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

games filling the bookcases,

I investigate the kitchen and find only a

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

able to welcome Sinclair

I move towards

his arms over his chest. “You’re

experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to

my mate. “I can be on my feet

at the

as if he’s unsure whether or not he should

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

do. I think grumpily.

when I’m doing

that concerned then you can bring me all of the

I suggest slyly, perfectly happy to let him

agrees, seeming pleased to have

begin opening ingredients

this ever happened before?” I ask after

resents the fact that he’s trapped here

Sinclair

my memory.” Gabriel

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

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

the idea that this is

is unheard of.”

look for Dominic?” I

packet of butter from

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

protecting the pack, but it doesn’t look good that the rogues felt

take him

people might thing he’s not providing enough of a

looks weak to outsiders?” I clarify,

confirms. “I can guarantee that’s how

glumly, beginning to cream the

Dominic is the one who pays the

frowns. “Being Alpha is a thankless

doing his job. But

dragged through

does everything for his people, they

recognize that.”

agree.” Gabriel replies, smothering

all take?” I

state of emergency? It could be hours, or

is.” Gabriel explains

wish you were out there with them?”

surprised. “Of

seeming amazed that I should

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

I realize how insensitive they might

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

is

closing the bags and boxes of ingredients once I

he goes still. “Do you have no

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

guard –