Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Ella

I look back and forth between Roger and Isabel, noting her pallid skin tone and his quiet concern. “

How long overdue is the plane?” I inquire, checking the time on my phone.

“It was supposed to get in five hours ago. James has never been late before.” Isabel pipes up, bouncing Sadie in her arms and visibly trying to control the tremors of fear wracking her body. I rise from my chair and attempt to put an arm around her, but she j.erks away from my touch like a skittish horse. Sighing, I drop my hand.

“Is it possible there weren’t any refugees needing to make the journey today?” Henry asks, logical as ever.

“We haven’t had a single day without a new batch.” Gabriel answers grimly, “the wait list back on the continent is a mile long. If he didn’t come today, then something has gone wrong.”

“Is the news out of the continent still blacked out?” I question, even though I already know the answer. Damon shut such a tight lid on the media that the only information available to us anymore is brouğht by refugees and spies.

“Yes.” Gabriel replies, with the same dark expression. “I’ll see if I can tap into our spy network. I have a few people stationed around the egress points on the coast. But to be frank the fact that they haven’t reported in either doesn’t bode well.”

“What do we do?” Isabel frets aloud, looking hopefully at the King. “Can you stage a rescue mission?”

“We can’t go in blind.” Phil!ppe declares evenly.

We need to know what we’re dealing with before we send relief troops or more aircraft.”

“But if the camps on the coast are under attack then they need your help now.” Isabel argues, swinging her frantic gaze to me, “Ella, do something!”

again. “We’re not going to just leave our people to fend for themselves, but Phil!ppe is right,

dead already. He James, the soldier who rescued Sadie and delivered frightened orphans to the safety of Isabel’s nursery every day, who comforted the aloof she-wolf despite her ferocious protests. I’d known she was becoming attached to him, but I hadn’t realized quite how

I tell her gently, “but we don’t have

I’m some hysterical woman who can’t see reason. I’m not fragile and

life in my c.hest. Isabel jolts, her wolf reflexively quivering in the face of my warning, “That’s not what I’m doing, and lashing out at me isn’t going to bring him home any faster.”

submitting to my dominance. “I know, I’m sorry…I

her, finally sliding my arm around her shoulder and leading her from the room. “We’ll get through it, whatever

comes racing up behind

j.erks her head

joining us as we change direction. We all pile into the King’s car and speed towards the airfield. Isabel is shaking with relief beside me, and I try to lean against her for comfort without letting her realize what I’m doing. She glares at me but leans into

rush of refugees pour forth, more numerous than any arrival to date. I immediately sense that something has gone terribly wrong back home – worse even than

plane, and though Isabel runs half the distance to him, she seems to stop when she realizes what she was doing. Luckily he isn’t shy about his affection, and he pulls Isabel and Sadie into his arms as soon as they’re in reach. Sadie cuddles him

in her neck. She allows him this much, though she still has the sulky energy of a she-wolf who is determined not to be mollified. James purrs, and

the unharmed, individuals from families and unaccompanied children from temporary guardians.

minor injuries to the medical tent, and Cora meets me in the doorway

I sigh, “but

mutterS, searching my face for

asks, because as Luna I

pact.” Her mate explains gruffly, though

all along… but it’s done

fear into my heart, but I still don’t understand them. I don’t know about any secrecy pact, but I don’t want to force these weary wolves to explain things when they need to be focused on healing. “It’s okay.” I mumur, “go with Cora

of unaccompanied pups, her eyes are locked on the pilot. I approach behind them, just

intentional?” Gabriel demands, sounding as serious as I’ve ever heard him. “Not some sort of military exercise gone