Accidental Surrogate

Ella

The stranger looks a lot like Sinclair, and the word “brother” strikes my interest. If they’re siblings, why is Sinclair looking at him so harshly? They don’t seem friendly at all.

“This is Ella.” Sinclair announces, sliding his arm around my waist. “My future mate, and the mother of my pup.”

“Our pup.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. I’m not sure why I said it, but the way Sinclair declared the pups as his – as if it belonged to him and not me – brought out my maternal instincts. I even growled a little as I staked my claim, making Sinclair’s lips quirk with amusement.

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” The man scoffs. “I’ve never seen or heard of you before, I didn’t have the faintest idea my brother was expecting, and he hasn’t even marked you.” I realize he’s right. Sinclair had mentioned scent marking me before the campaign dinner – whatever that means – but he hasn’t done it yet. Luckily his pup’s presence is strong enough to make me smell like a wolf, but this man clearly isn’t fooled by our pretense as a couple. “Let me guess, he just picked you up off the street because you make such a pretty womb?”

A low rumble is vibrating against my side as Sinclair’s wolf begins to growl. Meanwhile I flush with embarrassment, it’s not the truth, but it’s close enough to make me want to hide behind Sinclair’s strength and dominance. Where did that come from? The little voice in my head asks. You’ve never hidden from a problem or backed down from a challenge a day in your life. That’s true, but then again, I’ve never had anyone to hide behind before.

The man is still speaking, making fun of my naivete for expecting Sinclair to honor my role as our baby’s mother. “And you actually think he’ll keep you around once you squirt the kid out? Clearly brains and beauty don’t go hand in hand.”

“Clearly ugliness and cynicism do.” I bite back, feeling bolstered by Sinclair’s steady presence at my side. “If you ask me the fact that you haven’t heard about me says more about your low status than my own. You’re obviously not important enough to warrant the Alpha’s time.”

Sinclair chuckles darkly, giving me a small squeeze to show his approval. “She has a point, Roger.”

brother before offering me a look that almost appears pitying. “Mark my words, he’ll toss you to the curb

and Dominic.” I announce, feeling a thrum of excitement to speak his given name for the first time. I think it’s actually coming from the baby, as if I can feel Sinclair’s pleasure to hear me saying it through our pup. “He

“Roger, give it a rest. Show some

act?” He counters fiercely. “How did you even manage this, aren’t you

Sinclair’s huge hand circling his throat, holding him aloft. He squirms and tugs at Sinclair’s white knuckled fingers, but I don’t think he’s truly afraid because he shoots me a triumphant smirk. “More honorable, huh?” Roger quips. “You

Sinclair snarls, “I know it’s mine because we are bonded already, and I will be bonded to Ella after our formal mating ceremony. If

a mother.” He shoots another scathing look in my direction, “It’s a

to the floor. “Get out, before I really lose my

brother one final scowl. “You miscalculated badly today, brother. What do you think the Alpha council is going to say when they find out you attacked your own family in broad daylight – over nothing more than a few honest words? The council wants a stable king, not a loose cannon. Clearly that pup hasn’t done a damn thing to even you out. Just you wait, your campaign is going to be over by the end of

don’t think his aggression had anything to do with being unmated, I think it was because he feels so protective of his pup, and by extension

Ella.” Sinclair’s attention is already back on me. “I shouldn’t have lost

enough to attack him, I would have done it myself.” I confide, leaning into his warmth. His energy is still very agitated, and all my instincts are driving me to comfort him the same way he’s comforted me today.

shakes his head, brushing the topic aside. “That’s just for show during the election. I don’t expect you to actually go through with it.

much? I know Sinclair is handsome, but we’re different species and he’s completely controlling,

breathe in his scent, and feel heat begin to pool low in my belly. Snap out of it! I scold myself. That’s just the baby, it wants to be near its

far away. My relief immediately gives way to sympathy as I take in his