Accidental Surrogate

#Chapter 176 — Hypnosis

Ella

“I don't want to wake up .” I complain, still snuggled beneath the covers of my dream bed with Sinclair.

“I know, but the sooner we do and get back to work, the sooner we can be reunited.” Sinclair replies, sounding every bit as reluctant as I feel.

“Meet me again tonight?” I request, wondering how I'll ever force myself to untangle my limbs from his.

True to his promise, my mate had freed me of my guilt and helped me forgive myself, just not in the way I expected. I got to give him plenty of pleasure, but unleashing all of his Alpha power was like experiencing his wolf on steroids. He was so wild and feral, practically rabid with lust, and my wolf responded like a complete wanton. I imagine it’s what being in heat will feel like after the baby comes, and the entire night passed in a blurry haze. My body is sore and aching from my mate's dominant treatment, but my heart is light and my conscience is clear.

“wild horses couldn’t stop me.” Sinclair promises, still bathing me in the glow of his astounding magic.

“We'll of course not.” I joke, “your wolf is the size of a bloody horse already and he’s got built in knives on his fingers and toes.”

Sinclair laughs, petting my hip. “Fine, an army of vampires couldn’t stop me.” He amends.

I pause, “wait, are vampires real too?”

“No.” Sinclair smiles, without judgment. He pauses then, seeming to be listening for something. “I think I’m waking up. Be good today, little mate. No skipped meals or forgotten naps.”

“I'll be good as long as you stay safe.” I agree, thinking I might cry and then feeling ridiculous for being so emotional over such a short time apart.

rumbles wordlessly, but he seems to sense my words came from a place of vulnerability, so he doesn’t chastise me. no.vel.ebook Instead he waits for me to look up at him again, “and please

confirmation,

simply kisses me, pouring all his love through our bond, and then

for the refugee arrivals camp. When I arrive, I’m surprised to discover that my sister is already present, anxiously looking on as the Vanaran doctors treat injured shifters. She’s so consumed in the events in the medical tent that she doesn’t even notice me approaching beside her. When I place a gentle

scared me.” She breathes, pressing

squeeze. I follow her gaze to a surgeon setting a broken bone, placing the injured arm into a strange machine, which automatically projects a light image of the woman's skeleton, like a portable x-ray which requires no radiation. As we watch, the machine carefully bends and

inquire, feeling amazed

She shares, shaking her head. “These packs have a lot they could be

with people they don't know or understand.no.vel.ebook If they found out

aren’t some marginalized group.” Cora answers, “ they are the ones holding the power. Yes, humans would be afraid and all the bigots in the world would probably demonize them the way they do with everyone who’s different, but they’d be punching up. Shifters are the Goliath to their David,

“Yes, we might have strength and technology on our side, but I think it's a mistake

at me with an unreadable expression now, and I’m surprised to find a gulf between us. Our relationship didn’t change when we found out I'm a shifter, but in this discussion we’re suddenly separated by our identities. “On our side?” She repeats, her brow furrowing. “You mean your side. Have you forgotten, sister, that I’m one

mean it that way.” I sigh, replaying my words in my mind and realizing how

you even thought about how this war is affecting the humans on the continent? They’re suffering the same violence and instability, but unlike us, they don't have any idea why it's happening or where it’s coming from. It must just seem as

they don’t have anywhere to run, there is

to the humans. The shame I so recently banished comes

sorry.” I choke, “You’re right. I’ve gotten so caught up in my own life these last couple of weeks... in trying to figure out where I came from, that I forgot

it's you.” Cora appeases begrudgingly. “And I’m probably just taking out my

already be monitoring the situation or planning things, but if he isn’t, I'll make sure we start.” I decide, thinking aloud. Almost as an afterthought, I