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

filling the bookcases, as well as a space

the kitchen and find

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

that I might be able to welcome Sinclair

when I move towards the pantry, my

Gabriel crosses his arms over his

arch my brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush of

mate. “I can be

sit at the

wordlessly, as if he’s unsure whether or

chin up defiantly, cradling my

I do.

when I’m

bring me all of the

I suggest slyly, perfectly happy to let him take

have a task. “What do you

off a list, and begin opening ingredients as

like this ever happened before?” I

resents the fact that he’s

with Sinclair and

my memory.” Gabriel

of thing wasn’t that

a powerful rebel leader, rogues have

but the idea that this is

is unheard of.”

look for Dominic?” I

packet of

“If he’s able to prevent the attack

it doesn’t look good that the

take him

thing he’s not providing enough of

he looks weak to outsiders?” I clarify, trying to

“I can guarantee that’s

glumly, beginning to cream the thawed

Dominic is the

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

he’s just doing his job. But if

dragged through

“Dominic does everything for his people, they

recognize that.”

Gabriel replies, smothering

will this all take?”

emergency? It could be hours, or

explains

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

looking surprised. “Of

answers, seeming amazed that

have to admit this is a lot more boring that being in the thick of it.” As the

mouth I realize how insensitive

mean I know battle is a terrible thing, but it can’t be easy babysitting

you care about is out risking their

bags and boxes of ingredients once I

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

guard you? The men in this

– the ones most trusted to protect