Accidental Surrogate

Cora

I don’t really notice when Ella leaves. I’m too busy crying.

I think I scare Roger again when I start, because it’s just a few tears at first, but then suddenly I’m blubbering against his shoulder because it feels like every single emotion I’ve ever had – every single one – is racing through me at once.

–

“Cora,” Roger whispers, concerned, pulling me to him. But when I don’t stop he just holds me tight, shushing me and rubbing a hand up and down my back. Then, when I continue, he slowly walks backwards with me in his arms until his legs hit the bed, and then he sits down, pulling me into his lap, and lays back, taking me with him.

I start to calm down then, curled against Roger’s body, breathing in the warm scent of him as he makes soft comforting noises and kisses my head and whispers to me that it’s all right and that I’m lovely.

I’m embarrassed when I get myself together – seriously, the guy finds out that he’s going to be a dad and all I do is cry about it for five solid minutes – but when I look up at him he gives me a gentle smile, like he doesn’t mind at all.

“I’m so sorry, Roger,” I murmur.

“What?” he asks. “Cora, I’m the one who grabbed you and flipped out and spontaneously transformed into my wolf in a panic –”

“Yes,” I concede, nodding, but still feeling guilty. “But Roger, I didn’t call you for five days

“That’s all right Cora,” Roger replies, dismissing it way too easily as he strokes my hair.

And I shake my head at him as I realize that he’s just completely overwhelmed by his excitement about the baby right now – that he’s willing to forgive me anything in this moment because he’s not thinking straight. But then his hand pauses on my hair and I see him start to figure it out. “Wait,” he says, hesitating and looking at me more seriously. “Cora, why didn’t you call me for five days?”

–

but blushing regardless, not wanting – at all – to talk about my other sex partners with my mate. Especially now, when

room right now, and sensed your connection?

Roger says, his eyes going wide as he stares at me. Then, slowly, he rests his

didn’t want it to be. It was just… the logical thing to think at the time. I can’t smell the baby’s bloodline, and had no reason to assume that I – unlike literally any other human woman – could, somehow, carry a wolf

the ceiling and I think sorting

—

whisper. “I should have told you – I was a coward. I just… I didn’t know what to say. I

would leave you?” Roger asks, his voice quiet, looking down at me

know,” I answer, honest. “Would you

instantly, but then he hesitates. “I mean, Cora, it would have been…incredibly difficult for me. And I love you – I don’t think I’d ever find another mate – but,” he sighs and puts a hand over his face as he shakes his head, admitting the truth to himself. “If you were

–

put an incredible

for a few moments. “But,” I say after a long pause. “It’s…not someone else’s child. It’s yours.” The words are shaky as they fall from my mouth, because I still can’t believe

his hand down his face and looking at me, a little smile on

you want to?” I

he

cocking my head to the side. “Do you forgive me?

takes my face in his hands again. “There’s nothing to forgive. I don’t I don’t care if you’ve had a romantic past – we weren’t even together when you slept with him. I didn’t like it,

—

I look up into Roger’s eyes I

me, “is our future. All right? Me, you, and this… weird little baby…” he murmurs, looking down at my

at my stomach again, suddenly scared that Roger can smell

“No, Cora –‘ Roger says quickly, laughing and pressing a quick kiss to