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

and games filling the bookcases, as

I investigate the kitchen and find only a

of frozen

able to

I move

his

brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance

“I can be on my feet for twenty

sit at the

whether or

my belly. As if he

than I do.

when I’m

bring me all of the ingredients and do

happy to let

agrees, seeming pleased to have a task.

rattle off a list, and begin

ever happened before?”

the fact that he’s trapped here with me

Sinclair and

memory.” Gabriel replies

that uncommon. Bands of rogues

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

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

is unheard of.”

is it going to look for

a packet of butter from the freezer

he’s able to

the pack, but it doesn’t look good that

take him

not providing enough of a deterrent to

he looks weak to outsiders?” I

Gabriel confirms. “I can guarantee that’s

argue glumly, beginning to cream the thawed

trouble but Dominic is the one who pays

“Being Alpha is a thankless job

because he’s just doing his job.

dragged through

everything for his people,

recognize that.”

agree.” Gabriel replies, smothering a

this all take?” I

state of emergency? It could be hours, or days,- depending how

is.” Gabriel explains with

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

blinks, looking surprised. “Of

amazed that

this is a lot more boring that being

mouth I realize how insensitive they might

is a terrible thing,

care about is out risking their

carefully closing the bags and boxes

have

guard you? The men in this room are here

guard – the ones most trusted to protect