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

are books and games filling the bookcases, as well as a space to

kitchen and find only a pantry full

full of frozen food. I decide to try and

thinking that I might be able

However when I move towards the pantry, my

his chest. “You’re still on

experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to

not my mate. “I can be on my feet

sit at the

whether or not he should allow

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

being than I do. I think grumpily. Besides,

feet when I’m doing something

me all of the ingredients and

let him take over the

seeming pleased to have

off a list, and begin

this ever happened before?” I

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

Sinclair

memory.” Gabriel replies

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

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

but the idea that this is happening in this day

is unheard of.”

bad is it going to look for Dominic?” I inquire,

He answers, taking a packet of

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

it doesn’t look good that the rogues

take

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

to outsiders?” I clarify, trying to

“I can guarantee that’s how the Prince

I argue glumly, beginning to cream the

causing all this trouble but Dominic

frowns. “Being Alpha is a thankless job

he’s just doing his job. But

gets dragged through the

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

recognize that.”

Gabriel replies,

all take?”

emergency? It could be

is.” Gabriel explains with

with

looking surprised.

answers, seeming amazed that I should even

lot more boring that being in

realize how insensitive they

terrible thing, but it can’t be easy

about is out risking

carefully closing the bags and

have no idea what an

this room are here because the Alpha

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