Alpha did indeed make to guard against attack. However, rather than deflect the sword, he chose to do something else entirely.  He sheathed his sword, and grabbed the sword mid stab with a hand, grabbing the jab with the other. "You know, people always seem to forget...my limbs.  are made. Of. Metal." He stated simply, before attempting to pull the hatter in for a headbutt which, if it connected, he'd follow up with grabbing the hatter's leg, and slamming him to the ground, before more or less pulling a lou thesz press.

If that sequence of blows was interrupted, he'd instead attempt a surprise attack  by letting off a volley of point blank blasts. "Go back to underland." He'd droll, before setting off a final, larger blast. 

And of course, if neither thing worked, he'd mix up the two tactics.