Accidental Surrogate

Ella

There are tears in my eyes as I come out of the memory, the heady drug still swirling through my senses. I forget that I’m not alone in the room, trying to wrap my brain around the conversation I just recalled. My mind feels as though it might splinter with the weight of so many astounding revelations. I met the Goddess, and though I’d been too young to understand the things she explained to me, to realize that I was the child in the story, I’m certainly old enough now. I have a family. I think dazedly, the Goddess’s own power runs through my veins.

When the heavy silence breaks, I remember I have an audience. “Holy sh!t.” Gabriel utters in amazement.

“Did that… was that… ” Roger stammers, looking around at the other men.

“I can’t believe it.” Henry concludes, looking solemn but reverent as he strokes my brow.

Was that – was that real, or a dream?” I ask nervously, turning wide eyes to my father in law. It felt real, but years of disappointed hopes have trained me never to trust such things.

“No Ella,” Leon answers stiffly, as if he’s suddenly not sure how to address me. “That was very real.”

I clench my eyes shut, and rivulets of salt water streak down my cheeks. They wanted me”I
Murmur in awe. my parents wanted me.

“Of course they did. Henry clucked fondly, wiping a few of my tears away. How could they not?

My brother-in-law is watching us as if we’re mad, Um…is that all that stuck out to you because-“

Put a sock in it, Roger.” Gabriel cuts him off with a low growl.

“Sorry, it just seems like she’% burying the lead”

Roger answers sullenly, crossing his arms over his c.hest, “Mean we just found out secrets about the whole dammed universe and -“

parents,” Leon cuts him of this time “Let her have this moment before we

are being very calm about this” Roger observes grumpily. “But I’m the crazy,

his eldest son, “Why don’t you make yourself useful and call your

told, and a minute later a tablet is pressed into my hand. Dominie’s handsome face fills the screen, and 1’m introduced to the joys of seeing my mate

gaze over the rugged planes of his cheekbones and jaw. They’re even

his brow smoothing out. “Well right

than you.” I admit reluctantly, recalling the enchanting woman with her starlight hair and cosmic eyes. But not nearly as cuddly… I mean her cuddles were nice but yours are so much better.” I stop for a moment, distracted by thoughts of being in my mate’s arms. It takes a moment for

he sounds like a bit

tone of one speaking to a drunk toddler. Then he clears his throat,

affronted scoff. “Here dearheart, listen to this while I explain to Dominic.” My phone is ready and waiting at my side, with the recording of Sinclair’s purrs cued up in case I needed to be calmed down during the session. He presses play, and the sound rumbles to life by my ear,

the far- away sounds of their astounded discussion, about the God of darkness, the unknown history when wolves and humans openly lived together, and my role in this war. There are too many details to focus on all at once, and the conversation flits around

have a blanket?” I ask after a while, my words

weight settles over my shoulders, and I burrow into the coverlet, You can have as many cupcakes as you want when you wake up, angel.” Henry

a wide

the tablet back over

only met with purrs from both the recording and

hear Leon protest.

voice instructs, “Tl go after her, and when

me through the trees. It’s the first time I’ve been able to find my way here on my own since I started digging into my past,

my

see!” He exclaims, h.ugging me close and dropping k!sses over my cheek, temple

middle of the day?” I ask, nuzzling my nose against the bare skin of his c.hest, that special sp0t where his