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?”

Sinclair murmurs to me, though I can hear the worry on in his

answers,” Henry says on a sigh, his face

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

Cora says, shrugging and standing, hoisting Jesse up in her arms and smiling at him. “So, I’m just going

grin at my 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 – we just have to raise them well, and trust

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

leaving,” Cora says, with a gentle smile, “because Jesse needs a nap,

my arms and realize that Cora’s right – Ariel’s drifted off without

mutter. “I

you to it,” Cora says, leaning down and kissing me on

say goodbye

least, Henry?” I ask,

pushes to his feet and totters over him, reaching out his chubby arms and begging to be picked up. Henry laughs and obliges, lifting my

dryly, ” you’ll be too

I 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 his father at this age. It’s like having my

Rafe that way, and I feel

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

you mean?” I ask, tilting

had a daughter,” he sighs, staring at my little girl with her little fuzz of golden-white hair. Then he flicks his eyes to Sinclair. “Your mother and I

his voice a little thick with

one is the fulfilment of a wish made

pricking of 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 wanted that, never knew my sweet daughter would mean so much

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

and I wipe away the little tears that spill out from my eyes.

have her mother’s beauty, which includes your unique hair. She’s a Sinclair in

have some part of me,” Sinclair murmurs, a little jealous, leaning

looking up at his grandfather, who grins down at him and runs a hand over his head. “Either way,

the children are lucky to

them by getting down on the floor,

my god,” I say, the words spilling out of my mouth. “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

someone who is able to

at me, his eyebrows going up in surprise as I hastily – but carefully pass Ariel