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 –

laughing – the sound bubbling out of me, rich

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

pieces because of it, completely unable to contain myself, or think coherently, or

blinks suddenly awake, his hands tightening on my hips as he stares up at me, confused – worried

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

at me confused for a second – “Ella,” he murmurs,

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

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

hands

flooding with tears as a mystified smile finds his lips. “Oh

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

anxiety, and joy, and pride,

and

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

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

back with all the love in his heart, holding me close and rocking me back and forth before

voice eager and thrilled, “let’s check

and a little anxious – is the baby

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. I feel Sinclair connect to

as if he puts a mental

I

bond feels a great deal like her brother’s, but also has a line of sweetness and determination within it not that that Rafe lacks those traits, but

eyes they’re filled with

you know all this?” I ask quietly, completely overwhelmed.

Slowly, Sinclair nods.

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