Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate by Caroline Above Story

#Chapter 430- Plans in Motion

Ella

“So you two,” Cora says, flicking her gaze between Roger and Sinclair, ” you’re all right now? After fifteen minutes, it’s all cleared up?”

Sinclair shrugs. “We kept it pretty cut and dry. He’s on probation.”

“No, I’m not,” Roger murmurs, dismissive, shaking his head to Cora.

“He is,” Sinclair growls. Roger just leans down, pretending to whisper in Cora’s ear but speaking loud enough for all of us to hear, “probation doesn’t mean anything. But it made him happy to slap a word on the lack of consequences.”

Cora laughs, her face turned up to her mate, and I bite my lip to stifle my own giggle, wanting to be loyal to Sinclair, who just sighs behind me.

“Either way,” Sinclair says, moving on. “Congratulations, Cora,” he says, his focus on her now and his voice sincere. “I’m very happy for you – for both of you. It’s a big event.”

“Thank you, Dominic,” Cora says, smiling at him softly and turning her head to the side, clearly touched. I beam at my sister as well. It’s not that I’ve let her off the hook for keeping the baby name a secret when I want to know so terribly badly – but? Well. I’ll bug her about it later.

“We are sorry though,” Cora says, reaching up to take Roger’s hand. “I know that…the wedding meant a lot to you, and that it was going to do good things for the nation. But…” she bites her lip, hesitating, and I can tell that she feels selfish. I open my mouth to protest against this but she continues before I can start. “But – I needed it to be like this, to be personal. I hope that you’ll forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Cora,” Sinclair murmurs, smiling at her warmly. “I completely understand you’ve done nothing wrong.”

And quite suddenly, something comes to me. “Cora,” I say, turning my head to the side and leaning forward. “Does.. anyone else know? About your mark, or your little personal ceremony, besides us four?”

She frowns at me, confused. “Well, no,” she says quietly. “I mean, neither of us really have social media or anything -”

makes me laugh. They don’t

smile breaking out on my face. “Would you

“What?” Cora asks, confused.

my smile growing – because this could work! “Why not just have the wedding/ mating ceremony publicly,

little inspired by the idea. But then she realizes that

could get makeup artists to cover it up,” I suggest with a little shrug. ” I’m sure they can do it – they do

gives her a simple shrug, clearly communicating that it’s her choice. And then she grins, turning back to me. “Really?” she says, “You think it would work? And

want to send to both our people and some of our honored guests: that humans are equals in

face. “No, I want to do it – I think…it will be

side this time,” Roger murmurs, drawing a finger down the opposite side

” Enough of you,” she murmurs, though I know she doesn’t mean it. Cora hasn’t had nearly enough of Roger, and I doubt she ever will. I hug my baby close and grin at both of them, so incredibly

throw them a

the baby and begin to make my plans. He scolds me for it every morning, telling me I need my sleep or that I should wake him up to help but every morning

to sleep an extra hour while I take care of things. He

of the cold, brooding, discerning business man I met at the beginning of all of this. In some ways I lost track

see flashes of him come back. And it’s not that he’s lost the sides of him that he’s shown to

if at all possible, I love him even more than I ever

few days ago, and no one contested it. Now all that’s left is for the governors to ratify the claim, and the packs to demonstrate their support by paying fealty at the coronation. It’s all gone smoothly, as Sinclair

excited about the delegation from Vanara including King Gabriel – but I’m also very curious to meet

about predictably is that the Atalaxians have indeed signaled

best to spend a little time every day with Sarah and Jessica, usually in the evenings, bringing Rafe with me to chat and play. They’re thriving now, and I

in Atalaxia, and that they’re sending a delegation. It’s not that I’m keeping it from them – if they asked, I’d tell them in a minute, of course. But they’re safe here, and moving forward, and I don’t want Sarah to have to worry

putting it off, and she keeps not asking so…we’re at a happy

with my belly pressed to his, a little sweaty and still catching my breath after our

murmurs, tracing a lazy hand down my back. “I do my best work,

his chest, looking up at him. “If you wanted to keep me from asking complicated questions, Dominic, you shouldn’t have gone and become King, making me a Queen. Should have just stayed a businessman and lived in our old house, kept me locked away in the bedroom as your happy little mate

me, trouble,” he murmurs, and I bite my lip as I feel warmth pool at my core, again. “But you’re right,” he sighs, using his grip on me to pull me upwards so