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."

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

even keep our baby safe and he’s 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

wash over me. "Our baby

I argue, piping up before he can get another

to do everything in my power to guarantee it." He

this far without me."

future would hold, and we survived so we could discover it one day. But we have each other now - so why

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

sounds, steadying power and wise words take hold, and I feel the tension drain out of my body. I

me a soft smile. "Now, on a scale of one to ten how exhausted

recalling his sultry warnings when my wolf

I thought we could have some fun.” He shrugs, a devious glint in his green eyes. "After I teach your mischievous wolf what happens

that case, I’m much too tired." I lie, even as heat pools low in my belly. Sinclair chuckles and shakes his head, flashing his sharp fangs in

why did you ask?" I exclaim

but I should have know that was a lost cause." He teases, 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

the pups all sleeping safely in their beds 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 the point where

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 the she-wolves on the other side of that door. James

pictured their serene faces poised in sleep, he knew he couldn't disturb them. Instead James sunk onto the floor, deciding that listening to their sleepy sighs and gentle breathing would have to be enough. As if

amber light of her doorway and dressed in a long silk night dress, her auburn hair loose

didn’t want to disturb you.” He stated honestly, not able to put the rest of his feelings into