Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“Your pup?” I parrot, realizing I must sound like an idiot the way I keep repeating him – but it’s all too strange and surreal. I feel like I’m having a dream – one that may or may not be a nightmare. “What are you talking about?”

I might have been admiring his physical prowess a little while ago, but now I’m back to thinking Dominic Sinclair is just plain terrifying. I’ve known my fair share of bad men, but none of them have ever intimidated me the way he does. It’s like he’s superhuman, giving off waves of energy that make me want to curl up into a little ball at his feet.

“You.” He narrows his eyes at Cora, then gestures to me. “Is this what you did with my sperm, you inseminated your friend?”

“Of course not!” She objects hotly, though there’s a noted shake in her voice. “Yes, I inseminated Ella last week, but not with your sperm. She chose a donor from our client dossier.”

“You’re lying.” He accuses, stating the accusation as if it’s fact. “Ella clearly knew about the samples – since she came to plead your case –”

“You did that?” Cora blinks at me.

“Yes, but I was only trying to help. I thought he might show you mercy if he realized you would never do anything to risk your career.” I apologize, “I’m so sorry, I just wanted to help.”

“It’s okay.” She tells me gently, patting my hand and turning back to Sinclair. “That doesn’t mean anything… I mean, yes I inseminated her on the same day your sample disappeared but… no – it’s not possible, your sample was in a separate fridge…” She trails off again, looking back at the ultrasound screen with wide eyes. “Oh my god…”

“What?” I inquire, beyond confused.

“It’s not human.” She murmurs again, so quietly I can barely hear her. Suddenly she whirls around, looking up at Dominic Sinclair with true fear. “I swear, I didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t know how it happened!”

“Why do you keep saying that it’s not human?” I question, beyond exasperated. “What else could it be – an alien?”

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know.” The infuriated man growls. “Don’t pretend like you two didn’t plan this precisely for this reason.”

story.” She explains. “I had to

feeling as if everyone around me is speaking

not…” She begins, glancing at the huge man nervously. “He’s not human… he’s

I burst out

Cora whispers urgently.

almost certain I’m

as it is because there’s two sides of the business. Half of our bank is dedicated

worry for my sister. “Are you

The evidence is right in front of me, but

watching me closely. His eyes aren’t glowing anymore, but I remember the way they’d lit up from within. I also remember

asks me, much calmer than

I answer weakly. “This can’t be

is real.” He assures me. “Your friend should never have agreed to let

wasn’t trying to entrap you. I just

know you’re bankrupt. Obviously you thought that if you were pregnant with my child I would pay your debts for you. You simply miscalculated – you didn’t know what you were getting yourself into, or expect Cora to lose her job for the

myself – my identity was stolen and I didn’t even know about it until after the insemination. I’m not

want to hear your excuses.” He answers

it isn’t…” I have to give

snarls, making me tremble with instinctive fear. “I can smell it, I can

smell it? Sense his bloodline? It’s like I’ve left reality and entered a different universe. “This is crazy.” I can feel myself sliding back into denial. “If werewolves were

and lifts a hand the size of a dinner plate. While I watch, five claws extend where his fingernails were a moment ago.