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?"

arching his brow in response

out how dangerous unfamiliar territories can be? Especially for mischievous little wolves too clever and too brave for

agreed to take a

put out for my

promises then I don’t see why I should

doesn’t need

vow to stay close to him, never

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

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—"

my name as if

should shift." I suggest,

their wolf form." I say,

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

be around so many strangers." Sinclair cautions, shaking

not a good

wolf doesn’t care for this

I’ve made shifting a possibility, she’s clawing at my

Sinclair grips my nape, I said no,

My wolf sings defiantly, and my body shudders as

Sinclair shields me as I tremble, jerk and whimper through the

him as my wolf, my

up at my mate, who stands their with his arms crossed over his chest, disapproval rolling off of

abs, wishing I was tall

swipe my tongue over his neck and nuzzle

me! I beg, Please,

not amused by

grumpy voice sounds in my

down and bound around his legs, nudging him and

I nip his ankles that the stoic

wolf is in charge, and she only wants

cries, pouncing on him

is tinged with humor

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

trouble?

I want to run! I whine, squirming under him

Hmm, I don’t know.

of like having you right here, your little

He informs me huskily.

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

be this heavy? Sinclair doesn’t budge one bit from my efforts, but he does release my neck and shift

Look at this tummy.