Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate by Caroline Above Story

#Chapter 420 – Thanks, but No Thanks

Ella

I’m quite tired when evening approaches in the refugee camp and Cora comes to my side, placing a hand on my back and telling me that we should probably head home. I sigh, looking around, knowing that I can do more but…

“I get it, Ells,” she says, looking around with me. “But there’s only so much we can do. And you’re a queen and a mom as much as a healer now. You’ve got to find a balance.”

“Is it normal to feel guilty?” I ask my sister, who has been working to heal people for much longer than I have. ” When you prioritize yourself, and other things, even though you know you can help people who are suffering?”

“It is,” Cora says with a little sigh. ”

But you, my big-hearted sister, probably feel it more keenly than most.

“Yeah,” I say, glancing over at Hank. ” He, for instance, compartmentalizes well.”

“Don’t count Hank out,” she says softly, shaking her head. “He’s got a big heart too. Maybe just…hides it better.”

I turn my head a little, considering him, considering her point. And then my heart aches for him again as I think of how disappointed he was when Cora left him for her mate – because as much as he loved her, we know now that he never stood a chance. Cora and Roger were written in the stars.

But is there someone out there for Hank too?

I hope, quite desperately, that there is. He’s so good, and he deserves that, like the rest of us.

“Ready, Luna?” Conner asks, coming over and bringing my baby with him, who reaches for me with his little grasping hands.

“Sure am!” I say, taking my baby and cuddling him close. Cora laughs and leans in as well, fussing over Rafe and I can see thinking about her own little baby, who will be here so much sooner than she realizes. Together, we start to walk out of the tent, but as I turn I hear a little voice calling me back.

“Hey, wolf lady!” a little boy calls, and I turn and laugh to see little Benny running for me.

and wrapping him in a hug as

smile as he adjusts a set of

so Benny can see him better. “What do you think

he’s fat,” Benny murmurs, reaching out a hand to poke Rafe’s belly. I burst out laughing at this, honestly charmed. “He’s not fat, he’s a baby! They’re

fastened on Rafe. ” This one’s gonna be real

Cora crouches down next to us.

eyes at her.

her eyebrows going up. “Does my reputation

that means,” Benny replies, blinking at her and making me laugh again, “but she

giving a little shrug. “But I’m going to have a baby soon,” she says, her

his own eyebrows going up now. Then he takes a moment to think before speaking again. “Does that

little with the force of it so that Cora has to

says, grinning at Benny, as delighted as I am. “I guess we’ll just have to see, won’t

out of bed – Dr. Hank said two more days of bed rest before you’re cleared to go to the children’s

Benny says, crossing his arms and frowning up at Isabel. The sincere disbelief and frustration in this kid set me off laughing again and Benny turns to grin at me. He takes Isabel’s hand, though. ” I don’t feel

laughter dies a little as he mentions his mother again, but I do my best

know, kid,” Isabel says, grinning down at him and giving me a wink. ” Maybe we’ll have Dr. Hank come and look at you again, see if you can’t go

consents to be led back to bed,

up with Cora, sighing and

in surprise to see a big grin on her face as she watches the little boy get tucked back

“Really?” I ask.

says, turning to me with a smile. “So full of life, ready to question everything even though the world has delt him a tough

to let my sincere pleasure show on my face at the compliment. Because even if Cora meant it as a compliment for Benny…well, he’s just so da mn cute, and vivid, and determined that I can’t help but be

an arm around my shoulder and turning Rafe

“What!?” I protest, confused.