Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

Ella

I ignore the soft growl that rumbles from the doorway, though Calvin glances briefly in that direction.

“No, Calvin,” I say, shaking my head softly. “We did a little bit of research this afternoon. And I’m sorry to say it if it makes you sad, but you’re not my mate.”

“What?” he breathes, confused, his eyebrows knitting together. “But – ”

“Why do you think you are?” I ask, honestly conflicted now.

And Calvin sweetly and awkwardly blushes, looking down at the carpet. ” My wolf is…pretty convinced, Ella,” he murmurs, probably fully aware that the words are enough to set Sinclair off again.

“Really?” I ask, pushing now,” Because my wolf – she says that you’re important to me, but she wasn’t sure enough to give it the name mate. And everyone else I’ve asked, Calvin…they were sure. Is your wolf absolutely positive?”

He sighs now, looking down at his hands as he perhaps consults with his wolf inside. “It’s…the strongest connection I’ve ever felt, Ella,” he murmurs. “With anyone. Is it…is it not enough? Even if my wolf feels a little bit of doubt, and can’t give you a certain yes?”

And suddenly my heart breaks for this man who I realize is…lonely. Who had an arranged marriage to a woman I’m not sure he loves, who is surrounded by a Kingdom full of people whose deepest beliefs he at least doubts, if not outright disbelieves. Calvin – he saw the bond between us and he grasped at it desperately, wanting it.

Wanting the different life I potentially offered one with love in it, and a new world full of different ideas.

My heart – it absolutely breaks for him, and down the bond I feel Sinclair’s own pity as he feels my emotions along with me.

But still I can’t love him just because he wants me to. I have a mate whom I love very, very much.

“Maybe it would be enough,” I say softly, “in a different time, a different… life. But Calvin, we asked and had it confirmed. You’re not my mate – I only have one. And it’s Dominic.”

in confusion. “Who on earth would you

I say, smiling a little bit. ” She’s

says down our bond in warning. Because the Atalaxians – they don’t know anything about my divine origins right now, or at least we don’t think they do. We honestly don’t know how much Xander told him, but since they didn’t bring it my or Cora’s powers in the peace talks as a negotiating point, we’re assuming

I reply as Calvin stares at me in confusion.

I ask quietly, leaning forward

down…down what I can only assume is a new bond between myself and this prince. My lips part in surprise as Calvin stares at

being my biological mother, and contacting her today, and everything she said about our bond being a seed. By the

arm. “Now I’m just… embarrassed. Here I was, ready to confess my devotion

but I ignore him, reaching out a hand between us. “Just because it’s not romantic doesn’t mean it’s not

as well, hovering his hand above mine until we feel that pulse between us. Until the glow forms between our hands, eventually raising sparks in the

“See?” I say. “Magic.”

tucks it into his pocket, glancing towards the door. “I’m sorry… I realize what I did was selfish, and hasty, and it

now so that we sit close together. “Calvin,

was ready to leave my wife, Ella,” he murmurs, “to leave

For your children. And eventually, you

raises a hand, pressing it softly to my cheek. “For what might have been, Ella,” he

him, smiling a little, marveling at the

us. Rafe lets out a little happy squeal

should go,” Calvin murmurs, starting

to?” I say, sorry to see him leave. There’s so much left here we

at once, making me grin and

have friends here. I hope that you truly believe that. The Goddess has wrought a bond between us, though it may be a

friend in Atalaxia, though I may be the only one,” he says with a little shrug. Then