Accidental Surrogate, Chapter 363

"What?" I asked, laughing lightly. "What are you talking about?"

Roger shrugged. "Go see your mom," he said. "Like we did with Ella in the desert. Honestly, I thought your mom was kind of rude to focus only on Ella and pretend you weren't there."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Roger, you can't call a goddess rude. We were on a mission, and Ella went to speak with her mother. I didn't know—and I wasn't ready. She's a goddess; you have to assume she acts on her own time, for her own reasons."

"I don't know why you're being so nice about it," Roger grumbled, perturbed. "If I were you, I'd be mad."

"Yes, baby," I murmured, "but you're always mad." He chuckled, but I continued. "It's hard to explain," I said quietly. "But when I held the gift—when I gave it to the world… Roger, I felt her love for me then. It was strong and real. She doesn't love Ella more than she loves me. She's just waiting for me to be ready."

"Well?" he asked, nudging me with his nose. "Are you ready?"

I laughed, still thinking he wasn't serious.

"Really, Cora," Roger urged, pulling back slightly. "I think we should go. We have so many questions—about you, the baby, your mother, and her plans. Why not? When things calm down, let's make a pilgrimage to one of your mother's temples, like we did to find Reina. Let's go… have a chat."

My laughter died as I considered it.

"Plus," he added, tracing a finger along my neck, "we can ask what will happen if I give you my mark. Because my damn wolf won't shut up about it."

"What does he say?" I asked, amused.

"He says, 'Bite her! Now!'" Roger murmured, frustrated. I laughed harder; it must be difficult having a wolf constantly interrupting your thoughts.

"And he says it at the worst times," Roger continued. "Like during dinner—as if I'm going to jump across the table and grab you. Or when you're walking down the hall, and I glance at your—"

"When I'm asleep!?" I gasped, laughing. "Roger, don't bite me in my sleep!"

"I won't," he growled, shaking his head. "But it's seriously annoying—he wants you to have it." His voice softened. "I want you to have it, Cora. I want the baby to feel it too."

"I want it," I sighed, stroking his face. "I do." I nodded, my hand going to my stomach. "All right," I whispered. "We'll do it. When things are back to normal, we'll go see my mom."

"Really give her the third degree," Roger murmured, smirking. "Ask her what's going on with the mark, this crazy hybrid baby, and why those priests followed you and Ella your whole lives."

"Okay, let's not go that far," I laughed. "Honestly, Roger, only you would think of 'giving the third degree' to a goddess."

"Anyone who messes with my mate," he growled, playfully territorial, "has to go through me."

"Okay, puppy," I murmured, patting his head. "Calm down."

Roger snatched his hand away. "Call me puppy again," he warned, looming over me, "and I'll give you the third degree, little mate."

"Awwww," I cooed mockingly. "Lil' puppy mad? Don't like his new name?"

Roger growled, snapping his teeth playfully, then kissed me fiercely, determined to teach me a lesson.

Ella

After Sinclair and I spent a couple of hours alone with Rafe, we parted ways. He went to prepare his troops, and I returned to the medical room to continue healing. On my way, carrying Rafe's carrier, I saw Cora in the kitchen making tea. That's exactly what I wanted.

"Hey," I said, entering the room and placing Rafe's carrier on the counter. "Can you make me a cup, too?"

"Sure, sis," Cora said, smiling. Sensing something, I leaned closer, sniffing the air.

"Ohhhh," I said, grinning. "Someone had a nice afternoon with their mate."

Cora snapped her head up, shocked, then burst out laughing, playfully pushing me. "Ew, Ella! If you can smell that, please pretend you don't."

"Why?" I asked, leaning on the counter and rocking Rafe's carrier to lull him to sleep. "I'm glad you and Roger are connecting. I'm not embarrassed."

"Well," she sighed, smiling, "please remember your sister is human, not as crass as you wolf folk."

"You mean more of a prude," I said, laughing. She laughed, shaking her head as she poured boiling water into two mugs, added tea bags, and turned to me.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, looking me over. "Nervous about tonight?"

"Obviously," I murmured. Then, ensuring we were alone, I stepped closer. "Honestly, Cora, I was thinking of going along—"

"What?!" she gasped.

"I could do it!" I said, grabbing her hand. "I could sneak into a trunk as they leave! I'd be useful—I could heal them! I could save lives—"

"Don't be ridiculous, Ella," Cora scoffed, pulling her hand away. "Sinclair would kill you, and even if he didn't, someone else would! You'd ruin it; he'd never let you stay—he'd turn the car around!"

"He wouldn't!" I protested. "He wouldn't give up the element of surprise!"

"Really, Ella?" Cora said, leaning against the counter. "That's your plan? To make your mate choose between your safety and the element of surprise?"

I scowled, realizing she was right. I was putting him in a horrible position. I sighed, giving up the plan. "I just hate feeling helpless," I said, looking down. "Especially since I could be such a big help."

"I get it, Ellie," Cora said, hugging me. "That's why I wanted to go last time—for the same reasons."

We looked at each other, and I was selfishly pleased that my sister and Roger had found each other. We each had someone who truly understood. No one else understood the pain of sending your mate on a potentially deadly mission.

But what was the alternative? I felt continually backed into a corner. Each day forced me closer to choosing between the two people I loved most.

Who do you choose to survive? the universe seemed to ask. Your mate or your child?