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

books and games filling the bookcases, as well

investigate the kitchen and

well as a freezer full of frozen

able to welcome Sinclair home with some

or something similar. However when I move

over his chest. “You’re

him, experiencing a familiar rush of

mate. “I can be on my

sit at the

unsure whether or not he should allow me this

my chin up defiantly, cradling my belly. As if he

do.

when I’m doing something that

concerned then you can bring me all of the ingredients and

I suggest slyly, perfectly happy to let

seeming pleased to have a task.

begin opening ingredients as

ever happened before?” I

fact that he’s trapped here with

Sinclair and

my memory.” Gabriel

ago this sort of thing wasn’t that uncommon.

a powerful rebel leader, rogues have

entire packs before, but the idea that this

is unheard of.”

going to look for Dominic?” I

sure.” He answers, taking a packet of butter from the freezer and setting it

microwave for me. “If he’s able to prevent the

the pack, but it doesn’t look good that

to take him

not providing enough of a deterrent to keep them

looks weak to outsiders?” I clarify,

can guarantee that’s

beginning to

causing all this trouble but Dominic is the

thankless

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

gets dragged through the

everything for his people, they

recognize that.”

Gabriel replies, smothering

long will this all take?” I inquire

could be hours, or

Gabriel explains with a

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

blinks, looking surprised. “Of course

seeming amazed that I should even

boring

mouth I realize

is a terrible thing, but it can’t be

care about is out risking their

the bags and

now he goes still. “Do you have

in this room are here because the Alpha

guard – the ones