Accidental Surrogate

Ella

The waiting is horrible.

I did exactly as Sinclair asked and followed the guards to the safe house, taking only a

few essentials. We left our phones and technology behind, and then I was piled into

the back of a car and hidden under a blanket just in case someone found a way to

glimpse through the black out windows. We drove for more than half an hour, making

all kinds of twists and turns. I’m sure some of it was just evasive driving to make sure

we weren’t being followed, which worries me more than I’d like to admit.

As I lay there I realized that Sinclair must have been afraid that this attack might be

used as adistraction for the Prince to make a move against me, and that possibility

seems more and more likely the more I think about it. Hadn’t the Prince been planning

a distraction just like this before the Queen died? It’s no wonder Sinclair hadn’t

wanted me to stay at the house even though it’s the most secure building in the city

next to the Royal Palace.

When we arrived at the safe house I was relieved to discover it was a veritable

fortress. It dídn’t even look like a house, In fact, when the car pulled to a stop in front

of a huge rock wall on the side of a mountain, I assumed one of the guards needed to

use the restroom or somethíng. I couldn’t have been more surprised when they all

exited the car and began pressing on the rocks, moving their hands around on the

granite until they found the right spot and pushed in. It took all four of them, each

pressing on a specific spot in perfect unison, before the mountain itself opened up.

The rock wall slid inward, even though it had looked completely solid from the outside.

One of the guards lifted ne out of the car and carried me inside, and all but the driver

entered with me. Just before the wall closed behind us, I saw the car speeding away

again. It had all happened in about 30 seconds, and when I look around I’m amazed

to discover that the interior of the mountain is as luxurious and comfortable as the

mansion. Despite being an actual cave, electricity lights the sprawling rooms, which

are fully furnished and decked out with amenities.

When I look back at the entrance I discover a keypad mounted in the rock, but no sign

of the door. A flash of claustrophobia overtakes me and I worry about how I’ll get out

again, but I take a deep breath and try to comfort myself with the knowledge that no

possibly

bookcases, as well as a space to

I investigate the kitchen and find only a

full of frozen food. I

thinking that I might be able to welcome Sinclair home

something similar. However when I move towards the pantry, my

Gabriel crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re still on bed rest,

experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance

“I can be on my feet

at

wordlessly, as if he’s unsure whether or not he should

chin up defiantly, cradling my belly.

I do. I think grumpily. Besides, an extra

when I’m

you can bring me all of the ingredients and do

slyly, perfectly happy to let him take over the less fun

to have a task. “What do you

rattle off a list, and begin opening ingredients as Gabriel collects bowls

cups. “Has something like this ever happened before?” I ask after

resents the fact that he’s

with Sinclair

my memory.” Gabriel replies

thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands

coalitions at times. Under a powerful rebel leader, rogues have tried

that this is happening in this

is unheard of.”

for Dominic?”

of butter from the

me. “If he’s able to prevent the attack entirely he’ll

the pack, but it doesn’t look good that

to take

providing enough

he looks weak to outsiders?”

can guarantee that’s how the Prince will

argue glumly, beginning to cream

Dominic is the one who pays the

“Being Alpha is a thankless job most times. When every thing

because he’s just doing his job. But if something goes

gets dragged

growling, “Dominic does everything for

recognize that.”

replies, smothering a

this all take?” I inquire after a

It could be hours, or days,- depending how serious

explains

out there with them?”

surprised. “Of

that

more boring that

mouth I realize how insensitive

is a terrible thing,

you care about is out

carefully closing the bags and boxes of

have no idea what an honor it is

men in this room are here

the fiercest warriors in his guard – the ones