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.”

my face. However as I begin to step towards the door, Sinclair pulls me back against his chest. The big Alpha lowers

excitement and apprehension, and I try to make my voice sound stronger than I

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

we’re going to

seat and stowing his wheelchair in the trunk before joining us.

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

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

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

leadership, and I haven’t ever

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 would

to pat Sinclair’s shoulder, “l just can’t help thinking that there might have been a better way, I could have handled it differently, including losing your

grief blinds us all,

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

managing a dim smile. “I appreciate

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

of the Midwinter Fair, and though I wish we had time to explore the carnival, when we arrive reporters and photographers are clamoring around us the moment

their demands for questions and photos. So we head straight to the feast, eager to cross the velvet ropes that will

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 to our assigned places at the head

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

quickly growling at a waiter.

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

smell makes Ella sick.” Sinclair explains, getting impatient with the man’s slowness on the uptake. “Get it out of here, can’t you see what

oxygen, and feeling my stomach turn in the very same second. I shake my head, knowing I’ve probably turned green and whimpering

me, but I race into the bathroom just as another woman 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

door opens just as a second wave of nausea overtakes me, and I hear high heels clicking across the floor. “Oh you poor dear.” A feminine voice sounds behind me, and gentle hands pull the hair back from my face. “There, that’s