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?”

Roger murmurs, frustrated, and I laugh harder now to hear it, considering

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

I’m asleep!?” I gasp, laughing. Roger do not

he wants you to have it.” And then his voice

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 right,” I whisper. “We’ll do it. When we’re able to get back to a more normal life, when this

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

not go that far,” I laugh, shaking my head. “Honestly, Roger only

mate,” he growls, a little territorial but also

him on the head and smiling. “Calm

and shakes my hand away. “Call me puppy again,” he warns, shifting his body again

say, cooing mockingly. ” Lil puppy get mad? Not like

presses his lips

Ella

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

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

me a little smile. And, sensing

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

laughing before giving me a little push. “Ew, Ella! If you can smell that on me, please do us all the favor

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 Roger are finding

“please remember that your sister is human and not as crass

her head as she pours boiling water into two mugs. Then she stirs a tea bag into each and turns to me while

feeling?” she asks, looking me up and