Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 169 – Ella Hides

Ella

“Ella, why are we doing this?” Cora inquires in exasperation, her legs treading the steaming water of the palace baths.

“Because I’m avoiding Dominic and water is the only way I know to hide my scent.” I answer primly, swimming around her in circles. I’m wearing a borrowed swimsuit, and I’d even showered with Cora’s soap and worn her clothes on the way here – anything to try and disguise my scent.

I then persuaded Gabriel to show me some of the hidden passages in the Royal residence so that Sinclair couldn’t track me through the halls, and as far as I know my mate doesn’t even know these baths exist. They’re a relic from a bygone era, when it had been in fashion to bathe socially rather than in private. I wouldn’t know about them if I hadn’t asked. Luckily the King seems so amused by my schemes that he hasn’t shown any reluctance to help me, regardless of his friendship with my mate.

“This is silly,” Cora complains, rolling her big brown eyes. “He can’t make you forgive him if you’re not ready.”

I snort with laughter, rubbing my belly and sharing my amusement with my unborn pup. ‘Try telling that to an Alpha.” I retort wryly. “As far as Dominic is concerned he can declare our fight over and sex me into complacency.”

“I still don’t see why you should have to hide. I mean he might think that but it’s not like it could actually work…” She trails off, studying me closely.” Right?’

“Well not the way you mean.” I admit flushing deep pink. “It’s not like it would change my feelings or make me forget why I’m upset, but I also won’t be able to resist him.” I confess, heat pooling in my belly at the very thought. “He has this power over me, Cora. Even though I want to stay angry because I feel in my bones that I’m right, part of me still wants him to find me, because he’s my mate and it’s right that he should.” She still looks confused, so I continue, “It’s a mark of his power, proof that I don’t ever have to worry about being lost because he’ll always find me. And it’s the same with sex… I respond to his dominance on an instinctual level, and when he employs it against me… I don’t stand a chance – which I hate but also secretly love.”

if he does figure out you’re here and drag you off like a caveman, you’ll cave?” Cora surmises, shaking her head.

start sweet talking me… and the next thing you know I’ll be cuddling up to him instead of kicking him out of bed

sounds diabolical.” Cora frowns, sharing my indignation with such

you don’t find a way to dissuade Roger you’ll be

and an image flashes into my mind of an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. “He hasn’t made

be prepared. She’ll also probably resist her feelings all the more, which will egg his wolf on like nothing else. “I guarantee he didn’t give up that quickly. In

he managed to sneak up on us, when I’m as attuned to his scent as I am, but damned if he didn’t find a way. Cora and I swim to the other side of the pool, determined to make a break for it, but Sinclair is too fast. He’s there waiting when I reach the water’s edge, and before I can consider turning to race away in

isn’t fair.” I object, wriggling and writhing in his

I rose to it. And before you try to pretend otherwise, you should know I can feel how satisfied your

not every bit as upset as I am that he’s leaving – if not more so. I’m muttering mutinously under my breath now, but

I tell him bitterly, crossing my arms over my chest as we

am?’ He inquires, sounding much too pleased with himself, the rat.” From where I’m standing it looks like you’re the one making a mess of the King’s lovely parquet.” He has a point. I am the one who’s all wet, but I took a towel to the baths and he abandoned

wolf is growling in my head, making sultry declarations that have my own wolf squirming with anticipation and need. Such a naughty mate, hiding from me, disguising your delectable scent… wasting the precious time we have left

for being a big bully and not letting me do my job as your Luna. She sasses in reply. If I’m unruly it’s

our rooms, and sets me on the ground, closing the door behind him. He stands before me with his hands on his hips, looming so close that mere inches separate us. No, it means you’re frightened and hurt and lashing out

away, bracing myself for more admonitions. Instead my mate’s features soften as he reaches for me. And that’s okay, because I don’t like it any more than you do and I know how important stability is to your sense of wellbeing – especially now that you’re breeding. He