Accidental Surrogate

When we climb out of the ambulance, it seems like a whole team of doctors are waiting for us. I smile at them, a little anxious, as they come forward to escort us into the hospital and run us through our battery of checks. At my side I feel Sinclair shift into his Alpha protection mode, looking at everyone warily, glaring at anyone who comes even close to me and the baby.

I smirk when I notice it, glancing’up at his stern and dangerous expression, but I don’t dissuade him. Honestly, I kind of like it.

We are escorted quickly into a private room where Hank quickly consults with a panel of experts, clearly ordering a ton of tests. As he works, a smile breaks onto my face as I see Cora turn the corner.

“Cora!” I call, waving to her, Rafe fussing in my arms. Sinclair even glares at Cora as she approaches, though she gives him a curious little look that makes him check his expression.

“Sorry,” he murmurs. “I’m feeling…protective.”

“Understandable,” she says, smiling and reaching for the baby. “Where is my little boy!”

“Heeere,” I sing, carefully handling over the little bundle to his auntie. We dressed him, before we left, in the little cream sleep sack that we had packed in the hospital bag.

“Cutieee,” Cora coos, holding the baby close and peering down at his little face. She beams at him for a moment before looking up at me. “First night go okay?”

I tell her the details of our first night while Sinclair stands firmly at my side, letting me communicate everything. As I speak, Hank and his team begin to break up, preparing the various checks and treatments that I’ll be receiving today. Then, he comes over to us.

“Okay, Ella,” he says, giving me a smile. “The plan is that me and my team are going to ensure that you’re perfectly healthy. And Cora and hers are going to make sure that Rafe is in top shape. It’s going to take awhile but,” he glances up at Sinclair quickly and shrugs, “I thought it best to check everything, rather than skimp.”

right, you’ll check everything,” Sinclair growls, crossing

I murmur, giving him a little smile. He sighs and nods, making me laugh. I can tell that he’s on edge, fighting his new dad instinct to do everything he can – absolutely everything to protect his vulnerable

pausing a moment to place a warm hand on her back between her shoulder blades. I blink, a little surprised, when she simply nods and flinches away

this? I think to myself, a little happiness building in my stomach. But then I chide myself for being happy that there might be discord

least, knows that I’m

later, I’m dozing quietly in a

were born at the hospital yesterday and today, apparently to be monitored and to give me some time to rest, but I find that I’m restless without him near me. Still, my exhausted body takes advantage of the

qualms about the baby being out of the room, and snores lightly

Hank comes back into the room. “Sorry,” he says, giving me a little grimace. “I didn’t mean to wake you when you probably need

sit up in his chair. “It’s all right –

stuff, too,” Hank murmurs, coming close to the bed. “It’s very interesting – studies have shown that wolf mothers do indeed sleep better if they have physical

he just blinks blearily at me.” Ella,” he says, “you spent hundreds of

under my chin with glee. Sinclair murmurs something about us being wolves, not birds, but I ignore him, turning my attention back to Hank. So, am I okay? Can

reading through some of the doctor reports there, and then nods happily to me. “I’m happy to report that you’re doing beautifully, Ella. Strikingly healthy – perhaps more than can be expected, after a traumatic birth experience. But perhaps that can be attributed to…your gift? Or however that

understanding and accepting the mystery for

Hank says, smiling at me warmly. “That would

nod, agreeing heartily, but then I