Accidental Surrogate

Ella

For a moment I don’t know how to answer the strange woman. Am I ready to begin learning how to be a queen? Is anyone ever? That’s the kind of job that takes a lifetime of preparation, and I still don’t even recognize half the words these people are using.

“Am I supposed to know what a beta is?” I whisper to Aileen, watching Sinclair stride out the door with an unreadable expression on his face.

“A beta is like a second in command.” She smiles warmly, coming forward and taking both of my hands in hers. Now that we’re alone, she looks me over with an approving nod. “Well you are a stunning little thing, I have to say. When Sinclair explained the situation to us I wasn’t sure what to think, but now that I see you it makes a bit more sense. Any man would be lucky to have your genes passed down to their pups.”

I bristle at this statement. I don’t mind the compliment, but after what happened with Mike, I’m not overly fond of people commenting on my looks. I’ve already had one man reduce all of my value to physical beauty, so I’m definitely not crazy about an entire society of werewolves looking at me through the same lens. Luckily if we pull this off, they’ll all believe I’m a shifter, but I suspect there will still be some questions. I’ll have to talk to Sinclair about giving me a good backstory.

“But being a beta is more than just a job, isn’t it?” I say, pushing past the awkwardness of the abrupt subject change. “It’s something you’re born into?”

Aileen seems to notice my discomfort, and takes her hands away. “Well yes, all wolves are born as alphas, betas or omegas.”

“And what do those things actually mean?” I press, not understanding.

“You can think about it like a class system, though it’s more complicated than that. Every wolf is born into their role, and there isn’t any way of changing it. Alphas are the strongest both physically and in personality. That’s why they lead our packs, they are the only ones dominant enough to rule a lot of very powerful beings.” Aileen shares.

“But not all Alpha’s rule, do they?” I wonder aloud.

“No, only the strongest of the strong actually take control.” She clarifies patiently.

“So Sinclair?” Why does his name feel so electric on my tongue, why does the mere thought of him send a shiver down my spine?

“Is the most powerful of the pack leaders. That’s why he’s campaigning to be king.” Aileen reveals.

“But why is it a campaign?” I inquire. “If it just comes down to brute strength.”

but we’re more evolved now. Now we don’t just want a

thinking of Sinclair as compassionate.” I admit. He was certainly ruthless when it came to our dealings. Then again, a little voice says in the

“Don’t let Dominic fool you.” She advises. “He’s had a rough go of it with his

to get past those things.”

be so sure.” She muses. “You’re giving him

statement, and before I can consider it, Aileen is forging on ahead. “Now betas are born mediators. They aren’t so bossy as Alphas, so they don’t butt heads with the leader vying for control. They’re more mellow and even-tempered, they balance the Alpha out. That’s what my husband, Hugo, does

“And omegas?” I ask.

food chain, literally and figuratively. They’re smaller and weaker, and

I

We’re different species, even the weakest wolf will be stronger than you.” She pauses thoughtfully. “I wonder how

you mean?” I

possessive. He’s not going to like the idea that you’ll be so vulnerable among our kind.” She surmises, still

trying to wrap my head around the fact that magical creatures are real. “But how do shifters even exist?” I burst out. “I mean,

created us separate from

is new information.

Aileen informs me,

haven’t I ever heard of her?” I ask, holding my

the divine. You don’t know about her, because you can’t feel her magic and influence.

could I? My life hasn’t known manly blessings. It’s hard to believe

I know he must be

her face, and I have to wonder whether it’s the first time they’ve seen each other that day, but when she speaks, it becomes clear that this is not the case. “Where’s your father,

What must it be like to love someone so completely, to

of love soon. I press my hand to my belly with excitement. I can’t wait until my next check up, until I can hear that tiny heart beat again, and see the baby in a sonogram. Sinclair is taking me this afternoon – to a shifter doctor this time – and I’m counting down the minutes now more than

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