Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“Are you ready?” Sinclair asks, standing behind me in the mirror. I have to stop myself from staring at him. He’s dressed down from his standard suit, but somehow he looks even more gorgeous and intimidating than usual. In sleek black slacks and a simple white dress shirt, rolled up to his elbows and unbuttoned to his sternum, he looks powerful and laid back at once.

“That depends, what do you think?” I reply, extending my arms to show him my dress and get his opinion. I’m wearing a sleek velvet dress in ink bottle green. When the dressmaker suggested velvet I was skeptical, but now that I see the finished product I can fully appreciate her vision. It’s simple but sophisticated, not to mention incredibly cozy.

“Hmm,” Sinclair replies, striding nearer. “I think you’re missing something.”

“Like what?” I ask, turning back to the mirror to study my reflection. My makeup and hair are done, I found matching heels despite the infinite challenges of matching uncommon dress colors, and I’ll wrap myself in my new coat (courtesy of Sinclair) before we leave.

“Like this.” He beams, pulling out a thin black jewelry box.

I look down at it in surprise. “For me?”

“And just who else do you think I would be buying jewelry for?” He teases.

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “For all I know you have a girlfriend on the side.”

“Ella.” Sinclair’s impossibly deep voice sounds even richer than usual. “There isn’t anyone else.”

It’s not like we’re in a relationship or have discussed not dating during the pregnancy to avoid scrutiny. It makes sense that he wouldn’t risk the campaign by seeing someone else when he’s supposed to be happily mated, but he’s expressly told me that everything will be different when

late I realize Sinclair is watching me work through all these feelings, and he narrows his eyes at me. “What’s going on in that

nodding towards

you tell me what you’re thinking first – but we don’t have time.” He sighs, flipping open the smooth black lid. Inside the box is a stunning silver necklace, dotted with

gaping with my hand. “Sinclair, this is gorgeous. But it’s much too extravagant, I

over my collar and secures it at my nape. My fingers immediately flutter over the opulent jewels. I can guarantee that I’ve never worn anything so fine in my entire life. “You see,” Sinclair says, beaming

incredible.” I answer honestly. “But I feel like an

his brow. “Why do you

sarcasm at the last minute. He’s been so sweet and generous, I

Sinclair’s penetrating gaze far too observant at the best of times, and sometimes I want to be able to sulk without my thoughts becoming public. “Now, trouble.” He chuckles,

irises in the mirror. I feel like I might become hypnotized in their depths, but his expression is warm and open. “You might not be a she-wolf, but you are carrying my heir, and you are my date for the festival.” He slides his strong arms around my waist from

striking couple. Sinclair is so tall and dark, rugged yet classically handsome – as if all his features have been carved from stone. In my heels my head actually reaches his shoulder, and though I look very small and delicate beside him, the fine clothes and jewelry make me look like a

Sinclair is reading my mind, “Will you be upset if

at him from beneath my lashes, “I don’t know, why don’t you

shiver down my spine before he’s even said a word. He purrs a laugh at the feeling of my

hot and bothered, though it seems terribly unfair of him to tease me this way. Of course, I know Sinclair isn’t completely immune