Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 497- Bonded Power Ella

I give Ariel one last kiss for luck and exhale a deep breath, focusing my eyes on Henry as I lean back against my mate, who wraps a supportive arm around me.

“Actually, Ella,” Cora says, and my eyes dart to her. She smiles and me from across the couch, her arms wrapped around her baby on her lap. ” I’m the one who has news first.”

“Oh,” I say, my eyes going wide as I shift a little to direct my attention to her now. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know – ”

She shakes her head, dismissing my apology as Roger comes to perch on the arm of the couch behind her. She reaches up a hand and he takes it, giving her a little squeeze.

“Um, we contacted mom this morning,” she says quietly, apology all over her face. “To…to ask about what the Dark God could have possibly been up to. I’m sorry we did it without you – I know you would have wanted to be there -”

“No,” I breathe, even though I am a little disappointed. “I mean, I wouldn’t have been able to see her anyway, right?”

“Yeah,” she says, cocking her head to the side. “Unless we go to the temple, it is sort of a…one-on-one experience, isn’t it?”

“But we can go,” Sinclair murmurs behind me, supportive, “if we don’t get the answers you need – ”

“It’s okay,” I say, nodding to everyone around the room. “I get it – you don’t need to be so gentle with me. I was completely knocked out from giving birth and we needed information fast. It’s okay. So…” I flick my fingers at my sister, smiling at her. “Please, divulge. I’m dying to know.”

“Well,” Cora says, laughing a little and glancing up at Roger. “Mom was not happy to hear that her boyfriend visited you.”

“Really?” I gasp, a little delighted at the immortal gossip.

“Really,” Cora confirms, her eyes going wide as a grin overtakes her face. “She figured that he knew about you, but she had no idea that he’d go so far as to bestow a gift on the baby behind her back.”

“Behind her back,” I repeat, shaking my head. “Wow. So? Did she say it was… dangerous?”

“Or, well, those weren’t her precise words – but that was the sentiment. That he’s just trying to get her attention and let her know that he’s

who lays cuddled in my arms, drowsy but

says, shaking her head. “But she… she said she can’t make him take it back, Ells. That immortal gifts they’re not like…presents you can return or

I sigh, hoisting my baby up closer. “Well, at least we know

it’s good,” Sinclair grumbles

gifts given by both the Goddess and the Dark Lord. What is interesting is that they seem to be reliable – there is one text in particular that speaks of a Goddess-given gift of healing that

up a little. “Well, that’s interesting. Would I

translated,” Henry says nodding, “and sent to you as

the Dark God has given?” Sinclair asks, his voice heavy and dubious on the word

She deals with the heart and the home – assigning mates, healing the body, changing the weather to ensure good crops.” He nods to Cora and I as he lists our gifts and I turn my head, because he’s right – while Cora and I have used them in much different ways, they do seem to

presses, his voice a little annoyed in his anxiety

says, shifting his eyes to his son now, “prefers…more sweeping magics. Not things that can or

at this and I find myself holding my

the world?” Sinclair asks, going tense

a man the gift of eclipse, allowing him to hold the moon’s shadow before the sun for days on end, only relenting when his enemies collapsed to

silent

Roger is bold enough to

breathes, leaning forward

shake my head as Cora and Sinclair and then Henry start to laugh as well. I shake my head at my brother-in-law, so grateful for him and

sitting up straight and running his hand through his hair, looking at his niece with wide eyes. “She’s the littlest of

my eyes and trying to shake the tension out of my shoulders. “It could be… something smaller. Maybe he’s just

about our mother and a deity. Roger just

a little in my arms so she can look around at the family. “So, she is the Alpha now.” Ariel, betraying my confidence, just gives a sleepy little mew, her eyelids fluttering shut

little pulse of pride

looking between the boys – Rafe toddling around on the floor and Jesse in Cora’s arms.

all have gifts from mom, right? But will

don’t know,” Henry says, tilting his head and considering his grandchildren

mean, Cora and Ella

my mate over my shoulder.