Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Sinclair

I’m sitting in my office, speaking with my cabinet, when Ella’s delicious scent fills my nose. I’ve been thinking about her on and off all morning, wondering how she took the news of the interview, and hating that I hadn’t been able to tell her about it in person.

Normally I wouldn’t do such a thing, but l’d needed to check in with my guards about their investigation into the intruder, and she’d been sleeping so sweetly that I couldn’t bear to wake her.

I can sense how close she is now, and wonder if something went wrong. I’m already on my feet when I hear my assistant encouraging her to stay, “No, he’ll want to see you, just wait one moment.”

“l’m sorry, it’s really not urgent,” Ella is protesting. “I should have known he’d be busy.”

She’s retreating, her delicate footsteps receding, and I push through the door before she can get away. “And just where do you think you’re going?”

Ella freezes in place, her little body winding tight as a spring. When she turns, she’s staring at the floor, “I’m sorry.” She says again, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

I glance at the wolves over my shoulder, “Leave us.”

Ella gnaws on her plump lower lip as my cabinet members file past her out of the office, shifting restlessly on her feet. I can tell something is bothering her, but I also can’t help but think how lovely she looks in the cream-colored dress hugging her curves. “Come here, little one.” l command, not moving from the doorway.

This gets her attention, and indignation flashes in her golden eyes as her gaze snaps to mine. I can tell she wants to disobey, but I arch my brow in challenge and she slowly crosses the distance between us. I drag my knuckles over the high plane of her cheekbone when she’s finally in front of me, enjoying the way her defiance becomes muddled with uncertainty once more. “How did the interview go?”

“Good- I think.” She qualifies, unconsciously leaning her cheek into my hand. My wolf perks up at her obvious response to my touch, and I beckon her inside.

“Can I get you anything, have you eaten lunch?” I question, thinking of the pup.

“My stomach has been too unsettled.” Ella admits, looking guilty.

I press my hand to her flat belly, feeling the pup’s heartbeat and prodding the mental link. The babe seems perfectly content, but it worries me that Ella hasn’t eaten. “We can order in some lunch.” I suggest, resisting the urge to continue touching her.

ignoring the offer and just barely remembering to call me by my given

going on?” I inquire,

at the anxious movement rather than meeting my gaze. “I think … I think

attention loud

Her cheeks are flushing with color and she sounds as though she might cry. “I know I said I could do it, but l’m not sure l can pretend to be someone I’m not for the rest of my

is crying, and I’m on my feet in an instant. Ella turns her back on me, shoulders shaking, as if she doesn’t want me

my heart aching for the poor little human. I should have foreseen this problem. Ella is honest and good-hearted, of course a life of deceit would bother her. I suppose when we made the agreement I didn’t realize how much integrity she has, but

take her shoulders in my hands, and I have to forcibly turn her body to face me again. “Come here,” I say again, but this time

in my embrace, she cracks, emitting a heartbroken sob and wrapping her slender arms around my middle. She must be clinging to me with all her might, but it feels about as powerful as a child’s grip compared to my shifter strength. “I’m sorry.”

can still do it!” She insists defiantly, clearly beside herself with the competing needs to prove

own mind.

has its smell? What happens if someone connects her to Ella Reina, orphaned human and disgraced nanny? Am I really wiling to put her through all this? She doesn’t even know about the true

will it think when it gets old enough to understand our relationship

to find a way to make it work. Ella has already proven to be my biggest asset in this campaign – not only is she giving me an heir,

l’m going to win. More importantly, my wolf won’t abide the thought of letting her go. I try to tell him dissolving our agreement doesn’t mean letting her go, but he’s absolutely

to the couch. “What worries you the

Ella whispers, tears clinging to her dark lashes. “I don’t want to

long have you been feeling this way?”

bit from the beginning.” She confesses, “but it really hit me today during the interview. I just thought about doing this for the rest of my life and it just

legs and petting her sides. “The first, and most important thing I need you to understand is that shifter society doesn’t work like human society does. We are a ruthless species, and we do whatever

giant fraud, but you have to remember that my campaign is the only thing standing between a lot of innocent people and a tyrant. If the Prince takes the throne, he will wipe out the Alpha council and all his political competition in order to stay in power forever. He will oppress

why hasn’t he already staged a coup?” Ella inquires, a few

he doesn’t have the power yet.” I

doesn’t have an army – yet. His father is bad, but