Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Ella

I sleep through the night and well into the next day.

My mind is foggy when I wake, and it takes a moment for everything to come rushing back to me. I wince as the memories of my hypnosis session take hold, and my first thought is of Rafe. I tap into our bond. The tiny being is asleep, but I can feel the lingering stress and fear clinging to his consciousness. I cradle my belly in my arms, feeling a new depth of sorrow for causing my child pain – beyond regret, sadness or guilt.

The force and scale takes me by surprise, and I know I have to work on controlling the feelings I send through our bond. Suddenly I understand only too well why Sinclair holds bad feelings back from me, and though I don’t like being kept in the dark, I don’t think he’s wrong either. In fact, I’m glad my mate is far enough away that he couldn’t feel my fear and pain yesterday too.

It would have affected him so much more than it did Henry, and he has more than enough to worry about as it is.

I take a bubble bath, and as I rest in the steaming water my pup stirs, fluttering in my womb and emitting a pulse of cautious energy…

He’s still wary, still confused and upset by what he heard and felt during my trance. “Hello sweet pup.” I hum, stroking my navel and wishing I could rock him in my arms already. “It’s okay, everything is okay.” I send all the affection, solace and calm I can summon down to him, and he relaxes, his miniscule fingers clutching at the wall of my uterus as if he’s reaching for me. I rest my hand on the opposite side of his, singing a soft lullaby and wishing I had a male’s ability to purr.

I think Rafe feels the same way, because a moment later he sends a fuzzy, half formed memory to me – of large, protective hands and a deep rumbling sound, the thing that comforts us both more than anything else. A tug of longing accompanies the hazy thought, and I realize he misses Sinclair.

I know, my love. I miss him too.” I share, pausing my singing for a moment as I struggle to hold back my own pining. I want nothing more than to feel Sinciair’s touch, to hear his beloved voice murmuring comfort in my ear – even from hundreds of miles away. At the same-time, I can’t bring myself to call him. If I do, I know he’ll sense that something is wrong, and I’m not going to distract him from the war effort by making him worry I can’t handle a few memories. After all – I lived through these things, if I was able to survive them then surely I can survive remembering them.

So I pull myself out of my bath and get dressed, switching to a flowing maxi dress when I realize my maternity jeans are too tight now to fit over my h!ps and belly.Are you having a growth spurt, munchkin?” I ask my pup, excited and pleased that he’s getting bigger and stronger.

than Daddy, so don’t go getting too big, okay?” I add, remembering the birthing class where they told us to expect twelve pound babies. I wonder if I would

to the kitchens for a snack, my guards straighten up and puff their c.hests out, as if they want to look as large and powerful as possible. It’s a bit odd, but I don’t think anything of their behavior

happened during my hypnosis, and as much as I want to curl in on myself to hide from the scrutiny of so many strangers, I notch my chin up and ignore them. It isn’t until I hear another snatch of speech nearer the kitchens that I realize

into a chair and plate upon plate of food is being set in front of me, eager cooks and maids murmuring their admiration and asking me to name any dish or delicacy, promising to wh!p up whatever I desire. I smile and thank them,

arches a sardonic brow. “Well if it

her. She gives me no judgment, no pity and no fawning. She sees me exactly the same way she did yesterday, and I need that when I hardly recognize myself anymore. “Good afternoon, Isabel.'” I greet warmly. There’s a baby wrapped in a sling against her c.hest, and I move forward to admire the child. Sadie stares up at us with wide blue eyes,

infant. “She always wants to be held and wails like

other pups. Even with the children we’ve been able to foster with local families, the planes keep bringing

you could take turns with Miss Spoily there.” I offer, nodding towards Sadie and watching Isabel’s expression closely. Her eyes narrow and I add, “or they could free you up so you can

arm around Sadie’s back, and I know I’ve read her correctly. She’s clearly

would have to interview

who’s just woken from his nap and is now standing at the bars of his crib, begging to be picked up. I pull him into my arms, k!ssing his chubby cheeks. “Well hello there, handsome. Did you have

as I bounce him in my arms, but his laughter dies away quickly, as if he’s remembering something unpleasant. “I don’ like naps.” He

making my

love naps. Naps are

at me curiously.

I can.” I share, studying his small face as his

tells me a minute later, looking grim but hopeful. Is