Ella

“What!”I exclaim, unable to wrap my head around this idea. “But I’m not ready!”

“You will be.” He promises. “Aileen will keep working with you tomorrow, and then we’ll go shopping so you can look the part. It’s only a meal, no one is going to be quizzing you on werewolf politics.”

“I don’t know.” I fret, “what if I say the wrong thing?”

“I’Il be with you the whole time.” Sinclair vows. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you put your foot in your mouth.”

This does make me feel better, but I’m still woefully far from feeling confident in my ability to pass as a completely different species. “Can’t we wait a little while?” I request anxiously. “I promise I’ll never miss another event, I just need a little more time.”

“Ella, the elections are in three months.” Sinclair says softly. “We don’t have much time to waste. Very few people change their minds at the last moment. My image has been marked with controversy from day one because I don’t have a family.”

“I don’t understand, why is that so controversial if the King is something people vote on. It’s not like having an heir is going to decide the future of succession.”

“Because it’s not about succession. It’s about personal stability. Unmated Alphas are viewed as being more temperamental and aggressive. If I have a mate and a pup however, people will view me as more grounded and cautious.” Sinclair explains.

“Is that true?” I ask, “that unmated alphas are wilder?”

Sinclair grimaces but nods, “To a degree, yes. Some men are more or less aggressive naturally, but it makes a difference when you have someone to take care of – someone who might be harmed if anything happened to you.”

“Okay, so you’re saying it has to be tomorrow?”I surmise, “the sooner you turn your image around, the better.”

“That’s right.” Sinclair agrees. “As long as you’re well enough, I need you there.”

“And you promise you won’t leave my side?” I question.

my word.” He

I concur, not feeling half

to change clothes before we check out. However Sinclair doesn’t have, he stays in the exam room

I trail off, hoping he’ll pick up

what?” He asks, a knowing smile

change in front of you.” I protest, my cheeks going bright pink. “I’m only wearing

mean. “Human modesty.” He clucks his tongue and shakes his head. “So prudish, you’ll see soon enough, wolves

I defend hotly, climbing down from the table and regretting it

our bodies perfect as they are, why would we hide

at the big man, I

over to the corner where I left my clothes neatly folded. I tug them on quickly, but not so quickly that Sinclair will think I’m embarrassed about being exposed before him. When

you’d actually go through with it.” He

down that easily. You might have seven senses or whatever, but it will

closes the distance between us, invading my

think?” I ask a few hours later, as I stand in front of a full length

the green one.” Sinclair responds thoughtfully, his penetrating gaze running up and down my body as I

about this shopping trip. I’m enamored by the stunning clothes around us, but it seems so extravagant to spend so much on material things. I’m

only smiles at me. How has our relationship changed so quickly? A couple of days ago he only glared at me, now he always seems to look at me fondly. “Did you find nothing about my finances when you were

I recall that he gives at least half his fortune to the less fortunate. “If you still have this much to spend on mere

completely. He nods

to my advice – or indeed anything I said – with so much attention. It’s only now that I see what true consideration is like, that I realize just how deficient he was as

green one?”I confirm, knowing precisely the dress to which he’s

“It suits you, besides, it

matter?” I

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