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.”

his face twisted in confusion. “Who on earth

little bit. ” She’s not precisely on

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 Xander kept any knowledge

as Calvin stares at me in confusion.

quietly, leaning forward and raising a single

feel a little pulse of truth 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 me in confusion, feeling it too, and then I feel almost a sigh down my bond with Sinclair as he gives me

contacting her today, and everything she said about our bond being a seed. By the end of it, Calvin stares at me with wide

leaning back against the couch’s arm. “Now I’m just… embarrassed. Here I was, ready to confess my devotion to

that he needs to watch himself, but I ignore him, reaching

that pulse between us. Until the glow forms between

“See?” I say. “Magic.”

But then he pulls his hand away and tucks it into his pocket, glancing towards the door. “I’m sorry… I realize what I did was selfish,

sit close together. “Calvin, you have nothing

a laugh, looking down into his lap. “I was ready to leave my wife, Ella,” he murmurs, “to leave my entire

to see me shaking my head. “You’d have gone home, Calvin. For your children. And eventually, you

hand, pressing it softly to my cheek. “For what might have been, Ella,” he murmurs, “I’ll at least treasure

me and raising the hairs on my neck. I stare at him, smiling a little, marveling at the magic that

smile as my eyes fall on my mate, my sweet baby in his arms, glaring at both of us. Rafe lets out a little happy squeal

go,” Calvin murmurs,

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

Calvin say at once, making me grin and look between

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

says with a little shrug. Then he looks over at Rafe, sleeping in Sinclair’s