Accidental Surrogate

Ella

My eyes jerk open, and I surge up in bed.

A moment ago Sinclair was buried inside me – in more ways than one. My hand frantically clamps down on the spot where my neck meets my shoulder. I can still feel Sinclair’s fangs slicing into my flesh, but there doesn’t seem to be a wound in reality.

I’m not bleeding, and it doesn’t hurt – though it hadn’t hurt in the dream either. All of a sudden I’m remembering Sinclair’s ominous words about how a mating mark wouldn’t hurt if it was timed right, and now I understand all too well.

I’m still on an emotional high from the dream, I can’t believe I became a wolf! It had been the most incredible feeling, unlike anything I could have imagined. And then there was Sinclair. My body is flushed with heat, and my heart is still pounding. It felt so real, and I’m so glad that we stole that moment.

At the same time, I wonder if the sex was only so good because it was a fantasy? It had to be, there’s no way anyone could actually be that amazing in real life… right?

The more I think about it, reliving every touch, every word we spoke, I quickly find myself crashing back down to earth. I’m so grateful and ecstatic that it happened, but I’m very quickly feeling depressed that it’s over. Before those feelings can truly take hold, however, I hear pounding footsteps. In the blink of an eye Sinclair is there, standing in the doorway and raking his eyes over me in concern.

“Ella,” my name is a relieved sigh on his lips. I realize that he must have fallen asleep in his study, rather than coming to bed – but he’s here now. He crosses the floor quickly, reaching for me as soon as he’s close enough. “Are you alright? You disappeared from the dream so quickly!”

in his hands. I’m still feeling sad that our stolen night has come to an end, but I don’t want Sinclair to know just how pitiful I’m feeling. “I don’t know what happened, one moment we were…” I trail off, flushing, “and the

presses a lingering kiss to my upturned mouth, then rests his forehead against mine, gazing lovingly into my eyes. “My poor little mate, you didn’t

eager to steal a few extra moments of affection. “Well maybe if you hadn’t ravished me so completely I wouldn’t need so much

Sinclair teases, kissing me again. “If you weren’t such an insatiable little thing then I wouldn’t have

but just as quickly, it verges on a sob. “Don’t.” I plead, “I’m already struggling to cope with the fact that

to stare down at me in disbelief. “Stars, Ella don’t you realize what this

“It was just a dream, that was the point. A way for us to

That wouldn’t have been possible if you were truly a human.” He

am a human.” I remind him,

are. I was too caught up in claiming you in the dream, but now that my wolf is satisfied I can think a bit more clearly. Don’t you see – this would explain everything: the reason I was so interested in you before you even became pregnant; the

It seems like he’s operating with far more information than I possess myself. “And what do you mean you were interested in me

fight the urge to growl at him. “I’m sorry sweetheart, I forgot you didn’t know. Yes, I always noticed you – it was annoyingly distracting every time I caught sight of you in the neighborhood. Every time I

such a jerk to me about Cora, and when we found out I

I was an idiot. But my wolf is the reason I agreed to your plans in the first place, that’s what I meant when I said I’ve been holding