Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 498 – Family Lines

Ella

Henry takes a deep breath then, looking between the children. “I have been very intrigued,” he begins, “by the idea that the children have bonds with each other – bonds like that between siblings and cousins, it’s unusual. Indeed, I thought it was unique, but it is not.”

My brows go up as I listen with interest.

“The children have created between them…something of a triangle,” Henry murmurs, looking between the three of them. “There have been rare examples of individuals having multiple fated mating bonds – my son, interestingly amongst them – ”

I lean back against my mate, who wraps his arm more tightly around me.

“But this,” Henry says, gesturing between Ariel, Rafe, and Jesse, “three people bonded together naturally, each to the other two.” He shakes his head. ” I have not yet found any examples of it happening naturally. Though there are those who have…forged such connections.”

“Really?” Roger asks, his eyebrows going up.

“Usually in religious ceremonies,” Henry says, folding his hands in his lap and looking around at us, “in the wilds of the north. Two people already bonded – either by fate or by choice, usually through a mating – would each either willingly or by obligation magically forge a bond with a third.”

“For what reason,” Cora asks, shaking her head. “Like…plural marriage? Or something?”

“No,” Henry replies, shaking his head at her. “This is usually done in communities where those who undergo the ceremony have long taken vows of chastity. No, they do it for the power that results from the bond, which is said to be…unique.”

“This is so weird,” I murmur, looking down at my kids. I mean, I’m very aware that my children and my nephew are special, but…

“The magics of the north are strange,” Henry says on a sigh, shaking his head and giving a shrug. “They are also closed-mouthed regarding what the results of such bonding actually are. But I do imagine it’s closer to the kinds of powers wielded by the dark priests we spent so much of our time defying last year. Spells cast at a price, rather than goddess-given gifts freely used with little effort.”

“But since the bond between the kids was…natural,” Sinclair murmurs, speaking his thoughts aloud, “can we assume that whatever power results from them would…be easier to wield?”

“I have no idea,” Henry says on a sigh, smiling down at his grandsons and granddaughter again. “Though I hope for their sake that it is. Those forged bonds and the resulting magic – they didn’t come without a price.”

“Oh geeze,” I murmur, sighing and looking down at my precious new baby. She can barely stay awake, let alone wield great and powerful magics. ” What are you going to get up to, little girl?”

of good things,” Sinclair murmurs to me, though I can hear the worry

sorry I don’t have more definitive answers,” Henry

smiling at him. “It’s more than we knew before. Besides – these kids, they’re going to have

and standing, hoisting Jesse up in her arms and smiling at him.

way we’re not going to worry. But what can

feet as well. “Don’t, stay! We

nap, and so

down in my arms and realize that Cora’s right –

shoot,” I mutter. “I

me on the cheek. “I’m

as well when he dips down to say goodbye to the baby. I wave

least, Henry?”

chubby arms and

sits on you,” I say dryly, ” you’ll

will happily accept,” Henry murmurs, turning Rafe on his lap and hugging him close, pressing his cheek to Rafe’s dark hair. “He is so like

to hear Henry talk about Rafe that way,

at Ariel asleep in my arms. “She is very precious to me as

do you mean?” I ask, tilting

golden-white hair. Then he flicks his eyes to Sinclair. “Your mother and I tried for

says, his voice a little thick

again falls to Ariel. “So, this one is the fulfilment of a wish

tears against my eyes, not wanting Henry to think that I’m sad or that I pity him. It’s just – I never knew he

his head, and I lean forward, listening intently. “I never

that spill out from my eyes. ” Well, we don’t know if she’s going to stay blonde,” I say, grinning and shaking my head. “Her hair could get darker

have her mother’s beauty, which includes your

part of me,” Sinclair murmurs, a

back in his chair. Rafe burbles something, looking up at his grandfather, who grins down at him and runs a hand over his

to the sentiment, thinking that the children are lucky to have such an eager and

down on the floor, running, walking. But,” he shrugs, ” when the children are big enough to stand on the back of the chair, at least

“Oh my god,” I sit up straight, staring at Henry, my eyes flicking to his legs – because honestly, I don’t even notice his chair anymore, or

who is able

hastily – but carefully pass Ariel into Sinclair’s arms,