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?"

his brow in response

remind you that you're the one who pointed out how dangerous unfamiliar territories can be? Especially for mischievous little wolves too clever

to take a

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

you get to break your promises then I don’t see why I should

he doesn’t need more

to him, never go

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

is naturally responding to my own, and in an instant I realize that the best way to get my mate out of his shell, is

"Ella—"

using my name as

should shift." I suggest,

form."

true, it seems the Vanarans are so comfortable and secure in their secret lands that they feel no danger shifting in public, let alone in

is too inexperienced to be around so many

not a good

care for

she’s clawing at my

yes! Freedom! Sinclair grips my

and my body

jerk and whimper

I’m sitting in front of him as my wolf, my dress in tatters

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

up and brace my paws on his rock-hard abs, wishing I was tall enough

tongue over his neck and nuzzle his chest with my snout,

me! I beg,

am not amused by this,

grumpy voice sounds

him, I jump down and bound around his legs,

that the stoic Alpha

wolf is in charge, and she only wants to

She cries, pouncing on him the moment the shift

foreboding energy is tinged with humor now, and I know

beneath him,

wanted, trouble? He

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

Hmm, I don’t know.

your little paws

He informs me huskily.

what? Suffocate me? I complain, trying

but he does release my neck and shift his weight so he can

Look at this tummy.