Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 101

Ella

Once it became clear that Lydia wasn’t going to be the solution to our problems, I decided it was time to call in some backup. I trust Sinclair to take finding a new Luna seriously, but I also know he doesn’t have the time. Between running the pack, the campaign, and taking care of me, there’s no room in his life to go out hunting for a mate. I, on the other hand, have nothing but time. Bed rest sounds like a nice, relaxing time, but all it really means is that the world is falling apart around me and I’m not allowed to do anything but lie around and get fat.

So I invite Roger and Henry over for a visit, with two main objectives in mind. First, it’s long past time that I come clean to Sinclair’s father about my true identity. Second, if anyone can be trusted to help me wingwoman the father of my child, it’s his father and his brother.

I persuade one of my faithful guards to carry me downstairs just before lunchtime, settling in the main sitting room in anticipation of my visitors. Roger and Henry arrive shortly afterwards, walking – or in Henry’s case, wheeling – in with wide smiles on their faces. I start to get up, but they both immediately protest. “No, don’t move, we’ll come to you.” Roger promises.

“Poor darling,” Henry commiserates beside him, “we ought to get you some wheels so you can be mobile even on bed rest.”

I hug them both, laughing at Henry’s suggestion. “I’d like that, but somehow I think your son would think it’s too much excitement.”

“You may have a point there.” The older man concedes with a knowing look, “I do lead a very exciting life – rolling around an empty house all day, just waiting for my friends to retire so I can have a social life outside of evening poker games.”

“Henry!” I exclaim, sitting up in excitement. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before – if we’re both stuck at home all day, we might as well spend the time together! I need company, you need company, and Sinclair would probably love the idea of me having another babysitter – the bossy bastard.”

Roger laughs, and Henry is smiling, but it’s a hesitant look, as if he doesn’t want to get his hopes up. “Oh now, I’m sure you don’t want to spend all day long with an old man.”

“Henry, I would love to spend more time with you – I mean, full disclosure: I’m so bored and restless that I’d probably take the company of a serial killer about now, but you are a much more preferable alternative.” I declare wryly.

They both chuckle, “You hear that dad? You beat out the homicidal maniacs!” Roger congratulates him.

Henry is looking less uncertain now, and his smile is verging on a beam. “Really?”

“Of course!” I insist, only hesitating when I remember the reason I’ve asked him over today. “That is… assuming you want to spend time with me.”

“Ella, of course I want to! How could you think I wouldn’t want to get to know my new daughter better? Don’t you know fathers exist to spoil their pups and grandpups?” Henry offers gamely. The smile slips from my face at his words, and suddenly I’m fighting back tears. Henry looks confused for a moment, before a guilty expression identical to the one Sinclair sometimes dons takes over his features. “Oh Ella, I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

“No, it’s not that.” I sniffle, knowing he assumes I’m hurt because I’m an orphan and don’t have any experience with fathers. “It’s just that… no one’s ever wanted to claim me as their child before, and you just did it like it was the most natural thing in the world.”

“Ella that’s a good thing.” Roger offers gently, reaching out to squeeze my hand.

“No,” I argue, shaking my head and burying my face in my hands. “I don’t deserve your kindness. I’ve been lying to you, we both have.”

Henry wheels forward, resting his palm on my shoulder. “Oh now, come on dearheart, I’m sure it’s not all that bad.”

“But it is! He knows!” I exclaim, gesturing to Roger and crying, “I’m a fraud!”

Roger’s eyes widen with alarm, clearly baffled by my sudden outburst of emotion, and completely out of his depth. Henry, on the other hand, rolls his eyes at his son and wraps his arms around me, encouraging me to lean my head on his shoulder. I surrender, leaning into him and letting his shirt collar soak up my hopeless tears.

“There now,” Henry murmurs, patting my hair, “why don’t you tell me what all this is about.”