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 –

the sound bubbling out of me, rich with joy. “Baby!” I say

him, pushing him onto his

pieces because of it, completely unable to

he stares up at me, confused – worried but one

laughing and giggling as I lean forward. “Don’t

for a

his eyes suddenly go wide and

me back a little so that I’m sitting in his lap, his arms going tight around me as he stares down into my

baby!” I shriek, throwing my hands in the air above

flooding with tears as a mystified smile

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

anxiety, and joy, and pride, and a thrilled

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

surprise I’ve ever gotten, Ella,” he murmurs, staring at me like I’m a marvel as he sniffs his tears away, still laughing a little in shock. He pulls away

laugh again, pulling Sinclair’s face back up to mine and kissing him, passing all my own joy down the bond. Because this moment – I’ve been waiting for

in his heart, holding me close and rocking me back and forth before he lets me

says, his voice eager and thrilled, “let’s

curious and a little anxious – is the baby

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 silver bond that runs between both of us, just as Rafe’s bond does

as if he puts

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

deal like her brother’s, but also has a line of sweetness

with tears and my lower lip is

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

Slowly, Sinclair nods.

you tell me!?” I ask, smacking him on the shoulder and