Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 227 - Stress

Ella

After the meeting ends and Sinclair and I are safely ensconced in the privacy of our bedroom, I start to change out of my dress. No sooner is the delicate fabric pooled around my feet than my mate sidles up behind me, sliding his arms around my bare waist. "I can't decide what made me prouder." He rumbles in my ear, "Watching you put all those Alphas in their place about the humans, or seeing you go after James that way."

I lean back against him with a contented sigh, turning my head so I can rest my cheek against his hard pec. "I don’t appreciate people criticizing you, when all you’ve ever done is serve and sacrifice for your people."

He purrs, dropping his lips to the curve of my neck, "Leaders who can’t receive and accept criticism aren't worth a damn, little wolf."

"I don’t care." I sniff, resting my hands over his where they rest on my belly. The baby is sleeping, but his heartbeat is strong and steady. "You don't deserve to be treated that way."

He chuckles, ‘Your wolf is really riled up, isn't she?"

"Can you blame her?" I respond tartly. "After you've been gone for so long and then all of these cold-hearted alphas and the attacks? It would push anyone to the brink."

Sinclair kisses his way down my shoulder while his wolf tries to appease my cranky canine in our shared mental space, lavishing her with nuzzles and kisses. "Such a feisty mate." He praises, "Your spirit has always been one of my favorite things about you, but it's not good for the baby for you to get so worked up. I can’t have you avenging my honor if it means putting stress on your body and the baby.”

"Well I don't want to stress Rafe either." I answer, feeling my mood swing abruptly, leaving me guilty and dejected. Tears well in my eyes and I stomp my foot in frustration, annoyed that I'm crying yet again and hating the Alphas and James for provoking my wolf. "It's their fault, Damon and James and every one of those pack leaders who don't give a damn about anyone but shifters. If they weren't such assholes I wouldn't be in this position."

"I wasn’t blaming you, baby.” Sinclair croons, a steady purr vibrating against my back, "I know you can't control being stressed. I just worry about you - now more than ever."

”1 feel so raw.” I confess, wishing I could hug him properly - without my baby bump getting in the way. "I can’t decide if I want to keep our pup safe inside me forever, or get him out so that my weakness won’t be a threat to him anymore."

Sinclair goes very still, and then I’m being turned, his strong hands guiding my body to mirror his. He takes my face in his huge hands, and I gnaw on my lower lip, not wanting to look him in the eye. I don’t think I can bare to see his disappointment right now. "Look at me, little wolf." He instructs firmly, and my gaze jumps up reflexively - even if it is blurred with tears. " Now listen to me very carefully." Sinclair continues, gentle but stern. "You are not weak. You are making a miracle in the middle of the apocalypse."

sniffle pitifully, and his purrs renew. "You need to give yourself a bit of grace, sweetheart. I know that’s easier said than done, but I won’t accept that kind of talk." Sinclair declares fiercely, his deep voice full of emotion." You are amazing. You are the strongest wolf I've ever met and this pup is so lucky to have you for a mother. Not to mention that I’m the luckiest man in the world

not even born yet.” I counter, feeling myself begin to spiral despite his love and reassurance. Once again I’m caught in a current of emotion I can’t control or escape, "And you can’t focus on the war because I can’t cope on my own

roughens, and he unleashes his enormous power, letting it wash over me. "Our baby is

that." I argue, piping up before he

not, but you'd better believe I’m going to do everything in my power to guarantee it." He proclaims. "And If youthink I could cope without you,

without me." I remind him

answers. "We got through our struggles independently, because we didn’t have another choice. We didn’t know what the future would hold, and we survived so we could discover it one day. But we have each other now - so why would we ever try to go it alone? Having a support system only

something to be ashamed of." His lips caress my salty- streaked cheeks, kissing away my tears. "Would you ever be this hard on me or Cora, for letting you help us? Would you ever hold your

words take hold, and I feel the tension drain out of my body. I shake my head, my voice

a soft smile. "Now, on a

sultry warnings when my wolf was flirting

devious glint in his green eyes. "After I teach your mischievous wolf what happens when

too tired." I lie, even as heat pools low in my belly. Sinclair chuckles and shakes his head, flashing his sharp fangs in promise." Nice try, baby. Have you

you ask?" I exclaim

pulling me in for a kiss. I start to protest but he silences me with his lips and tongue, and suddenly I can't remember why I was so

3rd Person

and cribs. He could hear Isabel's heart beating slow and steady through her door, a clear sign that she was already asleep. He wanted to see her so badly it hurt, and though he’d made his intentions about her very clear, their relationship hadn't advanced to

Isabel’s room, and as much as James enjoyed seeing the other pups, it wasn’t the same as holding his newly bonded daughter. He was sorely tempted to barge into the room anyway - he was dead on his feet and on the verge of a mental breakdown. He hadn’t ever been so stressed in his life, and the only thing that could ease his troubles were

listening to their sleepy sighs and gentle breathing would have to be enough. As if he'd willed it, Isabel's heartbeat suddenly jumped and sped up as a light flicked on under the door. James' spirits soared as the

and dressed in a long silk night dress, her auburn hair loose and disheveled around her lovely face. James' heart stopped

honestly, not able