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.

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

If she’d felt brave enough to look over at the wolf, Cora would have seen the hungry way he followed her with his dark eyes, or noticed the smirk

over the wolf’s torn feet, wincing when

were you even standing?”

given the way she’d stood up to him so courageously. He knew it must not have been easy for her, and

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

how will I get to my 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 find your bed is in pieces. I think maybe you

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

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

that an invitation?”

same I

– or thereabouts.” Roger lamented, feeling very sorry for himself. ‘They

So why was she so tempted to offer her own

blinked up at her, surprised but pleased

get

ideas aren’t my forte.” Roger replied, gesturing to the demolished

say that again.” Cora snorted, sweeping her gaze around. “But I’ll be damned if I’m going to spend the night in this death trap. I’ll ring downstairs to borrow a wheelchair

but Cora pulled herself from his grip and crossed her arms over her chest. ‘You don’t know what this

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 delightful