Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 222 - Summit begins

3rd Person

James froze, staring at Isabel in shock and amazement. "Are you serious?" He inquired, not wanting to get his hopes up in case it was all a jest, or some strange test.

Isabel only flushed, starting to backtrack. "I... well, I just thought... I mean She stammered, looking anywhere but at him. "I’m sorry, it was a silly

idea. You’re just so fond of her, I don’t know what I was think-"

"Of course I want to." James interrupted, wanting to hold her so badly it hurt, but settling for a firm hand on her shoulder. "Goddess Isabel, I'd love nothing more."

"Really?" Isabel squeaked, a tremulous smile stretching across her features.

"With all my heart." James confirmed, pinning her with a fierce gaze. "But I do have to warn you."

"About what?" She asked, going still.

"I'm not going to settle for Sadie alone." James informed her sternly. "I want you both. I was prepared to wait -to fight for you - but you need to understand that letting me bond with her this way will change things. There will be no getting rid of me now.”

Isabel trembled slightly, peeking up at him from beneath her lashes. Her expression was somewhere between sullen and amused, "Was that ever an option?"

"No," He chuckled, "but now that I know you realize it, I'm afraid I’m going to make things very difficult for you."

Isabel flashed her fangs, but light sparkled in her eyes as she issued her own challenge. "Right back at you. It's not going to be easy to win me, James."

She didn't come quietly, but once she was there she melted into him

a few of the Vanaran nurses gossiping. "They're

Damon's unflattering nickname. She wasn't usually one to eavesdrop, but neither did she see the harm in listening to this conversation - after all it's not as if it was personal. Besides, as Ella's eyes and ears in the camp, part of

second nurse inquired, unpacking her own

The first replied, in the tone of someone quite pleased to be in the know. "My friend in aviation saw the manifests and apparently the new Moon Valley Beta is headed out on the first transport this

the handsome one?" The second

froze, suddenly extremely interested

lost, I can't believe the Alpha would

swinging her gaze to the clock mounted on the wall. It was four forty five, and if she remembered correctly, the first flights departed

acted on pure instinct, driven forward by the relentless pounding of her heart. When Cora reached the tarmac she searched for Jame's plane first. He was the most experienced soldier and the highest ranking

on the two familiar figures just as they left the hanger and began approaching the aircraft, their bearing tired but alert. She set off at a run, and

the arms before she could barrel straight into him, "Cora!" He

to running for any distance, Cora bent double, trying to catch her breath. Roger leaned over her rubbing her back, "Easy now,

you- why..." She gasped, frustrated with her inability to handle the brief exercise, "oh my god, why do people run for fun

Roger relaxed slightly, taking full advantage of the opportunity to soothe her. "I've got you, just take a minute. I'm

breathlessly, pointing a finger at him. "You're... flying back... to

James still has to get the engines warmed up. Come here," He guided her over to the rolling staircase leading up to the plane, "Sit down.” He instructed, easing her down

are you going?” Cora managed to demand,

ground. There’s a lot of security concerns and I can't very well address them if I don’t see them for myself." Roger replied, still not understanding

own irrational reaction.

before he got the chance, the pieces of this sudden puzzle clicked together in his mind. He realized that Cora was here for him, for no other reason than that she’d heard he was

his large hand. "Cora?" He prompted slyly, "You’re not worried about me,

snapped, thoroughly affronted. "Of course not. I just..." She trailed off again,