Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate by Caroline Above Story

Chapter 136- Ella’s dilemma

Ella

I gaze around at the icy mountains, squinting up at the sky. The sun is high overhead, only halfway through its daily journey from East to West. That means it’s about noon… three hours from when I found the pa*sage, according to the bedroom clock. The Prince’s deadline isn’t until dusk, which means there’s still time to get word to Sincalir, a*suming I can figure out how to get back to the city.

Suddenly I’m kicking myself for leaving my go-bag behind. My coat wasn’t there because it had been stained and damaged, but I had other clothes inside, things I could layer onto my body to try and provide myself some warmth. I might move faster without the weight, but lightness won’t help me if I drop dead from hypothermia.

Just keep your blood moving. My wolf advises, as long as your heart is pumping it will keep you warm.

Not if I’m sweating. I counter, the liquid will just freeze and kill me faster.

Then stay active, but not so active that you’re sweating. You don’t want to stress the baby anyway. She advises,

Alright. I agree. How far do you think the valley is?

must be on the wrong slope of the mountain. My wolf reasons, making my heart

what? I have to go over it? I ask in horror, looking up at the snow covered peak. There’s no way I can make that sort of climb without gear, and it would certainly take more time than I have to spare. Besides, I’d probably fall into a creva*se

after us… we need him to come after us. All we can do is try to stay warm and hope he attempts

So do I stay put and walk in circles, or try to descend? I wonder. I don’t want to stay out in the open like this, in case

light bulb bursting on in my head. It’s a risk, but the tunnel had been warmer at least, surely I’d have a better chance if… My thoughts trail off as I turn and see that the rock wall where I’d emerged is tightly shut. Like

my guards to at the safe house. I try and try to open it again, looking around for anything that might trigger the internal mechanism and finding nothing.

in the snow is going to soak your clothes and then we’ll really be screwed. Knowing she’s right, I jump back onto my feet. The tears from frost on my cheeks, and I rub away the crystalline particles, trying to keep my wits about me even though I want

the mountain. The treeline starts about a mile below me, and though I know the sun will keep me warmer than the shaded forest, it’s also lower elevation and I might find shelter for the night. Even as I

are always the herbs. My wolf reminds me softly, her voice heavy with regret for making the suggestion. If you wake me fully we’ll be able to handle the elements. Wolves are made for the

I argue immediately clutching my belly. Not unless we have no other choice. Those

don’t like it any more than you do. She remarks sorrowfully, but this is life and death. If you don’t make it, Rafe

before it’s too late. Maybe there’s a cabin somewhere in that forest… in fact, I bet there is! If the Royal

keep moving

now that I have a plan, I rub my belly and give a word of comfort to my growing pup. “It’s okay, angel. Daddy’s going to come for us, and until then I’m going to keep

dense trees, but I can’t seem to decipher anything but ice and snow. I’m already exhausted, and my skin stings with the bite of

deep in the forest, and it isn’t as cold as it had been on the exposed snowpack, but it’s getting harder and harder to keep moving. I

and the air around me grows more frigid as the darkness sets in. “Where are you, Dominic?” I ask aloud, my breath coming out in a white fog around my face. I try to comfort myself with the knowledge that he will certainly know I escaped by now, and he’s probably on his way… but that tunnel was so long, and I’ve been