Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate by Caroline Above Story

Accidental Surrogate for Alpha by Caroline Above Story Chapter 202

#Chapter 202 – Mother

Ella

After shopping with Cora and napping away the afternoon with the pups in the nursery, I find my way to Henry’s rooms. The guards told me he just returned from the refugee camp, but when he opens the door for me he’s all smiles. I give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and he welcomes me in. “You wouldn’t happen to be in the mood for an afternoon snack, would you?” He inquires knowingly. “Because personally I’m starving.”

I’m fairly certain this is a plot to make sure I’m feeding myself well, but my stomach growls loudly as I find a seat on the couch. Still, I try to sound demure as I shrug, “I could eat.”

Henry laughs before calling down to the kitchens and ordering a small feast. As we eat he tells me all about his day at the refugee camp and I, in turn, share my frustration with my sudden celebrity and Cora’s news about Roger. He can only shake his head. “That boy has made some bad choices in his life, but I’ve been very proud of him these last few months. I never thought I’d see the day that my sons would repair their relationship. You know that’s down to you, don’t you?” He asks warmly, an affectionate twinkle in his eye.

“Oh, don’t say that. I’m so tired of getting credit for things that just so happened to occur in my general vicinity.” I complain, slumping back and rubbing my full belly. “Not that I don’t appreciate the compliments… I just… perfection is an impossible thing to live up to… and I am so far from perfect it’s laughable. I don’t want to end up with a reputation that I’m destined to fall short of – I’m only human after all.” A moment after the words leave my mouth, I realize they aren’t true. “I mean, not human, but I’m just a person like everyone else.”

“No one said you were perfect, Ella.” Henry reminds me pointedly. “I said that you brought Dominic and Roger back together – which is true. If you read more into that then I think you’re projecting at best, and giving yourself too much credit at worst.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Fair enough. I suppose no one has said I’m perfect… I just… I can see the hope and the expectation in their eyes. The refugees, the servants, random people on the street… even my guards. Everyone is looking at me as though I’m the solution to this war, the ruined secrecy pact… but I’m the same person I was yesterday. I don’t have the answers to these problems.” Seeming to sense there’s more, Henry stays silent, and I catch a rogue tear slipping from the corner of my eye. “I’m terrified that I’m going to fail them all, Henry.”

overwhelming, but it’s also your strength. Duty to your people, the desire to do right by them will keep you centered, it’s what

my mate struggles with the incredible weight of caring for all those in his territory, of living up to his

Alpha’s and Lunas have some idea what they’re doing.” I argue weakly. “They know this world, they’ve learned and prepared their whole lives from watching their predecessors. They know

you some advice that will help you as both parent and pack leader. There are countless days ahead where you will feel uncertain, where you’re overwhelmed and exhausted and all you can do is pray that you’re

protectively and wishing I could keep my son in the safe haven of

think about everything at once, the weight will crush you. Just take it

forward to hug him. “That isn’t even what I came

mother, I’m sorry

a watery smile. “I have a family for the first time in my life – and I don’t mean the one who gave me up.” I clarify, wiping my eyes. “I’m so grateful to you all. I admit, it’s been one hell of a learning curve to figure out how to talk about my feelings, but I have to

and throwing away the key. “So what did you want to talk to

this conversation for another day. We’ve ended on such a lovely note, and I’m not eager to mess it all up. Still, when I glance up at Henry he’s giving me an expectant look like he knows exactly what I’m thinking and won’t let me get away with it. Not for the first time, I see where my mate gets his bossiness.

“It must have been quite a shock… Are you disappointed, that you won’t

not the only one who has tears in my eyes. “But I’m horrified to think that my – that Xavier might have ripped your family apart.” I confess, my tears returning. “That he stole your mate – Dominic and Roger’s mother. I don’t want to belong

you a lesson most of us don’t learn until much later in life: the family you choose can be a

define who you are – you have more power to decide that than most.” He continues, turning my chin up to look into my face. “I knew your parents fairly well, and I can tell you right now

shakily, not sure whether I truly

the kindest women I’ve ever met.” Henry shares. “She was unlucky in her fated mate, but like you, she loved her pack, and she dreamed of children. It can’t have been easy