Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 480 – Sad Farewells

Cora

“Well,” Hank says, sighing contentedly as he wraps an arm around Sarah’s shoulders. “With Ella here in the city able to patch up anyone pretty much instantly and cure a variety of diseases just by holding people’s hands, there’s not as much use for me here.”

“Oh!” Ella squeaks, and I laugh because I can tell that she feels guilty for making Hank feel a little redundant.

“No, Ella,” Hank says, grinning at her. “Sarah and I just talked about it and I think we can be of more use up in the Northern provinces. There’s a great deal of people there – both humans and wolves – who are without healthcare, and especially without a surgeon.” He shrugs. “I think we can do some good.”

“I think that’s really cool, Hank,” I say, grinning at him.

“I think it’s right,” he says, smiling at me. “But still, I’m glad we got to be here for this, and to meet Jesse.”

“I’m glad too,” I say softly, smiling at my friend. Because as much as my life is full now, and I have less and less time to spend at the clinic…I will certainly miss him.

Hank leans forward to give me a kiss on the cheek, his own quiet farewell, and then Ella walks he and Sarah from the room, murmuring something about Sinclair wanting to say goodbye.

When he leaves, Roger walks quietly over to me, his hands in his pockets, his eyes on the door. “What was that all about?”

“Well,” I say, smiling up at him, ” you’ll be glad to know that Hank is moving away – up to the northern provinces, actually.” I don’t know much about the kingdom’s territories up there, but I do know that it’s a lot of wild land and a lot of rough living. I wonder, privately, if it will suit Hank and Sarah, who don’t exactly strike me as country folk.

“Oh,” Roger says as he purses his lips and looks towards the door, nodding slowly.

I click my tongue, my face bursting into a grin.

“What?” Roger asks, turning to me.

“I can’t believe you’re not crowing with victorious joy,” I say, laughing and shaking my head at him.

“Well,” Roger says, lifting his chin, though he can’t fight his smile anymore. “My mother told me that if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

I roll my eyes. “Words you’ve never lived by.”

and smiling as he looks at the baby and

my sleeping boy. “He’s going to reform for

says, leaning close to peer

I whisper

making me laugh harder. Jesse’s eyes

poor baby,” I murmur, holding him closer and rocking

be in on the fun,” Roger sighs, stroking a hand over my hair. “Doesn’t want

a lot less sleep,” I say, lifting my head to grin at my

to me, confirming my thought, and leans in

Ella

still sleeping in his arm, and frowns up at me as I descend with Hank and Sarah, clearly intuiting my emotions through our

is leaving, going to work in the northern provinces! I

he smiles. And how on earth

I reply, scowling. Some

mate shakes his head at me and then turns

Hank. “I hear you’re leaving. It’s a shame – you’ll

back at me. “You know,” he

Sinclair says, raising his eyebrows. “I’ve heard the packs in the

heard that too,” Hank says, nodding. “Their healing practices are said to be quite unique. I’m very

his side and pout at Hank and Sarah, really not wanting them to leave. “Even just so Ella has an excuse to call you back to the capital every once in a while to throw you a party and see how

letting them know

Hank smiles at me.” Thank you both,” Hank says, looking between us. “For such incredible opportunities. And for introducing

so pleased to hear that,” I say, tucking my clasped hands under my chin and beaming at

will,” Sarah says, reaching out to put a hand on my shoulder. “I owe you everything, Ella – keeping in touch is

my eyebrows, but Sinclair just laughs

as he smiles. “Your path is your own. Though I hope you’ll let us support your

at Sinclair, his face serious. “There’s a great deal of poverty up there, which is part of why we want to go. A little bit of well- financed medical care could go a long

reaches out a hand, which Hank shakes