Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 444- A Drink

“Please,” the shadow says, his voice awkward and apologetic.

I’m still rigid with fear when Conner storms out onto the balcony, his hand smacking the shadow-person in the chest, slamming him against the wall. ” Who the hell are you!?” Conner demands.

“Please!” the shadow says again, “I’m so sorry! I was just standing out here, also getting fresh air! This is a complete accident!”

And suddenly, the voice snaps into place in my memory. “Conner!” I call, Rafe fussing in my arms, not liking the sudden change in my energy and the fear spiking through me, though I’m calmer now. “Please – it’s the Atalaxian Prince. He is – I don’t believe he means us any harm.”

And even though something about that concept doesn’t match up – an Atalaxian? Not meaning us any harm? Especially after the meeting I just had with my uncle?

Still, somehow, I know the truth of it down in my bones. He doesn’t.

Conner glances at me and then backs up a little, removing his hand from the Prince’s chest. “Should I escort him out of here, Luna?”

“No,” I sigh, shaking my head. “Not unless he wants to go, of course. But the night air is for everyone. I can’t have it all to myself just because I’m the Queen.”

The prince looks between Conner and I for a moment, stepping further into the light so I can see his pale features and the details of his chic black suit. “I would…stay, for a moment, if that’s all right? Have a quiet word with you, so that we don’t leave this evening on bad terms?”

“That’s fine,” I say quietly, somehow a little pleased that he will stay. I’m still terribly curious about him, perhaps despite myself.

“Would you mind?” Conner says to the prince, his voice tight. “If I performed a body check? To ensure that you don’t have…”

“Be my guest,” the prince says, spreading his arms wide and allowing Calvin to pat down the sides of his body, and then his legs.

him and give him a smile, grateful for his protection. “I’ll be just inside the door, Luna,”

voice. Conner nods again and steps to the door, standing with one foot in the ballroom and the other out on the balcony, a constant threat to Calvin should he make one wrong

taking a few steps closer to me not too close, but close enough

to me as I am to them,” I say with a little shrug, studying Calvin’s face carefully. As I do, I wonder a little how did he blend so seamlessly into the shadows? It’s not that dark out here was I just so distracted that I missed

is something else

was very moving, as was the vote. It is inspiring

“Do

them,” he says, his voice a little chagrined. “My father’s policy is instead to…tell the people how they feel about the

that

the rooftop that his

at me and studies my face for a moment before dropping

face. “Your son is a very handsome boy,” he says, smiling at Rafe.

curious. He’s young,

children of your own,

mine. “Two,” he says, his smile growing as he thinks of them. “My Luna

even more now that I know he’s a father. There’s something about that – the alliance between parents who love their children. And

suppose, is perhaps

little, curious. Something about his words

child?”

three,” he replies, his smile increasing. “She is…well, she makes me laugh more than I

who is such a surprise. Because he seems – honestly, he seems like he could be