Surrogate For Alpha Dom

Accidental Surrogate Chapter 381-– Persistence

Sinclair

I wake up frowning, knowing immediately that something is…well, not wrong,

but certainly off. I reach out an arm, seeking Ella, but my hand passes over cold

sheets. My frown deepens as I sit up and realize that she’s not here. A glance at

Rafes bassinet makes it clear that he’s not here either.

Where the hell is my family?

I sigh, swinging my legs out of the bed, wondering how much time has passed.

As I scrub a hand down my face I consider that it can’t have been much –

there’s still no daylight peeking around the blinds. So, a few hours a most. But

why the hell hasn’t she come to bed?

I stand and head for the door, wondering what the hell trouble is getting up to

now. I smirk a little to consider it. Ella…well, it’s part of her appeal, isn’t it? She’s

always up to something. I’ll certainly never be bored by her side.

The hallway outside my room is empty but I head down it towards where I hear

a few murmuring voices. But when I turn into the room, I’m surprised because

the first person I see is my father, sitting quietly in his chair by the door, staring

into the room.

We don’t say anything to each other as I lean against the doorway by his side,

because we’re both aware that I didn’t come here seeking him. I give him a nod

and place a hand on his shoulder as my eyes turn to her – Ella, across the

room, my infant son sleeping pressed against her chest while she holds her

hands out over one of my wounded men, healing him.

“She’s going to wear herself out,” my father says quietly.

“How long has she been at it?”

“Hours,” he says, shaking his head. ” She’s been burning her candle at both

ends for days, Dominic. She’s…very dedicated, she wants to do good. But she

gives too much.”

I nod, understanding, agreeing silently. My kind mate with her big heart she

can’t stop giving, even if it means giving all of herself. But that’s where I come

take care of her, when she’d burn herself out taking care

world if

long moments with my father, watching her work, knowing

good to interrupt her in the middle of her task. I’m content

my father surprises me with

says,

down

shakes his head slowly, looking up at me with such

– cost us everything. I played right

mate, your child -” He

at me. “I failed you, Dominic

snap, tightening my

to send you away and leave Cora and Ella unprotected –

coming, that of course they would follow us back to

in the sewer that of course

Xander has nothing but time

with him. “This was not your fault, dad

my

voice comes out louder, harsher than I meant it

looks up at me, more helpless than I’ve seen

agreed to this, dad,” I continue,

Ella, Cora

for it, we were all…” I sigh, shutting my eyes and reliving

me the moment I realized that Xander was working to

after the girls and the

almost cost ourselves everything. You

protest, to continue, but his voice fails

head, breaking

this?” I hear Ella ask, and I look up

us, her eyes wide with worry as she absently drifts a hand

black fuzz of Rafe’s

silent for a beat as I try to figure out what to say, but then I just

Ella,” I respond, not wanting to add

her eyes that she’s

nods, accepting my incomplete explanation, and focuses her eyes

“Haven’t we been through this already?” she asks quietly.

agreeing with her, looking

waves his hands at us. “Let an old man

a tired smile. ” It gives us something to

long days. But you two -” he

chest. “You have better things to worry

bed.”

Ella agrees, a little guilty, starting to unstrap the baby carrier. ”

I wouldn’t have kept him out here so long –

you if he got up in the middle of the

interrupt, stern, and she looks up at me with surprise. “You’re going

Come on.” I step forward and hold

head and backing up a step. “I

– there

men who I

repeat, closing the distance between us and putting a

voice so that just she can hear

than a rumble in