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."

soldier only grinned, at last pulling her into his arms. She didn't come quietly, but once she was there

she heard a few of the Vanaran nurses gossiping. "They're increasing the evacuations, but I

snort at 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 her job was getting a sense for the climate among local staffers and refugees alike. The others only saw her as a medical trainee, but the Luna had realized the value of having her sister

do you say that?" The second nurse inquired, unpacking her own

in the tone of someone quite pleased to be in the know. "My friend in aviation saw

the handsome one?" The second

interested in the

the Alpha would risk sending his brother without a damned good reason. Especially not with

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

heart. When Cora reached the tarmac she searched for Jame's plane first. He was the most experienced soldier and the highest ranking pilot, so he was the most-likely candidate to ferry

eyes landed 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 when she was within shouting distance, she called out to Roger. He turned immediately, genuinely surprised to see the

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

breath. Roger

brief exercise, "oh my god, why do people

Roger relaxed slightly, taking full advantage of the opportunity to soothe

Cora accused breathlessly, pointing a finger at him. "You're...

engines warmed up. Come here," He guided her over to the rolling staircase leading up to the plane, "Sit

you going?” Cora managed to demand, her eyes wide

situation on the 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 her panic, "Why

unable to comprehend her own irrational reaction. "Nothing,

perfectly safe. However, 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 leaving and was frightened for his

lit up, as he took her cheek in his large hand. "Cora?" He prompted slyly, "You’re

trailed off again, looking confused. The big wolf almost felt sorry for her