Accidental Surrogate

The next morning Isabel woke to find James in bed beside her, fully clothed and quietly speaking to Sadie, who was snuggled between their bodies. Outside, the caretakers Isabel hired to help with the nursery were already getting the pups up and fed, so she let herself relax a while longer. She peeked one eye open, trying not to think about how nice it would be to have James wrapped around her again. Sadie came first, of course, and she was excited to see her – but her wolf was struggling with her competing desires.

“I don’t think it’s fair for anyone to be so cute you know.” James was saying, his fingers gently tickling her tummy. She grinned and giggled, wriggling and stretching her plump arms. “And that smile! It’s criminal. Don’t you know people will eat you right up if you show them that dazzling smile? I’m tempted myself, and I love you to pieces.”

Sadie babbled happily up at him, speaking her sweet baby language as joy and amusement pulsed through their nascent bond. “Oh no!” James said with theatrical horror. “I don’t think I can resist, Sadie bug. It’s just too much to bear. I’m going to do it! I’m going to eat you up.”

He lowered his mouth to her tummy, kissing her repeatedly and making exaggerated, “nom, nom, nom,” noises. Sadie squealed happily, and Isabel couldn’t feign sleep any longer. She opened her eyes fully, and found James watching her with a look of reverence and overwhelming affection.” Good morning beautiful.”

neck and trying to pretend her insides hadn’t just turned to mush. She diverted her eyes to the baby between them. Sadie blinked her gorgeous wide eyes at her adoptive mother, and an incandescent smile stretched over Isabel’s features. “Hello my love.” She asked, running her hand over the pup’s downy head. “How

smiled. “She didn’t make a sound, just lay

Sadie was already changed and wearing a fresh onesie. She reached through her bond with the little girl, but found she wasn’t yet hungry and felt perfectly content just as she was. Appreciation for James welled in her heart, because even though she’d known he would make a loving father and strong protector,

She should have objected, but she couldn’t bring herself to say the words. It felt too nice to be touched this way again, and for the first time since meeting her mate, Isabel truly considered what it might be like to make love to another man.

was the last time you slept in?” Isabel asked instead, genuinely concerned

am flights for so long that even making it till now feels

to look at the clock, noting it was already