Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 156 - Sightseeing Ella

The Vanaran capital feels like a different planet.

Everywhere we look crystals tower over us, carved into the most intricate forms I’ve ever seen.

The shifters populating the city are friendly and open in their curiosity, and we frequently stop so Gabriel can chat with the locals and introduce us.

It’s all so easy and peaceful, no lies, no secrets, just wolves living openly together in harmony.

Watching Gabriel, I see a leader who is strong but compassionate, ruthless but open-minded.

He’s intelligent and has as much raw power as my own mate, though he lacks Sinclair’s dangerous edge.

I expect Gabriel would be quite deadly if pushed, but he’s much more easy going than my own brooding Alpha.

Then again, he’s not the one exiled and preoccupied with planning a revolution.

Still, for a moment I envision a future world where Sinclair is the King of the united packs, and Damon’s regime is a long-forgotten nightmare.

In my heart I know this is the kind of society my mate could create as leader; Gabriel’s utopian world n.ovelebook could be our own, if only we could take back our home.

Maybe it’s naive to think a traumatized society could recover completely and achieve this sort of easy comfort...After all it’s not like Sinclair could simply snap his fingers and undo all the suffering caused by his predecessor.

No, if we can win this war we’ll have a monumental task ahead of us in terms of healing and rebuilding the united packs, and earning the trust of an oppressed people.

But I believe that if anyone can achieve this goal, it’s Sinclair.

I turn to look up at the man in question, so inspired by this vision that I want to share my hope with him.

However when I see his face he looks a million miles away.

His granite jaw is clenched and his gaze is hawkishly scanning our surroundings.

He manages to smile and greet the various people we meet, but his grip on my waist never loosens, and he never loses the hardness in his eyes.

I lean into his side as a cool breeze flutters through the square, carrying the scent of rain.

"What good is coming out if you’re not going to actually be present?"

I inquire, poking his muscular chest.

The huge Alphe looks down at me with dry amusement, closing his powerful hand around my offending finger.

"I said I would come along, I didn’t promise to forget my worries."

"That's cheating." I inform him, narrowing my eyes to a scowl.

"Is it now?"

in response to my

out how dangerous unfamiliar territories can be?

to take

the bait he put out for my wolf, and laying a bit

break your promises then I don’t see why I should

doesn’t need

stay close to him, never go out of sight and tell him the

cautious — and rightly so after everything we’ve been through, but now those same promises are providing my with the

I realize that the best way to get my mate out of

"Ella—"

my name as if

shift." I suggest, cutting him

form." I say, gesturing to the people custling around

so comfortable and secure in their secret lands that

is too inexperienced to be around so many strangers." Sinclair cautions, shaking

a good

care

a possibility, she’s clawing at

grips my nape, I said

sings defiantly, and my body shudders as the painful

Sinclair shields me as I tremble, jerk and

of him as my wolf, my dress

as I look up at my mate, who stands their with his arms crossed

on his rock-hard abs, wishing

I swipe my tongue over his neck and nuzzle his chest with

with me! I beg,

not amused by this,

sounds

I jump down and bound around his legs, nudging him and repeating my pleading over

his ankles that the stoic Alpha finally caves, his massive wolf bursting free

in charge, and

him the moment the

humor now, and I

pins me beneath him, plopping his

you wanted, trouble? He teases, mouthing my neck

I want to run! I whine, squirming under him but

Hmm, I don’t know.

like having you right here, your little paws in the air, completely at my

He informs me huskily.

mercy to do what? Suffocate me? I complain, trying to dislodge his

one bit from my efforts, but he does release my neck and shift his weight so he can investigate my belly with his

Look at this tummy.