Accidental Surrogate

Sinclair

I’m sitting in my office, speaking with my cabinet, when Ella’s delicious scent fills my nose. I’ve been thinking about her on and off all morning, wondering how she took the news of the interview, and hating that I hadn’t been able to tell her about it in person. Normally I wouldn’t do such a thing, but I’d needed to check in with my guards about their investigation into the intruder, and she’d been sleeping so sweetly that I couldn’t bear to wake her.

I can sense how close she is now, and wonder if something went wrong. I’m already on my feet when I hear my assistant encouraging her to stay, “No, he’ll want to see you, just wait one moment.”

“I’m sorry, it’s really not urgent,” Ella is protesting. “I should have known he’d be busy.”

She’s retreating, her delicate footsteps receding, and I push through the door before she can get away. “And just where do you think you’re going?”

Ella freezes in place, her little body winding tight as a spring. When she turns, she’s staring at the floor, “I’m sorry.” She says again, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

I glance at the wolves over my shoulder, “Leave us.”

Ella gnaws on her plump lower lip as my cabinet members file past her out of the office, shifting restlessly on her feet. I can tell something is bothering her, but I also can’t help but think how lovely she looks in the cream-colored dress hugging her curves. “Come here, little one.” I command, not moving from the doorway.

This gets her attention, and indignation flashes in her golden eyes as her gaze snaps to mine. I can tell she wants to disobey, but I arch my brow in challenge and she slowly crosses the distance between us. I drag my knuckles over the high plane of her cheekbone when she’s finally in front of me, enjoying the way her defiance becomes muddled with uncertainty once more. “How did the interview go?”

“Good – I think.” She qualifies, unconsciously leaning her cheek into my hand. My wolf perks up at her obvious response to my touch, and I beckon her inside.

eaten lunch?” I question, thinking of

stomach has been too unsettled.”

mental link. The babe seems perfectly content, but it worries me that Ella hasn’t eaten. “We

She answers, ignoring the offer and just barely remembering to call me by my given

inquire, taking a

rather than meeting my gaze. “I think… I think I’m having

my attention loud and clear.

though she might cry. “I know I said I could do it, but I’m not sure I can pretend to be someone I’m not for the rest of my

the agreement I didn’t realize how much integrity she has, but I know now. Ella flinches when I take her shoulders in my hands, and I have to forcibly turn her body to face me again. “Come here,” I say again, but

be clinging to me with all her might, but it feels about as powerful as a child’s grip compared to my shifter strength.

can still do it!” She insists defiantly, clearly beside herself with the competing needs to prove herself, keep her baby,

and she no longer has its smell? What happens if someone connects her to Ella Reina, orphaned human and disgraced nanny? Am I really willing to put her through all this? She doesn’t even know about the true dangers she faces, and already the stress is becoming too much. Is asking her to pose as

proven to be my biggest asset in this campaign – not only is she giving me an heir, but she charms

let’s talk about this.” I suggest. Moving to the couch. “What worries

Ella whispers, tears clinging to her dark lashes. “I don’t want to trick honest, hardworking shifters. I don’t want my life to

long have you been feeling this way?” I

confesses, “but it really hit me today during the interview. I just thought about doing this