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 –

of me, rich with joy. “Baby!” I say again, sitting up in

his had slipping to my waist as I spin to him, pushing him onto his back and throwing a leg over his

thrilled, almost in pieces because of it, completely unable to contain myself, or think

hips as he stares up at me, confused – worried but one look at my thrilled

breathe, laughing and giggling as I lean forward. “Don’t you feel

a second – “Ella,”

suddenly go wide and

in his lap, his arms going tight around me as he stares down into my face. “Oh my god,” he murmurs, still shocked, still feeling it out- making sure that it’s really there – ”

hands in

eyes suddenly flooding with tears as a mystified smile finds his lips. “Oh my god, Ella,

wrap my arms around his shoulders, as he tucks his head against my

and joy, and pride, and

face up to mine, grinning at him with abandon and wiping away his shocked and happy tears. “A little baby, Dominic,” I murmur, beaming into

a little in shock. He pulls away

passing all my own joy down the bond. Because this moment – I’ve been waiting for

his heart, holding me close and

he says, his voice eager and

a little anxious –

before I close my eyes. I feel Sinclair

almost as if he puts a mental finger out and strokes it, just gently

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

a great deal like her brother’s, but also has a line of sweetness and determination within it

open my eyes they’re filled with tears and my lower

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

Slowly, Sinclair nods.

me!?” I ask,