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.”

Roger grimaces. “He wants to make her pay first, to punish her, drag it out and make

surface, and 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

he’s needed the time to figure out how to get her away from you. That’s part of why things have been quiet this last month – he’s been

Damn it! I think desperately. This is all my fault, I put her

have to kill him. My wolf snarls, Forget the politics. She and the pup won’t be

just kill him. His father is the King. He’s bound to take revenge for his son’s murder and unlike the Prince, he has an entire army at his back. Besides, even if he doesn’t – I won’t be considered a suitable candidate anymore and the Alpha council might call

Ella. My wolf insists. And it’s the pup. We have to

shaking with rage as my claws extend

campaign event for the Lunas. He thinks if

to happen?” I demand, trying to recall if I’ve seen any sort of invitation

planning another rogue attack for the same day, just to be sure you can’t

movement on the other side of my 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

human hearing needs the volume. “I don’t know, if I sell my baby after

gasp meets my ears and Roger smothers a laugh, covering it with a cough. “They can always call

I’ll have the army at my disposal.” I counter, rising to my feet and moving as silently

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 slender wrists before she can tumble to

well, what have we here?” I rumble ominously. “It looks like one very naughty

– processing her shock, fear, confusion and then outrage once

I beg to differ.” I reply, scooping her up into my arms. “I think you got exactly what

chair, settling the defiant bundle in my lap. Ella huffs, glaring at me with all the ferocity and indignance she possesses. “Well

had every intention of filling you in once you woke. If you’d knocked I would have