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.”

begin to step towards the door, Sinclair pulls me back against his chest. The big Alpha lowers

stomach swoops with excitement and apprehension, and I try to make my voice sound

feel very overheated all of a sudden. “Liar.” Sinclair croons, petting me affectionately. I’m only too aware that his father is only a

two, we’re going to

the door and into the back of the limo, Sinclair effortlessly lifting his father into the seat and stowing his wheelchair in the trunk before joining us. I’m deeply curious to know more about Henry’s relationship with Roger, especially given the way he warned

seem to pass over the older man’s features. “No, I’m afraid my son has never forgiven me for

sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” I apologize,

he shares thoughtfully, “and when you welcome your pup you’ll learn firsthand that

him. Neither would have thrived under his leadership, and I haven’t ever regretted passing the role to Dominic

as your 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 becoming Alpha wouldn’t have helped our relationship at all. If anything it would have created more problems. He

shoulder, “l just can’t help thinking that there might have

offer gently. “And grief blinds us all, there is no right way

sounds like these cards were already on the table from the start. I’m sure you did the best you could and that’s

managing a

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

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

in warning when they edge too close to me, and though they back off, they remain persistent in their demands for questions and photos. So we head straight to

bowing and curtseying to the King, Queen and Prince and making polite conversation – at least, as polite as one can be

gulp, holding my breath when

gaze, quickly growling at a waiter.

The man blinks, looking back and forth between us. I’ve got my hand over my mouth, and my face is probably very pale from holding my breath.

the smell makes Ella sick.” Sinclair explains, getting impatient with the man’s slowness on the uptake. “Get it out of

turn in the very same second. I shake my head, knowing

over the sounds of my own retching, but when Sinclair doesn’t enter I know

high heels clicking across the floor. “Oh you poor dear.” A feminine voice sounds behind me, and gentle hands pull the hair back from