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

filling the bookcases, as well

kitchen and find only

frozen food. I decide to

thinking that I might be able to welcome Sinclair home

I

Gabriel crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re

him, experiencing a

my mate. “I can be on my feet for

at

if he’s unsure whether or

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

being than I do. I think grumpily. Besides, an

my feet when I’m

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

to let him take over

have a task. “What

and begin opening ingredients

cups. “Has something like this ever happened

if he resents the fact that he’s trapped

Sinclair and the

memory.”

thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands of rogues

even form coalitions at times. Under a powerful rebel leader, rogues have

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

is unheard of.”

is it going to look for

sure.” He answers, taking a packet of

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

but it doesn’t look good that

take him

might thing he’s not providing enough of a deterrent to

looks weak to outsiders?” I

Gabriel confirms. “I can guarantee that’s how

I argue glumly, beginning to

trouble but Dominic is the one who

Alpha is a thankless job

doing his job.

dragged through

does everything

recognize that.”

agree.” Gabriel replies,

long will this all take?”

could be hours, or days,- depending how

Gabriel explains

with

blinks, looking surprised. “Of

amazed that

more boring that

mouth I realize how insensitive they

terrible thing, but

is out risking their

been carefully closing the bags and

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

The men in this room are here because the Alpha

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