Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

Ella

I’m groggy, a few hours later, when I wake up because I honestly haven’t gotten much sleep. But still, I’m instantly aware that I’m awake because something in my body is…different.

s my eyes crack open, I have absolutely no idea what it is, and no real interest in finding out. Because nothing feels wrong or off…just… different…

So, I yawn and snuggle my body back against my naked mate, my spine pressed to his warm stomach. Sinclair gives a deep, sleepy little growl as he tightens his arm around me, holding me close even as he sleeps. I smile at this, happiness sweeping through me as I think about how lovely it is to have a mate that holds me and protects me even when he’s mostly unconscious.

And he’s so warm, and the bed is so soft, and the sheets are so smooth under my bare skin that I almost…

Almost fall back asleep…

But then? My eyes suddenly fly open.

Because there is…there is something new within me.

As I start to put the pieces together, I am instantly, starkly awake – and so is Rafe, I realize, as I peer through the dark over the side of the bed. My sweet baby is peering at me curiously through the slats of his crib – almost as if he can feel it too

This new…new thing within me, a bond that wasn’t there hours ago – but which is there now, just a tiny silver thread of something new

My hands fly to my mouth and my eyes instantly fill with tears because even though I didn’t experience this with Rafe – my wolf wasn’t awake then, after all, to help me feel it – I suddenly know precisely what it is.

My voice is shaky as I breathe the word, hardly daring to voice it.

“…baby – ”

Rafe burbles something, smiling at me and leaning forward, grabbing the edges of his crib, trying to pull himself up so that he can be closer – almost like he knows it too –

rich with joy. “Baby!” I say again, sitting

foggy with sleep, his had slipping to my waist as I spin to him, pushing him onto his back and throwing a leg over his hips so that I’m straddling him, my

almost in pieces because of it, completely unable

confused – worried but one look at my thrilled face makes him realize that nothing is bad is going on

as I lean forward. “Don’t

a second – “Ella,” he murmurs,

go wide and I

going tight around me as he stares down into my face. “Oh my god,” he murmurs, still shocked, still feeling it out-

shriek, throwing my hands in the air

baby,” he murmurs, his eyes suddenly flooding with tears as a mystified smile finds his lips. “Oh my god, Ella, another baby –

my arms around his shoulders, as he tucks his head against my neck and takes a few shaky, happy breaths, passing

and joy, and pride,

put my hand on my mate’s cheek and pull his face up to mine, grinning at him with abandon and wiping away his shocked and happy tears. “A little baby, Dominic,” I murmur,

staring at me like I’m a marvel as he sniffs his tears away, still laughing a little in shock. He pulls

my own joy down the bond. Because this moment – I’ve been waiting for it my whole life. A little surprise baby, much

with all the love in his heart, holding me close

his voice eager and thrilled, “let’s check

a little anxious – is

if soft. I do as he says, loosing a deep breath and draping my arms lightly around his neck before I close my eyes. I feel Sinclair connect to me down our bond, and then together we turn to the little

he

in a glowing rush, I suddenly know…so, so much

sweetness and determination within it not that that Rafe lacks those traits,

filled with tears and my

know all this?” I ask quietly, completely overwhelmed. “When Rafe was still

Slowly, Sinclair nods.

didn’t you tell me!?” I ask, smacking him