Accidental Surrogate

Ella

We all go a little pale, I think, as we consider the possibility that Cora, too, is an accidental – or not so accidental – surrogate.

“I’m sure that’s not true,” I say suddenly, shaking my head but a little shaken – I admit – by the idea that the baby was conceived during a storm that basically forced Roger and Cora off the road and into an empty room with not much in it besides a bed. It seems…a little too convenient to be chance, didn’t it?

“This is your baby, Cora,” I say with assurance, knowing it to be true.

“She’s right,” Roger says, nodding at Cora without doubt in his eyes. “You are this baby’s mother, and I’m its father, and that’s the end of the story. All right?”

Cora nods, but I can see her hesitate still.

“We’ll get answers, Cora,” Sinclair says quietly. “I agree with Ella and Roger – but if you’d like, we can consult the elders, like we did when we wanted information on how Ella was pregnant.”

“Oh,” she says, her eyebrows going up “Yes, can we do that? That would be great.”

Sinclair nods, giving her a little smile and letting her know that he’ll set it up as soon as can be arranged. I realize something and gasp with excitement, bouncing a little on the bed.

“Maybe you’re a wolf, Cora!” I say, “like me! Maybe you just didn’t realize it! Maybe the same thing happened!”

“No, Ella,” Cora says, laughing at my excitement a little. “Our mother made it very clear to me on the temple steps that day – two daughters, one wolf, one human. I’m the human.”

“Oh,” I say, suddenly disappointed. But I take a deep breath and dismiss the thought, wrapping my arms around my sister’s shoulders and pressing my cheek to hers. “Well, whatever!” I say, cheerful. “Whatever this baby’s genetic makeup is, I’m excited. And we’ll love little ‘it‘ so much.”

“I’m inclined to think the baby is a hybrid,” Sinclair says, carefully laying down on the bed and putting his head in my lap, resting the baby on the bed next to him, letting Rafe have some tummy time. “The first of its kind. Which is…very cool.”

him, curious. “Why do you think the

that you only have access to half of the kind

“I wouldn’t mind that,” he murmurs, and then he looks

I sigh, glad we’re on happier conversational ground again. “I think it’s cool that we don’t know the gender,” I sigh, looking over

know Rafe’s,” Sinclair reminds me. “I seem to remember you tackling me in excitement when

remembering it fondly. “But there’s something good about the

her and I see her looking at Roger, grinning at the clear disappointment on his face. “You wish you knew,” she

usual for wolves to wait

It’s like someone telling you that it’s Christmas but then having to wait six months

him a

grin deepening. “You won’t be able to rest until

Cora, rueful, but doesn’t deny it.

hands flying to my

reminds me, laughing

I agree, shooting him a very tiny glare before turning back to Roger. “But I also wanted a

girl.”

you want both?” he

is laughing now and I turn to Cora, nudging

me

smile at me. “I’m team girl. If we have a boy I’m handing it immediately off to Roger,” she declares, though we all know she doesn’t mean it as she

off and