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

the one who pointed out how dangerous unfamiliar territories can be? Especially

to

he put out for

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

he doesn’t need more

him, never go out

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

instant I realize that the best way to get my mate out of his shell, is to do

"Ella—"

name as if it’s

should shift." I suggest, cutting him

in their wolf form." I say, gesturing to the people custling

the Vanarans are so comfortable and secure in their secret lands that they feel

to be around

a

doesn’t care

she’s clawing at my skin,

Freedom! Sinclair grips my nape, I said no,

sings defiantly, and my body shudders as

Sinclair shields me as I tremble, jerk

quickly, and soon I’m sitting in front of him as my

their with his arms crossed over his chest,

up and brace my paws on his rock-hard abs, wishing I was tall enough to lick the frown right off

neck and nuzzle his chest with my snout, Come on,

with me! I beg,

amused

sounds in my

I jump down and bound around his legs, nudging him and

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

and she only

She cries, pouncing on him the

tinged with humor now, and I know I’ve

play for a moment before he pins me beneath him, plopping his heavy body down on mine

wanted, trouble?

I whine, squirming under him

Hmm, I don’t know.

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

He informs me huskily.

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

this heavy? Sinclair doesn’t budge one bit from my efforts, but he does release my neck and shift his weight so he can investigate my belly with

Look at this tummy.