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?”

to hear it, considering

says it at the most frustrating times,” Roger 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 just walking down the hall and I happen

I gasp, laughing. Roger do not bite me in

then his voice shifts a little in

it,” I sigh, reaching out to stroke his face. “I do.” And then I nod, decided, as my hand goes to my stomach and I think about the baby and all the things we need to know. “All

put the screws to her,” Roger murmurs, and I can feel his smirk. “Ask her what the hell is going on with this

I laugh, shaking my head. “Honestly, Roger only you would have the idea to ‘put the screws’ to

growls, a little territorial but also a

him on the head and

“Call me puppy again,” he warns, shifting his body again

cooing mockingly. ” Lil puppy get mad? Not like his

me, and then he presses his lips to mine in a fierce kiss, determined to

Ella

can get himself and his troops ready and I can go back to the medical room to continue healing. I’m on my way there, Rafe’s little carrier in my hands, when I spy Cora in the kitchen making a cup of tea. And suddenly, that’s precisely what I

I say, breezing into the room and lifting Rafe’s carrier up

smile. And, sensing something, I

face breaking into a wide grin.

then she bursts out laughing before giving me a little push. “Ew, Ella! If you can smell that on me, please do

little in an attempt to lull him to sleep – it’s time for him to take a nap, and he’s almost there, I can tell. “I’m glad you and

I can still see a smile on her face, “please remember that your sister

She laughs along with me, shaking her head as she pours boiling water into

asks, looking me up and down. “Nervous about