Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 130 - The Prince's Ransom

Sinclair

I'd been ready to storm the Royal Palace when I learned the Prince had taken Ella, and if I had been sure of her location, I would have already done it. It would be the very definition of hubris to imprison her within his own home, though I don't put anything past the Prince. More importantly, my mate and my pup's lives hang in the balance, and I can't be too careful.

After I calmed down enough to stop envisioning all the ways I'd like to maim the other man, I had Hugo call in my best warriors, even though they've only just come off the battlefield. Next to Gabriel, Sean and the rest of the slaughtered team, the chosen men are the best fighters I can assemble at my back - and I have no doubt I'm going to need them. When they arrived I was still too rabid to conjure actual words, so Hugo explained the situation to them. I watch the horror and outrage spread across their weary faces and I’m touched when - one by one - they all stand and promise me their allegiance in the fight ahead.

I didn’t even have to ask, and a tiny part of me had been afraid they would view the assault on my mate as a reflection of my own weakness. It was bad enough that the Prince was able to find enough rogues to take on the city, and now this? What kind of Alpha can't even protect his mate? I feel like an utter failure for not keeping Ella and Rafe safe, for not considering that the royal family might declare the danger passed in order to target my mate.

My wolf hasn't stopped howling in my head, in between bursts of deadly snarls and pitiful whines, he simply howls and howls as if he's hoping her own wolf might hear him telepathically. He's drowning in his pain, but I’m drowning in my guilt. I promised she would always be safe and I couldn't do it. Goddess only know what they're doing to her at this very moment.

My father is here too - he came at Roger's request after we arrived home, and I'm grateful for his steady presence. My own wolf might be on the verge of going completely berserk, but I know my father will talk me down if I start to truly lose it. He must think I'm nearing that point, because he wheels over and rests his hand over mine. "Whatever you're thinking, stop. Beating yourself up about this won't help anything." He frowns sympathetically, letting me know he understands even though he’s not going to condone my wallowing. "Ella needs your strength, not your self- pity."

I nod, appreciating his calm reminder. Feeling sorry for myself won't fix anything. "I’ve already called the Prince’s beta." Hugo is explaining to the men. 'They’ve asked for a meeting, and we agreed to let them set the time if we set the place. We won't release the location until fifteen minutes before the rendezvous."

"What's the plan once we're there?" The biggest wolf in the group asks." Are they bringing her along?"

much information as we possibly can in the meantime. Everybody needs to be observing every detail possible - the words he uses, the way he organizes his own guards. Watch their facial expressions as the Alpha's speak, try to pick up on any ticks or body language that might hint at a clue to

guard inquires, nodding

didn't want to give them any time to scheme further or try to figure out the destination in advance. It means we don’t have time to

call for backup." Another wolf suggests, "I bet you they'll do exactly the same thing once they know where

situation. In all likelihood they've set up some kind of contingency in the event that the Prince doesn't return from the meeting or

men are to help. "I appreciate your dedication and your bravery tonight. We've already been through hell in the last few hours, and I want to make sure that everyone here is up to another fight if things come to a head. This isn’t the time to play the hero - if you're too exhausted, injured or simply unable to be at

he was one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen, and he saved my life more than once over the years. That cowardly bastard probably had to outnumber them five to one just to take

"We all want to make him pay, and we'll be damned if we’re going to

earnestly, feeling genuinely touched by their support. "Now

Prince arrives at the meeting point half an hour later, I've got more than a hundred wolves spread out around the periphery of the scene, just waiting to move in or track the Prince after he leaves. When Damon enters, sniffing at our surroundings - a deserted warehouse in the old industrial district - I can't stop myself from prowling

clawing at my skin, actually spilling my blood in his desperation to

waggling his finger at me. "If anything happens to me, I guarantee you'll never

guards at his back. He’s got about a dozen men around him, but I know his guards are second-rate fighters compared to my own

dead in an instant, and then we could hold his men hostage and torture them until

your mate’s guards every fifteen minutes like clockwork. If they don't receive

you've been taking pointers from my ex-wife." I remark harshly, hoping to piss him off enough to put a dent in their alliance. "I didn't think you had it in