#Chapter 169 - Sinclair Prepares to Leave

Sinclair "She's still mad at you, huh?" Gabriel remarks, glancing pointedly in the direction of my sullen mate.

Ella is curled up on the couch reading the Vanaran history book she risked her precious life to reach last night, and occasionally glancing up to shoot me vengeful glares.

"You can say that again." I chuckle humorlessly, my wolf reaching out for her through our bond, only to hit a granite wall. The clever minx certainly learned how to shut me out quickly, and though part of me is proud, my wolf is not the least bit amused. Still, as much as I hate the idea, I'm trying to give her some space. I know how mixed up Ella's emotions have been the last few days, and I realize that's to be expected between the pregnancy, our exile and her wolf waking - she's truly been through more than most people could bear lately.

At the same time, I can't let my desire to spoil the sweet creature sway my judgment. Thus, Ella was beside herself when I refused to change my mind about embarking on my travels alone, and she was furious when she realized I wasn't going to let her antics in the library go unpunished. Today I am definitely paying the price. The wiley she-wolf snuck out of bed before I woke this morning, and she hasn't spoken to me all day.

"She'll come around.” Gabriel assures me hopefully, patting me on the shoulder.

"Spoken like an Alpha without a mate." I remark dryly. It would be one thing if Ella were merely angry, but the horrible part is knowing that her vexation is covering a deep well of pain.

"So how are you going to make it up to her?” Gabriel inquires, looking back and forth between us.

"Well, I'm leaving Philippe as her head guard, but I'll take as many men as you can spare to watch over her." I request, knowing I'm going to need most of my own men for the journey ahead. I don't like the idea of leaving Ella in the care of men I don't know, but Gabriel and I have been friends since we were boys, and I trust him implicitly. "I think it’s really important that she continue visiting the refugees. There’s no one better to oversee their relocation and she needs to maintain those relationships herself. The people will take comfort in her presence, and they’ll trust her with things they won't tell Vanarans, or even my own men."

Gabriel nods in agreement, "They really do adore her, you know? You would have thought she's been their Luna for years."

"That's Ella for you.” I smile, unable to suppress my pride. "My little love magnet."

Gabriel laughs, "What else?"

immediate answer. I can invite them to the capital in two weeks for a summit or festival

you sure you want to give them the time to think?" Gabriel inquires." It'll be harder for them to

through fear or intimidation. If people are going to go to war for my cause,

Gabriel concedes, though I can tell he thinks I'm being too noble." And where does Ella fit

moment, recalling how tired she's been lately. The bigger the baby grows the more often she naps the afternoon away, and I want to give her responsibilities without exhausting her or piling on

her the chance." Gabriel warns, clearly having a good sense of my mate's determined

for myself in anticipation of sharing all this with Ella." Besides, I'm only going to be gone for a couple of

if she can feel my scrutiny, Ella looks up and finds me staring. She narrows her beautiful gold eyes and her grumpy voice sounds in my mind, Take a picture,

a bad idea. I think maybe I will. I’m going to miss seeing your stunning face and gorgeous curves while I'm gone. How about I take you upstairs and strip you naked, and we

little fangs in my direction. Not a chance. You don’t get to be rewarded when you're

to the challenge. Oh really, and

her own wolf rising

response. My blood heats, and I'm sorely tempted to abandon my conversation with Gabriel and go scoop her up

are talking about, I don’t want to know." Gabriel observes, shaking

Ella and returning to the matter at hand.

think?" He jibes,

I continue, "there is one more thing I could use your help with." I explain, sharing the details of Ella's mysterious past. "We were planning on investigating her parentage back home, and I think that’s mostly on hold for now. Still, there may be other ways we

what?" Gabriel asks,

we left before we could get the results. And how do you feel about hacking the

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