Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 381 – Persistence

Sinclair

I wake up frowning, knowing immediately that something is…well, not wrong, but certainly off. I reach out an arm, seeking Ella, but my hand passes over cold sheets. My frown deepens as I sit up and realize that she’s not here. A glance at Rafes bassinet makes it clear that he’s not here either.

Where the hell is my family?

I sigh, swinging my legs out of the bed, wondering how much time has passed. As I scrub a hand down my face I consider that it can’t have been much – there’s still no daylight peeking around the blinds. So, a few hours a most. But why the hell hasn’t she come to bed?

I stand and head for the door, wondering what the hell trouble is getting up to now. I smirk a little to consider it. Ella…well, it’s part of her appeal, isn’t it? She’s always up to something. I’ll certainly never be bored by her side.

The hallway outside my room is empty but I head down it towards where I hear a few murmuring voices. But when I turn into the room, I’m surprised because the first person I see is my father, sitting quietly in his chair by the door, staring into the room.

We don’t say anything to each other as I lean against the doorway by his side, because we’re both aware that I didn’t come here seeking him. I give him a nod and place a hand on his shoulder as my eyes turn to her – Ella, across the room, my infant son sleeping pressed against her chest while she holds her hands out over one of my wounded men, healing him.

“She’s going to wear herself out,” my father says quietly.

“How long has she been at it?”

“Hours,” he says, shaking his head. ” She’s been burning her candle at both ends for days, Dominic. She’s…very dedicated, she wants to do good. But she gives too much.”

I nod, understanding, agreeing silently. My kind mate with her big heart she can’t stop giving, even if it means giving all of herself. But that’s where I come in. It’s my job to take care of her, when she’d burn herself out taking care of the whole world if I let her.

her work, knowing it won’t do any good to interrupt her in the middle of

so sorry, Dominic,” he says, his voice thick

down at

his head slowly, looking up at me with such regret

cost us everything. I played right into the enemy’s hands and risked your mate, your

I snap, tightening my hand

and Ella unprotected – I should have seen it coming, that of course they would follow us back to the bunker after

angry with him. “This was not

was my plan –

than I meant it to. But my dad

men, the whole team. We all fell for it, we were all…” I sigh, shutting my eyes and reliving the shame that flooded me the moment I realized that Xander was working to trap us in that house, that he

his mouth to protest, to continue, but his voice fails him. And he

look up from my father to see her standing before us, her eyes wide with worry as she

for a beat as I try to figure out what to say, but then I just shake my head. “It’s nothing, Ella,” I respond, not wanting to add to her plate. I can

incomplete explanation, and focuses her eyes on my father. “Haven’t we been through this already?” she asks quietly. “No one blames you.” I nod, agreeing

guilt,” he sighs, working hard to give us a tired smile. ” It gives us something to dwell on to fill these long days. But

” Will you take him, Dominic? I wouldn’t have kept him out here so long – I just didn’t want to risk him waking you if he

she looks up at me with surprise. “You’re going to bed

and backing up a step. “I have too much to do there’s – there are more

who I need to

putting a hand on her elbow. “You’ve done enough.” I lower my voice so that just she can hear me, so that it’s barely more than a rumble in my chest. “You