Accidental Surrogate

Sinclair

When I reach the address Cora supplied, it’s all I can do to keep my temper in check. She hadn’t explained what happened, only that she and Ella needed to be picked up from a nightclub. I was able to stay calm while I got the details from her, but I found my anger growing exponentially the closer I drew to my disobedient little human. After everything that happened when she snuck out to see my father, I can’t believe she defied me again. However as soon as I round the corner of the alley behind the venue, my fury evaporates.

I’m not even sure of what I’m seeing at first. Roger is standing near the back door, naked, disheveled and bruised. The scent of strange wolves reeks to high heaven, and blood is splattered over the ground leading away from the club, along with numerous large pawprints. Cora is standing between me and Ella, her taller frame shielding my pup’s mother from view. She looks unharmed but a bit shaken, dressed in a tight red frock.

Roger stiffens at the sight of me, and Cora turns to face me, finally revealing Ella. Her arms are wrapped around her body, and she’s wearing a glittery black mini dress and heels. She’s staring at the ground, her energy agitated and withdrawn at once. There’s a huge black and blue bruise on her high cheekbone, and a cut on her lip, dried blood congealed around the wound.

I rush forward, surprised when Cora intercepts me, a pleading expression on her face. “Please be gentle – she’s in shock.”

I immediately skirt around her, reaching for Ella. Roger and Cora both raise their hands to stop me, “No!” It’s as if they think my touch might frighten Ella, but as soon as our bodies connect the tension seeps out of Ella like a dam bursting. She comes to me instinctively, letting me gather her to my chest and nestling close to my body. Her small hands cling to my shirt as her nose presses to my chest, breathing in my scent.

Roger and Cora look on with confusion, and I wonder if Ella had been afraid of their touch. The obvious implications of why she would feel that way pour over me, and I hold her tighter. “What happened?” I ask, glaring at Roger. If it weren’t for Ella’s obvious need of comfort, I might have already attacked him. Seeing any man this close to her when she’s injured was a violent trigger.

“Rogues.” Roger answers simply. “I caught their scent near my house and followed them. When I arrived they had Ella cornered. They were talking about…” He trails off, glancing nervously at the woman in my arms. “They were sent to kill her, but they obviously wanted to have a bit of fun with her first.”

description, or the fact that he brought up their intentions in front of her. Ella burrows closer to me, and I wrap my coat around her shivering body, buttoning it around the small of her back so we’re both snug inside. “I fought them off and they ran for it.” Roger continues. “But she was already hurt

ear, I can’t help the ragged huskiness of my voice. My wolf is going berserk in my head, and I want nothing more than to hunt down the men responsible and rip them to shreds. “Did they touch you?” I demand, stroking her hair. She shakes her head against my chest, and I catch

referring to her sister’s battered face. “But she wouldn’t really talk about it. She just kept saying she’s fine and she wanted to go home.” I can picture it as if I was there, and I feel a rush of warmth knowing Ella sought me for safety when she

found her. We were inside dancing and then… I don’t know, I think she got overheated or something and came outside. But… it’s like they were waiting

the red flags are only compounded by the fact that my brother managed to find Ella just in time to leap to her rescue. Still, I don’t want to let him on to my suspicions. If it happens the way he says, then I do owe him my thanks, and if it didn’t, I need

guess I’d presume she’s asking me not to be too harsh with her sister,

little one.” I encourage, unbuttoning my coat and scooping her up. She slides her arms around my neck and leans her uninjured cheek against my shoulder, still as quiet as a mouse. The car ride home passes much the same way, and when we

rummage through the cabinets for a first aid kit. Ella leans back against the mirror,

The bruise on her cheek is swelling quickly, it’s bright red center showing just how close

causing Ella hiss and wince, “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” I croon. “It has to be done.” Ella sniffles and clamps her eyes shut as I continue working, determined to suffer through it without complaint. Of course, when I switch out the water for alcohol, she practically leaps off the counter, whimpering so pitifully my heart aches. “Shh baby, I

little later, pressing a cloth wrapped ice

as I strip off her dress to check for other

the pup seems perfectly well. It’s heartbeat is steady and strong, and though I sense earlier flashes of unease – no doubt caused by Jane’s fear – it now seems relieved to be safely home with

surprised by the lack of emotion on her lovely face. “It was nothing. I went outside for some air. Then