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!”

want to be upset with me, fine, but I need to let my wolf out and run off this temper.” He turns and charges for the door,

wolf glowing in his eyes. “And for the record, this isn’t special treatment.” He rumbles angrily, “I don’t believe in arguing or taking action when I’m out of control this way. If you need anything while I’m

simply stand there, staring after him. Im shaking again, and I’m trying my best not to dissolve into a fresh bout of weeping. I consider calling Cora, but I remember the way she accused me of selfishly

fix this, but I don’t know how.

I

grumble in reply. Even if I wasn’t on bed rest and it was perfectly safe, we’ll never be

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,

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 ..

course he’ll come back. I assure her, but there’s a small part of me that fears

he has to come back, even if he only returns to end our relationship – after all, he lives here. But somewhere deep down inside of me there’s a frightened orphan who

worth the trouble, and simply

ridiculous! I shout at her. His entire life is here. His pack is here. He has too much integrity

their pup, especially with humans – but our parents did. Something must be seriously wrong with us – what if he’s finally figured it

it!” I cry aloud, clamping my hands over my ears, even though her voice

it, stop it,

more convinced I am that she’s 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 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 whip the blankets off and straighten my body, dragging my fingers through my hair and wiping the accumulated salt