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.”

as I begin to step towards the door, Sinclair pulls me back

swoops with excitement and apprehension, and I try to make my voice sound stronger than I feel. “And?” I

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 cheeks flush with color, but the elder alpha doesn’t seem embarrassed

you two, we’re going to be

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 us about his presence. “Do you

“No, I’m afraid my son has never forgiven me for

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

father should,” he shares thoughtfully, “and when you welcome your pup you’ll learn firsthand that children don’t always appreciate what’s

Neither would have thrived under his leadership, and I haven’t ever regretted passing the role to Dominic one bit. I just wish it had been possible to do the

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

shoulder, “l just can’t help thinking that there might have been a better way, I could

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

the start. I’m sure you did

you Ella.” Henry proclaims, managing a dim

up around the city yesterday. I was too preoccupied fighting with Sinclair to notice when

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

persistent in their demands for questions and photos. So we head straight

have to greet the royal 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

my chair, but I can’t bring myself to sit down. “Oh no,” I gulp, holding my

follows my gaze, quickly growling at a

mouth, and my face is probably very pale from holding my breath. I’m about to break, needing air but knowing the

man’s slowness on the uptake.

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

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

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