Surrogate For Alpha Dom

Ella

Tears are streaming down Sinclair’s face as he relives his Mother’s death, and I’m

doing my best not to burst into outright sobs. My heart aches for the little boy he once

was, and for the burden he obviously still carries today. Hearing this story, I

understand that his last conversation with his mother had truly stayed with him over

the years, shaping him into the man before me now.

“Afterwards, I leaned that she’d gotten Roger out of the house only to realize that I

wasn’t there.”

Sinclair Continues, wiping his eyes. “She ran back in to get me, even though the

guards tried to stop her.” Sinclair relates, “So you see, that’s why Roger always

blamed me… he wasn’t wrong. If I’d listened to her the first time, if I’d gone outside

when she told me to, she would still be alive now.”

“But Pancake wouldn’t.” I remind him thickly.

The corners of his mouth quirk up, “It was almost thirty years ago, baby. Pancake is

long gone.”

“You know what I mean” I chide him. “And your mother understood because you were

doing exactly what she was trying to teach you – to protect those more vulnerable

than yourself.”

“I know.” He confesses. “I spent years in therapy,

Just trying to come to terms with the fact that it was her choice. I was a child and

couldn’t have understood the danger, and she didn’t have to come after me.”

“But she was your mother, it wasn’t even a question for her.” I murmur, twining my

limbs with his so he can feel my solid weight in his arms. “She wanted you to live

much more than she cared about her own survival.”

He nods wordlessly, his eyes still distant, as if he hasn’t truly returned to the present.

“I understand that, but sometimes I still think that if it wasn’t for me, she never would

have needed to make a choice in the first place. My decision that day took her from

Dad and Roger and the pack.”

“Did you ever find out how the fire started?” I ask softly, running my fingers through

the dark, thick locks of his hair.

“In the weeks after the fire, it became clear that it was arson.” Sinclair explains

“Dad was away on pack business, and

never able to

was on the throne then, and my father

next in line. All the politics that are playing out today – they

under way back then.”

was the King – the current one, I

emotions less potent now that we’ve moved

baddest wolf around is that it puts

the worse thing is that

of taking you on directly,

as killing you, but Alphas who lose their mate

pups rarely recover fully.”

nuzzle my neck and caress my belly, as if

and I are safe. “It could have been anyone, but I

– my father was younger and

to rule, but it was clear he would be soon. Xavier

of time left to try and make them, I think the writing

the wall. My father was too strong and too

then it wasn’t your decision

responsible. It wasn’t

the guilt still dominating

at me tenderly. “You don’t have to worry,

long time

I insist, near tears again. “It wasn’t

into his emerald eyes. “I can tell you right

Rafe, I would choose him every time

want him to think that my sacrifice wasn’t worth it, or to

himself”

tucks my head under his chin, stroking

know.”

comforting me! I’m supposed to be

failing to wriggle free.

the rat. “It comforts me just holding you

tactics. “Do you have any idea how

she could see you today?” I ask him softly, hoping to help

speaking with complete honestly. “You became exactly the man she hoped

sight of what matters most, even when the whole world

You lead with love instead of fear, and

strength with cruelty.”

just flattering me.” Sinclair rumbles

not.” I bite back. “Do you remember when we

a scheming gold digger?”

have made my mother very proud.”

realized you were wrong, you owned

when you saw I was hurting, your first instinct was to hug

about it. I remember being so shocked, because here was

predator – and you held me more gently and with more compassion

my entire

pleased purr vibrates beneath my hands. “You make me sound

I used to think of him. He could go from being a

of

you could see yourself the way I do, Dominic.

I’m not just trying to pump up your ego – which, for the record,

big enough.” I