Chapter 213 – Uncooperative Alpha

Ella

After we made amends, the doctor quickly completed the scans and treatments, even the painful injections into Sinclair’s bones. Soon, my mate looked a thousand times better than when he arrived, and I marveled at the Vanaran’s advanced medicine. The physician checked the lump on the back of my head and took my vitals, but Sinclair was so exhausted he fell asleep in my lap. Philippe and Roger offered to lift him, but I asked them not to disturb him. I waved them away so we could be alone, and Henry promised to send up food.

Once the others left, only my pup remained to contend with. Now that things had calmed, he eagerly resumed his game with Sinclair, kicking his tiny foot against my uterus, next to Sinclair’s cheek. “Easy now, munchkin,” I said through our bond. “Daddy needs to sleep.”

I felt a wave of drowsiness from my womb and sent my support for a nap. “That’s it, rest together, angel.” Soon, both my boys were quiet, and I gazed at Sinclair, marveling at his beauty and strength, even in slumber.

While overjoyed, my heart ached for my mate. Sinclair hadn't explicitly expressed his grief, but I knew he needed my support after losing his Beta and friends. I was still frustrated that the other alphas focused on me, though I understood they were doing what Sinclair preferred. He couldn't relax unless he knew the truth of my situation and appreciated their help. But he would need me when he woke—even just to help him feel in control. I couldn't let my needs distract him.

I ran my fingers lightly over his stubbled jaw as he slept, wondering if any she-wolf had ever loved her mate more than I loved him. “What would I do without you, Dominic?” I thought reverently. I might survive losing him, but I wouldn't want to. There would never be anyone else for me.

Again, I wished I could fantasize about our future without the looming war. But it overshadowed everything, fueling a new determination. We had to get through this. I would do whatever it took to keep our family whole and overcome the battles ahead. I fell asleep stroking his hair, pondering the daunting possibilities, so happy to be reunited with him that I didn't feel my exhaustion until it overcame me.

I awoke later to a gentle finger tracing my nose. Opening my eyes, I found Sinclair gazing lovingly at me, his emerald eyes like liquid in the dim evening light. “I’m sorry to wake you, baby. I just thought you might like a bath with me?”

I was still drowsy, but his words made me realize how filthy I felt. Four days of accumulated dirt amazed me; I didn’t smell like hot garbage. I nodded sleepily, and before I could protest, he scooped me into his arms. Carrying me to the bathroom, I noticed several room service dishes waiting, and my stomach growled loudly. Sinclair chuckled. “Don’t worry, trouble, I’ll bring you some snacks.”

He kept his word, settling me in the bubbly water and delivering a plate of my favorite dishes to the tub's edge. My mind was still sluggish, but a bacon-wrapped fig caught my attention, and I couldn't focus on anything else until it was in my mouth. Gradually, I realized the plate only held enough for one, and none of the food were Sinclair's preferences. “What about you?”

“Are you worrying about me, little wolf?” Sinclair asked, a knowing look in his eyes.

“You need to eat even more than I do, and I know your father didn’t send only my favorites,” I answered, trying to look imposing. Of course, this was difficult while still half-awake.

Sinclair knelt, a smirk playing on his lips. “To be honest, I was so starving I ate before I woke you.”

“Oh,” I breathed, disappointed, though struggling to remember why.

Sinclair chuckled. “Don’t look so sad; in fact, you should be glad you missed it—have you ever seen the appetite of a wolf who’s been running for four days straight? It isn’t pretty.” He rumbled, “I had to shower to wash off the culinary carnage.”

I giggled half-heartedly, my thoughts finally connecting. “I’m not sad,” I corrected him. “But I am worried about you, and I want to help you.”

“You are helping me,” Sinclair replied, sinking into the water and pulling me into his arms.

“How?” I demanded, “by letting you carry me around and pamper me?”

“I happen to like doing those things,” he answered, kissing my neck. “Besides, this way my hands are free.”

“Oh, going to grope me while I eat?” I asked saucily, reaching for the plate.

“No, actually, I thought I’d feed you,” Sinclair corrected, intercepting my hand. A moment later, he dangled a second fig, tempting me terribly. It smelled divine, and though I wanted to resist, my stomach growled again. My first bite had awakened a monster; I was ravenous. I closed my lips around the morsel, nipping Sinclair’s fingers. “Just you wait, Mr.,” I said through our bond, stifling a moan as the flavors exploded on my tongue. “As soon as I’m full, the tables are turning, and you’ll let me indulge you.”

“Is that so?” Sinclair countered, arching a brow. “Clearly, I’ve been gone too long if you’re already so eager to challenge me.”

“Not challenge you, just make you prioritize yourself,” I clarified, taking a bite of the tart he offered.

He chuckled, offering the tart again. I leaned forward, but he replaced it with his lips. “Silly mate, don’t you know that’s one and the same?”

I whimpered as he kissed me, suddenly questioning my argument with this incredible man. A moment later, I realized his wolf was subtly suggesting this, and I pulled away. “That’s cheating,” I accused, narrowing my eyes.

“I know,” he sympathized, catching my nape and pulling my mouth back to his. “I’m a bad, bad man.” For a few delicious moments, I let him kiss me, heat pooling in my core as my wolf grew eager to reunite with her mate intimately.

Eventually, I regained my senses and pulled away. “Dominic!” I complained, pouting and crossing my arms.

Sinclair flashed his fangs, his hungry gaze fixed on my mouth. “You better put that pout away unless you want to get bitten, gorgeous.”

I pursed my lips, but when I tried to speak, he offered more food, and I had no choice but to accept. I moaned as a delicious, warm mouthful of rare steak melted on my tongue, and my lashes fluttered shut as I swallowed. When I opened them, my mate waited with another bite, but I didn’t trust he’d feed me instead of stealing another kiss. Seeing my uncertainty, he purred with satisfaction, and I realized he’d intended to throw me off balance.

The uncooperative Alpha didn’t care that I only wanted to care for him; he enjoyed teasing me, disrupting my plans. I tried to scramble off his lap, but his arms tightened. “And just where do you think you’re going?” he rumbled ominously, eyes glowing.

I squirmed, unsure if I was hungry, aroused, or angry. I glared at him, and the fire in his eyes intensified. Stop fighting me, little wolf, my mate’s inner animal spoke through our bond, reaching my wolf, calling to her instincts. This is what I need. I know you want to take care of me; this is how you can. Just let go, and trust me.

My body stilled, and I gasped. Suddenly, I felt like a fool—his playful behavior wasn’t teasing; it was Sinclair showing me what he needed, and I'd been preoccupied giving him what I thought he needed instead of listening. He didn’t need cuddling and pampering; he needed to feel in control because everything felt out of control—only I could give him that.

“There,” he crooned, cupping my cheek. “Now you see.”

I nodded, leaning in for another kiss. Instead, he placed more steak on my tongue, shaking his head with that same ravenous expression. His message was clear: he made the rules, and I’d hang on for the ride.