Accidental Surrogate

Friendship Across Boundaries Ella I ignore the soft growl that rumbles from the doorway, though Calvin glances briefly in that direction.

“No, Calvin,” I say, shaking my head softly. “We did a little bit of research this afternoon. And I’m sorry to say it if it makes you sad, but you’re not my mate.” “What?” he breathes, confused, his eyebrows knitting together. “But – ” “Why do you think you are?” I ask, honestly conflicted now.

And Calvin sweetly and awkwardly blushes, looking down at the carpet. ” My wolf is…pretty convinced, Ella,” he murmurs, probably fully aware that the words are enough to set Sinclair off again.

“Really?” I ask, pushing now,” Because my wolf – she says that you’re important to me, but she wasn’t sure enough to give it the name mate. And everyone else I’ve asked, Calvin…they were sure. Is your wolf absolutely positive?” He sighs now, looking down at his hands as he perhaps consults with his wolf inside. “It’s…the strongest connection I’ve ever felt, Ella,” he murmurs. “With anyone. Is it…is it not enough? Even if my wolf feels a little bit of doubt, and can’t give you a certain yes?” And suddenly my heart breaks for this man who I realize is…lonely. Who had an arranged marriage to a woman I’m not sure he loves, who is surrounded by a Kingdom full of people whose deepest beliefs he at least doubts, if not outright disbelieves. Calvin – he saw the bond between us and he grasped at it desperately, wanting it.

Wanting the different life I potentially offered one with love in it, and a new world full of different ideas.

My heart – it absolutely breaks for him, and down the bond I feel Sinclair’s own pity as he feels my emotions along with me.

But still I can’t love him just because he wants me to. I have a mate whom I love very, very much.

“Maybe it would be enough,” I say softly, “in a different time, a different… life.

But Calvin, we asked and had it confirmed. You’re not my mate – I only have one. And it’s Dominic.” Calvin looks up at me now, his face twisted in confusion. “Who on earth would you ask about that?” “Well,” I say, smiling a little bit. ” She’s not precisely on earth -” Ella, Dominic says down our bond in warning. Because the Atalaxians – they don’t know anything about my divine origins right now, or at least we don’t think they do. We honestly don’t know how much Xander told him, but since they didn’t bring it my or Cora’s powers in the peace talks as a negotiating point, we’re assuming Xander kept any knowledge of or lineage and our gifts to himself.

Calvin stares at me in confusion.

you, Calvin?” I ask quietly, leaning forward and raising a single eyebrow at

new bond between myself and this prince. My lips part in surprise as Calvin stares at me in confusion, feeling it too,

I tell Calvin everything – about the Goddess being my biological mother, and contacting her today, and everything she said

Calvin stares at me

against the couch’s arm. “Now I’m just… embarrassed. Here I was, ready to confess my devotion to you, and all along it was…nothing romantic. Not at all. Instead just a seed, whatever that means.” Sinclair lets out another low growl from the doorway, letting Calvin know that he needs to watch himself, but I ignore him, reaching out a hand between us. “Just because it’s not romantic doesn’t mean it’s not

mine until we feel that pulse between us. Until the glow forms between our hands, eventually raising sparks in the air. We both stare at

“I’m sorry… I realize what I did was selfish, and hasty, and it likely caused you a great deal of stress.” “Stop,” I say, scootching forward across the couch now so that we sit close together. “Calvin, you have nothing to be embarrassed about – ” He huffs a laugh, looking down into his lap. “I was ready to leave my wife, Ella,” he murmurs, “to leave my entire country behind-” “No,” I interrupt, and he looks up to see me shaking my head. “You’d have gone home, Calvin. For your children. And eventually, you would have figured out that what’s between us? It’s special, but it’s friendship. And you’d have been glad for it.” Calvin sighs and raises a hand, pressing it softly to my cheek. “For what might have been, Ella,” he murmurs, “I’ll at least treasure that always.” The connection burns between us, humming through me and raising the hairs on my neck. I stare at him, smiling a little, marveling at the magic that swirls in the air.

arms, glaring at both of us. Rafe lets out a little happy squeal and waves his hand, clearly

should go,” Calvin murmurs,

leave. There’s so much left here we need to explore – “Yes,” Sinclair and Calvin say at once, making me grin and look between

right,” I say, putting my hands up and admitting when

Goddess has wrought a bond between us, though it may be a mystery why for a long, long time.” “And you’ll always have a friend in Atalaxia,

too,” I say, standing and daring to put a hand on his shoulder, feeling the little pulse

mind, and so I take my hand away, though I hope Calvin