Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 352 – Keeping it in the Family

Ella

I’m the last one to the conference room – baby stuff but when I come through the door I’m very surprised to see that it’s just family gathering today.

“Where is everyone?” I ask, holding Rafe close to my chest so that he peers over my shoulder. He’s a very curious baby – he likes to look around, even though he can’t see much yet. I move over to the table where Cora, Roger, Henry, and Sinclair sit, all clearly waiting for me, all with faces which are …drawn. Concerned. And turned on me.

“What,” I breathe, freezing before I can sit down. “What’s wrong? What is it?” “Sit, Ella,” Henry says, waving to the open chair between him and Sinclair.

“No,” I say, shaking my head, the word falling out of my mouth before I can even think. “No way this looks… this looks like bad news.’

And some part of me knows that I’m being ridiculous – that it won’t be good news miraculously if I don’t hear it but still. Fear stripes through me – I really, really can’t handle more bad news now, not after the few days we’ve had. And not if it, apparently, all focuses on me.

“Ella, please,” Sinclair says, looking at me with gentle eyes and pulling the empty chair out. “I promise it’s not as bad as you think.”

“Do you all know?” I ask, going rigid.

“Henry told us before you came in,” Cora replies, leaning forward towards me across the table, Roger’s hand on her back. “He just wanted us to be prepared, so that the focus could be on you when we told you.’

“Oh my god,” I whisper, slowly moving to the chair and sitting down.” Is it me?” I ask. “Did I did I do something?”

frighten you. I just – it was convenient that you were last, so I told them first so that the focus could be on you now, as I believe that

the members of the team who went on the mission yesterday. Some of them, I know, would be well enough

Henry continues, hesitating, “a family matter, Ella. Those who don’t know will be briefed soon. But I wanted to talk about this together, with the main parties involved.” Henry’s eyes drift, now, to Rafe in my arms, and I

thin line. “Let’s get on with

apparently giving him permission to talk in some kind of pre- arranged pattern. This, contrary to

Rafe into the crook of one elbow before draping his other arm warmly over my shoulders. I feel at once calmer, and start to

him. “Yesterday,

just clench my teeth and stare

got to whatever…I don’t know, whatever magical powder allowed him to really fire bomb us, by accident, and when he realized that he was going to be

I ask, confused. “Like

replies, sighing a little at his inability to be clear. “I mean, slipped on his words. Messed up. Because he said: ‘the

Sinclair’s arm. He’s gotten a hand free of his swaddle and is clenching it

drawing

I say – and as I talk, I know I should just shut up and listen, but I can’t help

make sure I’m following along. I’m grateful for it because even though I’m not stupid, I’m panicked enough now that my mind feels like

of the God of Darkness. And never, in any of our materials both from centuries ago and today – have

I mean, I don’t get it. Not yet. Not in the same way that the rest of them do, apparently, judging by the worried looks on

sharply up at him. “That…there is someone else ordering all of this to happen. That they haven’t done this merely to serve their god, or at