idental Surrogate For Alpha Novel Chapter 14
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For a moment I don’t know how to answer the strange woman. Am I ready to begin learning how to be
a queen? Is anyone ever? That’s the kind of job that takes a lifetime of preparation, and I still don’t
even recognize half the words these people are using.
“Am I supposed to know what a beta is?” I whisper to Aileen, watching Sinir stride out the door with
an unreadable expression on his face.
“A beta is like a second inmand.” She smiles warmly,ing forward and taking both of my hands
in hers. Now that we’re alone, she looks me over with an approving nod. “Well you are a stunning little
thing, I have to say. When Sinir exined the situation to us I wasn’t sure what to think, but now that
I see you it makes a bit more sense. Any man would be lucky to have your genes passed down to their
pups.”
I bristle at this statement. I don’t mind thepliment, but after what happened with Mike, I’m not
overly fond of peoplementing on my looks. I’ve already had one man reduce all of my value to
physical beauty, so I’m definitely not crazy about an entire society of werewolves looking at me through
the same lens. Luckily if we pull this off, they’ll all believe I’m a shifter, but I suspect there will still be
some questions. I’ll have to talk to Sinir about giving me a good backstory.
“But being a beta is more than just a job, isn’t it?” I say, pushing past the awkwardness of the abrupt
subject change. “It’s something you’re born into?”
Aileen seems to notice my difort, and takes her hands away. “Well yes, all wolves are born as
alphas, betas or omegas.”
“And what do those things actually mean?” I press, not understanding.
“You can think about it like a ss system, though it’s moreplicated than that. Every wolf is born
into their role, and there isn’t any way of changing it. Alphas are the strongest both physically and in
personality. That’s why they lead our packs, they are the only ones dominant enough to rule a lot of
very powerful beings.” Aileen shares.
“But not all Alpha’s rule, do they?” I wonder aloud.
“No, only the strongest of the strong actually take control.” She rifies patiently.
“So Sinir?” Why does his name feel so electric on my tongue, why does the mere thought of him
send a shiver down my spine?
“Is the most powerful of the pack leaders. That’s why he’s campaigning to be king.” Aileen reveals.
“But why is it a campaign?” I inquire. “If it justes down to brute strength.”
“Well in the old days they would just fight, but we’re more evolved now. Now we don’t just want a ruler
who can beat thepetition into the ground, we want someone intelligent andpassionate.” Aileen
exins.
“I have a hard time thinking of Sinir aspassionate.” I admit. He was certainly ruthless when it
came to our dealings. Then again, a little voice says in the back of my head. He did hold you when you
cried.
Aileen looks as though she’s reading my mind. “Don’t let Dominic fool you.” She advises. “He’s had a
rough go of it with his mate. Trust me, once you get past all his walls and sharp edges, there’s a very
loving man underneath.”
“I don’t think I’ll be the one to get past those things.” I murmur doubtfully.
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” She muses. “You’re giving him a pup – after all this time.”From N?velDrama.Org.
I don’t know what to make of this statement, and before I can consider it, Aileen is forging on ahead.
“Now betas are born mediators. They aren’t so bossy as Alphas, so they don’t butt heads with the
leader vying for control. They’re more mellow and even-tempered, they bnce the Alpha out. That’s
what my husband, Hugo, does for Dominic.”
“And omegas?” I ask.
“Omegas are on the bottom of the food chain, literally and figuratively. They’re smaller and weaker, and
they have naturally submissive natures. They’re followers, not leaders.”
“Sopared to a human,” I probe, “where would an omega stand?”
Aileen’s lip twitches, “All wolves are stronger, faster and have sharper senses than humans, no matter
their rank. We’re different species, even the weakest wolf will be stronger than you.” She pauses
thoughtfully. “I wonder how Dominic will cope with that.”
“What do you mean?” I question anxiously.
“Alpha’s are very protective, very possessive. He’s not going to like the idea that you’ll be so vulnerable
among our kind.” She surmises, still halfway in her thoughts.
I can’t focus on this at the moment however – it’s not exactly news that Sinir is bossy, and I’m still
trying to wrap my head around the fact that magical creatures are real. “But how do shifters even
exist?” I burst out. “I mean, do we have somemon ancestor?”
“No, the goddess created us separate from humans.” Aileen corrects gently.
Well this is new information. “The goddess?”
“The moon goddess, she rules over all creatures.” Aileen informs me, as if this should bemon
sense.
“Why haven’t I ever heard of her?” I ask, holding my hands to my head in confusion.
“Humans are more distant from the divine. You don’t know about her, because you can’t feel her magic
and influence. We can.” Aileen states matter-of-factly.
“Gosh that’s a lot to take in.” I mutter, trying to imagine what it would be like to feel celestial power, to
commune with the gods of creation somehow. I never believed such a thing was possible. I never even
believed in a god – how could I? My life hasn’t known manly blessings. It’s hard to believe in a higher
power when all you know is suffering. While I’m lost in my thoughts, a young boyes running
through the door and Aileen catches him in a hug even as she scolds him.
“Naughty boy!” There was a huge smile on her face, and the child resembles her so clearly I know he
must be her son. “You should know better than to enter a closed door without knocking!”
There’s pure maternal joy shining off her face, and I have to wonder whether it’s the first time they’ve
seen each other that day, but when she speaks, it bes clear that this is not the case. “Where’s
your father, I left you with him only ten minutes ago!”
“I know but I missed you.” The boy grins up at his mother, and my heart melts in my chest. What must it
be like to love someone sopletely, to have such a powerful bond to another being? I want it so
badly it hurts.
It’s still so surreal to think I’m really pregnant after all this time, that it takes me a moment to remember
I don’t have to long hopelessly anymore. I’m going to have that kind of love soon. I press my hand to
my belly with excitement. I can’t wait until my next check up, until I can hear that tiny heart beat again,
and see the baby in a sonogram. Sinir is taking me this afternoon – to a shifter doctor this time – and
I’m counting down the minutes now more than ever.
_____________________
Thump thump thump.
Has there ever been a more beautiful sound than my baby’s heartbeat? If there has, I’ve certainly
never heard it. This appointment is so different from myst one. Instead of Sinir towering over me
lobbing threats and usations, he’s by my side, staring at the ultrasound screen with the widest smile
I’ve ever seen on his face –pletely transfixed.
I know exactly how he feels. Thesest few days I’ve felt like a higher power myself. I’m creating life
inside me and it’s nothing short of a miracle. In the moments I can forget my troubles, I’m giddy with
happiness. I didn’t realize how low my hope had fallen until I felt such disbelief at finally bing
pregnant.
“I never thought this day woulde.” I didn’t mean to say the words, but they fall from my tongue as
fresh tears burn in my eyes – tears of joy this time.
Sinir’s face turns away from the screen for the first time, his brilliant green eyesnding on my face
as a tender smile takes over his features. His massive hand slides around my crown, gently cradling
my head as he lowers his brow to mine, until they’re resting against each other.
“It’s real.” He whispers to me, and I nod happily, takingfort in his protective hands.
“Hmm.” The doctor mutters, breaking our revelry.
“What, is something wrong?” I ask anxiously. Sinir’s thumb immediately begins brushing back and
forth across my hair, instinctively soothing my fraying nerves.
“The baby’s just a bit small for my liking.” He tells us, making my heart race with worry.
Both men hear it immediately on the machines surrounding us, and Sinir shushes me softly. “That’s
not necessarily bad, is it?”
“Well babies develop at different rates, but for a man of your size and strength, I would have expected
arger fetus.” The doctor shares.
My hands are shaking, but Sinir doesn’t seem bothered. He snorts, “They told my mother the same
exact thing when she was carrying me, and I turned out fine. She was little, like you.” He adds warmly,
“your body is doing it’s best, it needs to fatten up a bit before it can support a bigger baby.”
I have to fight the urge tough, and instead bat myshes at him. “Then you should let me have all the
ice cream I want.”
Sinir tosses his head back andughs, “You are incorrigible.” He remarks wryly. “What am I going to
do with you at the campaign dinner tomorrow?”
“Campaign dinner?” I repeat, confused.
“Yes, didn’t I tell you?” He looks genuinely surprised, or I might be more upset. “Tomorrow it’s out of the
frying pan and into the fire for our n. I need you by my side. ”