Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Chapter 136- Ella's dilemma

Ella

I gaze around at the icy mountains, squinting up at the sky. The sun is high overhead, only halfway through its daily journey from East to West. That means it's about noon... three hours from when I found the passage, according to the bedroom clock. The Prince's deadline isn't until dusk, which means there's still time to get word to Sincalir, assuming I can figure out how to get back to the city.

Suddenly I'm kicking myself for leaving my go-bag behind. My coat wasn’t there because it had been stained and damaged, but I had other clothes inside, things I could layer onto my body to try and provide myself some warmth. I might move faster without the weight, but lightness won't help me if I drop dead from hypothermia.

Just keep your blood moving. My wolf advises, as long as your heart is pumping it will keep you warm.

Not if I'm sweating. I counter, the liquid will just freeze and kill me faster.

Then stay active, but not so active that you're sweating. You don't want to stress the baby anyway. She advises,

Alright. I agree. How far do you think the valley is?

Well, it's nowhere in sight, so we must be on the wrong slope of the mountain. My wolf reasons, making my heart sink.

So what? I have to go over it? I ask in horror, looking up at the snow covered peak. There's no way I can make that sort of climb without gear, and it would certainly take more time than I have to spare. Besides, I'd probably fall into a crevasse or get buried in an avalanche. There is no way in hell I can survive that journey.

him to come after us. All we can do is try to stay warm and hope he attempts a rescue sooner rather

more danger than he already has, but beggars can't be choosers, and right now I'm certainly a beggar. So do I stay put and walk in circles, or try to descend? I wonder. I don't want to stay out in the open like this, in case the Prince figures out that I've escaped before Sinclair comes for me, but the closer I am to the tunnel, the faster

doesn't figure it out. I realize, a light bulb bursting on in my head. It’s a risk, but the tunnel had been warmer at least, surely I’d have a better chance if... My thoughts trail off as I turn and see that the rock wall where I’d emerged is tightly shut. Like the fireplace,

pushing at it the way I'd seen my guards to at the safe house. I try and try to open it

I cry out angrily. "No, no, no! It isn’t

happens, and I end up collapsing into the snow with a wordless scream of outrage and misery. Get up! My wolf orders sharply, lying in the

keep my wits about me even though I want nothing more than to rage at the Goddess and

the mountain. The treeline starts about a mile below me, and though I know the sun will keep me warmer than the shaded forest, it's also lower elevation and I might find shelter for the night. Even as I think it, I know I won't make it through the night... not

the herbs. My wolf reminds me softly, her voice heavy with regret for making the suggestion. If you wake me fully we’ll be able to handle the elements. Wolves are made for the wilderness... you’ll be ten times harder to

I argue immediately clutching my belly. Not unless we have

remarks sorrowfully, but

know that! I insist ferociously. But I can't... there's still a chance that we can find another

a cabin somewhere in that forest... in fact, I bet there is! If the Royal Family uses this tunnels in emergencies I bet there’s some sort of emergency shelter nearby! It would be crazy not to

We keep moving and we

give a word of comfort to my growing pup. "It's okay, angel. Daddy's going to come for us, and until then I’m going to keep you safe

detect a path or signs of opening in the dense trees, but I can't seem to decipher anything but ice and snow. I’m already exhausted, and my skin stings with the bite of the glacial wind.