Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Ella

When my panic attack finally eases and I can breathe again, I peek up at Sinclair, tears burning in my eyes. “I’m sorry.” I murmur weakly, hating that my stupid brain ruined our moment.

“Why the hell are you apologizing?” Sinclair counterS, still petting me. He hadn’t let me go even once as I weathered the storm of anxiety and despair, only pulling the pillows and blankets of my nest closer so I would feel secure.

“Because I screwed everything up.” I explain thickly. “I was supposed to be helping you and I fell apart at a mere suggestion.” Shame is coursing through my veins, not because of the panic itself, but because of what it might mean: that I’m too fragile, too broken, to be Sinclair’s Luna.

“Ella, don’t be silly.” He replies, and though I understand he didn’t mean to dismiss my feelings, the words still sting. Sinclair opens his mouth to continue, undoubtedly with some trite placation about how ‘these things happen’ or similar, but I cut him off.

“I’m not being silly!” I insist with exasperation.

What good am I as a mate if I can’t even be there for you when you need me? I get to lie around all day doing nothing while you’re out saving the world. You are constantly taking care of me on top of all your other Worries, and I never give you anything in return. It’s not right. You shouldn’t have to comfort me when you’re the one who needs to decompress!” I burst, throwing up my hands. “All this time we’ve been convinced that I can’t be your Luna because I’m human, but we never even considered that I might not be up to the task, even as a wolf.” My voice is shaking with fresh tears, and I can’t look at Sinclair as I continue, “But now… what more evidence do we need?”

Sinclair doesn’t make a sound, and when I look at him, he’s positively fuming. His heavy breathing and black expression tell me he’s barely holding onto his temper, and the hands which were caressing me mere moments ago are now stationary and stiff. I watch as he struggles to quell his anger, even though I’m not sure what I said to infuriate him this way. After a second he shakes his head, apparently surrendering the battle. “I need a minute, Ella.” He finally growls, “I need to go for a run, but I don’t want to leave you unless you’re alright.”

“Stop it!” I burst, my voice cracking. I’m out of the bed in a heartbeat, pacing back and forth in front of the bed. “This is exactly what I’m talking about!

Stop protecting ne from reality. If you’re angry with me, then be angry! Let me deal with the Consequences of my weakness!”

leaps out of the nest, stalking forward with white-knuckled fists. “I’m not going to yell at you when you’ve just had a panic attack, Ella. If you want to be upset with me, fine, but I need to

in his eyes. “And for the record, this isn’t special treatment.” He rumbles angrily, “I don’t believe in arguing or taking

again, and I’m trying my best not to dissolve into a fresh bout of weeping. I

She’s begging me to do something, to fix this, but I don’t know how. I might have felt terrible for falling apart when I was supposed to be soothing Sinclair,

should go after him! She begs. I can’t

if I wasn’t on bed rest and it was perfectly safe, we’ll never be áble to catch up with him. Besides, he’ll only be angrier if we leave

a little ball and pulling the blankets over my head. I haven’t felt this way before, though Sinclair has certainly been angry with me in the past. Hey, I ask my wolf after some thought. Why weren’t you this upset when he accused me of being a gold digger, or when he spanked

argues. I was barely awake in the beginning, and when he’s been angry in the past it’s been protective. This is the first time he’s really been hostile .. and the first time he’s walked out.

a small part

back, even if he only returns to end our relationship – after all, he lives here. But

decides we’re not worth the trouble, and simply

pack is here. He has too much integrity to abandon his duty

what if? She digs in her paws. It wouldn’t be the first time. He told us no wolf would ever willingly abandon their pup, especially with humans – but

aloud, clamping my hands over my ears, even though

stop

right. I almost feel as though I’ve left my body and am watching all this take place. I’ve had out of body experiences before, so I know that this isn’t what’s happening, but still – I’m

If he’s back it must be to end things. My wolf wails. I want to shush her, but instead I focus on trying to look as though I haven’t just spent the better part of two hours crying like a baby. I