Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 214 - Uncooperative Alpha

Ella

After we make our amends, the doctor makes short work of his scans and treatments, even the terrible injections into Sinclair's bones. Before long, my mate looks a thousand times better than he had when he arrived, and I'm still marveling at the Vanaran’s state of the art medicines. The physician checks the goose egg on the back of my head and takes my vitals, but Sinclair is so exhausted that he falls asleep right there in my lap. Philippe and Roger move to pick him up, but I beg them not to disturb him. Instead I wave them away so we can be alone, and Henry promises to have some food sent up to us.

Once the crowds are gone, there's only my pup to wrangle. Now that things have calmed down again, he’s eager to take up his game with Sinclair again, kicking his tiny foot against the wall of my uterus, just on the other side of Sinclair's cheek. Easy now, munchkin. I say through our bond.

Daddy needs to sleep.

I feel a wave of drowsiness from my womb, and send my support for the idea of a nap. That's it, rest together, angel. Soon both of my boys are quiet, and I'm free to gaze down at Sinclair and marvel at his beauty and strength, even in slumber.

As overjoyed as I am, my heart also aches for my mate. Sinclair might not have said it or let me feel more than a hint of his grief, but I know he's going to need as much support as I can give him after losing his Beta and friends. Part of me is still frustrated that the other alphas turned the focus onto me, though I understand they were doing what Sinclair preferred. He would never have been able to relax unless he knew the truth of my situation and appreciate that they helped him do that. But he's going to need me when he wakes - even if it's only to help him feel in control. I can't let him be distracted by my needs.

I run featherlight fingers over his stubbly jaw as he dozes, wondering if any she-wolf has ever loved her mate more than I love this man. What would I do without you, Dominic? I think reverently. I might be able to survive losing you, but I wouldn't want to. There will never be anyone for me but you.

Not for the first time, I wish I could fantasize about our future without worrying about the war ahead. But it looms too large in my consciousness to overlook, and a new determination takes hold in my heart. We have to get through this. I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure our family stays whole and overcomes the battles ahead. I fall asleep stroking his hair and pondering the daunting possibilities, so happy to be reunited with him that I don’t even feel my exhaustion until it has pulled me under.

I wake a while later, to the sensation of a gentle finger tracing the bridge of my nose. When my lashes part I find Sinclair gazing lovingly down at me, his emerald eyes like liquid in the dusky evening light. "I'm sorry to wake you, baby. I just thought you might like to have a bath with me?"

I don't spell like hot garbage. I nod sleepily, and before I can say a word to stop him, he scoops me up into his arms. As he

me in the swirling bubbles and delivering a plate full of my favorite dishes to the wide rim of the tub. The gears of my mind are turning much too slowly, but I spy a bacon-wrapped fig and can't focus on anything

about me, little wolf?" Sinclair asks, a knowing look

your father didn't only send my favorites." I answer, trying to look imposing so that he'll take me seriously. Of course, this

upwards, "To be honest, I was so starving that I ate

disappointed but struggling to remember why I should

should be glad you missed it - have you ever seen the appetite of a wolf who’s been running

into place. "I'm not sad," I correct him. "But I am worried

sinking into the steaming water and pulling me into his arms with a low

you carry me

He answers, kissing my neck." Besides, this way my

me while I eat?" I

to resist, my stomach is growling demands again. It seems my first bite woke a monster, and now I’m ravenous. I close my lips around the morsel, nipping Sinclairs fingers for good measure. Just you

Clearly I've been gone too long, if you’re

make you prioritize yourself instead of me. I clarify, taking a bite of the sumptuous tart

tart again. I lean forward to accept it, but just as I'm poised to take another bite, Sinclair replaces it with his lips. Silly mate, don't you know that's one in