Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 216 – Silent Treatment

3rd Person

As soon as Sinclair left Roger and Cora alone, the human turned towards the door, determined to flee. They’d talked about the mating ceremony for the better part of an hour, but as soon as they finished making their plans, Cora made a break for it.

Before her hand could touch the door knob however, Roger’s voice stopped her in her tracks. “Oh so you’re back to ignoring me, are you?”

Cora stiffened, turning back to the newly-minted Beta. “You got my sympathy when your brother was dead, but now that we know Dominic is alive, I don’t see any reason to pretend.” She answered with a shrug, trying to push away the memory of having the huge wolf’s arms around her. Of course, that was much easier said than done – her mind was already carrying her back to that emotional night, and it was nearly impossible to forget the way her heart had raced when he touched her.

Roger’s tears gradually slowed as Cora held him, breathing in her delicate scent and letting her gentle touch tame his rabid wolf. Soon his heaving breaths were low and steady, and Cora’s soothing murmurs fell quiet. It shouldn’t have been so electrifying – to hold a grieving man this way. But as the worst of the storm passed, the more intimate the embrace seemed, and suddenly Cora was so terribly aware of Roger’s powerful body flush against hers that she could scarcely breathe.

She felt as though his hands were scalding her through her clothes, and his warm breath fluttering over her neck roused butterflies in her stomach. Gooseflesh rose on her arms as he emitted a soft rumble of appreciation for her comfort, and Cora wondered why her mouth suddenly felt so dry. Even though the big wolf had been vicious and unhinged mere minutes before, Cora felt safe and content in the circle of his arms, and more alarming yet – she realized she didn’t want him to let go.

That was the last straw. As a doctor Cora was used to touching people constantly, and in the midst of the refugee crisis she’d done more than her fair-share of hand holding. But no one had ever blurred the lines of personal and professional this way, evoking deep emotions she should not be feeling – especially not for a man who infuriated her as much as Roger.

Cora extracted herself a bit too abruptly, but she attempted to cover her actions with a hasty cough.”You’d better let me take a look at your feet.” She suggested, glancing at the debris-strewn floor. The wolf’s blood mingled with the glass and splintered wood and Cora wasn’t sure how to even cross the wreckage, but Roger lifted her into his arms and carried her through the worst of it, ignoring her protests.

“What are you doing?!” She’d exclaimed, wriggling in his strong grip.

“My feet can’t get any more beat up than they already are – yours can.” He explained, hitching her closer.

“I’m wearing shoes!” Cora countered, rolling her eyes.

He carried her into the bathroom and reluctantly returned her feet to the ground, but he didn’t release her immediately. Instead he leaned her weight against him, as if worried she might

seat.” She instructed, searching through the cabinets and extracting first aid supplies. Roger settled on the edge of the bath and patiently waited for her to finish her search. If she’d felt brave enough to look over at the

shaking hands, Cora sprayed warm water over the wolf’s torn feet, wincing when she saw all the glass shards

even

with the beautiful human, especially given the way she’d stood up to him so courageously. He knew it must not have been easy for her, and though part of him was proud, her skittishness

the familiar motions of her work helped keep her on balance. She methodically extracted the glass from Roger’s feet with sharp tweezers, then cleaned and bound the wounds with careful precision. ‘There.” She said, wiping sweat from her brow, even though the temperature in the room was low. “You

bed?” Roger inquired, arching a brow Cora didn’t like the sultry note in his deep voice, and she glanced in the direction of the bedroom. “I think you’ll

heart sank. He didn’t want her to leave, in part because he enjoyed her company far too much, but also because he simply didn’t want to be alone. Roger clamped his eyes shut, not wanting to remember the pain which drove him to wreak so much destruction. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved earlier.”

“I’ve seen worse.” She answered honestly, “But I think perhaps you shouldn’t

an invitation?” Roger questioned

opinion.” Cora corrected. “The same I would give

care about is in the same condition – or thereabouts.” Roger lamented, feeling very sorry for himself. ‘They shouldn’t have to deal with

the wave of a hand. So why was she

up at her, surprised but pleased

and don’t get any wise ideas.” Cora answered, notching her chin

wise ideas aren’t my forte.” Roger

spend the night in

Roger squeezed her hand, but Cora pulled herself from his grip and crossed her arms over her

expression wavered, a flash of genuine empathy bleeding into her features. Still, she didn’t let her guard down. “I mean