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.

answers, ignoring the offer and just barely remembering to

inquire,

staring at the anxious movement rather than meeting

loud and clear.

trembling. “It’s fraud. I… I don’t know if I can take the pressure.” 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 life… but I don’t want to lose the

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 to see how upset she is. “l

behind her, 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

I say again, but this time it’s

around my middle. She must be clinging to me with all her might, but it feels about as powerful

She insists defiantly, clearly beside herself with the competing needs

my own mind. Can this really

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 dangers she faces, and already the stress is

it think when it gets old enough to understand our

to the forefront, insisting that we have to find a way to make it work. Ella has already proven to be my biggest asset

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

suggest. Moving to the couch. “What worries you the most about our

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

have you been feeling this way?”

really hit me today during the interview. I just thought about

“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 is necessary to ensure the

know it feels like a 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

he’s that bad, why hasn’t he already staged a coup?” Ella inquires, a few notable degrees calmer as

doesn’t have the

– yet. His father is bad, but he’s old fashioned enough to respect