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

—

“(

falling open. I don’t know how I know it

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

own apology, coming closer to the edge. We look at each other, then, united anew at being…well, a little freaked out, suddenly. We’re both very aware

say that words that the priestess

pool. “We bring to you, tonight,

into the spirit of your grace,” Roger continues, his own resonant voice sending shivers down my spine. The light coming

moon itself, beaming brilliantly

the moment. Because she is here, now, with us – ready to meet

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

down onto the baby, growing brighter as the moments pass. My heart fills to see Rafe looking up into the sky,

and Dominic, have asked us to bring him here to dedicate him to you. We do so

look at 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,

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

says, peering into the white light of the moon, likewise trying to make it out. “If you do, we

holding the baby out, my arms trembling a little, and watch the story form in

as much as it is seen, communicated to our hearts and minds as much as our eyes. But suddenly,

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 – though she’s older now too – laughing. And though I know

–

lifts to place on the girl’s head as well. She smiles up at him with such love in her eyes and then

–

Sinclair, and Ella, and more of their children – and a light–haired boy I don’t know, just about Rafe’s age- and more children, so

–