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.”

confident they can’t see my face. However as I begin to step towards the door, Sinclair pulls me back against his chest. The

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

chuckle vibrates in his chest, and I feel very overheated all of a sudden. “Liar.” Sinclair croons, petting me affectionately. I’m only too aware that his father is only a few feet behind us and can hear every word. I feel my

two, we’re going to

trunk before joining us. I’m deeply curious to know more about Henry’s relationship with

pass over the older man’s features. “No, I’m

asked.” I apologize, realizing how personal

me, looking pensive. “I love my son as any father should,” he shares thoughtfully, “and when you

him. Neither would have thrived under his leadership, and I haven’t ever regretted

heir.” Sinclair interjects, and I can see his protective side coming out in response to his father’s sadness. “He’s been after me ever since Mom died, and

there might have been a

is easy in hindsight.” l offer gently. “And grief blinds us all, there is no right

already on the table from the start. I’m sure you did the best

Ella.” Henry proclaims, managing a

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 ornaments abound, glittering almost too

of the Midwinter Fair, and though I wish we had time to explore

in their demands for questions and photos. So we head straight to the feast,

and curtseying to the King, Queen and Prince and making polite conversation – at least, as polite

I can’t bring myself to sit down. “Oh no,” I gulp, holding my breath when I see

gaze, quickly growling at a waiter. “Can you remove the fish,

hand over my mouth, and my face is probably very pale from holding my breath. I’m about

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

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

is exiting. I can barely hear their confrontation over the 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,

me, and I hear high heels clicking across the floor. “Oh you