Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 312 – Cora at Home

Cora

When I wake up it’s almost eight at night and I groan, realizing that my sleep schedule is

completely wrecked. I’m reminded, suddenly, of my years as a medical resident when this sort of thing was normal – sleeping all day, taking night shifts, living moment to moment rather than a steady, scheduled life.

And quite frankly, right now? That sounds really wonderful, compared against a whole night of empty hours in which I have nothing to do but… think.

Think about what I’m doing in my life, think about my career which has gone in a really weird direction, think about my relationship…s.

About a certain kiss in the woods.

About a sweet doctor who, apparently, wants to build a life with me.

I sigh and sit up, looking around at my sterile little apartment. I never really decorated, I realize as

I look around at the grey and beige furniture, the simple linens, the charmless curtains. Everything is functional and high quality but none of it is… me?

Or is it?

I frown at my space, thinking of Ella’s sweet home that – even though Sinclair picked out most of the furniture before she moved in – still sings Ella Ella Ella in every corner. It’s warm and sweet

and comfortable. What does my space say about me?

I mean, I’m an orphan – I never had any possessions or any control over the environments in

which I lived, so where would I have learned to decorate? I never had a mother to show me how

So where did Ella…

groan, rolling my eyes at myself, sick, again, of being jealous

– and I’m so happy she has what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me realize how unhappy I am, when I stand next to her.

roll over, reaching for my phone, seeking some kind of distraction from these disquieting- thoughts. But when I pick it up the first thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying to avoid leaving me an assortment of messages. I sigh and click open my message

did

Cora? You okay?

2

get up – I know

heard from you.

click through the

there’s nothing at all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email,

I mean, this is a little pathetic, but I’m outside. Can you let me

your apartment door…

He’s being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m not

– despite what might have passed between us last night, it doesn’t change anything. And there’s a man standing outside

with me? Quickly, I jump out of my

it, I

jumps a little, his eyes going wide, accidentally dropping the large bag of Chinese on the little mail table I keep outside

him, “I just woke up – we were up all night. It’s –

says, giving me his rare, warm smile. “I get it – you had a busy

want to come in?” I ask, leaning against my door frame

his lips turning up a bit at the corner. “That sounds great,

sit on the house, the Chinese spread out around us on the coffee table, eating right out of the containers with the supplied chopsticks, Hank tells me all about his day. He held down the fort at the little free clinic we both work at, seeing both prospective mothers as well as general ailments from humans and wolves

closely as he tells me his story, my eyes flicking over his handsome, serious face – his thick brown hair

that makes me…well, makes- me

asks, making me blink and focus on him. “Did you hear

I ask, shaking myself and forcing myself to listen to his words. Then, I grimace a little. I’m sorry, Hank,” I say, giving him an apologetic look. “I got….lost in my thoughts

it a bit before sitting back. “I was just curious if

respond instantly, looking down at my chicken with broccoli and picking up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she really be helpful there? I think that she would do anything – but she’s got a big heart,

”