Accidental Surrogate

#Chapter 172 — Convincing Isabel Ella

After concluding our three hour summit meeting, where the King, my hybrid family and I decided on a few special events, we kicked off preparations for a welcome banquet, refugee camp visit, an open forum for debate, and a grand ball.

I’m still brainstorming different ideas for other ways to engage the reluctant Alphas, while grappling with the idea that I could play a pivotal role in convincing them to join our cause and wondering how I can make up for my coldness to my mate.

Still I have plenty of time to sort out those issues — now my full focus is on the refugees.

I arrive at the airfield just as a flight full of new exiles from the continent lands, and I watch in horror and heartache as they disembark the plane.

From the looks of it, this is the largest group to arrive so far, and they're mostly women and children.

We're losing more and more male wolves to this war, the ones who stay behind to fight or die protecting their families.

I help the Vanaran volunteers usher the group into the camp, taking a screaming infant from one of the guards who led the group out of Damon’s brutal empire.

"Her parents died just a hundred yards from freedom." He shares bleakly, gently transferring the pup into my arms.

"I promised them I’d get her here, so that it wouldn't be in vain."

Tears well in my eyes as I rock the babe gently from side to side.I haven’t welcomed my own baby yet, but my perspective on children has already changed so much.I’ve always loved them, always connected to and felt protective of them, but now that I'm learning the depth of a parent’s love, I can never look at a child the same way again.

I’m painfully aware of how much this precious girl must have meant to her mother and father, and I know how much it would have meant to them that this man kept his promise.

"you did very well." I praise him.

"Her parents can rest in peace now, and one day she’ll come to understand what you did for her.She has a future now — because of you."

His face is still downfallen, and there’s a haunted look in his eyes which I recognize all too well.

"Would you like to come with me to the orphan’s tent? So you can see where she'll be in case you want to visit?"

He stiffens slightly, but there’s an flash of longing in his eyes.

"I doubt I'll have much chance.I’ve got to go back this evening."

"If you keep making these runs you ought to get to know some friendly faces here."

I suggest, even though I know the face he’ll likely encounter before he can actually see the orphans is anything but friendly.

"I think it’s important you come and visit, so you remember what an incredible difference you’re making.If you try to stay disconnected then you might stop yourself from seeing how much good you're actually doing."

He still looks uncertain, so I make the decision for him.

"Come on."

I order, putting some of my newfound authority into my voice.I turn and carry the whimpering pup towards the orphan’s tent, and a glance over my shoulder confirms the big man is trailing reluctantly after me.

almost as soon as we

but is immediately drawn to the baby in my arms.She moves beside me with

she seems

at the squalling pup, clucking sympathetically as she traces a finger down her red

"Poor darling."

at me for my

"About eight months?"

assess, still rocking the distraught

had a rough time of

asks, clearing her throat to disguise the thick emotion in

"Sadie."

guard pipes up from behind me, his deep voice

swings towards the rugged wolf, and her eyes narrow

I'm struck by how many of the women in my life have this response to strange men — of fear and mistrust learned through terrible experiences.My heart wrenches with the sting of her

"Isabel, this is..."

off, realizing I don’t even know this

"James."

his eyes

"This is James."

I finish gently.

guardians getting families off

I can see her rethinking

would seem very reserved for most people, but

you." She

and his dark eyes widen almost

that I feel as if I’m

I see the slightest flush of pink

Interesting.

Isabel so that she can get to know her newest charge,

and something in her voice makes me wonder if the child Isabel lost

"It’s okay.You're safe now."

she carries her deeper into the tent, no doubt bound for a bath and a change of clothes that isn’t flecked with her parents’ blood,

broach the subject I know

King.We want to move you and the orphans to the palace so you’ll be

quietly,

James inquire, "You mean, they won’t be here much

welcome to visit even after we move them.The palace isn’t so far." I answer, earning myself a reproachful

will receive them here if we move?" She

deliver any unaccompanied pups directly to the palace." I suggest

and he'll be confident he’s delivered them into the safest possible hands." novelebook Isabel pauses, going very still as if she’s waiting to hear the Guardian’s thoughts on the matter before making her

do that." He agrees