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

the bookcases, as well as a space to exercise,

kitchen and

of frozen

I might be able to welcome Sinclair home

I move towards the pantry,

his chest. “You’re still

at him, experiencing a

someone who is not my mate. “I can be on my feet for twenty minutes.

sit at the

whether or not he should allow

defiantly, cradling my

I do. I think

my feet when I’m doing something that

you can bring me all of the ingredients and

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

pleased to have a task. “What do

begin opening ingredients

something like this ever happened before?” I ask after

if he resents the fact that he’s trapped here with me instead of

Sinclair and the

my memory.” Gabriel

this sort of thing wasn’t that

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

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

is unheard of.”

for Dominic?” I inquire,

of butter from the freezer and setting

“If he’s able to prevent the attack

doesn’t look good that the rogues felt

take him

thing he’s not providing enough of

looks weak to outsiders?”

Gabriel confirms. “I can guarantee that’s

argue glumly, beginning to cream

Dominic is the one who pays the

Alpha is a thankless job most

because he’s just doing his job. But

dragged through

everything for his people, they

recognize that.”

replies,

take?” I inquire

could be hours, or

is.” Gabriel explains

you wish you were out there with

surprised.

answers, seeming amazed that

to admit this is a lot more boring that

realize how insensitive they might

a terrible thing, but it can’t be

is out

been carefully closing the bags and boxes

“Do you have no idea

to guard you? The men in this room are here because the Alpha

– the ones most trusted to