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.”

me now, his face twisted in confusion. “Who

I say, smiling a little bit. ” She’s

Dominic says down our bond in warning. Because the Atalaxians – 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

as Calvin stares

we trust you, Calvin?” I ask quietly, leaning

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

the Goddess being my biological mother, and contacting her today, and everything she said about

to confess my devotion to you, and all along it was…nothing romantic. Not at all. Instead

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,”

as well, hovering his hand above mine until we feel that pulse between us. Until the glow forms between

“See?” I say. “Magic.”

his 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

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

to leave my wife, Ella,” he murmurs, “to leave my

see me shaking my head. “You’d have gone home, Calvin. For your children. And eventually, you would have figured out that what’s between us?

to my cheek. “For what might have been, Ella,” he murmurs, “I’ll at

I stare at him, smiling a little, marveling at the magic that swirls in the air. But before I can get truly lost in it, someone clears their throat from

little happy squeal and waves his hand, clearly choosing to respond

go,” Calvin

see him leave.

say at once, making me grin and look

putting my hands up and admitting when I’ve been outvoted. “But Calvin, you always have friends here. I hope that you truly believe that. The Goddess has wrought a bond between us, though it may be a mystery why

friend in Atalaxia, though I may be the only one,” he says with a little shrug. Then he

the little pulse pass through me like a zap of electricity.