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 -“

out that she wasn’t willfully abandoned by her parents,” Leon cuts him of this time “Let her have this moment before

calm about this” Roger

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

Dominie’s handsome face fills the screen, and 1’m introduced to the joys of seeing my mate while in the clutches of the ether. “Hello trouble,” He greets me with a wide, though

the Goddess.” I report dreamily, raking my gaze over the rugged planes of his cheekbones and jaw. They’re even sharper

Sinclair chuckles, the worry lines in his brow smoothing out. “Well right back at

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 my thoughts to get back on track. “But you wolves have had it wrrooonngg. I sing, dragging out the word. “She’s not even the Goddess of the moon, but of all light

he sounds like a

fascinating?” Sinclair tells me, in the tone of one speaking to a drunk toddler. Then he clears his throat,

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

Sinclair, but I find myself dozing nearer and nearer to sleep, floating on the waves of the drug and my mate’s purrs. I hear 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

after a while, my words soft and slurred. “And maybe a

burrow into the coverlet, You can have as many cupcakes as you want when you wake up, angel.” Henry promises, even though I can hear Sinclair complaining in

bossy.” I tell him, interrupted by a wide

tablet back over to me.

I’m only met with purrs from both the recording

hear Leon protest. “What

“Tl go after

I’m in the dream forest, and Sinclair is walking towards me through the trees. It’s the first time I’ve been able to find my way here on

nightmares!” I exclaim, Wrapping my arms and

close and dropping k!sses

“Are you sleeping in the middle of the day?” I ask, nuzzling my nose against the bare skin of his c.hest,