Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 136

Chapter 136- Ella’s dilemma

Ella

I gaze around at the icy mountains, squinting up at the sky. The sun is high overhead, only halfway through its daily journey from East to West. That means it’s about noon… three hours from when I found the passage, according to the bedroom clock. The Prince’s deadline isn’t until dusk, which means there’s still time to get word to Sincalir, assuming I can figure out how to get back to the city.

Suddenly I’m kicking myself for leaving my go-bag behind. My coat wasn’t there because it had been stained and damaged, but I had other clothes inside, things I could layer onto my body to try and provide myself some warmth. I might move faster without the weight, but lightness won’t help me if I drop dead from hypothermia.

Just keep your blood moving. My wolf advises, as long as your heart is pumping it will keep you warm.

Not if I’m sweating. I counter, the liquid will just freeze and kill me faster.

Then stay active, but not so active that you’re sweating. You don’t want to stress the baby anyway. She advises,

Alright. I agree. How far do you think the valley is?

Well, it’s nowhere in sight, so we must be on the wrong slope of the mountain. My wolf reasons, making my heart sink.

So what? I have to go over it? I ask in horror, looking up at the snow covered peak. There’s no way I can make that sort of climb without gear, and it would certainly take more time than I have to spare. Besides, I’d probably fall into a crevasse or get buried in an avalanche. There is no way in hell I can survive that journey.

him to come after us. All we can do

but beggars can’t be choosers, and right now I’m certainly a beggar. So do I stay put and walk in circles, or try to descend? I wonder. I don’t want to stay out

tunnel had been warmer at least, surely I’d have a better chance if… My thoughts trail

back to the granite slab, pushing at it the way I’d seen my guards to at the safe house. I try and try to open it again, looking

down my cheeks. “No!” I cry out angrily. “No, no, no! It isn’t

end up collapsing into the snow with a wordless scream of outrage and misery. Get up!

she’s right, I jump back onto my feet. The tears from frost on my cheeks, and I rub away the crystalline particles, trying to keep my wits about me even though I want nothing more than to rage at

I know the sun will keep me warmer than the shaded forest, it’s also lower elevation and I might find shelter for the night. Even

the suggestion. If you wake me fully we’ll be able to handle the elements. Wolves are made for the wilderness… you’ll be ten times harder to

belly. Not unless we have no other choice. Those herbs are a last

sorrowfully, but this is life and death. If you don’t make it,

I insist ferociously. But I can’t… there’s still a chance that we can find another way. Maybe Sinclair can catch up before

in emergencies I bet there’s some sort of emergency shelter nearby! It would be crazy not to when things get like this

keep moving and

pup. “It’s okay, angel. Daddy’s going to come for us, and until then I’m going to keep you

force my tired legs through the deep snow drifts, sinking down into feet of fresh powder with every step I take. I try to use my sharpened senses to detect a path or signs of opening in the dense trees, but I can’t seem to decipher anything but ice and snow. I’m already exhausted, and my skin stings with the bite of the glacial wind. I experience some relief when I move into

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