Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Meeting the Surrogate

Edgar Callan stared at the female on the bed, her face partially visible in the dim lighting. She’d been placed like a doll in the centre of the bed, not a visible crease in the linen. The lights in the fancy hotel room were dimmed. Rose petals covered the bed. Soft music played in the background. A bottle of champagne was propped in the ice bucket on the small round table for two. Strawberries and cream, handmade chocolates – Harry had gone all out to ensure this evening’s tryst would be a success. He still couldn’t believe he’d shown up especially because the idea of hiring a human surrogate to bear his heir seemed preposterous when it had been proposed.

The sound of the woman’s heart beating hard filled his ears. It didn’t help that his werewolf senses heightened at night. He heard better, saw further, and smelt every little scent in the air. Her breath, quick and ragged, flooded his chest with pity. His emotions softened a little. The human surrogate was scared of him. Of course she’d been filled in on his identity, sworn to secrecy…still it hadn’t been enough to erase her fear. She didn’t know what to expect. After all, he was a werewolf.

Edgar sighed. No amount of champagne or rose petals or even seduction would change the situation. This was just a night of sex to conceive a much needed heir. And it was a political arrangement to keep the peace between rival packs. Edgar drew in a sharp breath. This was the right thing to do, he convinced himself. His entire existence and that of his pack depended on him, and the delicate looking, porcelain complexioned human sitting demurely on the bed. It was obvious from the way she bit her bottom lip, and clutched a fistful of blood-red satin sheets that this was her first time agreeing to something like this. He had to say something to break the awkward silence in the room. He hadn’t had much time for romance. He’d had his fair share of lovers over the years but none that required wining, dining, or anything romantic.

“Hello,” he said. Damn, couldn’t he have thought of something better. Well, in his defense it had been a while since he’d courted a woman. His conversational skills were sadly lacking.

“Hello, Mr Callen,” the woman greeted, her voice soft and a little shaky. Goosebumps dotted her skin when his gaze rested on her.

Her fear ricocheted through his insides. Her fear was his fear. No, it shouldn’t be this way. He didn’t know her. How was he able to sense her emotions? He’d heard soul mates describing feelings like these. How could a human be his soul mate?

He took a step closer towards the bed. Who was this human who had the effect of Luna on him? Was she part-wolf? He sniffed her scent. Nope. She was one hundred percent human.

“How about you call me Edgar?” he suggested, hoping she’d relax a little. He couldn’t make love to someone who couldn’t look him in the eye. It felt wrong on so many levels.

“Okay,” she said, a smile lighting up her face. She sat up a little straighter. He noticed her skimpy lingerie for the first time. The sheer fabric left little to his imagination. “I’m Alia.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, Alia,” he replied, walking closer to the bed.

“Thank you,” she said, sitting up straighter.

What now? He wondered. Should he make polite conversation? Ask her how her day had been?

“Have you eaten?” he asked. What’s wrong with me? Can’t I think of something better to say? It was almost as if he hadn’t had a decent conversation with a woman in years. Well, actually he hadn’t, he admitted silently.

“I haven’t,” Alia said. Her stomach rumbled in response.

“Why?” he asked, relaxing a little more as he grew comfortable in her company.

She shrugged. “I had a busy day.”

“What do you do for a living?” he asked. He undid the top buttons of his shirt. He sat on the opposite end of the bed, every muscle in his body relaxing. He leaned against the stack of pillows and glanced at her. He was so close to her, he could smell her fruity body lotion. Suddenly, he felt comfortable next to her. Like he could tell her anything. How had he formed this easy connection with a stranger – a human nonetheless.

“I’m a student at New York University,” she replied softly.

“What program are you enrolled in?” he asked.

She smiled. “Computer Science. I’ve always wanted to develop my own robots and software. Robots help make our lives so much easier especially if they’re properly programmed.”

She blushed when he whistled softly. “Beauty and brains,” he said. “Tell you what, even if you don’t conceive my baby tonight, I will see to it that you finish your studies. Once you graduate I will offer you a paid internship at my company.”

“What?” Alia gasped, unable to believe her luck. “Are you serious?”

“Yes, I am.” She had agreed to carry his heir. It was the least he could do for her, wasn’t it?

“How about we order something to eat,” he said. He knew he was stalling. Alia was a sweet and charming young woman. He wished he’d met her under different circumstances. He wished the Elders had offered him the option of artificially impregnating the surrogate.

“I don’t mind.” Alia reached for the menu. “I don’t know about you but I’m starving.”

He grinned. “Order anything you want,” he said.

She sat back against the pillows unaware her half-naked body was making it difficult for him to keep his hands to himself. He pulled out his mobile phone from his pants pocket and pretended to check his emails to keep his mind and hands busy.

“I’ll have the roast chicken, with a side of vegetables, lamb pot roast, and grilled fish,” she said.

“What?” His gaze swept over her. “How can you eat so much? You’re so slim.”

Alia laughed. “I have a fast metabolism, Edgar, now what will you be having?” she asked, closing the menu and giving it to him.

“I think I’ll go for the grilled beef,” he said. He glanced at her. Sooner or later, he’d have to go ahead with the plan and impregnate his surrogate.

Edgar was grateful when the waiter arrived with their order. The smell of freshly prepared food filled the hotel suite as the waiter set the small round table for two. Edgar added a bottle of wine. They both needed it to go ahead with the impregnation. Alia joined him at the table once the waiter left. He glanced at Alia while she ate, barely saying a word. She ate like she hadn’t eaten a decent meal in days. She wiped her plate within minutes. He didn’t offer her another glass of wine. He didn’t want Alia to blame her pregnancy on a drunken escapade. Her wanted her to give her consent and to remember what happened between them, he couldn’t bear the thought of her thinking he’d gotten her drunk just so he could have sex with her. Instead, he poured her a glass of ice water. Minutes later, he led her to the bed.

***

Later that night, Alia snuck out of the hotel room. She took one last look at Edgar, then slipped out of bed, dressed and left. She’d done what she needed to do to secure her future, she assured herself. There was no need to feel ashamed of what she’d done.

***