Accidental Surrogate

Ella

Sinclair is instantly alert. He sits up in bed and pulls the covers back, staring at the red stain on my nightgown with an unreadable expression. He presses his palm to my belly, undoubtedly trying to communicate with the pup through their mental link. I’m trembling while I wait for him to give his verdict, terrified that the new life inside me might already be coming to a heartbreaking end.

“I think he’s okay.” Sinclair murmurs after a moment, looking up at me with a furrowed brow. “But we should get you to the hospital right away.”

I slide out of bed on autopilot, my mind spinning with all the terrible possibilities. What if my ovaries were too damaged by Mike’s sabotage to support a healthy baby? What if my uterus isn’t strong enough to carry the child to term? Was the doctor right at our last appointment, was something wrong from the start? Is that why it was so small?

I can only wrap my arms around myself to try and cease shaking as the blood rushes in my ears. Please don’t take this baby from me. I silently beg the universe, it’s all I have, I won’t survive losing it.

Sinclair dresses quickly, but I’m only vaguely aware of him moving around in my periphery. I’m standing there frozen, too afraid to move in case I somehow make the bleeding worse. Without asking, Sinclair comes over and sweeps me up into his arms. He only pauses to wrap me in a coat before heading out into the snow, then bundles me into the car and takes off into the night.

We arrive at the emergency room in minutes and Sinclair doesn’t even bother parking. Instead he skids to a stop in front of the main entrance, once again scooping me up and charging inside. I’ve been to the hospital before, and it’s always been a long, drawn out process of triages and waiting to be seen for hours on end.

Not this time.

The moment the staff sees Sinclair they leap into motion, eager to do his bidding. I’ve never been more grateful for his wealth and influence than I am in this moment. Nurses and orderlies gather around us, leading us straight into the treatment area. The nurses bring forward a wheelchair, but Sinclair holds onto me tightly. “She’s three weeks pregnant and bleeding.”

Seeming to realize he’s not going to release me, the nurses take the wheelchair away and direct us into a consultation room, “Okay honey, just hold on.” They advise, “we’ll get someone over to take a look at you right away.”

No sooner has Sinclair set me down onto a reclining gurney that an orderly comes in with a scratchy hospital gown and an ultrasound machine, shortly followed by a doctor in a white coat. The man nods to Sinclair, “Alpha.” Suddenly I realize the special treatment we’re receiving isn’t only because of Sinclair’s wealth. This must be a shifter hospital, which makes a lot of sense in hindsight. He wouldn’t take a werewolf child to a human facility.

Sinclair greets the man stiffly, still hovering protectively over me. I haven’t had time to change into the gown or even get comfortable on the gurney, and I find myself leaning towards Sinclairs solid strength, finding relief in his presence amidst all the hubbub and uncertainty.

it alright if I examine her?” The doctor

at Sinclair and not me, and second because an exam is the entire reason we’re here. Of course it’s alright! However a low rumble sounds in Sinclair’s chest, and when I look up at him I realize how menacing his outward energy has become. He’s glaring at anyone who comes near me, and strategically placing his body between me and everyone else. He wouldn’t appreciate the comparison, but his behavior sort

pet– but when the doctor and Sinclair look down

the doctor, I add. “I don’t know how long I’ve

he gives his permission before approaching me. “Have

my head, “nothing out of the ordinary. A bit

a smile before

favorite spot

stages, though there’s a bit more blood than I’d like. Ella, why don’t you get changed

steps out, and before I can even think about changing, I find Sinclair pulling my nightgown off

helpless situation,

once the ties are secure, helping me recline on the gurney. He leans his

him in the eye.

the screen, and I feel my pulse race even faster when I follow her gaze.

you?” The nurse

below average.” I squeak,

soothing caresses over my skin. “You’ve had a scare.” He reasons, looking to the nurse for

me with concern. “You need to try to calm down, Ella. Take some deep breaths

about the pup?” I repeat indignantly, sitting up. “I’m its mother, I can’t just turn off

to make me unravel. Against my will I find myself leaning into his protective hold, falling victim to that strange power once