The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Chapter 201 – A New Dawn
Ella
If I thought the world was going to look different waking up as a princess, I was wrong. Everything is the same, even though I feel
like an entirely different person than I was yesterday. I suppose I should be getting used to having my entire identity and sense of
self turned upside down and inside out, but it never seems to get any easier. If anything it just becomes more confusing. I still
can’t believe that I know who my parents are... that my father likely killed Sinclair’s mother... that my own mother is out there
somewhere. Frankly I can’t even contemplate the Goddess’s role in all this, it’s difficult enough being a princess without also
being some sort of demi god.
Above all else, I can’t wait until Sinclair is home next week. Yes, we’ll be preoccupied with the summit, but with everything that’s
happening right now I simply don’t feel steady without him. I need my mate, and I know he’s just as anxious being away. He
would barely release me from our dream date last night, making me promise to take it easy today and call him if I got
overwhelmed. He could clearly sense my reluctance to agree – but can you blame me? I don’t want to interrupt my mate while
he’s making battle alliances just because I feel a bit weepy.
I force myself to get up and out of bed, even though I feel like I could sleep for a year. I’m almost four months along now, and the
baby is more active than ever. He’s also creating new challenges for my body – like testing the limits of my bladder, stomach and
brain. I move in front of my mirror to marvel at my round belly, running my hands over my stretched skin. I’d been worried that my
stretch marks would be gigantic since my body is trying to cram nine months of growth into six, but I see only a few feathers of
purple and white around my sides and breasts. It’s also difficult to feel self-conscious about them when my mate insists on calling
them love marks’ and kisses them every chance he gets.
Of course, another challenge is the fact that none of my clothes fit anymore. Luckily Gabriel’s tailors have been hard at work
designing me a line of maternity dresses and gowns for the summit, but we’ve still got a week to go before they’re ready and I
don’t want to walk around naked until then. I head for the closet and eye all the pretty outfits I bought when we first arrived here,
sighing in resignation as I turn to Sinclair’s rack of clothes. I snag one of his t-shirts, which fits snugly on his powerful build, but
hangs around my thighs like a dress, even with my baby bump. I find a pair of very stretchy leggings and don’t even bother
looking at the mirror before leaving the room. I’m extremely comfortable, but I haven’t dressed this way in public since I was a
teenager.
When Philippe sees me he valiantly attempts to mask his expression, so I give him a big grin. “It’s your lucky day, Philippe. We
get to go shopping!

Won’t that be fun?’
His humor evaporates, and I relish the look of a man who would rather go into battle than spend the morning in a dressing room
watching women try on clothes. Ha! My wolf thinks victoriously. All these big bad wolves, scared of a little shopping.
Babies. I agree, deciding to seek out Cora. Of course, I haven’t moved three feet before I notice that people are staring at me
way more than usual – and I don’t think it’s my casual outfit. Everyone we come across bows their heads and moves out of my
way, rather than saying hello or smiling at me like they usually do. I stop dead in my tracks. “Philippe, why is everybody acting
strange?” I have a feeling I already know, but I need to hear it just to be sure.
‘You’re in a royal palace. Even the walls have ears here, and as loyal as the staff are... when it comes to gods and prophecies...
nothing stays secret for long.” He remarks, shrugging in half-hearted apology.
I exhale shakily, So much for the world seeming the same today. My wolf observes.
I can’t make myself move, because a new possibility has occurred to me now. “Is it... is it always going to be this way?” I
whisper, so only Philippe can hear. “People bowing and scraping wherever I go? Afraid to look me in the eye? Am I never going
to have a normal interaction again?’
Philippe steps up beside me, a strong, steady presence. “I think you humans have a saying, you have to teach people how to
treat you.”
My lip quirks, “thank you for calling me a human.”
He nods with a soft smile, “the point is that everyone is in shock and doesn’t know what to do... as far as we know there’s never
been anyone like you before. So if you don’t want them to bow and scrape, then tell them not to. Tell them you’re the same Ella
you were yesterday.”
“But then, won’t they just be obeying me because of who I am?” I inquire hesitantly.
“Maybe at first.” He confirms. “But in time they’ll get used to it, and when you go home the people there will see how your inner
circle treat you and they’ll take the cue.”
“Okay.” I breathe, placing an appreciative hand on his arm. ‘Thank you.”
“Of course, your highness.” He teases, and I narrow my eyes to slits.

Philippe chuckles and returns to his place behind me as I continue down the halls, telling everyone I see not to fawn or grovel. I
want to see the pups. My wolf huffs. They’re always too curious to have these silly stuck-up manners.
I like that idea. I confirm, First shopping, then the nursery.
When I reach my sister’s rooms, I’m surprised to hear her pacing and grumbling before I can even raise my hand to knock. Once
I do the door swings open and Cora’s livid face greets me. “Good morning sunshine.” I say, unsure why she’s so on edge and
praying I’m not the reason.
She ushers me inside. “Did you know?” Cora hisses, baffling me completely.
“Know what?” I ask, wondering if the rumors have reached her as well. My heart sinks, I’d wanted to break the news to her
myself, to let her know that this changes absolutely nothing between us.
‘That Roger helped orchestrate the rogue attack the night at the club!” She exclaims, as if the answer is obvious.
“He did?’ I question, taken aback by this accusation.
‘Yes! It was a plot with the prince from the very beginning. They would attack and he’d rescue you to earn Sinclair’s trust. He
acted like it was common knowledge.” Cora grouses, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I didn’t know.” I confess, “But that was months ago, before he saw reason and came back to our side.”
“How can you be sure he did?” Cora lashes out. “If he was willing to do that then how do you know he’s not willing to betray you
still? Dominic thought he turned him into a double agent but maybe the Prince turned him back – to a triple agent!”
“Cora,” I begin gently. “Dominic trusts his brother, and I trust him too. Roger lost his way for a long time, but I genuinely believe
he turned over a new leaf. I can guess why my mate didn’t tell me this particular detail, but honestly – I can’t bring myself to care
after everything that has happened.”
“How can you say that!” Cora bursts. They might have killed you!”
“Because millions of people are dying because of Damon at this very moment, and I know Roger well enough to understand he
would never let a personal feud with his brother overpower his duty to his pack. He wouldn’t help Damon do this.” I explain.
“Besides in the grand scheme of things, that incident was nothing.”

“Well, you might not be able to be angry for yourself, but I sure as hell can be!” She declares fiercely. “I’ve told the rat that I’m
never speaking to him again and if he comes near either of us I’ll rip his head off.”
“How did you even find out?” I inquire curiously.
Cora sneaks a furtive look in my direction, and I can see guilt written clearly on her face. “I was confiding in him... I heard about
your last session.” She admits, not quite meeting my gaze. “I know you found your parents and look, I’m not proud of it, but I was
really jealous and angry that your dreams are coming true and mine never will.” The words come out in a rush, and then her
shoulders sag. “I think he was trying to comfort me by telling me he was an even worse person than I am – which sort of worked
but it didn’t actually fix anything.” Her lower lip quivers as she glances over at me again. “I want to be happy for you Ella, I really
do... I’m just not there yet.”
Before she can blink, I have my sister wrapped in a rib-crushing hug. ‘Thank you!”
‘What are you doing? Didn’t you hear what I said?” Cora questions stiffly.
“I did.” I confirm, cuddling closer to her. “Everyone has been treating me like some sort of magical china doll and it’s driving me
fucking crazy.” I confess. “I need some normal. I need my sister – more than anyone else – to keep treating me like I’m the same
person as before.”
“Even if I’m being a horrible, ungrateful brat?’ Cora asks against my neck, her arms coming around my back.
“Especially then.” I confirm.
She sniffles and squeezes me, “I can do that.” Cora agrees, her voice thick with emotion. “Now what the hell are you wearing?”