Accidental Surrogate

“Well,” Hank says, sighing contentedly as he wraps an arm around Sarah’s shoulders. “With Ella here in the city able to patch up anyone pretty much instantly and cure a variety of diseases just by holding people’s hands, there’s not as much use for me here.” “Oh!” Ella squeaks, and I laugh because I can tell that she feels guilty for making Hank feel a little redundant.

“No, Ella,” Hank says, grinning at her. “Sarah and I just talked about it and I think we can be of more use up in the Northern provinces. There’s a great deal of people there – both humans and wolves – who are without healthcare, and especially without a surgeon.” He shrugs. “I think we can do some good.” “I think that’s really cool, Hank,” I say, grinning at him.

“I think it’s right,” he says, smiling at me. “But still, I’m glad we got to be here for this, and to meet Jesse.” “I’m glad too,” I say softly, smiling at my friend. Because as much as my life is full now, and I have less and less time to spend at the clinic…I will certainly miss him.

Hank leans forward to give me a kiss on the cheek, his own quiet farewell, and then Ella walks he and Sarah from the room, murmuring something about Sinclair wanting to say goodbye.

When he leaves, Roger walks quietly over to me, his hands in his pockets, his eyes on the door. “What was that all about?” “Well,” I say, smiling up at him, ” you’ll be glad to know that Hank is moving away – up to the northern provinces, actually.” I don’t know much about the kingdom’s territories up there, but I do know that it’s a lot of wild land and a lot of rough living. I wonder, privately, if it will suit Hank and Sarah, who don’t exactly strike me as country folk.

“Oh,” Roger says as he purses his lips and looks towards the door, nodding slowly.

I click my tongue, my face bursting into a grin.

“What?” Roger asks, turning to me.

“I can’t believe you’re not crowing with victorious joy,” I say, laughing and shaking my head at him.

nice, don’t say anything at all.” I roll my eyes. “Words you’ve never lived by.” “Yeah well,” he says, sinking onto the bed and smiling as he looks at the baby and me. “I’m a role model now. I’ve got to reform my ways.” “Hear that, Jesse?” I whisper to my sleeping boy. “He’s going to reform for you.” “Yup,” Roger says, leaning close to

give him one week,” I whisper to Jesse, laughing

harder. Jesse’s eyes flutter open a little and he

murmur, holding him closer and rocking him so that he’ll go back to

wants to be in on the fun,” Roger sighs, stroking a hand over

I say, lifting my head to grin at my mate. “Because we laugh a lot in this family. And I don’t intend

to the bottom of the stairs, Rafe tucked still sleeping in his arm, and frowns up at me as

going to work in the northern provinces! I say to my mate

smiles. And how

don’t know, I reply, scowling. Some sort of…King

mate shakes his head at me and then turns

northern provinces are very tight-knit and have…strange magics.” “I’ve heard that too,” Hank says, nodding. “Their healing practices are said to be quite unique. I’m very interested to learn from them.” “Well, I hope you’ll share with us what you learn,” Sinclair says as I come to his side and pout at Hank and Sarah, really not wanting them to leave. “Even just so Ella has an excuse to call you back to the capital every once in a while to throw

Hank smiles at me.” Thank you both,” Hank says, looking between us. “For such incredible opportunities. And for introducing us. Sarah and I are…” he says, turning to smile at her now and making her blush, “well, we’re very happy.” “I’m so pleased to hear that,” I say, tucking my clasped hands under my chin and beaming at them. “And you’ll keep in touch?” “I promise we will,” Sarah says, reaching out to put a hand on my shoulder. “I owe you everything, Ella – keeping in touch is the least we can do.” “Well, you could stay,” I say,

his head at me even as he smiles. “Your path is your own. Though I hope you’ll let us support your work financially, if that’s appropriate.” “I will let you do that,” Hank says, raising his eyebrows at Sinclair, his face serious. “There’s a great deal of poverty