Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Ella

“You look radiant.” Sinclair’s father is beaming up at me from his wheelchair, “how’s my grandbaby treating you?”

“Oh he’s certainly making his presence known.”I laugh, sliding my arms into the sleeves of my coat.

Sinclair is holding the garment up for me, then straightens it around my shoulders as if worried I won’t be warm enough. He’s been particularly on edge tonight, and though I understand his agitation, I’m beginning to tire of being treated like a china doll. “Stop fussing, Dominic, I’m fine.”

“I’m still not sure this is a good idea.” He grumbles. “

Your blood pressure was much too high this afternoon and you didn’t get nearly enough rest.”

“You’re the one who keeps telling me how important these events are.”i remind him. “And I feel perfectly well.

He’s still muttering to himself, and Henry chuckles,

You’re fighting a losing battle, my dear. There won’t be any reasoning with him – I was the same way when his mother was breeding and we weren’t campaigning.”

“It’s too much stress.” Sinclair agrees. “All the media and the royal family, on top of the crowds.”

“Not to mention your brother.” Henry adds darkly. It’s true that this is the first time l’m going to be encountering all of these people together, but it’s also far from the last. The Yuletide Feast is only the third night of the festival, and we still have four more high profile events to get through before we can relax. Even then it will only be a temporary reprieve – we still have the rest of the campaign to get through.

“I’Il be fine.” l insist. “You don’t have to coddle me. “

Both men raise their eyebrows, as if to say that this isn’t my decision and I absolutely do need to be coddled.

Sure enough, Sinclair shakes his head and overrules me.

“We’ll come home at the first sign you feel overwhelmed – and that isn’t up for debate.”

Sinclair pulls me back against his chest. The

to make my voice sound stronger than I feel. “And?” I challenge him. “I’m not scared

sudden. “Liar.” Sinclair croons, petting me affectionately. I’m only too aware that his father

two, we’re going to be

and stowing his wheelchair in the trunk before joining us. I’m deeply curious to know more about

older man’s features. “No, I’m afraid my son has never

I shouldn’t have asked.” I apologize, realizing how personal the

my son as any father should,” he shares thoughtfully, “and when you welcome your pup you’ll

would have thrived under his leadership, and I haven’t ever

and becoming Alpha wouldn’t

reaches over to pat Sinclair’s shoulder, “l just can’t help thinking that there might have

hindsight.” l offer gently. “And grief blinds us all, there

start. I’m sure you did the best you could and that’s all any

Henry proclaims, managing a

window at all the lavish decorations which were put up around the city yesterday. I was too preoccupied fighting with Sinclair to notice when we departed the festival, but the old town has truly been transformed for the holiday. Lights, greenery, ice sculptures and

Fair, and though I wish we had time to explore the carnival, when we arrive

me, and though they back off, they remain persistent in their demands for questions and photos. So we head straight to the feast, eager to cross the velvet ropes that will block the clamoring media from

family first, bowing and curtseying to the King, Queen and Prince and making polite conversation – at least, as polite as one can be with political opponents. Afterwards we move to our assigned places at the head table, relieved to have the tense

myself to sit down. “Oh no,” I gulp, holding my breath when I see a large

a waiter. “Can you remove the

face is probably very pale from holding

man’s slowness on the uptake. “Get it out of here, can’t you see what it’s

late, at that moment I lower my hand, heaving in a gasp of much needed oxygen, and feeling my stomach turn in the very same second. I shake my head, knowing I’ve probably turned green and whimpering when l feel my gag reflex engage. I take off for the restrooms, knowing ifl stay “‘ll be sick all

sounds of my own retching, but when Sinclair doesn’t enter I know the stranger must have insisted he not set foot in the lady’s room. Propriety must have won out, but I don’t mind – I hate being sick in front of people, especially handsome men

I hear high heels clicking across the floor. “Oh you poor