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 find me

games filling the bookcases, as well as a space

entertainment. I investigate the kitchen and find

full of frozen food. I decide to

be able

I move towards the pantry,

crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re

him, experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to

someone who is not my mate. “I can be on my

sit at the

whether or not he should

chin up defiantly, cradling my belly.

being than I do. I

my feet when I’m

concerned then you can bring me all of the ingredients and do

to let him take over the less fun

pleased to have a task. “What do

off a list, and begin opening ingredients as

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

that he’s trapped here

Sinclair and the

memory.”

of thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands of

a powerful rebel leader, rogues have tried

but the idea that this is happening

is unheard of.”

going to look for Dominic?” I

of butter from the freezer

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

protecting the pack, but it doesn’t look good that

take him

not providing enough of a deterrent to

outsiders?” I clarify,

Gabriel confirms. “I can guarantee that’s how the Prince will

glumly, beginning to cream the thawed butter. “I

all this trouble but Dominic is the one who pays the

a thankless job most times.

doing his job. But if something goes

he gets dragged through the

does everything

recognize that.”

replies, smothering

take?” I inquire after

It could be hours, or days,-

is.” Gabriel explains with

wish you were out there with

looking surprised. “Of

answers, seeming amazed that I

have to admit this is a lot more boring that being in the thick of

my mouth I realize how insensitive they might

terrible thing, but it can’t

care about is out risking their

closing the bags and boxes of ingredients once I

still. “Do you have no idea what an

this

his guard – the ones most trusted