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.”

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

I say, smiling a little bit. ” She’s not precisely on

think they do. We honestly don’t know how much

Calvin stares at

trust you, Calvin?” I ask quietly, leaning

prince. My lips part in surprise as Calvin stares at me in confusion, feeling it

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

“Now I’m just… embarrassed. Here I was, ready to confess my devotion

letting Calvin know that he needs to watch himself, but I ignore him,

the glow forms between our hands, eventually raising sparks in the air. We

“See?” I say. “Magic.”

he murmurs, shaking his head. But then he pulls 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

forward across the couch now so that we sit close together. “Calvin, you have nothing

huffs a laugh, looking down into his lap. “I was ready to

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

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

at him, smiling a little, marveling at the magic that swirls in the air. But before I can get truly lost

baby in his arms, glaring at both of us. Rafe lets out a little

go,” Calvin murmurs, starting

him leave. There’s so much left here we need

say at once,

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 for

may be the only one,” he says with a little shrug. Then he looks over at Rafe, sleeping in Sinclair’s arms. “Though

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