Accidental Surrogate

Ella

I can’t explain it, but for some reason Sinclair’s tender care upsets me more than if he was angry. It’s taken me a while to come back to myself –as the fog of my shock wore off and the utter safety and security of being with Sinclair thawed my frozen senses, I found my emotions slowly returning. Just not the ones I expected.

Do I want him to be angry? I wonder. Why? Because it somehow hurts me that he doesn’t seem to care that I defied him? Because I feel badly for breaking his rules and want to see that they weren’t all for show? Because I’m so angry with myself for what happened tonight, and I feel like I deserve to be punished?

I don’t have the answers to these questions, though on some level I suspect all my theories have a kernel of truth. Either way, I find myself picking an argument, rather than letting him comfort me.

Sinclair sighs, though he still doesn’t release me entirely. “I didn’t want to worry you.” He explains, his handsome features a hard mask. “There’s only been one so far, and you know I’ve been worried about your stress levels.”

“Is that why you were called away the other day?” I inquire, his sudden disappearance from the kitchen making more sense now.

“Yes.” He confirms, “It was horrible honestly. Almost a dozen dead in broad daylight and twice as many injured. They didn’t smell like the same wolves who were in the alley with you tonight, but I’m sure they were hired by the same person.”

“The prince?” I guess , shifting my hold on the ice pack as my fingers gradually go numb.

“That’s right.” Sinclair nods. “I’ve been searching for them ever since, but I think he’s probably protecting them.”

“Will you search for the ones who came after me tonight?” I murmur, not understanding the sudden bloodlust I feel. It must be my maternal instincts responding to the threat against my pup – I’ve never wished anyone dead before, no matter what they’ve done to me, but I want nothing more than for Sinclair to destroy those cruel wolves.

Sinclair nods. “I will hunt them down and tear them to absolute pieces.” He snarls, letting out more of his wolf than I think he intended.

can smile about anything so soon after the attack, even if it is

He croons, resting his

harm?” I whisper, gazing into his green eyes, mere inches

not.” Sinclair promises, smiling himself now, “you really are becoming more like a wolf every

my chest. He seems so pleased every time I do something he considers wolfish. It might just be that he’s happy the pup is growing, but it really feels like he doesn’t approve of my humanity – as if he wants me to be a wolf and will take any scraps of behavior he can get. I’m

face in his hands but careful to avoid touching my bruise, he prompts, “Would you like to tell me why you snuck out

peek up at him from beneath my lashes, “Am I in a lot

me when he goes stoic and unreadable. His anger I can

again, just for a little while. And I thought it would be fine since we were sticking to human territories and businesses. I

isn’t what matters.” Sinclair rumbles sternly, pulling my distracted thoughts back to the present. “I told you it was dangerous for you to be out without guards, you promised me you wouldn’t do this again and you broke your word at the very first opportunity.” I can see his temper flaring now, flashing in his eyes as we finally address the events which led up to the attack. “What were you thinking? After everything I’ve told you about the Prince,

it’s your campaign, not mine.” I argue. “And I’ve turned my entire life upside down, given up my entire identity to support it. At the very least I think I deserve

“but

burst out. “I shouldn’t have to have babysitters just to go to the park or

having to drag around half a dozen people with me either, but it’s a necessary evil. Just

my head as I stride past him. “I don’t think you realize just how much you’re asking of me – or how difficult this is. A month ago I led a completely different existence and now everything has changed and everything I thought I knew – was wrong. The

that we’d be a family forever. I never imagined contracts and custody and fake relationships.” Ouch. It’s completely true, and yet the statement cuts me to the core. “So we can make the best of our situation, or we can let it divide us. Now, I for one, think we should be a team. I want our baby to have two loving, united parents, don’t

do.” I murmur, tears springing to my eyes. I need to get out of here before I start to cry. “And I think we’ll get

but Sinclair’s deep voice stops me. “I don’t