Surrogate For Alpha Dom

Cora

I don’t really notice when Ella leaves. I’m too busy crying.

I think I scare Roger again when I start, because it’s just a few tears at first, but then suddenly I’m blubbering against his shoulder because it feels like every single emotion I’ve ever had – every single one – is racing through me at once.

–

“Cora,” Roger whispers, concerned, pulling me to him. But when I don’t stop he just holds me tight, shushing me and rubbing a hand up and down my back. Then, when I continue, he slowly walks backwards with me in his arms until his legs hit the bed, and then he sits down, pulling me into his lap, and lays back, taking me with him.

I start to calm down then, curled against Roger’s body, breathing in the warm scent of him as he makes soft comforting noises and kisses my head and whispers to me that it’s all right and that I’m lovely.

I’m embarrassed when I get myself together – seriously, the guy finds out that he’s going to be a dad and all I do is cry about it for five solid minutes – but when I look up at him he gives me a gentle smile, like he doesn’t mind at all.

“I’m so sorry, Roger,” I murmur.

“What?” he asks. “Cora, I’m the one who grabbed you and flipped out and spontaneously transformed into my wolf in a panic –”

“Yes,” I concede, nodding, but still feeling guilty. “But Roger, I didn’t call you for five days

“That’s all right Cora,” Roger replies, dismissing it way too easily as he strokes my hair.

And I shake my head at him as I realize that he’s just completely overwhelmed by his excitement about the baby right now – that he’s willing to forgive me anything in this moment because he’s not thinking straight. But then his hand pauses on my hair and I see him start to figure it out. “Wait,” he says, hesitating and looking at me more seriously. “Cora, why didn’t you call me for five days?”

–

my mate. Especially now, when he’s

Roger…until you came into this room right now, and sensed your connection? I thought the baby was Hank’s.”

says, his eyes going wide as he stares at me.

just… the logical thing to think at the time. I can’t smell the baby’s bloodline, and

the

—

told you – I was a coward. I just… I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to

think I would leave you?” Roger asks, his voice quiet, looking down at me now.

know,” I answer, honest. “Would

And I love you – I don’t think I’d ever find another mate – but,” he sighs

–

baby….it would have put an incredible strain on our relationship.”

moments. “But,” I say after a long pause. “It’s…not someone else’s child. It’s yours.” The words are shaky as they fall from

face and looking at me, a little smile on his mouth. “So…do we even need to…think about it?”

to?” I ask, curious.

lot…” he

to the side. “Do you forgive

Then he takes my face in his hands again. “There’s nothing to forgive. I don’t I

—

up into Roger’s eyes I realize that that’s a

he stares at me, “is our future. All right? Me, you, and this… weird little baby…”

I ask, looking down at my stomach again, suddenly scared that Roger can smell something strange about the

little bit. “No, Cora –‘ Roger says quickly, laughing and pressing a quick kiss to