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?”

sorts of good things,” Sinclair murmurs to me, though I can hear the worry on in his

I don’t have more definitive answers,” Henry says on a sigh,

him. “It’s more than we knew before. Besides

says, shrugging and standing, hoisting Jesse up in her arms and smiling at him. “So, I’m just going to let them worry about

definitely no way we’re not going to worry. But what can we do? Cora and Roger are

you?” I ask, sitting up straight as I see Roger get to his feet as well. “Don’t, stay! We can get food!”

gentle smile, “because Jesse needs a nap, and

look down in my arms and realize that Cora’s right – Ariel’s drifted off

“I wanted to

says, leaning down and kissing me on

at her and giving Roger a hug as well when he dips down to say goodbye

you stay at least, Henry?”

reaching out his chubby arms and begging

sits on you,” I say dryly, ” you’ll be too heavy to roll out

his cheek to Rafe’s dark hair. “He is so like his father at this age. It’s

talk about Rafe that way, and

though,” Henry says, looking over at Ariel asleep in my arms. “She is very precious to me as

I ask, tilting my head in

flicks his eyes to Sinclair. “Your

his voice a little thick

to Ariel. “So, this one is the fulfilment of a wish made long a go for a little girl Sinclair. I

that I pity him. It’s just – I never knew he wanted that, never knew my sweet daughter would mean so

I lean forward, listening intently. “I never thought

away the little tears 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

this one is your daughter. She’ll have her mother’s beauty, which includes your unique hair. She’s a Sinclair in name… but she’s

got to have some part of me,” Sinclair murmurs, a little jealous, leaning forward to peer at

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

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

able to play with them – could participate more in helping you raise them by getting down on the floor, running, walking. But,” he shrugs, ” when

“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 think of him at all as someone whose abilities are

who is able to do anything about

going up in surprise as I hastily – but