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

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

agreed to take

out for my wolf, and laying a bit

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

know he doesn’t

stay close to him, never go out of sight and

we’ve been through, but now those same promises are providing my with the perfect button

is naturally responding to my own, and in an instant I realize that the best

"Ella—"

using my name as

should shift." I

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

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

inexperienced to be around so many strangers."

not a

wolf doesn’t care for

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

Sinclair grips my nape, I

late! My wolf sings defiantly, and my body shudders as the painful

tremble, jerk and whimper through

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

mate, who stands their with his arms crossed over his chest, disapproval rolling off of him in

my paws on his rock-hard abs, wishing I was tall enough to lick

his neck and nuzzle his chest with my snout,

me! I beg, Please,

not amused by

voice sounds in

and bound around his legs, nudging him and repeating my

the stoic Alpha finally caves, his massive wolf bursting free with

wolf is in charge, and

on him the moment the shift

energy is tinged with humor now,

him, plopping

what you wanted, trouble?

I want to run! I whine,

Hmm, I don’t know.

you right here, your little paws in

He informs me huskily.

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

bit from my efforts, but he does release my neck and shift his weight so

Look at this tummy.