Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 76

Ella

It’s been three weeks since the ball, and though I can scarcely believe it, it seems like all the campaign drama passed with Solstice. There has been nothing but calm since the holidays, and I’m beyond thrilled that I’ve been able to relax a bit, even though part of me is waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under us.

I’ve spent my time pouring over baby books, making plans for our nursery, and brainstorming baby names – and the best past is that I’ve felt less nauseated and achy every day. In fact, yesterday marked the beginning of my second trimester – since shifter pregnancies are so short – and it seems impossible to think my baby will arrive in four short months. My stress has already eased knowing I’m leaving the most vulnerable phase of my pregnancy behind, and I don’t even mind that I’ve been seeing Sinclair less now that he’s gone back to a regular work schedule.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I miss him. I miss him much more than I should, but I’m also grateful for the space. It’s much easier to resist our attraction to each other when we’re not constantly together and taking part in int!mate rituals and r0mantic outings.

I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn. The little voice in my head mutters. If you’re going to give in eventually, why not throw in the towel now and enjoy being together in the last months before the baby comes? You do realize that in another four months you’ll never be alone again.

I’m not having this argument again. I decide. We agreed it’s better for the baby if we can co-parent without our own relationship drama getting in the way.

You mean you decided and he went along with it because he doesn’t know it’s such a stupid reason.

My conscience snipes.

It’s not stupid! I insist. I’m going to be a mother, I have to put my baby first – that’s what being a parent is all about.

You keep telling yourself that. The voice derides.

We both know you’re just a big scaredy cat.

Oh put a sock in it! I exclaim, losing my patience.

Stupid conscience.” I mutter aloud, sorting through the clothing racks in my giant closet and trying to choose an outfit for our parenting class tonight.

Uppity, annoying, impossible..”

breaks through my angry

him leaning in the closet doorway,

me into his arms, petting me gently. “I”m sorry.” He croons, k!ssing my hair. “Sometimes I forget how weak your hearing

feeling irrationally angry all of a sudden. “It’s your ridiculous shifter stealth that’s the problem. It’s not right that anyone as big as you should be able to

agrees, and I have a sneaking suspicion he’s smothering a smile. “It’s my fault,

narrowing my eyes. “Are

way I can answer

dignify that question with an answer. I turn back to my closet, beginning to rifle through

of my belly. The changes are still very slight, but my clothing has gone from being a bit tight to entirely too small. My bre-asts might not be so tender anymore, but they spill out of all my br-as, and my favorite fitted tops now stretch and strain to cover my growing tummy.

the baby is growing big

enough of that!” I argue, not sure why I’m so determined to disagree

my body past its limits. Normal women don’t show this much at this stage you know.” My throat is stinging with the threat of tears, even though I

on a roller coaster, I can see

He’s been working from home a lot and I can tell he feels like he’s neglecting us, but there’s also nothing to be

sorry.” I sniffle. “I shouldn’t be giving you

a wrap dress from the clothing rack. “Here, no buttons, no

had my fill, and half an hour later we’re back on the padded floors of

that you’re out of the first trimester, but this is the time when your h0rmones

already be experiencing some intense mood swings, as well as physical changes to things like hair growth or skin pigmentation.” She looks around at the couples spread out on the mats, and I see

take advantage of, as you won’t have time

I’d known this was part of pregnancy, but I also hadn’t understood how powerless I’d be to

while she weathers these stormy seas, so I encourage you not to

I really don’t think they give the same advice

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