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.”

looks at him, curious. “Why do you think

sense that you only have access to half of the kind of link you would have with a baby

then he looks at Cora and smirks. “I have a weak spot

nose at him and I sigh, glad we’re on happier conversational ground again. “I think it’s cool that we don’t know the gender,” I sigh, looking over at my little boy

reminds me. “I seem to remember you tackling me in excitement when I told you

say, remembering it fondly. “But there’s something good

laughs, drawing my attention back to her and I see her looking at Roger, grinning at

a sigh “It’s not usual for wolves to wait

you that it’s Christmas but then

reaches forward to give him

she accuses, her grin deepening. “You won’t be able

smirks at Cora, rueful,

a girl!?” I gasp, my hands flying to my heart. “A lovely

Sinclair

very tiny glare before turning back to Roger. “But I

girl.”

want both?” he asks,

declare, “you just can!” Everyone is laughing now and I

“Back

team girl. If we have a boy I’m handing it immediately off to Roger,” she declares, though we all know she doesn’t mean it as

dust her hands off and