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.”

his face twisted in confusion. “Who

say, smiling a little bit. ” She’s

now, or at least we don’t think they do. We honestly don’t know how much Xander told

as Calvin stares at me

quietly, leaning forward and raising

nods and I bizarrely feel a little pulse of truth down…down what I 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 feel almost a sigh down my bond with Sinclair as he gives me tacit

contacting her today, and everything she said about our bond being a seed. By the end of it, Calvin stares at me with wide

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

doorway, letting Calvin know that he needs to watch himself, but I ignore him, reaching out a hand between us. “Just because it’s

hand above mine until we feel that pulse between us. Until the glow forms between our hands, eventually raising sparks in the air. We both

“See?” I say. “Magic.”

hand away and tucks it into his pocket, glancing towards the door. “I’m sorry… I realize what I did was selfish, and hasty, and it likely caused you a great deal

we sit close together. “Calvin, you have nothing to be embarrassed about –

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

shaking my head. “You’d have gone home, Calvin. For your children. And eventually, you

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

stare at him, smiling a little, marveling at the

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

should go,” Calvin murmurs, starting to

say, sorry to see him leave. There’s so much left here

at once, making me grin and look between

admitting when I’ve been outvoted. “But Calvin, you always have friends here. I hope that you truly believe that.

he says with a little shrug. Then he looks over at Rafe, sleeping in Sinclair’s arms. “Though I hope the numbers grow as our children

say, standing and daring to put a hand on his shoulder, feeling the little pulse pass through me like a zap of electricity. Calvin grins at me a