Surrogate For Alpha Dom

Cora

I’m a little out of breath when I finally catch up with Roger and Rafe, having had to work hard to keep up with his long wolf stride.

“Rude,” I say when I finally come to a stop next to them. “You couldn’t have waited for me?”

“I’m being rude?” Roger says, raising his eyebrows at me in disbelief. “Cora, you’ve been nothing but unpleasant since the moment we stepped into the forest –”

–

I open my mouth with a little squeak of protest but Roger just rolls his eyes and ignores me, going on anyway. “This is supposed to be a sacred experience for Rafe and for us and you’ve done nothing but moan and complain. So yeah, forgive me if I wanted to get away for a moment and concentrate on the magic of this place

“Oh whatever,” I mumble, reaching out my arms so that he can hand me the baby.

“No

from you

way,” Roger retorts, holding the baby closer to his chest and turning a little away from me. “You don’t get to hold the baby now that we’re at the pool

“Yes I do!” I cry, “the priestess gave him to me!”

“I’m his godparent just as much as you are

—

“(

pool, and Roger and I turn to it, surprised, both of our mouths falling open. I don’t know how I know it but…well, somehow, I get the sense that the pool – or whatever magic is in

the pool, taking a step closer, a little embarrassed. Honestly, it never occurred to me that my

suddenly. We’re both very aware that there’s magic

him, and start to say that words that the priestess taught

smooth surface of the silver pool. “We bring to you, tonight, this child, so that he may begin

continues, his own resonant voice sending shivers down my spine. The light coming off the pool

full moon itself, beaming brilliantly down on

Because she is here, now, with us – ready

that he can’t really see anything – his vision hasn’t developed well enough yet – but he’s certainly curious. I put my hands out for him and this time Roger does hand him to me, letting me take the baby and unwrap his swaddling blanket. Then, when he’s free of it, Roger and I slowly walk as close as we can to

looking up into the sky,

Rafe Sinclair,” Roger says softly, reverent. “His parents, Ella and Dominic, have asked us to bring him here to dedicate him to you. We do so in their name.”

the baby, and at Roger, and at the moonlight. It’s a beautiful moment, introducing the child to the world and to all the magic within it. I open my mouth to say something, to tell Roger that I’m sorry, and that I’m glad I’m here with him to do this, when suddenly I can see something

brings a quick hand to my

peering into the white light of the moon, likewise trying to make it out. “If you do, we won’t

trembling a little, and watch

in the air. Instead, it’s…felt as much as it is seen, communicated to

on his face but courage in every line of his limbs as he pushes himself to do what is right. We’re passed that quite quickly, though, and I see him again with that girl – though she’s older now too – laughing. And though I know there’s no reason for me to know

–

hands, which he slowly lifts to place on the girl’s head as well. She smiles up at him with such love in

–

and more of their children – and a light–haired boy I don’t know, just about

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