Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 499 – Baptizing the Princess

Ella

Three weeks later – Ariel was born under a waning quarter moon, not a new moon like her brother and her cousin – I stand anxiously in the woods, my little girl held tight in my arms.

“I’m sensing some anxiety,” Cora says, grinning at me with a little too much glee as she comes up to my side, dressed in a gorgeous silver gown, Jesse awake and interested on her hip.

“I wasn’t anxious like this when Rafe went in,” I sigh, reaching out to touch Jesse’s nose with my fingertip, making him giggle. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I was anxious – but it’s this one’s complicated little portent that has me all worked up.”

“I know,” Cora says, wrinkling her nose at me wickedly. “I can’t wait – the payback is real-”

“Don’t you dare,” I say, glaring at her and pointing a finger at her. “You’re trying to deliberately jinx my daughter just because your Jesse has some weird shadow magic coming his way – ”

“I would never!” Cora says, laughing and swatting my finger away. “I just like teasing you, Ella. Hear that, Ariel?” she says, leaning over to grin at her goddaughter. “I hope that your future comes out nice and safe and boring, for your mother’s sake.”

“Oh, hold your tongue,” I mutter, scowling and moving Ariel away from her aunt. “I don’t want her life to be boring, I just want…” I sigh, looking down at the little girl who has my whole heart. “I just want it all to be very good, and for her to be safe…but also to have some adventures along the way.”

“A big ask,” Sinclair says, ambling over to my side with a glass of champagne in one hand, Rafe perched on his hip. “Especially for a little girl named Baby Trouble.”

I grin when I hear the nickname, considering that…well, it’s a little bit true, even if the name so far has been a bit of a joke.

Honestly, we’ve called her Ariel very little she’s.baby trouble, most of the time. Or Princess Trouble. Or Princess Baby Bubble Trouble. Or whatever combination thereof inspires us at the moment. And, well, she hasn’t really lived up to it – not yet. Rafe – he was a tough newborn, at least for the first two weeks. But Ariel?

a little bit

nickname continues to be ironic for the rest of her days, but I know that’s too

his sister, spitting out

says, laughing and putting a hand on Rafe’s chest to keep him from excitedly spilling out of his

trying to say baby,” I say, grinning at my boy, pleasure and pride filling me from head to toe. I mean – I know every mom

of course but Rafe and me? We’ve

his arm and glass of champagne in his hand, just like his brother. “Almost time! Are we ready to do

raising my chin at him jokingly. “It’s a sacred ritual. Please act with

Ella,” Roger says, playfully rolling his eyes

eyes at him right back.

that point we’re just going to wander into the back yard in our pajamas,” he murmurs, nodding first towards the baby in my arms and then to Cora, silently indicating that I should hand her over. “We’re going to drink

Ariel into her arms as Sinclair and I laugh.

kidding, right, Ells?”

my brother-in-law and gently pat his cheek. “When in doubt, Roger,”

towards the Goddess’ priestess, who begins to call everyone to order.

Cora

niece, who is looking around the dark forest with interest. “Ready to meet your granny, little girl?” I whisper to

squeak, which sounds so much

“Remember the last time we were out here?”

I was

you and kiss you – I didn’t know which I wanted more. Maybe

laugh, shaking my head. “Well, we know