The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

Ella

We all go a little pale, I think, as we consider the possibility that Cora, too, is an accidental – or not so accidental – surrogate.

“I’m sure that’s not true,” I say suddenly, shaking my head but a little shaken – I admit – by the idea that the baby was conceived during a storm that basically forced Roger and Cora off the road and into an empty room with not much in it besides a bed. It seems…a little too convenient to be chance, didn’t it?

“This is your baby, Cora,” I say with assurance, knowing it to be true.

“She’s right,” Roger says, nodding at Cora without doubt in his eyes. “You are this baby’s mother, and I’m its father, and that’s the end of the story. All right?”

Cora nods, but I can see her hesitate still.

“We’ll get answers, Cora,” Sinclair says quietly. “I agree with Ella and Roger – but if you’d like, we can consult the elders, like we did when we wanted information on how Ella was pregnant.”

“Oh,” she says, her eyebrows going up “Yes, can we do that? That would be great.”

Sinclair nods, giving her a little smile and letting her know that he’ll set it up as soon as can be arranged. I realize something and gasp with excitement, bouncing a little on the bed.

“Maybe you’re a wolf, Cora!” I say, “like me! Maybe you just didn’t realize it! Maybe the same thing happened!”

“No, Ella,” Cora says, laughing at my excitement a little. “Our mother made it very clear to me on the temple steps that day – two daughters, one wolf, one human. I’m the human.”

“Oh,” I say, suddenly disappointed. But I take a deep breath and dismiss the thought, wrapping my arms around my sister’s shoulders and pressing my cheek to hers. “Well, whatever!” I say, cheerful. “Whatever this baby’s genetic makeup is, I’m excited. And we’ll love little ‘it‘ so much.”

“I’m inclined to think the baby is a hybrid,” Sinclair says, carefully laying down on the bed and putting his head in my lap, resting the baby on the bed next to him, letting Rafe have some tummy time. “The first of its kind. Which is…very cool.”

him, curious. “Why do you

looking him in the eye. “If the baby were half human, it maybe makes some kind of logical sense that

mind that,” he murmurs, and then he looks at Cora and smirks. “I have a weak spot for humans. Cute

again. “I think it’s cool that we don’t know the gender,” I

to know Rafe’s,” Sinclair reminds me. “I seem to remember

“But there’s something good about the mystery

back to her and I see her looking at Roger, grinning at the clear disappointment on his face. “You wish you knew,” she guesses

yeah,” he says, huffing a sigh “It’s not usual for wolves to wait to

like someone telling you that it’s Christmas but then having to

sister laughs again and reaches forward to give him a little

boy,” she accuses, her grin deepening. “You won’t be able to rest until

smirks at Cora, rueful, but doesn’t

I gasp, my hands

boy,” Sinclair reminds me, laughing

shooting him a very tiny glare before turning back to Roger. “But I also wanted

girl.”

he asks, confused

declare, “you just can!” Everyone is laughing now and I turn to Cora, nudging

“Back

have a boy I’m handing it

her hands off