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 –

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

foggy with sleep, his had slipping to my waist as I spin to him, pushing him onto his back

in pieces because of it, completely unable

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

breathe, laughing and giggling as I lean

me confused for a second – “Ella,”

his eyes suddenly go wide and I know, instantly, that he

little so that I’m sitting in his lap, his arms going tight around me as he

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

eyes suddenly flooding with tears as a mystified smile finds

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

and pride, and a thrilled sense

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, beaming

he sniffs his tears away, still laughing a little in shock. He pulls away from

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

his heart, holding me close

voice eager and thrilled, “let’s check

I breathe, suddenly curious and a little anxious – is the

on my cheek. “Close your eyes,” he murmurs, his voice excited, if soft. I do as he says, loosing a deep breath and draping my arms lightly around his neck before I close my eyes.

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

in a glowing rush, I suddenly

of sweetness and determination within it not that that Rafe lacks those traits, but there’s just

I open my eyes they’re filled with tears

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

Slowly, Sinclair nods.

you tell me!?” I ask, smacking him