Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 359 – Necessary Rest

Ella

I heal for hours that afternoon, long into the night. I stop and take breaks of course for dinner, to feed and spend a little time with Rafe, to consult with Cora about our next steps – but then I’m back to it. Talking to the men to see what hurts worst, accessing the gift, holding out my hands to fix them.

It’s incredible how much I get done, how much healing I perform as the day passes. By the time Sinclair puts his hands on my shoulders, proud but stern, I feel as if half of the room of terribly wounded men has been healed completely and the others are well on their way.

“Enough, trouble,” Sinclair murmurs to me and I gasp and twist to look up at him. “What?” I ask, confused. “But there’s so much more ”

“Enough,” he says, shaking his head at me. “It’s ten o’clock – ”

“What?” I gasp, truly surprised. I had no idea that the time had passed so quickly. I honestly thought it was earlier –

“Please,” he says softly, low enough so that only I can hear. “Stop now, Ella. They’ll all survive the night. They’ll make it till morning, when you can start again.”

I stop, trying to listen to him, but as I look around the room I feel so guilty. How can I let these men to go sleep in pain? How can I possibly curl up in my own bed, comfortable with my mate and my baby, knowing they won’t be able to sleep because they got hurt trying to protect my son? When if I just pushed a little further I could heal them –

“That’s it,” Sinclair snaps, perhaps sensing my guilt and anxiety, and before I can protest further he scoops me up in his arms, shaking his head down at me.

“Dominic!” I protest, frowning up at him. “Put me down! I’m not even tired yet! I can-

“Ella,” he says, his voice still stern, you have done enough for one day. And you don’t know what toll this gift takes on your body or if it takes a toll on = itself. Does it need to regenerate? Do you need to sleep for three days to build back your strength?”

I hesitate now, realizing that he has a point. We have no idea how this works, if there will be a cost to me. Honestly, considering that, I’m surprised he let me work as long as I did.

door where Cora waits with little Rafe curled up in

lightly in Sinclair’s arms. “You did amazing today, Ella!” And I grin at her, happy to

the men still laying in their beds. He doesn’t put me down, in fact, until we get to our little metal bedroom

down to Rafe, who burbles sleepily in my arms. As soon

on and I’m glad he doesn’t the bathroom only

a deep breath. Sinclair follows, wrapping his arms around me and letting me rest against him as I let the

voice barely audible

wet skin against mine. “You were right. I – I’m more tired than I

little tense beside me. “Do

I interrupt, shaking my head. ” It’s a good tired – like after a busy day. But you’re right – my adrenaline was

chest, and then moves away from me for a minute to get some supplies. And then, to my delight

can do, Ella,” Sinclair says as he works the soap over my back. “But we have to be careful with

now, turning towards

looking down at me. I’m worried that…well, that if people find out what you can

door, to where our baby is asleep in the next room. I want,

Sinclair confirms gently, that people would

disappointment that I feel, that some would see this gift as a point of control instead of for the ways that it could help. My heart sinks, suddenly – with exhaustion, with disappointment, with wanting, terribly, for things to just be better

me against him again, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to believe

quietly after a few moments. “Not forever, though, yes?” I ask, looking up at him. “Sinclair – I can’t I can’t keep this to – myself forever, not if it can help people. I can’t live

he murmurs to me, looking down into my

agreeing. “Until we have more control.” Sinclair watches me carefully when we get up the next morning, as I change and feed Rafe and get the

him, smiling and laughing, knowing that he’s waiting