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

games filling the bookcases, as well as a space

and find only a

freezer full of frozen food. I decide

I might be able to welcome

when I move towards

crosses his arms over his

at him, experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to be

mate. “I can

sit at the

unsure whether or not he should

cradling my belly.

well being than I do. I think

I’m doing something that relaxes

then you can bring me all of the ingredients and do

let

seeming pleased to have a task.

rattle off a list, and begin

like this ever happened before?” I

resents the fact that

with Sinclair and

in my memory.” Gabriel replies

of thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands

a powerful rebel leader, rogues have tried

but the idea that

is unheard of.”

look for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring

taking a packet of butter from the

able to prevent the attack entirely

doesn’t

to take

thing he’s not providing enough

he looks weak to outsiders?” I clarify,

that’s how the Prince

I argue glumly, beginning to cream the thawed butter. “I hate

causing all this trouble but Dominic

frowns. “Being Alpha is a thankless job

one notices, because he’s just doing

dragged through the

everything for his

recognize that.”

replies, smothering

all take?” I

could be hours, or days,- depending how serious

explains

with

blinks, looking surprised. “Of

answers, seeming amazed that I should

is a lot more boring that being in the thick of

I realize how insensitive

terrible thing,

you care about is

been carefully closing the bags and

you have

The men in this

the fiercest warriors in his guard – the ones