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?”

and I laugh harder now to hear it, considering that it must be difficult having

like I’m going to jump across the table and grab

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

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

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 right,” I

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

I laugh, shaking my head. “Honestly, Roger

he growls, a little territorial but also a little kidding,

puppy,” I murmur, patting him on the head and

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

say, cooing mockingly. ” Lil puppy get mad?

his teeth at me, and then he presses his lips to mine in

Ella

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

Rafe’s carrier up onto the counter. “Can

giving me a little smile. And, sensing something, I lean closer to

face breaking into a wide grin. “Someone had a nice

snaps her head to me, shocked, and then she bursts out laughing before giving me a little push. “Ew, Ella! If you can

him to sleep – it’s time for him to take a nap, and he’s almost

I can still see a smile on her face, “please remember that your sister is human and not as crass as

me, shaking her head as she pours boiling water into two mugs.

asks, looking me up and