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?”

though I can hear the worry

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

dad,” Roger says, smiling at him. “It’s more than we knew before. Besides – these kids, they’re going

them,” Cora says, shrugging and standing, hoisting Jesse up in

sister, realizing that this honestly is probably the best method. I mean we’re moms, there’s definitely no way we’re not going to worry. But what can we do? Cora and Roger are right

I see Roger get to his feet as well. “Don’t, stay! We can get food!” But I yawn even

a gentle smile, “because Jesse needs a nap,

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

“I wanted to

to it,” Cora says, leaning down and kissing me on the cheek.

hug as well when he dips down to say goodbye to the baby. I wave to them as they pass out the door, Henry looking after them

at least, Henry?” I

afraid I should take my leave too,” he says as Rafe pushes to his feet and totters over him, reaching out his chubby arms and begging to be picked up. Henry laughs and obliges, lifting

you,” I say dryly, ” you’ll be too heavy

close, pressing his cheek to Rafe’s dark hair. “He is so like his father

that way, and

asleep in my arms. “She

do you mean?” I ask, tilting

staring at my little girl with her little fuzz of golden-white hair. Then he flicks his eyes to Sinclair. “Your mother and I tried for another – she wanted a little girl very badly, you know. But the Goddess decided that two was

that,” Sinclair says, his voice a little thick with

the fulfilment of a wish made long a go for a little girl Sinclair. I

that I’m sad or that I pity him. It’s just – I never

and I lean forward, listening intently. “I never thought she’d be a

I wipe 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 could get darker

his eyes to me. “It is clear that 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 her

some part of me,” Sinclair murmurs,

him and runs a hand over his head. “Either

agreeing to the sentiment, thinking that the children are

lost in his thoughts now, “that I were more 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 the children are

the words spilling out of my mouth. “Oh my god,” I sit up straight, staring at Henry, my eyes flicking to his legs – because

is able

as I hastily – but carefully pass Ariel into Sinclair’s arms, my mate looking at me