Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 345 Counter Moves

Sinclair

Cora breaks the tension between Ella and I, but unfortunately not in a way that benefits me.

“I agree,” she says, standing next to her sister, her eyes locked on Roger’s. I sigh inwardly, my wolf grumbling with discontent, as I realize that Roger’s warning at the start of this meeting was quite apt. Each on their own is willful, but together they’re a disruptive force.

“It’s too dangerous,” Cora continues, shaking her head, “we don’t know enough about this magic to send anyone in like this – people could be seriously hurt.”

She says “people” but I know, of course, that she really only means Roger and maybe me. Cora is not cold she cares about the other team members, but as a newly-mated newly- pregnant woman, I imagine that her main concern is, at this point, quite narrow.

“We have to press the advantage when we can, Cora,” Roger explains, angry but wanting her to understand. “Time is not on our side -” Cora opens her mouth to argue but I interrupt.

“Enough,” I snap, glaring at her and at Ella. Sit, I command Ella firmly, mind to mind. Her eyes flare at the authority in my voice, both audible and internal, but slowly I shake my head at her, communicating as cooly as I can that this is not the time to press me.

I see their concern – I share it, honestly – but this is not the time for me to back down in front of my men. I hold her gaze steadily, not relenting, and slowly Ella sits herself back into her seat. Seeing her back off, Cora hesitates but then does the same.

The tight muscle of Ella’s jaw lets me know that this fight is not over, even if she has consented to sit and, as she settles back in the chair, I give her a deep nod, letting her know that I will hear her. Just Not Now.

Then, I turn back to my men, moving on as if it didn’t happen.

“And where do we plan to strike?” Roger asks, his voice tight but likewise working to get back to business. He looks down at the paperwork our father provided and, I think, figures it out based on the few maps that my father has placed on the table.

and maintenance in the sewer system. “The priest we lost yesterday set up significant shop down there and it’s likely that he

– and, I propose that that is our best move forward then our best shot is to start there. Best case scenario he is still there, gathering the significant number of supplies he left, which will take a

suggestions for how to proceed?” I ask, looking at my oldest and most established men to see if there are any other ideas. I deliberately do not look at Ella and Cora.

over my chest, looking to the side at my

Cora as the men filter out of the room, some coming to have a quick word with me before moving on to their individual team tasks which they already know they must take up. Some move to check the armory and prepare the assault, others gather to discuss the best way to approach the sewers, and still more move to another room

But before that…

before looking up at me, giving me a wry little smile. “I’ll see you two in a

dad,” Roger growls, turning away from the last of the men and towards the two

away. “You boys know that I miss your mother but…”

gives us a little wave and rolls through the door next to which Cora and Ella stand, my baby boy still sleeping happily in my mate’s arms. As soon as dad rolls out with

ready to renew our stalemate but Roger interrupts, walking quickly to

the apology on his lips. “I’m sorry, Cora – I know you’re upset –

Ella spins her head to look at Cora, breaking my gaze. I blink, surprised. I had honestly thought we were going to

how to handle them better than me. As they start to argue, I

put on her shoulder. “We find out that

to get killed,” Roger replies, stating it in a breezy way that clearly lights a fire in his

don’t know that!”

“How am I supposed to let you walk out of her and put your life on your line! When

the distance between them and fisting her hands in his shirt as if she’ll never

standing a few feet from me, hoping for the same kind of honest communication, but when I meet her eyes they’re

my face and setting her jaw. “Just because Cora is crying and