Accidental Surrogate

3rd Person

Cora’s eyes followed her sister’s retreating back as the delegation exited. Ella kept looking back over her shoulder, concern and apology clear on her beautiful face. It was clear she wanted to stay, to talk about what had just happened and offer comfort, but her responsibility was to remain with the group. She mouthed “I love you” just before disappearing around the corner, but Cora could only manage a tremulous smile in response, 1

She wrapped her arms protectively around herself, all too aware of Roger’s presence behind her. He was so close Cora could feel the heat radiating off his powerful form in waves, and it was all too tempting to imagine his arms around her. She didn’t know why she’d admitted her hurt feelings to him, but she suspected it was the same reason she found his proximity so comforting. “You should go ahead,” She tried to say, “they must need you.”

‘Tm not leaving you like this.” Roger answered firmly, shifting close enough that Cora’s shoulder blades brushed against his chest.

“Well I have work to do.” Cora answered hoarsely, trying to pull away.

A heavily corded arm snaked around Cora’s middle before she could take a single step. ‘Talk to me.” Roger encouraged in a tender purr. He pulled her back against him completely, and Cora could see his handsome face in her periphery, watching her intently. ‘You’re clearly upset, little one.”

Cora was desperately trying to ignore the sensation of having the wolf wrapped around her like a security blanket, and she hated the way his nickname played on her psyche. Next to tiny Ella, Cora had always felt a bit gangly and ungainly, even though she was a perfectly average height and weight. She’d never been considered “little” compared to her sister, but she certainly was next to most wolves. It was often intimidating, but with Roger? She secretly loved how small and safe it made her feel. “I already have a support system.” She told him dismissively, but her voice shook and her lower lip quivered dangerously. “I don’t need you.”

“Maybe not, but I’m here and I care.” He answered gently, cupping her cheek in his free hand and turning her face towards him. It was an odd angle: at once sideways, backwards and upwards; but it was undoubtedly effective. The wolf’s dark eyes were boring into her own from only a few inches away, and Cora felt as though he was looking straight through her. ” Tell me how to make it better, Cora.”

He couldn’t have predicted the effect these simple words would have on the human, but the next thing he knew tears were spilling from her lashes. Heart-wrenchingly vulnerable, Cora admitted. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I need right now.”

a proper hug, he tucked her tear-stained face against the curve of his neck. He stroked her spine and began to purr, pressing soft kisses to her hair. Cora broke the moment his purrs began, clinging to Roger and sobbing into his collar. ‘That’s it, sweetheart.” Roger encouraged. “Just let it all out.” He swayed softly from side to side, and though his wolf was focused entirely on soothing the devastated

was better to do so now, while his wolf was distracted. As soon as the irate beast was no longer occupied with Cora, he was going to be so aggressive and bloodthirsty

Cora wept, her words muffled against his shoulder. “I d- don’t kn-know why

bit tighter. ‘You have every reason to be upset. That mongrel was unconscionably cruel to you, and trust me, he’s going to

“As far as shifters are c-concerned I’m n- nothing more than a pet. I w-wouldn’t even b-be here

growl broke through Roger’s purrs. “He wasn’t right and if you ever suggest such a thing again, I swear to

to sound

in her ear, sending a second shiver down her spine. His wolf howled in triumph, loving how responsive the lovely woman was proving to be. Holding Cora felt so impossibly right, and she clearly responded to his dominance. “He wasn’t right. No one thinks of you that way, Cora. Kieran is a vulgar little maggot with no redeeming characteristics. Don’t give his

that way do you?” Cora inquired. ‘The others might not have jumped on board, but they didn’t object either.” She shook her head, frustration taking hold now that the worst had passed. “I hate

spoke up for yourself

to the matter. And I just stood there and let them defend me, I probably wouldn’t have been able to say

alerting him

Cora a long moment to answer, and when she did her voice was barely audible. “If I’d been alone, if I hadn’t had… all of you… beside me.” Her phrasing was stilted and uncomfortable, and Roger

smiling to himself and breathing in her scent. “And is there a reason you think you should have to go it

her eyes. “I know I don’t have to be an island – I know everyone