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.

ever be too careful.” Roger answered easily, though she thought she saw the corner of his mouth twitching. 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 not be steady without his

of the bath and patiently waited for her to finish her search. If she’d felt brave enough to look over at the wolf, Cora would have seen

hands, Cora sprayed warm water over the wolf’s torn

you even standing?” She

his eyes locked on her lovely face. He was finding it very difficult to control himself with the beautiful human, especially given the way she’d stood up to him so courageously. He knew it must not have been easy

were weak, but 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

didn’t like the sultry note in his deep voice, and she glanced in the direction

feet, cleaning up her supplies, and Roger’s 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

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

invitation?”

corrected. “The same

is in the same condition – or thereabouts.” Roger lamented, feeling very sorry for himself. ‘They shouldn’t have to deal with me on top of everything

a hand. So why was she so tempted to offer her own company? Why didn’t she want to leave him?

at her, surprised but

you behave yourself and don’t get any wise

have plenty of proof that wise ideas

damned if I’m going to spend the night in this death trap. I’ll ring downstairs to borrow a

but Cora pulled herself from his grip and crossed her arms over

expression wavered, a flash of genuine empathy bleeding into her features. Still, she didn’t let her guard down. “I mean it, Roger. No funny business.” She stalked away before he could reply, giving him a