Accidental Surrogate

Sinclair

A week after our pup started moving, my brother appears on my doorstep, claiming to bring news of the Prince. I’m amazed to discover that I’m not angry to see him for the first time in years. In fact, as strange as it seems, I’m actually thankful for his presence. I’m still not sure whether he’s truly my ally, but my wolf is urging me to trust him, and he’s rarely wrong. Besides, any intelligence – even false intelligence – is still new information, and I can sniff out a lie better than anyone.

“How’s Ella?” He asks, pulling off his coat.

“She’s perfect.” I boast, unable to help myself. I can feel myself beaming, but I can’t seem to turn off my smile muscles. “She’s napping right now, and we’re going back to the doctor tomorrow because her blood pressure is still a bit elevated… but otherwise she’s absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t have asked for a better mother for my pup.”

“I meant… after the attack.” Roger clarifies, looking slightly baffled by my effusiveness.

“Oh,” I pause, laughing softly. “Sorry, it’s easy to get caught up. She’s still a bit shaken, but her nightmares are happening less frequently now.”

“You’re really in love, huh?” Roger inquires, looking surprised.

I scoff, “Did you really doubt that?” I don’t pause to consider this idea. As far as Roger knows we fell in love and chose to start a family together. He shouldn’t have any reason to think this is all a lie, and I don’t like the idea that he might be onto our scheme.

“I mean, you haven’t marked her, I figured you were only with her for political reasons.” He shrugs.

“The politics are just a bonus.” I rumble, and I’m mildly amazed to realize this isn’t a lie. At some point the advantages of faking a relationship with Ella shifted, and after more than two months together, I’m discovering that I enjoy her company far more than I enjoy winning the campaign. Winning the campaign is important and necessary yes, but it’s always been a duty, not a personal ambition that gives me pleasure.

“Anyway, what of the Prince?” I ask, ushering Roger into my office.

“Well if possible, he hates Ella even more than he hates you.” Roger sighs. “I think there’s something about being shown up by a she-wolf infuriates him or emasculates him on some visceral level. He really has it out for her.”

“He’s already tried to kill her twice.” I remark coldly, “I’m not sure how much worse things could get.”

to punish her, drag it out and make her death as painful as possible. And he

for a moment I have to step away just to breathe. I count to ten inside my head, resisting the urge to shift and trying to block out the furious howls roaring through my

away from you. That’s part of why things have been quiet this last month – he’s been plotting.” Roger shares, seeming truly

I think desperately. This is all my

him. My wolf snarls, Forget the politics. She and the pup won’t be safe as long

army at his back. Besides, even if he doesn’t – I won’t be

wolf insists. And it’s

fists shaking with rage

but he’s planning a campaign event for the Lunas. He

I demand, trying to recall if I’ve seen any sort of

attack for the same day, just to be sure you can’t get

office door, and I hold up a finger to pause Roger. He glances in the direction of the soft footsteps tiptoeing towards my door. Ella’s scent comes fluttering through the wooden panel, and then a

my lips, exchanging a knowing glance with Roger. I raise my voice slightly, just in case Ella’s human hearing needs the volume. “I don’t know, if I sell my baby after the campaign is over

my ears and Roger smothers a laugh, covering it with a cough. “They can always call for another election, don’t forget that’s how we ended up in

feet and moving as silently as I can across

swing the door open, startling Ella and throwing her off balance. Clearly she was leaning her weight into the door in order to hear better. I catch her

here?” I rumble ominously. “It looks like one very naughty little

her predicament – processing her shock, fear, confusion and then outrage once she realizes our previous words were solely for her benefit. “You rat!” She

reply, scooping her up into my arms.

lap. Ella huffs, glaring at me with all the ferocity and indignance she possesses. “Well

“And you need your rest. I had every intention of filling