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.”

fight, but we’re more evolved now. Now we don’t just want a ruler who

a hard time 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 back of my head. He did hold

reading my mind. “Don’t let Dominic fool you.” She advises. “He’s had a rough go of it with his mate. Trust me, once you get past all his walls and sharp edges, there’s a

think I’ll be the one to get

muses. “You’re giving him a pup – after

They aren’t so bossy as Alphas, so they don’t butt heads with the leader

“And omegas?” I ask.

literally and figuratively. They’re smaller and weaker, and they have naturally

a human,” I probe, “where

no matter their rank. We’re different species, even the weakest wolf

you mean?”

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

to wrap my head around the

the goddess created us separate

new information. “The

all creatures.” Aileen informs me, as if

ask, holding my hands to my head in

are more distant from the divine. You don’t know about her, because you

it would be like to feel celestial power, to commune with the gods of creation somehow. I never believed such a thing was possible. I never even believed in a god – how could I? My life hasn’t known manly blessings. It’s hard to believe in a higher power when all you know is suffering. While

on her face, and the child resembles her so clearly I know he

pure maternal joy shining off 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

chest. What must it be like to love someone so completely, to have such a powerful

going to have that kind 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

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