Ch. 301..310

Chapter 301

The morning of the moon ceremony finds me, unsurprisingly, in the kitchen. Eating.

Rafe is with me this time, giggling happily as I dance happily around the room with him, singing about how delicious carrots are as I pour some baby carrots out from their bag onto a plate and begin to munch on them..

–

I’m just getting to the part of the song – which I’m making up as I go along about how they’re good for your vision and help you make friends with rabbits when I hear an odd, familiar sound out in the hall.

I gasp, spinning towards the door as the mechanical hum grows louder, and I’m nearly run over when Henry wheels into the room.

“Henry!” I gasp, tears instantly lining my eyes, stumbling in my hurry to hug him close, almost falling into his lap.

“Steady, girl!” Henry laughs, putting out his hands to catch me and help me find my feet, laughing a little. He beams up at me and I’m laughing too, shaking my head at myself as I lean down to give him a proper hug and then a kiss on both cheeks.

“We missed you so much!” I gush, my heart in my throat as I pull away. “I’m so glad you’re home and in time! A miracle!”

“Certainly took some doing,” he says, raising his eyebrows at me. “I rode in a cargo plane to get here – this little man had better impress.” He shifts his gaze, then, to the baby in my arms.

“Oh!” I say, standing up straight and remembering my manners. “Henry, may I please have the pleasure of introducing you to your grandchild?”

“Nothing would give me more joy,” he replies, his own eyes wet now.

I lean down to place Rafe in his grandfather’s arms for the first time, trying hard no to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment. “This is Rafe Henry Sinclair,” I say quietly, watching his face.

“Rafe Henry,” Henry says, looking up at me, touched, and then down at the baby. “He’s a beauty, Ella. Wonderful.” He shakes his head, staring at my son. Though I’m overwhelmed by the moment, part of me reflects that I’m glad Henry met Rafe while the baby is in a good mood. He still spends most of his time crying.

I hear footsteps on the stairs and look towards the door, smiling when I see Sinclair hurry through

1. it.

“Dad!” he booms, a huge smile on his face. I step back as Henry turns his chair, raising one arm towards his son, the baby still held in the other. Sinclair bends down low to give his father a long, warm hug and I bite my lip to see it. Sinclair never admitted it, but he worried about his father, and missed him. He’s glad, I know, to have him back home, nearby.

The two release each other and the kitchen is filled with happy noise for the next few minutes as we all buzz around each other, trying to do nice things for each other and make sure everyone’s

comfortable. I laugh after a minute, raising my hands and calling for silence.

“Okay!” I declare. “You two “I say, pointing between Henry and Sinclair, “go into the living room, take the baby, and relax. I’ll bring in coffee in a moment. Then we’ll catch up. All right?”

The two of them nod and comply, heading out of the room. A few minutes later I follow them carrying a silver tray heaped with coffee and food. My stomach rumbles as I look down at it all and I roll my eyes at myself. How can I still be hungry?

“He really is wonderful, Ella,” Henry says fondly, looking down at his grandchild when I enter the

room.

“Yes, I’m easily persuaded of that,” I say casually, putting the tray down on the coffee table and sitting close next to Sinclair. “Would you like me to take him?”

“No,” Henry says quickly, looking up at me. “I mean if it’s all the same to you, I’ll hold him a little longer.”

I nod eagerly, touched deeply to see the bond forming between them already.

“He looks like you,” Henry says, smiling at my mate. “You, too, were a little bowling ball when you were born. With the same shock of black hair.”

I bite my lip, pleased to hear these sorts of details that Sinclair wouldn’t know. “Do you have pictures?” I ask, curious. Henry nods eagerly and promises to show them to me next time I’m over. We spend a pleasant half hour catching up, with Henry telling us all about the harrows of his travel back to us, how much he wanted to get here in time for the ceremony. He also catches us up on the lives of our friends who we unfortunately had to left behind, and surprises us by telling us that Isabel, James, and Sadie came along with him so that they, too, could attend.

“Really?” I gasp, excited.

“Oh no,” Henry says, looking between us. “It wasn’t a secret, was it?”

“Only until we knew for sure,” Sinclair says, smiling at me. “I didn’t want you to be disappointed if they couldn’t make it.”

“It’s wonderful,” I say, my eyes filling with tears again at the thought of seeing my friends. “Thank you.”

Sinclair murmurs “of course” and kisses my hair, but I also see him glance at the door. He’s torn, I know, between wanting to spend time with his dad and the duties I know are pressing on him to finish up before the ceremony tonight.

“Go,” I say, giving him a nudge and a smile. “We’re perfectly all right here on our own.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, glancing at me first and then his father.

“Go!” His father says, waving his hand at his son. Then he smiles and pats the arm chair next to him. “You come sit by me, Ella.”

Grinning, I do as he says as Sinclair heads out of the room, a mix of regret and relief on his face. He wants to be here, I know but…well, heavy is the crown.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I say, smiling widely at Henry.

“Well, it’s a very important event,” Henry says seriously, nodding to me. “I know that you didn’t

have a dedication, and that you haven’t been to one, but they are…they’re quite special, Ella. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Good,” I murmur, smiling down at my son. “I want everyone here who loves him.”

“It feels like yesterday that Dominic and Roger were dedicated,” Henry muses, likewise looking at my boy and shaking his head. “I can’t believe it’s already time for a new generation.”

“Do you remember it well?” I ask, hoping that he’ll tell me more about it.

“Oh yes,” Henry says, his eyes raised. “As well as the experience of being a godfather myself.”

“Godfather,” I consider, turning my head to the side. “Why not Goddessfather?”

He laughs a little, shrugging. “Who knows, Ella. Simplicity or misogyny, take your pick.” I laugh with him, letting the question pass. He’s right – it doesn’t matter.

“So, you’re a godfather as well?” I prompt.

Henry nods sagely. “Yes. It’s very special – very intimate. When you’re in the forest alone with the child you are…” he pauses, considering how to phrase it. “You’re treated to some insights into the child’s spirit, their future. It’s quite unique. In exchange for the dedication, the goddess gives a… prophecy of sorts.”

My eyes go wide and I look down at my little boy, fascinated. “Really?” I breathe. “We get to learn about Rafe’s future tonight?”

Chapter 302

“Well,” Henry answers, hesitating. “Cora and Roger will see the prophecy.”

My face falls a little when I realize the implications of this. “Really? Unfair,” I declare, pouting.

Henry laughs a little along with me. “It will bring them closer to him, give them a bond.”

“Well,” I sigh, “I want them to have that. What sort of things do you learn, though? Do you share them with the parents?”

“If you choose,” Henry shrugs. “I always did. And Sinclair and Roger’s godparents shared with me, for which I was grateful.”

“What did they tell you?” I ask, curious.

“That Sinclair would be a great leader of men,” Henry says, looking down at the baby again, clearly remembering his baby who looked so like this one. “That was no surprise. But Roger, that was…”

I pause, curious, suddenly fascinated. “What did they say?”

He hesitates and then meets my eye. “I never even told Roger about it. But they told me that his destiny laid less with who he was, and more with the children he would sire. The many children, who would be…” he looks away a bit, trying to sort his thoughts, “it was hard to understand. But something about a set of extraordinary children who would bring much joy to the world.”

My stomach drops at this, though I work hard to keep it off my face.

I guess Cora was right.

Being a father is important to Roger – his destiny, even. And if Cora can’t give him children… Henry meets, my eyes, perhaps understanding the direction of my thoughts. He takes my hand,

“The goddess gives us many mysteries, Ella,” he says quietly. “Don’t think too hard on her messages they often present themselves in the most surprising ways.”

–

“You’re right,” I say, giving him a little smile, fighting against my own disappointment. I sit up straighter in my chair, smiling down at my baby, who’s staring up at me with his wide eyes, which are just starting to turn green. “Besides, today is about this little one. And his future.”

“Precisely right,” Henry says, peeking over at him again. “And his future is very, very bright. This I know for sure.”

Our house is filled with people later that evening, and my heart is full to bursting to see all of them – especially Isabel, James, and Sadie, who I think I hugged for a solid fifteen minutes when they arrived.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to catch up with them as much as I wanted to, as I have to greet all of our guests and introduce Rafe around to his new friends and family. But still, Isabel and I make plans to have a good long talk later this week before Cora comes to stand with her, giving me a wink to let me know that she has our visitors in good hands.

I’m almost breathless with excitement and stress as the time approaches. Anxious, I straighten the top of my glittering silver gown, which I picked expressly for the occasion. It’s perhaps too much for a trip to the woods, but we’ll be having champagne later – and then everyone coming back to the house to celebrate all evening – so it seemed right that we be formal tonight

But was it right? God, I don’t know. I’ve never held a midnight baptism before.

“Calmly,” Sinclair says, coming up behind me, looking gorgeous in his tuxedo. He rests two reassuring hands on my shoulders. “Everything is in order, Ella – you don’t need to micromanage everything. It’s all going smoothly.”

I laugh and shake my head, grateful that my mate can read my mind in more ways than one. “I just want everything to go smoothly, and everyone to have a nice time, and to make sure that everyone gets enough time with Rafe –”

“Not necessary,” he whispers in my ear, and I can feel him smiling as he does it. “You don’t need to be everything to everyone, trouble. They’re here to help you. You could have come down in pajamas ten minutes before the ceremony, with baby vomit streaked down your shirt, and no one would have cared.”

“I would have cared,” I say, turning on him with wide eyes. “Ew!”

He laughs, drawing me in for a quick kiss. “What I mean, Ella, is that you should just calm down and enjoy the night. It’s for us, as much as for him. The guests are just happy to be along for the fide.”

“You’re right,” I murmur, smiling against his lips and then looking down at my happy baby in my arms. “I need to…live in the moment.”

“Right,” he says, putting an arm around my shoulders and moving towards the door. “It’s good that you figured that out now, because it’s time to go.”

“Oh!” I say, surprised, looking around at everyone who is likewise streaming towards the entrance, towards the two vans waiting to take us all out in the woods. “Oh, Dominic!” I say, spinning in his arms and looking towards the kitchen. “Did we remember the champagne – and all the glasses –”

“Packed, Ella,” he says, looking down at me with a stern little smile. “Stop. Turn. Enjoy.”

I take a deep breath and look up at him with wide eyes, making him laugh. “I’ll try. I really will.”

He nods and bends down a little to grab Rafe’s car seat, waiting by the door. “You try, I’ll be here to help. We’ve got this, little mate.”

I grin, standing on my tiptoes and turning my face up for another kiss, happy when my mate obliges. “Thank you, Dominic,” I whisper, and then we’re out the door,

Off to the woods.

We arrive about forty minutes later and I’m thrilled to see that our guests are having a good time and that the baby is, miraculously, sleeping soundly in his car seat. I bite my lip, hoping he wakes up for the actual dedication part, though…

Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter if he’s awake or not. Cora and Roger have to do all the work, Rafe just has to…be there.

“Ready?” Cora says, leaning across the aisle of the van and smiling at me.

“Are you?” I ask, raising my eyebrows at her. She nods eagerly. I lean closer, lowering my voice further, though I know it’s more of a gesture than an effective way to pass a secret in this van full of wolves with enhanced hearing. “And are you two…” I glance furtively at Rodger.

Cora gives me a happy little nod. “We’re all good, Ella,” she says, smiling. I narrow my eyes and wonder if she’s lying for my sake. My sister reads my mind, though, and laughs at me. “Seriously!” she says eagerly. “All good. We’re here for Rafe, anyway.”

“Okay,” I say, my eyes still narrowed at her as I stand up and begin to unbuckle Rafe from his chair and lift him into my arms. Then, as a group, we all disembark from the vans. A special lift lowers Henry to the ground and, when he gives me a thumbs–up to let me know he’s ready, we all spill out into the woods, preparing ourselves to dedicate my son to the Goddess.

 

Chapter 303

As a group, we head together into the darkness of the forest.

“Did we have to go somewhere so creepy for this?” I ask Sinclair, looking warily around the woods. Usually my wolf thrills to be under the canopy of the trees, but today, I can feel her wary inside me.

“It’s a sacred space,” Sinclair explains, smiling down at me, placing one hand on my back to ensure that I don’t trip over any errant roots. “Are you feeling it too? The magic in the air?”

“How could I miss it,” I murmur, looking around. “This place is… thick with it.”

–

It’s true – I can’t see anything in the air around us, but I’m certainly aware that this place is sacred. Either because it was always a special place, or made special due to the repeated process of bringing children here with the intent of dedication, this patch of forest is unique. Even the trees around us are just a little different – their trunks darker, thicker. The way that the branches twine up towards the sky is more elegantly twisted than I’ve seen elsewhere.

Overall it’s not a bad feeling just…different.

I glance over my shoulder at Cora, who I can see is uncomfortable. She’s the only human in the party today and, even though she doesn’t have a wolf who can sense the magic like mine can, I can tell that she, too, senses the difference of this place. I give her a warm smile which she returns, coming closer to my side.

“This place is weird,” she says softly, rubbing her hands up and down her arms as if she’s cold. “Scared,” I correct. “But yeah, sacred and weird.”

We take a little path deeper into the woods, worn flat enough by the passing of thousands of feet over the years that Henry’s chair has no trouble passing down it. When we lose sight of the vans behind us, so deep in the forest that the trees obscure our sight of the road, I see a figure ahead, dressed in silver robes.

“Welcome,” she calls to us, and I recognize the voice of the priestess who we met in the temple. We murmur our greetings when we come close and she bends down to smile at Rafe, who is still asleep in my arms.

“Are you ready?” The priestess asks me, and I feel a little twist in my stomach. Actually, I’m not ready – not at all. I haven’t been parted from Rafe since that day in the hospital where he slept in the nursery for a few hours. Since then, I haven’t been further than one room away from him, and even that I kept as short as possible. And now I was going to hand him over to his godparents to take him into the woods alone at night?

All of my motherly instincts scream at me to take my baby home and curl up warm and safe in bed, but the priestess gives me a warm smile, perhaps reading my mind. My wolf gives me a little nudge with her nose too, letting me know that it’s all right.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I sigh, still anxious. I feel Sinclair’s hand press more firmly against my spine, supporting me.

“The child?” she asks, putting out her hands in a request for me to hand him over to her. Sighing, I do, and then I wrap my arms around Sinclair’s waist, resting my head against his chest. I know that Cora and Roger will take good care of Rafe but…until I have my baby back, I’m going to need to keep Sinclair close.

The priestess coos to the baby, who starts to fuss in her arms, and then nods to Cora and Roger, who each take a step forward. She holds the baby carefully against her as she begins the

ceremony in front of our gathered group of family and friends.

“Who presents this child for dedication?” she calls out, her voice steady and resonant.

“We do,” Sinclair responds, his voice resonant and strong. “His mother and I.”

The priestess nods deeply to us, part of the ritual, recognizing our intent. Then, she continues. ” And who will carry this boy to meet the Goddess?”

”

“We will,” Roger responds, taking a few steps to stand next to Cora and surprising me by taking her hand. I look up at Sinclair, wondering if that’s part of the ceremony or just Roger being Roger, but my mate’s face gives nothing away. I turn to Cora, then, who looks just as surprised as me. The priestess nods to Roger and Cora in turn and then crosses to them, placing my baby in my sister’s arms. “Take him,” she says, waving a hand behind her into the forest. “Forward, to the pool. Let him bask in the light of the full moon so that he may know his Goddess. In return, she may give you insight into his future life. Take it for the gift that it is.”

“We will,” Roger replies, steady. Cora nods as well, less sure about what to say but certainly determined to do right by her nephew.

The priestess nods again and steps aside so that Cora and Roger can pass.

Then, together, my sister and Sinclair’s brother carry Rafe into the forest. I watch them until they are swallowed by darkness, my heart in my throat. And then, when I can’t see them anymore, I hold my breath and wait.

Cora

“You’d think,” I mutter, frustrated as I trip again over another root, “that they’d spend a little more time clearing the path to this pool, if people come out here every month to dedicate their children.”

“Here, give Rafe to me,” Roger replies, wanting to be helpful but irritated, a little, by my slow pace. If you fall you’ll crush him –”

“No!” I retort, glaring at him a little in the dark. “The priestess gave the baby to me, she wants me to carry him.”

“I’m sure that’s not what she meant, Cora,” Roger replies, his voice a little crabby. “And she’s not going to be happy if you give her back a flat pancake baby because you tripped

”

“Oh shut up,” I say under my breath, hastening my pace in my eagerness to get this over with. There’s no one I’d like to be alone in the woods with right now less than Roger Sinclair. But, I almost immediately trip over another root, stumbling in the darkness. Roger catches me in time, before I can indeed fall flat and crush the baby, grabbing me by the shoulders and steadying me.

”

“All right?” he asks.

“Fine,” I bite out, embarrassed and determined to get this done. I shoot him another little glare, but he just laughs at me and takes his hands away, putting them up like a criminal caught at gunpoint.

“Sorry,” he says. “Next time I’ll let you fall.”

“Just… take the baby, okay?” I sigh, handing Rafe to Roger, who holds him awkwardly. It’s my time to laugh a little now, derisive to see him holding the child like a football.

He shoots me a little glare of his own in response. “I don’t…hold a lot of kids…” he murmurs, adjusting the fussing Rafe to try to make him more comfortable.

“Clearly,” I reply, crossing my arm’s and smirking at him.

“Let’s just go,” Roger sighs, starting off again into the woods.

I’m grateful, a few moments later, when I start to see the edges of a silver pool off in the distance.” Great,” I say, half to myself. “There’s the pool – now let’s go dedicate this kid and get this over with.”

“Agreed,” Roger replies, nodding and heading off ahead of me at a brisk pace.

“Hey!” I call after him, frustrated as he outstrips me. “Wait up!”

 

Chapter 304

I’m a little out of breath when I finally catch up with Roger and Rafe, having had to work hard to keep up with his long wolf stride.

“Rude,” I say when I finally come to a stop next to them. “You couldn’t have waited for me?”

“I’m being rude?” Roger says, raising his eyebrows at me in disbelief. “Cora, you’ve been nothing but unpleasant since the moment we stepped into the forest –”

–

I open my mouth with a little squeak of protest but Roger just rolls his eyes and ignores me, going on anyway. “This is supposed to be a sacred experience for Rafe and for us and you’ve done nothing but moan and complain. So yeah, forgive me if I wanted to get away for a moment and concentrate on the magic of this place

“Oh whatever,” I mumble, reaching out my arms so that he can hand me the baby.

“No

from you

way,” Roger retorts, holding the baby closer to his chest and turning a little away from me. “You don’t get to hold the baby now that we’re at the pool

“Yes I do!” I cry, “the priestess gave him to me!”

“I’m his godparent just as much as you are

—

“(

But suddenly, there’s a flare in the light from the pool, and Roger and I turn to it, surprised, both of our mouths falling open. I don’t know how I know it but…well, somehow, I get the sense that the pool – or whatever magic is in it – is irritated with us.

“Sorry,” I murmur to the pool, taking a step closer, a little embarrassed. Honestly, it never occurred to me that my behavior with Roger right now was being…watched.

Roger murmurs his own apology, coming closer to the edge. We look at each other, then, united anew at being…well, a little freaked out, suddenly. We’re both very aware that there’s magic in the world, but sometimes when you’re confronted with it so blatantly it can be weird.

I take a deep breath, then, nodding to him, and start to say that words that the priestess taught us as part of the ceremony.

“Goddess,” I begin, letting my voice ring out across the smooth surface of the silver pool. “We bring to you, tonight, this child, so that he may begin to know you.”

“We wish to show him your light, and in doing so, let you see him and bring him into the spirit of your grace,” Roger continues, his own resonant voice sending shivers down my spine. The light coming off the pool brightens – slower this time, though, as if she’s listening.

I glance upwards through the trees and am treated by the sight of the full moon itself, beaming brilliantly down on us from above. Hey, mom, I say quietly in my mind, my heartrate

suddenly increasing and my stomach twisting with the emotion of the moment. Because she is here, now, with us – ready to meet her grandchild. I can feel it.

Even Rafe begins to open his little eyes and look around. I know that he can’t really see anything – his vision hasn’t developed well enough yet – but he’s certainly curious. I put my hands out for him and this time Roger does hand him to me, letting me take the baby and unwrap his swaddling blanket. Then, when he’s free of it, Roger and I slowly walk as close as we can to the edge of the pool and hold the baby out over it.

The moonlight streams down onto the baby, growing brighter as the moments pass. My heart fills to see Rafe looking up into the sky, to see the light surrounding him as it falls from the moon above and reflects upwards from the mirrored surface of the pool.

“He is called Rafe Sinclair,” Roger says softly, reverent. “His parents, Ella and Dominic, have asked us to bring him here to dedicate him to you. We do so in their name.”

I smile as I look at the baby, and at Roger, and at the moonlight. It’s a beautiful moment, introducing the child to the world and to all the magic within it. I open my mouth to say something, to tell Roger that I’m sorry, and that I’m glad I’m here with him to do this, when suddenly I can see something in the moonlight.

I gasp, suddenly afraid, but Roger brings a quick hand to my waist, steadying me.

“Don’t pull the baby back,” he says, peering into the white light of the moon, likewise trying to make it out. “If you do, we won’t be able to see…

So I keep holding the baby out, my arms trembling a little, and watch the story form in the air.

It’s not…not totally visual. Like, it’s not like watching a movie projected into smoke in the air. Instead, it’s…felt as much as it is seen, communicated to our hearts and minds as much as our eyes. But suddenly, quite suddenly, it’s perfectly clear.

I see a little boy, tall, with warm green eyes bending down to take the hand of a dark–haired little girl who has fallen to the ground, helping her up and brushing the tears from her face. Then, I see him again – older, but still young.- running across a battlefield, fear on his face but courage in every line of his limbs as he pushes himself to do what is right. We’re passed that quite quickly, though, and I see him again with that girl – though she’s older now too – laughing. And though I know there’s no reason for me to know it, I sense – somehow that she, like me, has no wolf.

–

Rafe – he has a crown on his head, and another in his hands, which he slowly lifts to place on the girl’s head as well. She smiles up at him with such love in her eyes and then the door to the room bursts open, his family spilling in

–

There’s Sinclair, and Ella, and more of their children – and a light–haired boy I don’t know, just about Rafe’s age- and more children, so many more and me and…and…

–

Rafe is embraced by his family, who surround him, laughing and hugging Rafe and the girl, their eyes warm and light with hope. And suddenly, I know, that Rafe will be a great leader of

his people, and that he will guide them with love in his heart, a love sustained and made true by this girl. I know that Rafe will meet his mate and that she will be…

Human.

I gasp, my eyes filling with tears, and slowly the moonlight fades, returning to its natural hue. I bring the baby back to my chest, holding him tight, and turn to look up at Roger, who looks at me as well with

tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Did you see it?” he whispers.

“Yes,” I reply.

“He will love her,” Roger continues, shaking his head, staring down at me with so much love in his eyes. “And it won’t matter to him – not at all –”

I’m crying in truth then, little sobs wracking my chest as I hold my nephew to me. My nephew, with his whole life laid out before him, a great love waiting for him in the future to sooth the great pain he will surely endure as he leads his people, human and wolf alike. I open my mouth to say something to Roger – to say anything –

–

But no words come out. Instead, I just tuck my head against my nephew and let myself cry.

How can this little baby, only two weeks old, already hold so much wisdom? How can he have already have given me such a gift?

I feel Roger’s arms around us then, warm and steady. He brings me close to his chest, tucking me beneath his chin and pressing a kiss to my hair. Then, silent, he lets me cry, lets me process the experience all I need. A few minutes later, when I am again steady, I take a deep breath and turn my face up to him, ready to give him my thanks.

But before I can say anything, Roger acts, closing the distance between us.

And pressing a soft kiss to my mouth.

 

Chapter 305

It feels like my sister has been gone with my baby for…hours. But in reality I know that it has been, at best, maybe half an hour. Still, while the rest of us mill around the dark forest, drinking champagne and waiting, I can’t keep myself from continuing to glance anxiously into the darkness.

What’s keeping them? Why won’t they come back?

“Patience, trouble,” Sinclair says behind me and I sigh. Without looking at him, I lean back against his chest and raise my champagne flute to my mouth, taking a little sip.

“Those are two words that don’t go together, and you know it,” I mutter, frustrated.

His warm chuckle resonates against my back as he wraps an arm–around me. “Only you would try to rush a goddess.”

“She’s my mom!” I huff, looking up at him as I cross my arms. “I’ll rush her all I want.

Sinclair laughs again and shakes his head at me. “Let Cora and Roger have this time with Rafe.

It’s special for them too.”

“I’m dying to know if they’ll see anything about his future,” I say, looking back at my mate with a wide smile. “Do you think they will?”

“If I had to put money on it?” Sinclair says, contemplative. “Considering who Rafe’s grandmother is? Then…yeah, I think they’ll get a glimpse. But don’t push them too hard on it, Ella,” he advises. “It’s their experience as much as his. If they choose to keep it to themselves, that’s their right.”

“Oh, yeah, whatever,” I say, rolling my eyes. Fat chance I’m letting Cora keep secrets about my son’s future from me. As my mind goes wild with the possibilities, I see something flicker in the darkness. I stand up straight, eager, peering into the darkness. I feel Sinclair do the

same behind me.

And then I burst into a little joyous laugh as I see my sister, Rafe tucked happy in her arms, coming through the trees, Roger’s arm warm around her shoulder. Sinclair puts two fingers in his mouth and lets out a sharp whistle as I shout “Cora!” and dash into the woods, happy to

see all three of them.

My sister gives me a broad smile as we meet beneath the trees, happily handing my baby over into my waiting arms. I coo a little greeting to him, doing a little check down the bond to see that he’s fine. When I’m satisfied that he’s happy and relaxed I look up at Roger and Cora eagerly. “So?” I ask, a little breathless. “How’d it go?”

“It went well,” Roger says reassuringly. “No problems, he did beautifully.”

“Of course he did!” I laugh, smiling down at my baby, who fusses a little in his blankets. He’s tired, I’m sure, even though he’s always up at this time of night anyway. “He didn’t have to do much, after all, just lay out basking in the moonlight.”

Cora laughs and steps away from Roger, putting an arm around me. “Come on, sis,” she says. Let’s go get a glass of champagne and I’ll tell you everything.”

When we return to the little group of family and friends, everyone lets out a little cheer and raises their glasses to us, a gesture that fills me with warmth. It is so wonderful to see this milestone in my child’s life celebrated so. I lean down and give my baby a little kiss on the head as Sinclair hands Cora and Roger glasses of champagne and then comes to my side.

“How is he?” Sinclair murmurs, leaning down to check on the baby.

“Perfect, angelic, magnificent, as usual,” I murmur.

“As usual?” Sinclair asks, raising an amused eyebrow at me. “Usually he’s screaming like a

banshee.”

I blink innocently at my mate. “That does nothing to take away from his perfection. He’s just… expressive.”

Sinclair laughs and shakes his head at me a little and then turns to Cora and Roger, who come

closer to us.

“Soooooo?” I ask leadingly, excited. “Did you…see anything?”

“Ella,” Roger says, smirking at me and sinking his hands into his pockets. “Don’t you know that it’s a private affair, what happens between a child, his godparents, and the goddess on the night of his baptism?”

“I swear, Roger,” I warn, narrowing my eyes at him, “if you keep this from me, I will torture

you

for the rest of your life –”

My brother–in–law bares his teeth at me playfully, leaning forward. “Ah, Ella, but don’t you see? Now I have the power to torture you, as I have information you want, and I’m going to make you pay through the nose for it.”

“You’re dead to me,” I declare impassively, turning to my sister. “Well?” I ask, my question directed only to her as Roger laughs.

“Oh, you know,” she says casually, unable to keep her lips from twitching. “We just saw the normal sorts of things for a little boy. His life is going to be rather boring, actually. Uneventful, dull.”

“What?!” I ask, my face falling, glancing between her and the baby.

“Yeah,” she says with a little shrug. “We saw a lot of crossword puzzles in his future. He’s going to get really, really into rock collecting, but not in an interesting way that leads to a career in geology. Just… hoarding rocks. In his bedroom. Through his forties.”

I snap my eyes back up to her and glare, taking in the little smile on her lips. “Liar,” I say, starting to laugh, my sister joining in with me. She glances back at Roger, who wrinkles his nose at her and raises his champagne glass in her direction. I watch this exchange, curious. Did something…else happen in the woods?

But I don’t let myself be distracted. “Come on, Cora,” I push, taking her by the arm and drawing her away from Sinclair and Roger. “Tell me, please, for real. Did you see anything?”

“We did,” she says, warm. “He has…a big future, Ella. But it will be a happy one, with love and courage to balance the trials. I know more but…do you want to know?”

And suddenly I realize that…I don’t. I look my sister in the eyes and realize that…well, that I want to be surprised. That I want to watch my son’s life unfold organically, to experience it along with him. I tilt my head to the side, considering it, and realizing that this is perhaps why godparents take the child to this ceremony – because the gift of the goddess is too much for those who love him most. That perhaps the best gift is the mystery.

“No, Cora,” I say, putting out an arm and pulling her close in a hug. “Thank you. That’s perfect. That’s all I need.”

She nods to me, understanding, and turns to rejoin the group. But I don’t let her go just yet.

“Cora,” I whisper, pulling her close again, biting my lip eagerly. “When you went into the woods with Roger you were…different than when you came out. Did…did something…”

She just gives me a little smirk and a shrug. “That, sister,” she says quietly, pulling me forward, “is a secret I’m keeping to myself. You’re too nosy. Some things are private.”

“So there is a thing!” I exclaim, digging in my heels, desperately wanting to know this mystery, if not my son’s. “If you’re keeping something private, something happened!”

“Come on, Ella,” Cora says, laughing at me. “Come celebrate with us. I’m not telling you a thing.”

“She’s selfish, Rafe,” I sigh, shaking my head down at my son, who is falling asleep. “Cruel auntie doesn’t tell us anything. But you know, and I’ll get you to tell me as soon as you’re big enough to talk.”

He just makes a face and squirms away from me a bit. I narrow my eyes at him, wondering if my baby is taking Cora’s side.

“Come on, little mate,” Sinclair says, wrapping an arm around me and ushering me forward into the group. “Let everyone see the baby, and then let’s go home. It’s time for breakfast.”

 

Chapter 306

Two hours later, Sinclair and I welcome our friends back to our house for a casual breakfast and coffee

or mimosas, according to preference to celebrate Rafe’s moonlight baptism. I can tell our guests are dragging – they’ve been up all night, after all – but spirits are high.

“Wow,” I say, leaning back against Sinclair’s chest with a croissant in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other. Rafe, thankfully, is asleep in his little recline stroller. Usually I’d put him to bed in his crib, but I want people to be able to say goodbye if they have to leave. “I can’t believe everyone I still up,” I say, peering around at our friends and family. “I mean, I know we’re on baby time so normal hours mean nothing anymore, but everyone else…”

“It’s a special occasion,” Sinclair murmurs; lowering his face to my hair and taking a long sniff of my scent. “We’re used to it. In wolf culture shifter children are rarer than we’d like, so we take the time to celebrate them when they’re born.”

“That’s so nice…” I say, sniffing a little, my eyes filling with tears.

“What?” Sinclair asks, pulling away from me a little, shocked. “Are you – why are you crying –

I swat at him, laughing a little. “What! Hormones! I’m tired! Leave me be.” Then I brush the tears off my cheeks, smiling despite them. I’m just overwhelmed and grateful, honestly, for all the love that our family has shown our baby. “It really is a beautiful tradition,” I murmur, and Sinclair kisses my cheek before moving away to talk to some of the Alphas who have come to see their new prince.

As Sinclair moves away, Isabel quickly moves to my side to take his place. “Hi, mama,” she says, giving me a warm smile as she wraps an arm around my waist. “How are you doing?”

“Forget about me!” I cry out, wrapping my arms around her again, “how are you? How are James, and Sadie?”

“They’re good,” she says, but the way she smiles at her mate across the room lets me know that her words are an understatement. James raises a hand to me, little Sadie slumped against his shoulder, deeply asleep.

“Do you want to put her upstairs in one of the guest rooms?” I ask Isabel quickly, taking her hand and squeezing it. “You can stay as long as you like –”

“No,” she says, giving me a smile. “I’m so glad we could be here and meet the baby – but we both want to get home. We have…a lot of work to do there.” Her face changes, then, and I feel my stomach twist to see it.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, anxious, tugging her hand and urging her to tell me. She nods to a little love seat in the corner and I follow her there, Rafe’s little pram in tow, so that we are

away from everyone and as private as we can be.

“Ella,” Isabel says, her voice soft and a little sad, “I know that you’ve been distracted – and there’s nothing wrong with that you’ve had such a hard pregnancy, and I know that the birth wasn’t easy on you either – you really shouldn’t have been paying attention to anything besides your body and Rafe and Sinclair – ”

“Please, Isabel,” I say, staring at her and tightening my hold on her hand, “please just tell me –“My stomach is roiling with guilt to think that I’ve neglected something when I could have helped.

“It’s just…I don’t think that Sinclair has told you absolutely everything,” she says, “about how bad the refugee problem is now, after the last days of the war when you were away on the boat. It’s nothing that

he’s done wrong – Sinclair has made so many strides – but we have more children than ever in our centers, and there are even mothers out there who are simply missing their children

My face goes pale at the idea and I flick my glance towards my sleeping baby. If I were ever separated from him by war – just, had no idea where he was, if he was cared for – my heart wrenches to think of it. Isabel notes my paling face, my eyes filling with tears.

“Please, Ella,” she says softly, anxiously looking to where Sinclair is standing. “I’m sorry maybe I shouldn’t have told you –”

“No,” I say, shaking my head and looking at her with a new determination on my face. “I need to know, Isabel -I’m getting strong, I need to do this sort of work. If Sinclair intends to lead these people, I don’t intend to stay home and be a happy little house wife while others suffer. I want to help.”

She nods, understanding. “I knew that you’d feel that way. That’s why I told you – not because …well, Ella, if you’re still healing, you need to focus on yourself first. You can be so selfless you always put others ahead of yourself.”

My heart softens and I take a deep breath, still worried but touched by my friend’s concern. She knows me so well. “Thank you, love,” I say, giving her a little smile. “I’ll take care of myself, and my family. But I’m going to help too. Can you tell me? Who is the worst hit, where should I begin?”

“Well,” she says, lowering her voice and looking around the room. “It’s…complicated.”

I frown at her, not understanding, but giving her the space to work through her thoughts.

“Ella,” she says, more urgent now, “we both know that the right side won this war. That Damon would have worked to disenfranchise the humans completely, to enslave them if he could. Sinclair, we know, wants equal rights and peace – but there are people even on Sinclair’s side who still have… complicated ideas about hierarchies between shifters and humans.”

I nod, understanding her, remembering the councils during the war when even some of

Sinclair’s allies looked askance at the humans, at Cora, my own sister. I frown to think of it, to see some of those men in this room now. Sighing, I turn back to Isabel.

“I hear you – and I’m aware. It’s something that I know Sinclair is working on but…old prejudices, they die hard. But, Isabel, what does that have to do with refugees?” I ask, confused.

She shrugs a little. “It just means that since the humans were less prepared for the war – – it came out of the blue for them a little bit – that they don’t have the resources that the wolves have to help their people in the aftermath. And there are some among shifter–kind who are eager to divert all resources towards shifters first, meaning…”

I let out a big exhale, both of exhaustion and understanding. “That the humans are getting the short end of the stick.” Slowly, Isabel nods.

“In all areas,” she says slowly, “and Ella,” she bites her lip, looking me in the eye and perhaps not wanting to say it, “it means that…resentment is building. Humans feel lied to, and now that they know the truth, it in many ways seems like Sinclair has offered them peace but is not giving them the resources to survive their new reality.”

My eyebrows fly up at this and I follow my knee–jerk reaction to defend my mate. “Sinclair is doing everything he

“I know, Ella,” Isabel says softly, leaning forward to put a reassuring hand on my knee. “I’m just saying, from the human’s perspective? …The trust is not there. They need help, and they need a reason to believe in Sinclair.”

I nod, looking away from my friend and staring into space a little bit, trying to figure out what I can do next.

“Maybe,” Isabel suggests softly, “his mate, who was raised human for most of her life, and thought she was human until she conceived a wolf child, and who has a human sister…”

I turn back to Isabel, nodding slowly. “Perhaps I’m the link we need.”

need your help. You

I give my friend a warm smile and she squeezes my hand, a plan starting to form between us. Please stay,” I whisper to her, shaking my head a little. “I need you here could do so much good here, on my team.”

She sighs and looks towards James, considering. “I’ll talk to him,” she says, smiling at her mate and her little girl. “We’ll decide, together, what’s best.”

 

Chapter 307

My guests surprise me by staying almost until noon. Well, at least, some of them – mostly those who started hitting the mimosas hard when we got back to the house and then moved to whiskey.

After the baby wakes up and has a little lunch, I come yawning back into the front of the house, where I smile to see that Sinclair has loosened his tie and is enjoying a little banter with Roger and some of the other Alphas.

Isabel and James have gone, back to their hotel to let little Sadie sleep in peace, but Cora is still here, curled

up on a couch and half dozing as Henry – I laugh to see him a little tipsy as well – tells her stories of his youth. I move over to them, tired but happy to see everyone enjoying themselves.

“How are you, Ella,” Henry asks, smiling at me warmly and peeking at the baby, who looks at him curiously when I hand him over.

“I am good, happy,” I say, grinning at both of them. “Though I wouldn’t say no to sometime soon –”

“Oh my,” Henry says, glancing up at the clock. “We’ve overstayed our welcome –”

my bed

“No,” I say, appalled at myself for such a rude comment, “It wasn’t a hint – I’m sorry, stay

“No, Ella,” Cora says, laughing and standing up. “Henry is right, and so are you – it is late. Or early or…” she screws up her face in concentration, “whatever. Time to go home!”

We both give Henry a kiss goodbye before he hands my baby back to me and wheels towards the door. Cora leans in to give me a kiss goodbye as well, but I hold her close and whisper in her ear

before she can pull away, the baby fussing a little to be smushed, just a bit, between us. “Cora, why didn’t Doctor Hank come today?”

She frowns at me, a little chagrined, as she stands straight again. “Well, did you invite him?”

“Of course I invited him,” I say, narrowing my eyes at her. But then I hesitate. “Or…” I slap my hand to my mouth, realizing… “Cora! I thought you were going to bring him! I didn’t send him an invitation because I assumed he would come as your plus one!”

She raises an eyebrow at me, a little offended. “Ella, Hank is not my boyfriend –”

“He’s not?!” I gasp. Then I scrape a frustrated hand down my face, confused. “Cora, if he’s not your boyfriend then what is he –”

“He’s whatever he is!” she hisses, looking around the room awkwardly in the hope that no one’s listening. I note that her eyes linger on Roger and put the pieces together.

“Cora,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “Hank told me that he wants to build a life

with you

“What! When did he –”

“But if you’re stopping him because you’re holding a space open for someone else –“

“Ella! I thought you wanted me to –”

“I want you to be happy!” I interrupt, my voice raised in frustration. My words echo around the room a little bit and I blush, realizing that our little tiff is…well, not exactly private anymore. I take my sister by the shoulder and turn her towards the corner of the room.

“You’re starting to cross a line, Ella,” Cora says, glaring at me. “This is my life, and my business – and you’re getting in my head! Telling me you want me to be happy, and then telling me you want me to be with Roger, and then kind of yelling at me for not bringing Hank into a literal pack of wolves for a magical moonlight baptism!” Exasperated, Cora runs her hand through her hair. “I don’t even know what I want anymore, Ella, because you’re too busy telling me what you want!”

I inhale deeply through my nose, glaring back at my sister but…well, hearing her. “I just want the best for you, Cora,” I say back to her, a little mad. “And I thought that you decided that that was Hank! But if you’re still keeping space for Roger…” I turn my glare on the back of his head now, angry again. “What happened out in those woods? Did he say something to you? Did he did he kiss you?”

“Ella,” Cora says, taking me by the shoulders and giving me a little shake, though I can see a blush on her cheeks. “Let it go.”

“Fine,” I lie, still frowning at her.

Cora sighs and shakes her head. “I’m tired, Ella,” she says, looking towards the door and then back at me. “I’m going home, but I don’t want to leave it this way. It was a great night – really …special. Can we just tell each other we love each other, and then go take much–needed naps?”

“Yes,” I sigh, my eyes softening as I pull my sister close to me. “I’m sorry, Cora, you’re right. I’m – I must just be over–tired. It’s been a big night.”

“You did amazing,” Cora murmurs to me, and then bends to kiss the baby’s head before squeezing my hand and heading for the door, stopping to say goodbye to some people on the way out. I watch my sister go, feeling guilty for bothering her about it but…

Well. I’m still mad.

And I know exactly who to take it out on.

Conveniently, Roger backs away from the group of Alphas with whom he’s been talking, heading to the little bar we set up to refill his drink. I intercept him on the way.

“You stay away from Cora – “I say, stepping in front of him and pointing a finger in his face.”

I know what happened between you two tonight” – that’s a lie, but he doesn’t know that and I think you’re being rotten to her, Roger

“What?” Roger says, blinking at me, completely shocked. “Ella, I –”

“I’m serious, Roger!” I say, my anger getting deeper when he doesn’t immediately comply with my demands. I hold my baby tight against my chest as I take another step towards him. “ That’s my sister you’re messing with, and I’m not going to let you break her heart more than you already have –”

“Ella!” Roger snaps, swatting away my finger, which, I admit, is coming dangerously close to his face. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about!”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Don’t play dumb with me, Roger. You know she still has feelings for you – but if you have no intention of taking her seriously because she can never have your children, then you need to leave her alone. Let her go and be with someone who can appreciate her for the wonderful woman she is, whether or not she can give them children.”

I see something change on Roger’s face then. He goes a little pale, his jaw dropping, as if… well, as if I’ve spoken the inner secret that’s been nagging at his heart for weeks. I feel a little bitter, victorious smile pull at my lips.

“Ella,” Roger sighs, taking a step closer to me. “It’s more complicated than that – ”

“It’s really not,” I insist, shaking my head at him, my eyes wide. “And as someone who for years was put down by her partner because she couldn’t have his kids for no fault of her own

Roger’s face drops further as I say this, the guilt written obviously on his features now. He hadn’t put it together before, I realize that what he’s doing to Cora great deal in common with how Mike treated me before I met Sinclair.

or might do has a

“I’m telling you right now,” I continue, “to either love her for who she is and how she is, or leave her alone. But don’t you dare drag her along just to break her heart, Roger Sinclair. If you do that, I’ll tear you to pieces.”

The last words are uttered through my bared teeth, and I mean every word of them. I’m so worked up that I don’t even notice Sinclair come up behind me.

“Ella,” my mate says, stern. “You need to back off.”

I spin on him, glaring up at his gigantic Alpha self. “What, are you going to tell me that I’m wrong?” I ask him, righteous. “Because if so, “I say, looking between the two of them, my newborn baby still held tight against me, “I’ll take on you both at once!”

 

Chapter 308

Between a Brother and a Mate Sinclair

I know it’s a little perverse, but, as I look down at my furious little spitfire mate, glaring angrily between my brother and I who outweigh her by three or four times…

God damn it, but I get a little hard.

She’s just so passionate, and when she’s all worked up like this all I want to do is grab her, carry her upstairs and redirect that anger to-

“Ella,” Roger sighs, looking down at his feet. “I’m – I don’t know what to say.”

“Damn right you don’t,” she growls, spinning on him and starting to advance on him again.

“Enough,” I groan, reaching for her arm – the one without the baby – and wrapping my hand firmly around it. She turns and looks up at me, a little snarl on her plump lips, but when she sees the coolness on my face and in my eyes Ella hesitates, just a little. And then she huffs, relenting against her will, her expression reflecting the words she sends directly to my mind:

Fine. But you’re going to pay for this later.

I smirk at her, letting her feel a little of my arousal down the bond. Oh baby, I say back, I’d better.

I see her lips twitch with amusement, but not enough to quell her anger totally. She turns back to Roger then and I let go of her arm, trusting her to contain herself.

“I’m sorry, Roger,” she says stiffly, making him look up at her in surprise. “I meant what I said but…I understand it’s complicated. And this wasn’t the time or the place.” Ella gives a little shrug then, clearly communicating that she’s sorry that she’s really not very sorry, but still ending the fight.

“Okay,” Roger says awkwardly. “Um,” my brother looks up at me, shame and regret in his eyes. “I think I’m going to go…”

“Stay,” I say, meaning it, taking a step towards him. “Stay overnight, at least – we’ve got plenty of room –

“No,” he says, giving us a little half–smile as he looks between us. “It’s all right – I’m not far, and all I really want to do is be in my own bed.” He gives a fake yawn, stretching his arms over his head.

“All right,” I say, putting my hands in my pockets and studying him. “Thank you, brother, for everything.”

“Anytime,” he murmurs, coming forward to give me a hug and then dipping down to give Ella an awkward kiss on the cheek and to chuck baby Rafe under the chin. “See you guys around,”

he murmurs, clearly lost in his thoughts as he heads for the door.

Noticing that both of the godparents are gone now, the rest of our guests quickly get the message and spend the next few minutes saying their goodbyes. I see the last few out the door as Ella takes the baby upstairs to lay him down.

I stand at the bottom of the staircase after everyone is gone, sighing and delaying going upstairs as long as possible. Because I know that the minute we get up there? We’re going to have to have this fight.

Sighing, shaking my head, I start up the stairs.

She’s ready for me when I come into the room.

“How could you not back me up on this, Dominic,” Ella says, standing next to the baby’s bassinet with her arms crossed.

“Ella,” I say, leaning against the door frame and covering my eyes with my hand. “It’s not that I don’t back you up

“But you didn’t!” she insists, and I can hear in her voice that she’s still furious. I sigh, tired, but I try not to let her see my frustration. She’s entitled to her emotions on this point, and I don’t want to invalidate how she feels. “You told me to stop,” she continues, “you took his side!”

“No,” I disagree softly, evenly. “I didn’t take his side – I just asked you to stop, because we had other guests, and I didn’t want to make Roger and Cora’s business everyone’s business.”

“Is that what you’re saying I was doing?” Ella asks, getting steamed again. She opens her mouth to say more, but I cross the room to her quickly. (1

“Ella,” I say, placing my hands evenly on her shoulders and looking into her face. “Please. I know you’re upset. But please, you know that’s not what I meant. Right?”

She pauses a moment and I see her check herself. I can’t help but smile at her, loving the ferocity with which she protects the people that she loves. I open this feeling to her down the bond, letting her see how I really feel, that I don’t hold it against her.

Ella bends, then, a little bit, sighing and tripping forward to lean against me. I wrap my arms around my angry, hard–loving little mate, holding her close, curling my body around her protectively. As much as she loves and fights for those she loves, I’m there, right with her, protecting her just as fiercely.

“You know I’ve always got your back, Ella,” I murmur, tucking my face against her hair.

“I know, Dominic,” she sighs. “I just got…mad. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”

“I can take it,” I reply, smirking a little. “Plus, you’re really sexy when you get all worked up like that.”

“What!?” she replies, looking back at me with shock and a little bit of pleasure on her face.

Seriously?”

“Sure,” I say, running a hand over her pretty rose–gold hair. “The sight of you taking on two Alphas like that, looking like you were ready to take us both out at the knees with a baby on your hip? Damn, girl.” My last two words are a lusty snarl. “I’m going to be thinking of that look on your face for a loooong time.”

Ella smiles at me and presses her body against mine, pulling me close and turning her face up towards me. “Okay, now tell me I was right. That’s what will get me all worked up.”

“You were right,” I whisper, hoisting her up into my arms. She laughs and wraps her legs around my waist.

“Oh baby, say it again,” she murmurs to me, her words a throaty whisper. But I just laugh and kiss her neck, running my lips down her shoulder and over the mating mark I left there not too long ago. I feel a little shiver travel through her as I run my tongue over it as well.

“How long to we have to wait?” she asks, her voice a little breathy.

“Doctor Hank said three weeks. Half the time as the wait after a human pregnancy.”

She sighs. “So, one more to go. But still, thank the goddess for this wolf biology. I don’t think we’d have made it to six.”

I shrug, smiling at my little mate and letting my hand rove over her ass. “We’d have found ways to be creative.”

“But I don’t want to be creative,” she whispers, smiling at me and nudging my nose with hers. “I just want you. Pure and simple.” 1

I kiss her again, slowly, deliberately not giving her all of myself. I don’t think that I could stand…well. Let’s just say, I don’t want to get myself all worked up, when I know I can’t get her all worked up as well. Then, I carry her over to the bed and sink down into it, laying down with her on top of me.

 

Chapter 309

I sigh and spreads my body out against Sinclair’s, tracing the lines of his body beneath his clothes. I close my eyes, relaxing, letting myself feel the warmth of him, basking in the joy of having him safe and healthy and near, of the knowledge that our baby boy is asleep on the other side of the room.

“You do agree with me though, right?” I ask quietly. “All jokes aside?”

Sinclair takes a minute to consider and then he nods, his eyes still closed. “I think they should sort it out themselves,” he answers quietly. “But I agree, Ella – if he’s not willing to take her whether or not she can give him children…he should let her find someone who will.”

“Thank you, Dominic,” I respond, my voice barely audible, sending a little pulse of sincere gratitude down our bond. He sends love back.

And then we both relax, our bodies falling into a deeper rhythm of breathing that carries us near sleep.

Sleep that’s interrupted, suddenly, by the sound of the doorbell below.

I groan, pulling my head up off of Sinclair’s chest. “Who the hell could that be.”

“Probably someone who forgot a purse. Or a shoe. Or…whatever,” Sinclair mutters, working to sit

1. up. I rise too, letting him up, smiling at my sleepy mate who is so tired that his words aren’t making much sense.

He sighs, rising to his feet, and I get up with him.

“Stay,” he says, putting a hand on my shoulder, nodding back to the bed.

“No,” I sigh. “I’ll come with you. It’s probably for me, anyway. A package or something.” I’m rueful, suddenly, that we’ve let all of the staff have the day off after the long night. It would be nice to have

someone else to answer the door…

…but then I realize that that’s horribly selfish and privileged, and I take my mate’s hand, tugging him towards the door and grabbing the baby monitor on the way, switching it on. Who have I become, really, that I’m turning my nose up at having to answer my own door?

Considering some of the conditions I’ve lived in previously in my life, I should be thanking my lucky stars that I even have a door.

Frustrated with myself, I hurry down the stairs, Sinclair following steadily behind.

When I pull open the door, though, there’s nobody there. Frowning, I look around, and then down at the doormat, where there’s a little folded piece of paper.

“What’s this?” I ask, bending quickly to pick it up, the baby monitor making little static noises

in my left hand.

I hold it up between me and Sinclair as he frowns at it, looking quickly around the

neighborhood before pulling the door shut, obviously on alert.

“Is it addressed to anyone?” he asks quietly, suspicious.

“No,” I say, my curiosity growing with every step. Quickly, I turn the envelope over and begin

to slip my finger beneath the seal when Sinclair grabs my hand.

“Ella “he says, his voice harsh with worry. “Don’t.”

—

“What?” I ask, looking up at him, suddenly worried myself. “Why?”

He shakes his head at me. “I just…it’s strange. Let’s…treat it carefully. All right?”

“Okay,” I say. He holds his hand out and I place the letter in his open palm.

“Come on,

” he says, taking my hand and heading for the kitchen. I follow eagerly, desperate to know, a little knot of anxiety forming in my stomach.

When we get into the kitchen, Sinclair puts a hand on my shoulder, walking me backwards until my back is pressed against the door of the pantry. “Stay here,” he murmurs, still looking down at the letter, and then he crosses swiftly to the butcher block by the sink.

“Sinclair,” I call, holding the baby monitor tightly between my hands. “Why

((

“Precautions,” he responds, concentrating on the note. Then, he carefully places it on the butcher block and grabs a knife, moving his body away as far as he can as he begins to carefully slice the sticky seal holding the envelope shut.

“What,” I say, laughing a little desperately, wanting to make light of it – hoping, needing him to be overreacting right now “do you think it’s going to explode or something?”

He doesn’t answer me, just slowly finishes slicing the seal. When nothing happens, he stands up straight.

“What is it?” I whisper, my anxiety keeping me absolutely on edge. My heart is racing now –

“Just, one more minute, Ella,” Sinclair murmurs, holding up a hand to keep me back. I can’t take my eyes off of him as he steps closer to the envelope, holding it carefully in his hands and turning it upside down, shaking it to see what falls out.

But only a piece of paper falls out of the envelope, clattering lightly against the wood. Sinclair takes a minute to pród at the piece of paper with his knife, flipping it over, making sure there’s nothing strange about it, and then he stands up straight and steps closer to the butcher block, his shoulders relaxing.

“It’s just a note,” he says, looking over to me, confused.

“Oh my god,” I breathe out, relieved, rushing to his side. “You had me going crazy, Dominic,”

I say, glaring at him a little as I wrap my arms around him and peer at it. “What does it say?”

He shrugs a little bit and flips open the note, revealing a hurried scrawl of handwriting inside – just a few lines. We both read it hurriedly.

And then I blink, the blood draining from my face as I read it again, horror racing through my veins.

I’m sorry – This is coming too late – but I had to do what is right

They are coming for him for the little baby –

The ones who made him, who planned for him to be born –

They’re coming

I’m sorry

My face snatches up to Sinclair’s, my breathing short – I can barely pull air into my lungs as I panic –

Sinclair’s face is still with rage as he reads the note again and again and then crumples it in his fist, which he slams down on the butcher block.

“Oh my god,” I whisper to him, my whole body shaking. “Dominic – who

“The baby,” he growls, spinning towards the door.

And then I gasp, and look down at the monitor in my hands, clicking the buttons – hearing nothing but static – but also seeing – seeing nothing

“Oh my god,” I wheeze, my breath leaving me completely as I whip my eyes up to Sinclair’s face. “The baby – ”

My mate tears away from me, launching himself towards the ՏԱՏ

I scurry behind, pulsing my limbs as hard as I can, taking the steps two at a time –

But my mate is too fast for me, quickly outstripping me as he pounds up the stairs, a snarl on his lips, death on his teeth for anything – anyone – he might meet that poses a threat to our child –

I’m half a hallway behind when Sinclair rips into our room, a roar on his breath as he goes. When I arrive, gasping, at the door, I slam into the doorframe, unable to move any further as I watch my mate dash across the room towards the bassinet –

If anything, anyone has hurt my baby –

I hold my breath, watching my mate bend over the little white basket, looking for our son

 

Chapter 310

Sinclair whips his face up to mine, relief in every line of it. “It’s fine,” he says, his body shaking with his unused adrenaline, “he’s…he’s here…he’s still asleep…”

A sob breaks from my throat as I press my eyes closed and sink to the floor, still clutching the door frame, unable to stop the tremors that run through my body. The past minute – the past thirty seconds, even – were some of the most horrible of my life

The idea the bare idea that someone had come for my baby – my brand–new child, who I love so much, who I worked so hard to bring into this world –

I’m sobbing freely now, unable to catch my breath, panic overtaking me at the thought. I lean my head against the wood, pressing my face against it, unable to contain myself – to even think

to do anything but cry my heart out in fear, and panic, and grief and, relief at what I thought happened – but actually didn’t happen at all

I barely feel Sinclair as he crouches next to me, his hand warm on my back, and it’s only when I hear Rafe’s little mew of unhappiness that I snap my face towards him. Sinclair is kneeling next to me, tears streaking down his own face, holding my baby out towards me – Rafe so small and precious that he almost fits in his father’s huge hand.

Desperate, I grab for Rafe, needing the corporeal reality of him against me. I cry harder then, but am able to take deep breaths as I hold my baby in my arms, pressing him against my chest, and running a shaking hand over his hair. He’s crying a little now too, his sleep interrupted –

“You” I say, my voice trembling as I look up at Sinclair, “you sh–shouldn’t have – woken – him up – ”

Sinclair shakes his head at me, his own lip trembling as he works to hold himself together. ” You needed him more than he needed the sleep – we need him

Sinclair lowers himself fully to the floor then, drawing me and the baby into his lap, wrapping his arms around us. I can feel his breath deepening behind me as I stare down at my child, shushing him, helping him to fall back asleep. It’s a long time before he does, but when he finally does, I take a deep breath and look back up at my mate.

“What are we going to do?” I ask, bewildered, desperate.

“What we were always going to do,” Sinclair answers, his voice iron. “Protect our family.” He meets my eyes then, his green gaze glowing with ferocity. “No one will touch our son, Ella,” he promises. “You have my word on that. I’ll die before I let anyone touch him.”

Slowly, I nod, believing every word.

Then, new resolve building in me, I take a deep breath and lift myself off of Sinclair’s lap,

standing up on shaky legs.

“Where is the note?” I ask, surprised by the solidity of my voice.

“Here,” Sinclair says, unfolding his fist which I think he’s probably had clenched since he folded the note the first time.

“Do we,” I say, sniffing a little and looking around the room. “Do we have enough security for this?”

“No,” Sinclair growls, standing up as well and striding across the room to where his phone is on the bedstand. “I’ll set that up now. Until then, Ella?” he says seriously. “None of us leave this room. Not once. We are all going to stay within each others‘ line of view until the security is in place. Is that understood?”

I nod, feeling a little better to hear the Alpha command taking root in my mate’s voice. Then, I head back to Rafe’s bassinet, moving slowly and deliberately. When I get there, I calmly lay my baby back

down so he can get his rest, exhaling a deep breath as I stand up and smooth my hands over my dress.

whoever

I feel control return to me more and more as every moment passes. This person they are – they scared me, I’ll admit it. But as I stare down at my child and hear my mate issuing commands into my phone, I reassure myself that whoever this is?

They’ve taken on the wrong people.

My child is the most precious thing to me in this world.

My mate is the most powerful Alpha in the world, perhaps that’s ever been born.

And me?

Well. Let’s just say they’d better be prepared to face the wrath of a goddess, if they ever want to take what’s mine.

And this baby is mine.

Fifteen minutes later, the house is swarming with guards.

I don’t speak with any of them, letting Sinclair handle it. Instead, I sit in the armchair next to Rafe’s bassinet, the basket pulled close to me, not letting anyone near us. My wolf inside me has her hackles raised, eyeing every person who passes the door to the room with her teeth bared, suspicious.

That one, she says to me, it’s him –

it’s him I know it is

I know it is – didn’t you see his shifty eyes?

I shush her, my teeth clenched, telling myself that Sinclar has clearly vetted our security team

that he wouldn’t let anyone in this house unless he had secured their loyalties years before.

Still – my wolf growls – someone got close enough to use to leave a note on our doorstep. How good could his security have been? Or, even if his security is as good as we think, what are the holes?

I nod, my wolf’s anxiety feeding my own. Was it someone we knew, someone leaving the party? Was it a friend, someone we hold dear?

My mind spins in many different directions, all of them dark and twisted. Still, though my wolf claws inside of me, urging me to chase them all down, to lock the doors, I wait, patiently, for my mate to come into the room. My trust is in him – he will protect us.

This, I know, in my bones.

Soon, my patience pays off, and Sinclair strides back into the room. “Ella,” he says softly, looking me from head to toe, and then glancing at Rafe, still asleep in his bed. “Are you all right? Is he?”

“We’re fine,” I say simply, looking into his face and letting him know that even though I am not fine – far, far from it, in fact – that we’re well enough that we don’t need his direct concern. Sinclair reads this on my face and gives me a sharp nod. “Well?” I ask, all the joy and love that this day raised in me tamped deep down inside my heart. There is nothing left in me, right now, except grim determination. “What did you find out?”

“An old lead,” Sinclair says, sighing and crouching down at my side. “An investigation we started months ago – that got lost in the war.”

I cock my head to the side, curious. “Ella,” he says, taking my hand, “do you remember? Back, in the early stages of your pregnancy, the investigation that I started into who switched the sperm samples in the first place?”

I blink, my mind instantly thrown back to what feels like another life. “We – we weren’t even mated then. We weren’t even…together. I was your…accidental surrogate…”

He nods, signing and looking down at the floor, clearly frustrated. “My team discovered that someone powerful was behind the switch – that it wasn’t Cora, and it wasn’t you, obviously, but that someone did switch the samples. Someone wanted you to get pregnant with this child. With Rafe.”

I gasp, my hand going to my mouth as I suddenly remember. I can’t believe that we let this slip.

“It’s my fault,” Sinclair utters, grief and sorrow and self–ridicule in his voice as he raises his eyes to me and takes my hand. “I…I let it drop. I got distracted. And now…whoever it is that

switched them…”

“They’re coming to collect…” I breathe, clenching his fingers tightly in mine.

Someone

someone who knew my lineage, who knew me more than I knew myself – wanted me pregnant with this child, with Dominic Sinclair’s child. And now that he’s born?

They want him.