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

filling the bookcases, as

entertainment. I investigate the kitchen and find

as a freezer full of frozen food. I decide to try and distract

thinking that I might be able to

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

Gabriel crosses his arms over his

experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to

my mate. “I can

sit at

he’s unsure whether or not

chin up defiantly, cradling my belly. As if he could ever care

well being than I do. I think grumpily.

I’m doing something that

concerned then you can bring me

happy to let him take over the less

agrees, seeming pleased to have a

begin opening ingredients as Gabriel collects

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

he resents the fact that he’s

Sinclair

memory.”

of thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands of

at times. Under a powerful rebel leader,

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

is unheard of.”

for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring out

He answers, taking a packet of butter from the freezer

me. “If he’s able to prevent the

it doesn’t look good that the

take

providing enough of a deterrent to

to outsiders?” I clarify, trying to

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

glumly, beginning to cream the thawed butter.

this trouble but Dominic is the one who

frowns. “Being Alpha is a thankless job most times. When every

just doing his job. But

gets dragged

everything for his

recognize that.”

replies, smothering a

take?” I inquire after a

of emergency? It could be hours, or

is.” Gabriel explains

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

blinks, looking surprised. “Of

seeming amazed that

this is a lot more boring

I realize

is a terrible thing, but it can’t

care about is

the bags and boxes of ingredients once

still. “Do you have no idea what

men in this room are here because the Alpha

us the fiercest warriors in his guard – the ones most trusted to protect you