Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 470- Friendship Across Boundaries

Ella

I ignore the soft growl that rumbles from the doorway, though Calvin glances briefly in that direction.

“No, Calvin,” I say, shaking my head softly. “We did a little bit of research this afternoon. And I’m sorry to say it if it makes you sad, but you’re not my mate.”

“What?” he breathes, confused, his eyebrows knitting together. “But – ”

“Why do you think you are?” I ask, honestly conflicted now.

And Calvin sweetly and awkwardly blushes, looking down at the carpet. ” My wolf is…pretty convinced, Ella,” he murmurs, probably fully aware that the words are enough to set Sinclair off again.

“Really?” I ask, pushing now,” Because my wolf – she says that you’re important to me, but she wasn’t sure enough to give it the name mate. And everyone else I’ve asked, Calvin…they were sure. Is your wolf absolutely positive?”

He sighs now, looking down at his hands as he perhaps consults with his wolf inside. “It’s…the strongest connection I’ve ever felt, Ella,” he murmurs. “With anyone. Is it…is it not enough? Even if my wolf feels a little bit of doubt, and can’t give you a certain yes?”

And suddenly my heart breaks for this man who I realize is…lonely. Who had an arranged marriage to a woman I’m not sure he loves, who is surrounded by a Kingdom full of people whose deepest beliefs he at least doubts, if not outright disbelieves. Calvin – he saw the bond between us and he grasped at it desperately, wanting it.

Wanting the different life I potentially offered one with love in it, and a new world full of different ideas.

My heart – it absolutely breaks for him, and down the bond I feel Sinclair’s own pity as he feels my emotions along with me.

But still I can’t love him just because he wants me to. I have a mate whom I love very, very much.

“Maybe it would be enough,” I say softly, “in a different time, a different… life. But Calvin, we asked and had it confirmed. You’re not my mate – I only have one. And it’s Dominic.”

up at me now, his face twisted in confusion. “Who on earth would

say, smiling a little bit.

they don’t know anything about my divine origins right now, or at least we don’t think they do. We honestly don’t know how much Xander told him, but since they didn’t bring it my or Cora’s powers in the peace talks as a negotiating point, we’re assuming Xander kept

know, Dominic, I reply as Calvin stares at me in confusion. It’s his

quietly, leaning

can only assume is a new bond between myself and this prince. My lips part in surprise as Calvin stares at me in confusion, feeling it too, and then I

biological mother, and contacting her today, and everything she said about our bond being a seed. By the

against the couch’s arm. “Now I’m just… embarrassed. Here I was, ready to confess my devotion to you, and all along

from the doorway, letting Calvin know that he needs to watch himself, but I ignore him, reaching out a hand between us. “Just because it’s not romantic doesn’t mean it’s not important,” I say

glow forms between our hands, eventually raising sparks in the air. We both stare at it

“See?” I say. “Magic.”

into his pocket, glancing towards the door. “I’m sorry… I realize what I

say, scootching forward across the couch now so that we sit close together. “Calvin, you

looking down into his lap. “I was ready to leave my wife, Ella,” he murmurs,

home, Calvin. For your children. And eventually, you would have figured out that what’s between us? It’s

a hand, pressing it softly to my cheek. “For what might have been,

my neck. I stare at him, smiling a little, marveling at the magic that swirls in the air. But before I can get

us. Rafe lets out a little happy squeal and waves his hand, clearly

Calvin murmurs, starting

leave. There’s so much

and Calvin say at once, making

I hope that you truly believe that. The Goddess has wrought a bond between

little shrug. Then he

shoulder, feeling the little pulse pass through me like a zap of electricity. Calvin grins at me