Accidental Surrogate

Ella

I gather Henry, Phil!ppe and Gabriel just after lunch, careful not to hint about my motives for this meeting. Instead I ask them to come to my suite for a chat before returning to their regular daily tasks. Naturally, as my personal guard Phil!ppe would have been here anyway, but when Henry and Gabriel arrive and realize that this is a group discussion rather than a private audience, they automatically sense that something is up – and they’re right.

“What’s on your mind, Ella?” Henry inquires, wheeling over to take a place beside me.

“I have to ask a favor of you all.” I begin hesitantly, knowing that my next request isn’t going to go over well at all. “And while I know this puts you in a very difficult position, I’d like to ask that this conversation remain between the four of us – whether you agree to help me or not.”

Phil!ppe stiffens, and Gabriel’s sharp eyes search my face. “You’re asking us not to tell Dominic?”

“Yes, but I swear that I have good reason.”I insist, the words spilling out of me in a rush. “You all know what happened in my hypnosis session and how many questions it raised about my past. You know how unprecedented all of this is, and that the events I recalled suggest powerful forces at work.” I take a steadying breath to try to stop my voice from shaking. “You must also realize the implications of all this, and how seriously the people are taking these rumors.”

The men exchange wary glances. They may be among the few shifters in the palace not treating me like some sort of divine savior, but they’d have to be blind and deaf not to hear the whispers, or notice the worshipful gazes and gifts raining down on me from the pack. “This is so much bigger than finding out who my parents were or why I was given up.” I continue fervently. “If that were all it was then I wouldn’t mind waiting -I didn’t want to do this in the first place.” I pause to laugh at the sheer irony of this – how quickly the tables have turned.

“What exactly are you asking, Ella?” Gabriel inquires, sounding genuinely curious rather than cautious.

he’ll be here to take care of me if things get difficult again.” I acknowledge. “But it will also be more stress on him – far

forbidden except in cases of a.buse. What’s more, none of us would do or feel differently if it was our own mate in your shoes. I understand you have a tender heart and you’re trying to

make it about Dominic.”I amend. “Perhaps I should have started by saying that we can’t afford to wait, regardless of any of our wishes. If the people are right..

to do everything we can to bring Damon down, and if I’m part of that then there is no justification for putting this off.” I shrug. “Dominic isn’t the only one with a duty to put the people above his own needs or desires. If I’m truly to be their

I’ve finally gotten through to them. They know I’m right, even though they don’t

pup?” Henry questions, throwing out one final impediment

of terror and agony that certainly should have

remind him, running my palm over my round belly. “I hate upsetting him more than any of you ever could, but he’s his father’s son.

think it’s worth waiting until you can do this under the best possible circ.umstances?” My stomach fl!ps. Phil!ppe worried me more than Gabriel

absolutely cannot do this without – since he’s glued to my side nearly 24/7. In truth, I sought Gabriel and Henry’s help to give Phil!ppe

šaying, “Do you think