Accidental Surrogate

I’m groggy, a few hours later, when I wake up because I honestly haven’t gotten much sleep. But still, I’m instantly aware that I’m awake because something in my body is…different.

s my eyes crack open, I have absolutely no idea what it is, and no real interest in finding out. Because nothing feels wrong or off…just… different… So, I yawn and snuggle my body back against my naked mate, my spine pressed to his warm stomach. Sinclair gives a deep, sleepy little growl as he tightens his arm around me, holding me close even as he sleeps. I smile at this, happiness sweeping through me as I think about how lovely it is to have a mate that holds me and protects me even when he’s mostly unconscious.

And he’s so warm, and the bed is so soft, and the sheets are so smooth under my bare skin that I almost… Almost fall back asleep… But then? My eyes suddenly fly open.

Because there is…there is something new within me.

As I start to put the pieces together, I am instantly, starkly awake – and so is Rafe, I realize, as I peer through the dark over the side of the bed. My sweet baby is peering at me curiously through the slats of his crib – almost as if he can feel it too This new…new thing within me, a bond that wasn’t there hours ago – but which is there now, just a tiny silver thread of something new My hands fly to my mouth and my eyes instantly fill with tears because even though I didn’t experience this with Rafe – my wolf wasn’t awake then, after all, to help me feel it – I suddenly know precisely what it is.

My voice is shaky as I breathe the word, hardly daring to voice it.

closer – almost like he knows it too – And suddenly I’m laughing – the sound bubbling out of me, rich with

and throwing a leg over his hips so that I’m straddling him, my hands on his chest- “Baby!” I shriek, thrilled, almost in pieces because of it, completely unable to contain myself, or think coherently, or make any sense Sinclair blinks suddenly awake, his hands tightening on my hips as he stares up at me, confused – worried but one look at my thrilled face makes him realize that nothing is bad is going on so what… “Dominic!” I breathe,

me back a little so that I’m sitting

there – ” Ella, it’s…” “A baby!” I shriek, throwing my

tears. “A little baby, Dominic,” I murmur, beaming into his face. “A brand new baby!” “The best surprise I’ve ever gotten, Ella,” he murmurs, staring at me like I’m a marvel as he sniffs his tears away, still laughing a little in shock. He pulls away from me just a little bit, looking down at my stomach almost like he will see a baby bump – though of course there’s nothing yet I laugh again, pulling Sinclair’s face back up to mine and kissing him, passing all my own joy down the bond. Because this moment – I’ve been

anxious – is the baby all right? – is- “Here,” he says, putting a steady hand on my cheek. “Close your eyes,” he murmurs, his voice excited, if soft. I do as he says, loosing a deep breath and draping my arms lightly around his neck before I close my eyes. I feel Sinclair connect to me down our bond, and then together

has a line of sweetness and determination within it not that that Rafe lacks those traits, but there’s just

quietly, completely overwhelmed. “When Rafe was still growing? When he was this

didn’t you tell me!?” I ask, smacking him on the shoulder