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

the bookcases, as well as

the kitchen and find only a pantry

well as a freezer full of frozen food.

be able to

something similar. However when I move towards the pantry, my

his chest. “You’re still on bed rest,

my brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush of

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

sit at the

as if he’s unsure whether or not he

my belly. As if he could ever

do. I think

feet when I’m

you’re that concerned then you can bring me all of the

slyly, perfectly happy to let him take over the less

seeming pleased to have a

rattle off a list, and begin opening ingredients as Gabriel collects bowls

ever happened before?” I ask after

resents the fact that he’s

with Sinclair and the

memory.”

this sort of thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands of rogues

Under a powerful

idea that this is happening in this day and

is unheard of.”

for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring out flour

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

to prevent

but it doesn’t look good that the rogues felt

take him

he’s not providing enough of a deterrent to

he looks weak to outsiders?” I clarify, trying

that’s how the Prince

beginning to cream the thawed

trouble but Dominic is the one

frowns. “Being Alpha is a thankless job

because he’s just doing his job. But if

he gets dragged through the

everything

recognize that.”

Gabriel replies, smothering a

will this all take?” I inquire

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

Gabriel explains

there with them?” I ask,

surprised. “Of

seeming amazed that I should

to admit this is a lot more boring that being

mouth I realize

is a terrible thing, but it can’t be easy

about is

closing the bags and boxes of ingredients once

but now he goes still. “Do you have no idea what

men in this room are here

–