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 – ”

little,” he

head out of

really do work,” Sinclair says to me after they close the door. “She knows just how

perching on the side of the bed. “Do you need to be kept

he says, letting his voice drop into that deep, dominant register I like so much. “I am always in charge, Ella.

like it down the bond. The hum in Sinclair’s chest deepens as he pulls me

pull away. “Baby’s still up,” I say, nodding down at him. “And you need your rest. I’m going

says, starting to stand up, but I

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? So I can…I can know you’re

can see the tired

remote closer to him so that he can put something mindless on to distract himself so that his mind doesn’t spin while

come back soon?” he asks

intend to stay

again and, with a final squeeze of his hand, slip out the door. When I pull the

he asks, quirking an eyebrow

shoulders. Then Hank passes me a cloth baby carrier and I let him hold Rafe while I strap it to my chest. Once we get the baby strapped

I say, nodding to my friend.

who were hurt either in the bunker or on the expedition to Xander’s house. I’ve been at Hank’s side every moment

part of my body wanted to be constantly next to Sinclair, holding his hand, being there for him while his body and mind healed from his

also have responsibilities as the Luna of this pack, as the bearer of the Goddess’s gift, to use