Accidental Surrogate

Ella

It takes me a minute to understand what must be happening. The only woman I’ve been near tonight, is the stranger in the restroom. So if I smell like Lydia… that must have been her. It’s no wonder she seemed so mysterious and sad. I feel for her immensely. I know what it’s like to try for years on end to get pregnant with a partner, only for them to succeed with someone else.

Of course, Sinclair didn’t do to her what Mike did to me, they’d been in their struggle together– but it must still hurt. In fact, my pregnancy probably proves the problems they had conceiving were with her, which is devastating for any hopeful mother.

“There was a woman in the restroom.” I tell Sinclair hesitantly. “She helped me, held back my hair.”

“What did she look like?” He demands urgently.

“Dark hair, blue eyes, tall and willowy.” In fact she was my opposite in just about every way, right down to her perfectly manicured nails and custom designer shoes.

Before I can say any more, Sinclair turns and disappears into the crowd, scanning the feast for signs of his ex. My heart falls, faster and harder than I could have believed possible. I can’t believe how painful it is to see him running after her this way, obviously desperate to find her. One mention of Lydia and I might as well not exist. I feel like crumpling in on myself, though I don’t have any right to feel jilted. I’ve known the score from the beginning – Sinclair never pretended otherwise. So why does it hurt so much?

“You should get off your feet.” Henry says kindly, urging me to take my seat. “You still look very pale.” I follow his gesture obediently, not sure how much longer my legs will support me. Sinclair is out of sight now, no doubt chasing down his true mate to convince her to come back to him. I can’t seem to conjure up any words or coherent thoughts, I’m slowly being crushed beneath the weight of my disappointment.

I’m cursing myself for being so silly, for getting my hopes up when I knew better. It’s obvious now I’ve been lying to myself about my feelings for Sinclair, or this wouldn’t be so agonizing. At the same time, It’s irrefutable proof that I was right not to get involved with him. I was right to try and protect myself – even though I failed. I can’t imagine how much worse this would be if I’d actually started a relationship with him.

Stop this, the little voice in my head scolds. You’re overreacting, he just went after her, you have no idea what he’s thinking. You’re assuming the worst because you expect to be let down.

expect it with good reason. I reply bitterly. I

is different. She insists. He’s special and he cares about

I correct her. He’s protective of me for its sake and he might be grateful to me for carrying it, but I’ll never be a she-wolf. I’ll never be in

of the way he compliments you! You’re more than just a surrogate

guarantee I’ll cease to

my conscience can reply there’s movement in my periphery, and a new voice joins

warn you.” Roger appears as if from nowhere, but he obviously saw what happened. “I told you

Henry rumbles beside me, giving his

former Alpha. “It’s been too long – I’m surprised you still remember my

answers fiercely. “I still call you every week though you never pick up the phone. I’d be thrilled to

give up after a while, to save themselves the pain if nothing else. It speaks volumes that Henry has never stopped trying to be in his son’s

feel any sense of gratitude for his father’s dedication. Instead he turns his nose up in disgust, “You clearly let that injury steal your dignity as

growls back, showing a glimmer of his former strength. “Like it or not, I will always be there for you –

called smothering.” Roger

Henry counters coolly. “And if I didn’t teach you that well

it’s because he’s always so in control, but somehow I know in my heart that he wouldn’t ever raise a hand against me. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I can’t recall ever trusting anyone the way I trust Sinclair. That must be the pup’s influence too,

swiftly. “You’re right, it’s the holidays, we shouldn’t be

“I simply thought you might need a friendly ear, what