Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 380 – Battered Ella

The four of us spent the next few hours talking, eventually ordering quite a bit of takeout and making some complicated plans while Sinclair ate his weight in Chinese food. The sight of him eating pleased me to no end, but eventually I could see him running out of steam.

“All right,” I say quietly, looking significantly at Cora and Roger. “I think ….we have enough to go on for now. We can pick up again tomorrow.”

“What?” Sinclair asks, frowning around at us though I can see him stifling a yawn. “We have so much to do-”

“Enough,” I say significantly, placing my little hand over his larger one.” You’re still exhausted, Dominic.”

He frowns at me and opens his mouth, ready to fight, but I shake my head once. “Tomorrow,” I say, my voice a command. He narrows his eyes at me but I stand strong. “I understand, Dominic. I know it’s in your nature to tear the world apart in the effort to make it all better as fast as you can. But please, for me, can you start tomorrow?”

He hesitates but sees the sorrow and worry in my face and, slowly, nods. This is the last day you get to boss me around, trouble,” he growls, not happy about it. “Tomorrow, I’m in charge again.”

“I’ll take it,” I say, leaning forward to give him a kiss on the cheek, Rafe curled happily in my arms.

“I think it’s a good plan,” Roger says, yawning himself and stretching his arms. He and Cora stand up and he wraps an arm around her waist, smiling down at her. “Ready for bed, little mate?”

“Sure, little mate,” Cora replies, grinning up at him, knowing precisely what she’s doing. “What?” Roger says with a start, frowning down at her. “That doesn’t work, Cora – you’re the little one – ”

“But it’s sweet!” she says, pretending to be innocent and making me grin. I’m little mate, you’re little mate – ”

not little,” he

out of the room Roger growls, storming after her,

says to me after they close the door. “She knows just how to push his buttons. And Roger

you?” I ask, perching on the side of the bed. “Do you need to be kept in

voice drop into that deep, dominant register I like so much. “I am always in

leaning forward to kiss my mate, letting him feel just how much I like it down the bond. The hum in Sinclair’s chest deepens as he pulls me a little closer, letting one

rest. I’m going to take him for a little walk around the

stand up, but I put a hand out

see my sincerity in my eyes. “I promise, tomorrow you can go full steam and I won’t say anything. Just…please just get one more good night’s sleep, okay? For me?

against the pillows, but I can see the tired lines settle onto his face as he

he can put something mindless on to distract

come back soon?” he asks

just a little bit, because I intend to stay

my mate again and, with a final squeeze of his hand, slip out the door. When I pull the door shut behind me, I turn to find Hank leaning against the wall outside of the door,

to work?” he

say with a sigh, squaring my shoulders. Then Hank passes me a cloth baby carrier and I let him hold Rafe while I strap

say, nodding to my

hurt either in the bunker or on the expedition to Xander’s

to continually have to choose between my responsibilities. Every part of my body wanted to be constantly next to Sinclair, holding his hand, being there for him

pack, as the bearer of the Goddess’s gift, to use it to heal the