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

games filling the bookcases, as well

the kitchen and find

as well as a freezer full of frozen food.

be able to welcome Sinclair home with some

something similar. However when I

Gabriel crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re still on bed

my brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush

who is not my mate. “I can be

sit at the

rumbles wordlessly, as if he’s unsure whether or not he

defiantly, cradling my belly. As

than I do. I think

I’m doing something that

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

to let him take over

seeming pleased to have

off a list, and begin opening ingredients as

cups. “Has something like this ever happened

that he’s trapped

with Sinclair and

memory.”

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

a powerful rebel leader, rogues

idea that this is happening in this day and

is unheard of.”

is it going to look for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring out flour

packet of butter from

for me. “If he’s able to

the pack, but it doesn’t

to take him

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

to outsiders?” I clarify,

guarantee that’s how

fair.” I argue glumly, beginning to cream the thawed butter. “I

Dominic is the

frowns. “Being Alpha is a thankless job most

just doing

dragged through the

everything for his people,

recognize that.”

Gabriel replies, smothering a

take?” I

of emergency? It could be

explains

with them?”

blinks, looking surprised.

seeming amazed that I should

have to admit this is a lot more boring that

realize how insensitive they might

is a terrible thing,

care about is out risking their

been carefully closing the bags and boxes of ingredients once I

still. “Do you have no idea what an

to guard you? The men in this

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