1: ONE

Marisol woke up to the blaring sound of her alarm. She sat up and grabbed her cellphone, finding the button to end the awful sound. Feeling a heavyweight jump on her bed, she laughed, knowing very well what it was. It wasn't an it at all.

"Tala, come here pretty girl."

She smiled as her sweet service dog found her hand for a pet. She ran her hand through the long fur of her dog and laughed as Tala licked her cheek. Tala howled and Marisol nodded. "I get it, I get it. I'm going too slow."

Lifting her covers she reached for her walking stick which seemed to be nowhere to be found. It didn't make sense to her; she always put it in the same place. She huffed in frustration as she touched everything around her.

"Oh, it's right here, Marisol."

She jumped, hearing Bradley's voice. She relaxed, realizing who walked into her room. He came to her aid, grabbing the metal cane that was on the floor. He handed it to her and she thankfully took it. "Thanks, Brad."

"Are you ready to go to the park?" Tala barked and Brad chuckled, rubbing her fur. "Someone's excited." He reached to help Marisol stand. 'I'll get your outfit ready and then bring you up breakfast. Do you want anything specific this morning?"

"Just toast please."

Nodding, Brad went into her closet, finding her a lovely pink sundress and sandals.  Bradley was Marisol's caregiver. He often helped her get dressed, drove her to places, and read her things that didn't have brail. But even besides being her caregiver, he was her best friend. They legitimately enjoyed each other's company, so his job wasn't all that difficult.

When he laid out her outfit, he walked downstairs to get some toast. Tala followed him down, whining for some breakfast as well. He fed Tala and huffed, watching her wolf down the food. Sometimes he wondered why Marisol chose such a large dog. Tala was a half-wolf half-dog mix, which was illegal in most states and not exactly favorable to become service dogs, but Marisol fell in love with Tala the day she found her. Ever since Tala was Marisol's protector. Once she was dressed, Marisol came down the stairs and asked Brad to fix her hair, which he did enthusiastically.

"Girl, you're looking fine as fuck. Speaking of which, we have to talk about this surrogacy thing."

Marisol laughed shaking her head at her friend. "Are you ready to get going?"

Brad grabbed the car keys and put Tala's service harness on before leading both out to the car. He drove them to a dog-friendly park where all of them were eager to go exploring. Tala walked as slow as Marisol, always staying a few paces in front so she wouldn't trip. Marisol held Tala's harness so she wouldn't need to use her walking stick. Tala was Marisol's eyes.

"Are you sure you want to carry some stranger's baby?"

"Why are you questioning my decisions?"

"Because you make poor decisions when you're depressed."

"You make way more rash decisions than I do."

"I do not!"

Marisol stopped, facing straight as she didn't know how far she could turn. "You literally fucked that guy in Vegas who turned out to be your boss. Remember what I said?"

"Yes, I know what you said–"

"Tell me what I said to you," she said with a grin.

"You said, 'Brad, he's cute, but cute guys get you in trouble. Go masturbate and if you still want to fuck him then fuck him.'"

"And was I wrong?"

Brad rolled his eyes. "No." Marisol continued to walk. "What I am saying is, it's nine months of morning sickness, swollen ankles, maternity leave, and hours of pain just to be reminded that you have to deal with this bullshit for 18 more years."

"Wrong. I'd go through all that pain to give the kid to someone else."

"Do you not see why I'm questioning your decision?"

"I want to, Brad. I promise you, I thought about it. I don't think It's gonna happen though. You know no one's accepted my application yet."

"Actually, that's why I wanted to talk about it. I was reading your emails this morning and someone requested an in-person meeting. It's the next step of this process."

Marisol stopped again and smiled brighter than he had seen all day. "Of course! Can you schedule it?"

"Yes, but you work all this week and they're only free tomorrow at 4."

"Schedule it. I'll just leave the office early. Do you know anything about them?"

Brad shook his head and then realized she couldn't see. "No. The program wants to ensure complete confidentiality. Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, it's alright. I'll just Uber from work. Do you mind putting the address in my phone?"

❥

Marisol was nervous. She knew they must have read her file and knew that she was blind, but still...maybe they skipped that vital piece of information. What if they didn't like her? What if...

Tala nuzzled her head onto Marisol's lap. She smiled, petting her dog as they sat in the back seat of the car.

"Here we are," the driver said, stopping the car. "Do you need help getting to the door?"

"No, my dog will help me. Thank you, though." Marisol smiled, although she wasn't quite sure if he saw. She opened the car door and stepped out with Tala's harness in her left hand. She stayed still, listening around her. People surrounded her, but no one spoke. She could tell they only watched her. "Forward, Tala."

Tala barked once before slowly leading her up the sidewalk. Tala stopped and whined, letting Marisol know that there were steps in front of her. After climbing onto the porch, she knocked twice on the big door. The door swung open and she waited for someone to say something. When she didn't hear anything she spoke.

"Hello, my name is Marisol Evergreen. I'm here to speak with someone about my application–"

"Hello, darling," the woman said, ushering her inside. Marisol almost jumped form being touched without warning. She didn't understand why people insisted on touching her all the time. She smiled, knowing that the woman was just trying to help. "I'm Margaret. Please have a seat and I'll let him know you are here."

Marisol smiled, thanking the woman. She sat down on whatever she was led to. Tala whined again and she rubbed her head.

He watched from the top of the stairs as she rubbed her dog's head. He narrowed his eyes. That dog was no dog, and it growled in his direction. He stuffed down the desire to growl back. His eyes landed on the girl who sat.

He'd read her file. In fact, he'd read many files, but rejected all of them. Except hers. Why? What was it that drew him to her?

After not finding his mate, and being pressured by his pack to produce an heir, he decided to pursue a different option. He didn't want to marry or mate with anyone besides his beloved, which is why surrogacy seemed like the only option. This way he could have a child of his bloodline without committing what he considered adultery.

She turned to his direction, clearly sensing his presence. "Hello?" She called out. He didn't respond as he descended from the steps. He stopped in front of her, and she stood nervously.

"Ms. Evergreen, yes?"

"Yes," she said, holding out her hand. "I'm sorry. I do not know your name."

"My name is Grey." He grasped her hand and both recoiled as a sharp spark shot through them. The feeling must have terrified her so much that she fell back onto the couch. Grey looked at his hand and then at her, realizing instantly what had happened. He grabbed her hands, feeling the familiar spark, helping her to her feet.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, obviously embarrassed. "I must have shocked you or something."

It took a moment for him to respond. He was caught off-guard. "No apology is necessary," he said, his throat closing from utter shock. He'd found her in the most unbelievable way. Fuck, she was beautiful. He had always known she would be, but even his dreams couldn't compare. He knew then that he couldn't let her out of his sight. "Let's go discuss in my office."

Placing her hand on her back, she shivered from the contact. Tala growled lowly. "Tala," Marisol admonished. "I'm sorry, she's very protective."

"I understand." A part of him was happy she had a guard dog that was so good at their job, but another was mad that another wolf was doing what was supposed to be his job. As they entered his office, he led her to a chair in front of his desk and went to sit next to her.

Was he nervous? He was Grey Weston, he was never nervous. He cleared his throat. "I read your file. You studied law?"

She smiled and he almost forgot his own goddamn name. "Yes, I still practice, but my schedule is flexible as I choose which cases to take."

"Seems stressful."

"It can be," she admitted, "but I promise I would never put the baby in danger. I know my limits. I'd take off if it got to be too much. I really do want to carry a child for a couple who cannot have their own."

"A couple?"

She cocked her head adorably. "Yes. I was told the majority of people seeking surrogates were couples who couldn't have their own children. Is this not the case here? I'm sorry to assume."

"I am not married. It is only myself who desires a child."

She leaned closer to where his voice was coming from. "I know it's none of my business, but...I can tell by your voice that you aren't too old to have your own children...why surrogacy?"

"You can tell that by my voice?"

"Yes. My other senses are very good. I've learned over the years to figure out an approximate age of a person by their voice. Sometimes I can even hear subtle inflections of their voice, so if they're stressed or lying, sometimes I can figure it out."

"You seem brilliant, Ms. Evergreen. To answer your question, I didn't find the right woman. I got tired of waiting."

"I'm not brilliant, just resilient. Or at least I like to think so." She chuckled, feeling uncomfortable with so much attention on her. "I understand your situation.

"Why do you wish to become a surrogate? If you do not mind my asking."

"Of course not. Uh, well, I've always wanted to carry a child, and unfortunately, because of my accident, dating hasn't exactly been...successful. I figured I'm at my prime and I can give something to someone that would change their life for the better."

"So you will become a surrogate no matter the circumstances?"

She nodded. "How so?"

"Are there any circumstances of which you wouldn't continue with surrogacy?"

"Well, if I wasn't chosen as a surrogate, but besides that, I am fully positive I will continue through the process. I'm not getting any younger."

It was clear the moment he touched her that he would choose her, but now he realized he had to make it clear to her before someone else accepted her file. He didn't want her to carry some other man's pup. If she had answered differently, perhaps he wouldn't have continued the surrogacy process, but knowing that she would become a surrogate regardless, he seemed to have only one option; to choose her as his surrogate. Still, he had to act a certain way as to not scare her. "Do you have any genetic mutations I should be aware of."

"No, although heart disease is common in my family. I lost my eyesight, so it is not due to a preexisting condition if that's what you're referring to."

"I wasn't," he assured. In his mind, she was already the purpose of his existence, but a part of him worried. He worried about how he could take care of her and how others would treat her. He worried, not only for her physical safety but her emotional confidence.

She laughed, shaking her head. "It's alright, I promise. I was expecting many questions about my blindness."

"Are you willing to attend all prenatal checkups and go on a planned diet?"

She nodded. "I was planning on it."

"I'd drive you to each and buy your groceries as well as your medication."

"Mr. Grey"

"It's just Grey."

She hesitated at first. "Grey, that's unnecessary. I can provide for myself."

"I know, and I do not mean to come off as underestimating your occupation, but it seems only right that I take care of you while carrying my child."

She blushed and nodded. She felt like this was moving a little fast, but part of her loved the idea. Part of her wanted him to put a baby inside her right now. She blushed as her thoughts wandered somewhere they should not be. Focus, Marisol! "Very well." She had a feeling he was a very stubborn man.

"What about your sexual activities?" She gawked, clearly not expecting the question. "If you are sexually active with anyone, I'd ask you to stop for the next nine months as to ensure no sexually transmitted diseases."

She knew she was blushing furiously. "I can agree to that."

"So you are then?" He couldn't help but come off as a little tense.

"Yes, I am sexually active, but I haven't been for an embarrassingly long amount of time If I am being honest."

Good thing she couldn't see because his eyes turned dark black and his canines elongated. He knew that he couldn't be mad at her. She didn't know she had a mate. She didn't know she was his, but he was expecting both of them to be virgins when they met.

"Would you stop as well?"

"Yes," he affirmed. He could see a small smile on her lips. "You wouldn't have to have sex regardless." She didn't respond. She just looked down and he continued. "You'd have me to take care of your needs."

"I– what?"

He moved on, not wanting to explain himself. "I'd also ask for you to move into my home so I may ensure your safety at all times."

He was asking a lot. To be honest, she didn't have to agree to anything he said, but something called to her. She wanted him to choose her more than anyone else. Still, she was also terribly stubborn and prideful. "I promise you my home is safe," she argued.

"I could also move in with you for a short time. Whichever you prefer," he continued on.

It took a few moments, but eventually, she nodded, agreeing to these insane demands.

As she stepped outside, she huffed. Her chest heaved with breath. She felt like she couldn't breathe talking to him. She couldn't help but feel like she just made a decision that would change her life forever. For the better or worse, she didn't know.

She turned to face the door, bringing her hand up to knock again. She couldn't resist the undoable pull she felt toward him. Tala pulled Marisol, and she turned around, fumbling down the steps. As she got closer to the car she realized that when he spoke to her, all she could think was oh shit.

❥

When she returned home after the meeting, Brad was waiting for her at her house. She walked in slowly with an unreadable expression on her face. Taking off her jacket, she hung it on the coatrack.

"How did it go?"

She jumped, hearing his voice. "Fuck you! Bitch I'm blind, wear a bell or something so I know you're here." Brad chuckled and watched as she took off her shoes and Tala's harness. Marisol fell back onto her couch.

"I think I just sold my life away from the next 10 months."

"No, shit, Sherlock. It was that bad?"

She sat up. "The opposite. It was...I don't even know what it was. Oddly enough, I can't wait to speak with him again."

"So you were chosen?"

Marisol nodded, standing up. It took a moment before she smiled.