lay them out on a plate and pull out a carton of guacamole from thefridge, placing a heaping spoonful at the center of the plate and drizzling it in hot sauce. I place theplate in front of Ella, who gazes at it in amazement.” I was just going to eat it out of the tub like aheathen.”

I throw my head back and laugh, “I would probably have done the same.” I watch her take the first bite,moaning with pleasure as her lashes fall shut in epicurean delight. However odd it may seem to me, it’swhat the baby wants, and Ella loves it.

I get a head start on the dishes while Ella indulges, only pausing to try a bite myself. It’s not as gross asI thought it might be – but it definitely doesn’t delight me the way it does my little human. When I placethe last dish in the drying rack I turn back to Ella, only to replace her sniffling pitifully.

“Ella, what’s wrong?” I exclaim, shocked by her heightened emotion.

She shakes her head, “It’s nothing, I’m being silly.”

“Tell me right now, Ella.” I order.