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

could possibly find me

bookcases, as

the kitchen and find only

full of frozen food. I decide to try and distract myself

be able to

I move towards the pantry,

arms over his chest. “You’re

arch my brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to be

“I can

at the

unsure whether or not he should allow me

my belly. As if he could

baby’s well being than I do. I think grumpily.

I’m doing something

that concerned then you can bring me all of the ingredients

to let

to have a task. “What

off a list, and begin opening ingredients as

something like this ever happened

he resents the fact that he’s trapped here with me

Sinclair and the

in my memory.” Gabriel replies

wasn’t that uncommon. Bands of

even form coalitions at times. Under a

entire packs before, but the idea that this is happening in

is unheard of.”

for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring

not sure.” He answers, taking a packet of butter from the

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

pack, but it doesn’t look good

take him

thing he’s not providing enough of a deterrent to

he looks weak to outsiders?” I clarify,

guarantee that’s how

beginning to

trouble but Dominic is

“Being Alpha is a thankless job most times. When

he’s just doing his job. But if something

gets dragged

myself growling, “Dominic does everything for his people, they ought

recognize that.”

replies, smothering

take?” I

of emergency? It could be hours, or days,- depending how serious

is.” Gabriel explains

you were out there with them?” I ask, watching

blinks, looking surprised. “Of

amazed that I should even

admit this is a lot more boring that

my mouth I realize how

thing, but it can’t be easy babysitting me

is out risking

closing the bags and boxes of ingredients

but now he goes still. “Do you have

this room are here

us the fiercest warriors in his guard –