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

—

“(

and Roger and I turn to it, surprised, both of our mouths falling open. I don’t know how

taking a step closer, a little embarrassed. Honestly, it never occurred to

look at each other, then, united anew at being…well, a little freaked out, suddenly. We’re both very aware that there’s magic in the world, but sometimes when you’re confronted with it so blatantly it can be

say that words that

of the silver pool. “We bring to you, tonight, this

you see him and bring him into the spirit of your grace,” Roger continues, his own resonant voice sending shivers down my spine. The light coming off the pool brightens – slower this time, though, as if she’s listening.

by the sight of the full moon itself, beaming

increasing and my stomach twisting with the emotion of the moment. Because she is here, now, with us – ready to meet

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,

moments pass. My heart fills to see Rafe looking up into the sky, to see the light surrounding him as it falls from the moon above

have asked us to bring him here to dedicate him to you.

beautiful moment, introducing the child to the world and to all the magic within it. I open my mouth

gasp, suddenly afraid, but Roger brings a quick hand to my waist, steadying

moon, likewise trying to make it out. “If you do, we won’t be able to

a little, and watch the story form in the air.

in the air. Instead, it’s…felt as much as it is seen, communicated to our hearts and minds as much as our eyes. But suddenly, quite

to take the hand of a dark–haired little girl who has fallen to the ground, helping her up and brushing the tears from her face. Then, I see him again – older, but still young.- running across a battlefield, fear 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 –

–

the girl’s head as well.

–

don’t know, just about Rafe’s age- and more children, so many more

–