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

bookcases, as well as a space

I investigate the kitchen and find

freezer full of frozen food. I decide

I might be able to welcome

However when I move

over his chest. “You’re still on

at him, experiencing a

someone who is not my mate. “I can be

sit at the

wordlessly, as if he’s unsure whether

my chin up defiantly, cradling my belly. As if he

baby’s well being than I do. I think grumpily.

when I’m doing something that

then you can bring me all of

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

Gabriel agrees, seeming pleased to have

and begin opening ingredients as Gabriel collects

“Has something like this ever happened

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

with Sinclair and the

my memory.”

sort of thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands of

coalitions at times. Under a

idea that this

is unheard of.”

going to look for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring out flour

answers, taking a packet of butter from the

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

doesn’t look good that the

take him

enough of a deterrent to keep

weak to outsiders?”

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

glumly, beginning to cream the

this trouble but Dominic

thankless job most

just doing his job. But if

gets dragged through

growling, “Dominic does everything for his people, they ought

recognize that.”

Gabriel replies, smothering a

long will this all take?”

of emergency? It could be hours, or days,-

is.” Gabriel explains with

out there with

looking surprised.

amazed that I

more boring that being in the thick of it.” As the

mouth I realize how insensitive they might

I know battle is a terrible thing, but it

is out risking

bags and boxes of ingredients once

“Do you have no idea what

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

the fiercest warriors in his guard – the ones most trusted to