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?

on the wrong slope of the mountain. My wolf reasons, making

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

on the idea of reaching Sinclair before he can come after us… we need him to come after us. All we can do is try to stay warm and hope he attempts a rescue sooner rather than

be choosers, and right now I’m certainly a beggar. So do I stay put and walk in circles, or try to descend? I wonder. I don’t want to stay out in

been warmer at least, surely I’d have a better chance if… My thoughts trail off as I turn

and try to open it again, looking around for anything that might trigger the internal mechanism and finding nothing. In the end I’m throwing my body into the rock, tears of frustration streaming

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 nothing more than to rage at the Goddess and the universe for putting me in this

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

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 wilderness… you’ll

clutching my belly. Not unless we have no other choice.

you do. She remarks sorrowfully, but this is life and death. If you don’t make it,

chance that we can find another way. Maybe Sinclair can catch up before it’s too late. Maybe there’s a cabin somewhere in that forest… in fact,

My wolf approves. We keep

rub my belly and give a word of comfort to my growing pup. “It’s okay, angel. Daddy’s going to come for us,

down into feet of fresh powder with every step I take. I try to use my sharpened senses to detect a path or signs of opening in the dense trees, but I can’t seem to decipher anything but ice

had been on the exposed snowpack, but it’s getting harder and harder to keep moving. I want to rest so badly, but I just keep my mind on Sinclair and Rafe, and

stumble forward for what seems like hours, and when night falls, I realize that it has, in fact, been far longer than I understood. I haven’t found any signs of shelter, 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