Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate by Caroline Above Story

Chapter 96 – Ella and Sinclair Reach an Understanding

Ella

“Why does it feel like this is more for my benefit than yours?” I inquire archly, watching as Sinclair pours oils and salts into a large, steaming bath. The clever wolf knows how much I love a bubble bath, especially now that I’m pregnant. After years of constantly being dirty and even living on the street, there is nothing else that feels so luxurious to me – and I can’t think of anything more relaxing.

“Hey, I was going to get in with you – you’re the one who put your foot down.” Sinclair replies with a wolfish grin, skimming his fingers through the water to check the temperature.

“Because you have open wounds!” I exclaim, exasperated but also impatient for the preparation to be over so I can sink into the deep tub. “The doctors said you couldn’t submerge your injuries until the scabs are gone.”

Amazingly, the gashes on his back have already scabbed over. It seems that he truly wasn’t lying when he told me that shifters heal faster than humans, but I hadn’t expected him to heal quite so fast. At this rate his wounds will be mere scars in a couple of days.

“Which is why I’ll be supervising, not participating.” Dominic shrugs, I wonder if that hurts him? I ponder, watching the muscles rippling in his back. He certainly doesn’t show any signs of pain.

He’s so strong. My traitorous conscience moons, and for a moment I actually think I see stars in my eyes.

Rolling my eyes at my inner voice, I cross my arms over my chest. “The idea was to help us both relax.” I sigh, guilt gnawing at my insides.

“Believe it or not, Ella, but taking care of you does help me relax.” Sinclair declares coolly, pressing a button that triggers the whirlpool jets built into the tub. A steady thrumming sound whirs to life as the water begins to churn, foaming and bubbling even higher now.

us get the least bit excited – as you and the

as he finally turns away from the bath. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were worried about losing control with me.” He observes darkly, “but I can’t imagine why that would be, unless of course your feelings for me are stronger than

at Sinclair, even as

His dark brows incline towards his hairline. “Because I have no problem admitting

Dominic, whatever you’re going to say, I don’t

were past that, sweetheart.” He scolds, “didn’t you learn your lesson about actually hearing me out when I want

different.” I insist, “it honestly stresses

away now, but the longer he observes me, the softer his ravenous expression becomes. “Has it occurred to you that part of the reason you’re so stressed is because

don’t belong to or understand, while living a lie and dodging constant death threats.” I snap, before I can consider how the Alpha might take my words. “Can you really blame me for wanting to keep things simple in the face of all that? If we lose focus for

on the blame I’ve basically just

but you weren’t wrong.” Sinclair declares gutturally, his face a full shade paler than it was a moment ago. “It is my fault – if I were a normal man, if I hadn’t forced you into

And there’s no way to know whether any of this is connected. Mike destroyed my reproductive system and plenty of healthy

He interrupts sharply, “but our situation certainly isn’t making things

don’t do this.” I beg, hiccupping on a sob. “Please don’t blame yourself for this. You’re trying to do the right thing for everyone here. Neither one of us planned this, neither one of us could have prepared for what the

my tears, Sinclair deflates, closing the final distance between us and pulling me into his arms. “I’m sorry.” He croons in my ear, stroking

ground, but I don’t want them to be. I begin clambering up the huge man like a monkey climbing a tree, until my arms and legs are wrapped around him and I’m weeping into his neck. “It’s not your fault.” I repeat

tears, trouble.” He says

clothes. He tries to deposit me in the bath, but I won’t let go, afraid that he’ll leave if I release him. Instead he manages to pull off his slacks, shirt and boxers without dislodging me, before sinking into the tub with me still in his arms. I try to protest about his back, but he just hushes