Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 160 - Separation

Ella "What do you mean, you might not take me with you?" I demand, barely processing Sinclair's words. "We're mated, where you go I go.” "Baby, I don't want to be away from you.” Sinclair sighs, sending a wave of genuine regret through our bond. This isn't the first time he's done this - let me feel his emotions to confirm their veracity, but this is the strongest I've ever experienced them. With the help of our connection, I can sense how terribly Sinclair hates the idea of leaving me behind when he travels. It's making his wolf positively rabid with anger, worry, and sadness. Even as the emotions are filtering in, I can already see a way to use them to my advantage. If he feels this strongly, surely it won’t be too difficult to convince him to take me with him.

"The problem is that I have no idea what I’m walking into with a lot of these meetings.” Sinclair explains. "I've been to Vanara before, and know a few of the Alphas, but most of the packs I'm visiting are complete unknowns. I don’t know the territories or threats, I don’t know how rough the conditions will be or how well we'll be received when we arrive." "How much time are we talking about?” I question, needing to get a handle on the scope of this potential separation.

"Weeks, maybe a month." He shakes his head, and I can feel his frustration. "I've been trying to figure out which terrifies me more, taking you with me and putting you in danger as a result, or leaving you behind where I can’t get to you if something happens.” "It's definitely safer to have me with you." I inform my mate confidently." You’re the one who said the only time I’m truly safe is when I'm in your arms."

Sinclair laughs warmly, squeezing me closer. “Why do I feel like you're not the most objective opinion on this?" "Because you’re so blinded by your love for me that you assume I'm in the same boat, but don’t worry because I am completely unbiased." I declare, shifting to straddle his lap.

"Oh, so you aren’t blinded by your love for me?" Sinclair teases, stroking my sides.

"It's different." I hedge, "I'm not exactly sure how at this moment, but there's no doubt in my mind that it is." "You do know that being adorable won't make me change my mind, don’t you?" Sinclair asks gently, grazing his knuckles over my cheek.

whether or not I’d shared the sound with my mate, he responds

irresponsible... honestly it feels selfish, like I'm choosing my own comfort and happiness over your safety." i "But I want to be with you too. So if it's selfish, let's be selfish together." I beg. Pushing away from him, I make my eyes wide

growl vibrates in Sinclair's chest, so fierce the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. His hand closes over my nape a second later, applying just enough pressure to make me quiver with the instinct to submit. "I have news for you, trouble. If I do go without you, I’ll have the others keep track of all

authority washes over me, so I change track." Fine, but if you're not here then who will give me

own. Only when my mouth is red and swollen, and I’ve forgotten our conversation entirely, does he release me. He keeps our eyes level, massaging my head through my thick rose gold tresses. I loll my head into his hand, and he takes the opportunity to dip his tongue into the hollow of my throat. "When that happens you'll call me to your dreams, and tell me exactly

meant exactly what I said."

wolf.” I concede, even as he continues to run his fingers through my long hair. "Just promise me you'll think about this. We'll both be happier together. We'll both be less anxious. I'll always be in your sight or reach. That's worth a lot." "I’ll think about it." Sinclair agrees. "There are a lot of advantages, I just need to make sure it’s right." "Thank you." I exhale, so comfortable and cozy that I already feel as though I might doze off again. Maybe I'm being a wild optimist, but I truly think I've gotten through to my mate. I can feel how strongly he wants to take me with him, and

Cora and I set out with a contingent of Gabriel's royal guards. The refugees are arriving in much the same way we did, cramming into small passenger planes carrying all their earthly belongings, arriving lost and depleted at the air base outside the city. Gabriel is trying to figure out where to

when our cars pull up outside a group of large white tents erected to triage the incoming shifters. As I understand it, some

become distracted by Cora's incessant fidgeting beside me. It hasn't escaped my notice that my sister is behaving very oddly today, she keeps shooting Roger wary looks, then pretending like he doesn't exist if he returns the gesture. This morning she would fall silent or walk away if Roger came near

you like to tell me why my sister keeps taking off like a startled hare every time you glance

don't think she's a very big