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.

bachelor on the throne – especially not one they believed was sterile.” Sinclair

sounding resigned now. Like Henry, he seems to be wishing for a solution that doesn’t exist – another way to have handled this, though no

to blame, you can blame me.” I interject. “It was my idea. I thought I could help Dominic win, and I was afraid for my

is what the Goddess intended. The fact that Ella appeared and conceived my child right

now that you have this piece of the puzzle?” He surmises, gesturing to me. “Whoever it was must have known Ella wasn’t truly a human. And the fact

mean, sent?” I interrupt. “I went there because my

because he was human and you are not.” The elder answers, almost as if

doctor told me–” I begin to object, trailing off as I recall the horrible conversation that started all this, that sent me running home to discover Mike’s deception. The doctor who told me that I had to conceive 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

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

doctor was sick and so another physician

your sister – did she examine you?”

shake my head, feeling dizzy now. “She just

that makes my stomach drop. Oh Goddess, what has he figured out? I don’t think I can handle any more surprises. “If her body wasn’t actually damaged… are

I’m not sure how many more surprises I can handle – good or bad. “A shifter physician would have to examine her for sure, but I

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

assures me, purring softly. “It’s okay, we don’t