Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“What do you mean she’s not a wolf?” The elder to whom Sinclair brought me to meet looks vaguely familiar, and I’m sure I’ve met him at some event or another. Still, I’m in such a daze with all this new information, that I can barely keep up. I feel like my brain isn’t working properly anymore. I feel slow and stupid, but Sinclair is beside me every step of the way, being patient and loving, scowling every time I suggest there’s anything wrong with my mind.

Now this elder is looking at us with barely contained horror, and I can only burrow deeper into Sinclair’s arms. I’m in his lap again, though again isn’t really correct – since he hasn’t put me down once. I’m technically still on bedrest, but I’m not complaining. I feel safe when I’m in his embrace, and I need that security now more than ever. “She is, but it’s dormant. We only just found out.” Sinclair sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face. He slowly shares our story with the older man, all the way from the beginning.

With every word out of Sinclair’s mouth, the elder pales a little further. When he’s finally caught up, he glowers. “You should have come to me the moment she conceived. I could have told you no human could bear a shifter child. You young pups,” He shakes his head in exasperation. “You think you know everything!”

“I’m hardly a pup.” Sinclair responds dryly, though he doesn’t truly seem bothered.

The elder looks down his nose at him. “I’d already been roaming this world a hundred years by the time you were born, boy. I might not have your power, but I possess wisdoms you could only dream about.” My eyes widen when I hear him share his age. I knew that shifters lived longer than humans, but I didn’t realize it was this long. The man in front of me only looks about seventy.

“That’s why we’re here now, Adolpho.” Sinclair answers smoothly. “I didn’t come before because I thought protecting the secret was too important.” His hand trails to my tummy, setting over the small bump of our pup. “I just wanted them to be safe.”

Adolpho softens slightly, observing our closeness. “Aye, I know how it is. Breeding is an emotional time for mothers and fathers both.” He wags his finger, “You can be forgiven for protecting your mate, but the deception is another matter.” He’s on his feet and pacing, again proving how remarkably spry he is for a 135-year-old. “Do you have any idea what you’ve risked here? If this gets out, your campaign will be over. The pack loves Ella, they’re obsessed with your romance, if they think this has all been a lie – it will be a betrayal of the worst kind.”

“My campaign was already going to be over before Ella came along. The only reason I’m winning is because of her.” Sinclair responds fiercely. “I don’t like lying to the pack either, but I was between a rock and a hard place of the worst kind.”

“The Alpha council aren’t fools. If it truly looked like the Prince was going to win, they would have come to your aid.” Adolpho suggests tiredly.

– especially not one they believed was sterile.” Sinclair insists, “We’re in this situation because King Xavier

Like Henry, he seems to be wishing for a

my idea. I thought I could help Dominic win,

it.” Sinclair praises, kissing my cheek. “And the way I see it, this is what the Goddess intended. The fact that Ella appeared and conceived my child right when I needed her most? That this baby might save the united packs from a cruel, blood-thirsty tyrant? If that

“or maybe it was the design of someone else. You said yourself that someone powerful was involved in switching the sperm samples, and now that you have this piece of the puzzle?” He surmises, gesturing

went there because my sister is a scientist at

human and you are not.” The elder answers,

immediately – that very day – even though I know better than to believe such a thing. I’d been so shocked and frightened I hadn’t questioned it, but is anything ever truly that cut and dry when it comes to fertility? “Oh my Goddess, I’ve been

offers me a small nod, watching my expression. “Let me guess, was

was sick and so

did she examine you?”

shake my head, feeling dizzy now. “She just looked at

I don’t think I can handle any more surprises. “If her body wasn’t actually damaged… are you saying that Ella might

looking to the older man with something between fear and hope. Everything is changing so quickly, I’m not sure how many more surprises I can handle – good or

his hands are on my face, wiping away tears I hadn’t realized I’ve been shedding. “I can’t believe this.” I

purring softly. “It’s okay, we don’t have to talk about it