Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 152 – Check Up

I never imagined being in exile would look like this.

King Gabriel’s palace is the most extravagant display of luxury I’ve ever seen, and it’s not as if I’m a stranger to mansions and palaces. That thought alone is enough to send me reeling… who would have ever dreamed that poor orphan Ella would end up rubbing elbows with the most important figures in the land, or have the social capital to become a political threat?

As we exit the cars and enter the building, I can only stare around myself in awe. The wealth here makes the wealth back on my home continent look like nothing, and the air seems to vibrate with the energy of the strange crystals which form the city. We get a brief tour of the palace, and then we’re escorted up to a sprawling suite of rooms, even more expansive than the master suite in Sinclair’s manor.

However the size of the space isn’t what leaves me dumbstruck, it’s the feeling that we’re suddenly deep in the alpine forests of my home. The walls are all comprised of giant screens, each one displaying a live feed of some dense woodland – or so it seems. Even the ceiling displays a realistic view of the sky, a light dappled canopy which projects actual rays of sunlight down to the floor. Tucked in the farthest corner of the room is a large, round bed with sheer curtains around the edges. Blankets and pillows are waiting to be piled into a nest, and I feel as though I’m in one of my shared dreams with Sinclair.

His arms slide around my waist, and his lips graze my ear. “Do you like it?” All of a sudden I realize that he instructed the King to have our rooms prepared this way, to give me a safe space while we’re in exile.

I can’t help myself. I turn and climb into his arms, not satisfied with a simple hug and instead scrabbling up his huge body as if it were a tree. I wrap my arms and legs around my mate, rewarded with a low purr. “We’re going to find a way back home, Ella. I promise.”

“I know.” I tell him honestly. “I trust you.”

I realize that Gabriel has stepped outside, leaving us alone. I tilt my face up to Sinclair’s, finding his gaze already on me. It’s so intense, so heated, and I couldn’t escape it even if I wanted to. He claims my lips in a deep kiss, and only the sound of a knock on the door tears us apart.

for my baby convinces me to leave him. The physician takes my blood pressure and vitals, and sits patiently as we explain the story of my suppressed wolf and traumatic shift. Sinclair stays by my side throughout the examination, and when they wheel in an ultrasound machine and Rafe’s tiny, three dimensional image appears

the soundtrack of Sinclair’s grumpy growls, and there’s only one final set of tests to run when a guard sticks

with excitement. “Who’s arrived?” I inquire

be here after your check up,

to squirm free of Sinclair’s firm hold and the doctor’s gloved fingers. “I have to make sure they’re okay.” Ever since my wolf woke up I’ve been feeling even more protective of my family than usual. Cora might trigger the strongest response, but my inner canine has also claimed Henry and Roger as part of

me in place, and I shoot him a sullen look as the doctor continues poking and prodding me. When I settle out of nothing more than sulky

my head I feel a wave of dominance, followed by the dark rumble

have a chance to consider

nipping his claiming mark where my neck meets my shoulders. My wolf immediately lights up from the inside out, and the doctor gives us a quelling look. “I can’t very well perform a cardiac stress test when you’re making her heart race like that,

one challenging her mate.” My little

immediately jump up with excitement. “I don’t want you doing anything strenuous, especially not when you’ve been through so much, but I think waking your

Sinclair asks, and

for her, but don’t spoil her if she’s challenging you – the

Sinclair professes, shaking his hand

turns back, and I quickly bound over the floor. “Let’s go!” I