Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

Cora

“What?” I ask, laughing a little, thinking that he’s kidding. “What are you talking about?”

“Go see your mom,” Roger continues, giving a little shrug. “Like we did with Ella, in the desert. Honestly, I think it was kind of rude of your mom at that moment to focus all on Ella and pretend that she wasn’t your mom too

“Roger,” I sigh, shaking my head. “You can’t call a goddess rude. We were on a mission and honestly, Ella went there to speak with her mother. I didn’t know – and I wasn’t ready. She’s a goddess you have to assume that she does things on her own time. For her own reasons.”

“I don’t know why you’re being so nice about it,” Roger growls, a little perturbed. “If I were you I’d be mad.”

“Yes, baby,” I murmur, “but you’re always mad.” This earns a little laugh from him, but I continue after a moment. “It’s hard to explain it,” I say quietly. “But when I held the gift – when I gave it to the world…Roger, I felt her love for me then. It was very rich and very real. She doesn’t love Ella more than she loves me. She’s just waiting for me to be ready.”

“Well?” he asks, nudging me with his nose. “Are you ready?”

I laugh a little, again thinking that he’s not serious.

“Really, Cora,” Roger urges, pulling back a little. “I think we should do it. We have all of these questions – about you, about the baby, about her and her plans for you. Why not? When this is all cleaned up when we have a minute to spare, let’s go on a little pilgrimage to one of your mother’s temples, like we did when we went to go find Reina. Let’s go…have a chat.”

I stop laughing when I consider it – consider if I want it.

“Plus,” he adds, tracing a finger over the soft skin between my shoulder and neck. “We can ask what will happen if I give you my mark. Because my damn wolf won’t shut up about it.”

I laugh, pleased. “What does he say?”

hear it, considering that it must be difficult having a wolf

continues. “Like when we’re just having dinner – like I’m going to jump across the table and grab you or something. Or when you’re

I’m asleep!?” I gasp, laughing. Roger

won’t,” he growls, shaking his head. “But it’s seriously annoying – he wants you to have it.” And then his voice shifts a little in tone. “I want you to have it, Cora.

as my hand goes to my stomach and I think about the baby and all the things we need to know. “All right,” I whisper. “We’ll do it. When we’re able to get back to a more normal life, when this is all fixed? We’ll

her,” Roger murmurs, and I can feel his smirk. “Ask her what the hell is going on with this mark, and this crazy hybrid baby. And why those priests were following you as well

go that far,” I laugh, shaking my head. “Honestly, Roger only you would

mate,” he growls, a little territorial but also a little kidding, “has to go through

on the

and shakes my hand away. “Call me puppy again,” he warns, shifting his body again so that he looms over me. “And I’ll put

mockingly. ” Lil puppy get mad? Not

growls again, snapping his teeth at me, and then he presses his lips to mine in a fierce kiss, determined to

Ella

or two alone with Rafe, we part ways so that he can get himself and his troops ready and I can go back to the medical room

up onto the

smile. And, sensing something, I lean closer to her,

say, my face breaking into a wide grin. “Someone had a nice afternoon with

push. “Ew, Ella! If you

to take a nap, and

“please remember that your sister is human and not

She laughs along with me, shaking her head

looking me up and