Accidental Surrogate

Ella

Things did not look better in the morning. At least, not for all the people back home in Moon Valley – shifter and human alike. With every day that passes, the worse the crisis grows, with refugees flooding out of the occupied territories and ever-rising death tolls. It feels insane that I’m one of the people in charge of solving this crisis, especially since I was just a Nanny a few months ago. It used to be that I would watch events like this unfold on the news and wonder what our world leaders were going to do to fix it… now I am one of those leaders.

The best I can do is take it one step at a time, and though I sometimes feel like I’m shirking my duties with the summit by focusing on the refugees so much, I feel like they need me most. It’s difficult, draining work, but it’s also more rewarding than I could imagine – even when things are tough.

And speaking of tough, there is one refugee in particular proving to be a tough nut to crack – not that this is surprising. “Isabel,” I chime, striding into the nursery. The she-wolf looks up from the diaper she’s changing, and her expression immediately becomes guarded.

Before I can reach her, a small herd of pups race forward to clamber around my legs, “Ella! Ella!”

There are fewer familiar faces here than before, since we’ve successfully placed a number of the orphans in foster homes. Still I continue coming every day to nap with the remaining children, and I love the time I spend with them.

“Luna.” Isabel greets me stiffly, carrying over the child she’d been tending. I’m surprised to see it isn’t Sadie, but when I search the room I spy James cradling the young girl by the fire, grinning down at her with obvious adoration. I can’t help but raise my brows, as far as I know Isabel doesn’t trust anyone with her precious charge, so it speaks volumes that she’s relinquished her to the soldier.

The King tells me you rejected another foster home for Sadie.” I explain, lifting one of the munchkins tugging at my skirt. “That’s seven families you’ve passed up, you realize.”

Isabel shrugs, not looking the least bit repentant. “I didn’t like the look of them.

“And what exactly did you find so objectionable?”I ask suspiciously – the woman has come up with countless inane excuses to reject potential fosters.

«The mother smelled of cleaning chemicals and their own pups looked as though they’d been kept in a bubble their whole lives.” Isabel explains haughtily.

“That mother works as a housekeeper, she can’t help smelling a bit like the tools of her trade.” I remind her, propping one hand on my h!p and pinning her with a disapproving gaze. “Besides, two days ago you objected to a family because their pups had dirt on their shoes.”

“It’s about balance.” Isabel insists obstinately. “I don’t want Sadie to go to an unsanitary home, but I also don’t believe children should grow up in completely sterile conditions – how is she supposed to build an immune system?

“I think you are determined to find problems with everyone we bring to you, because you don’t want to give Sadie up at all. ” I state sternly. “And that’s okay. If you want to foster or adopt her yourself, I would be thrilled to help you do so. But don’t keep the baby in limbo. If you’re not going to commit to her then you need to give her to a family who will.”

can’t adopt her.” Isabel mutters, all the bl00d draining from her face. “But why can’t I just keep her a while

parents and she’s bonding to you

to her routine here and starting to feel comfortable in the nursery. Those are all good things if we can keep that going… but if we can’t… The last thing she needs is to get attached to another parent

want.” Isabel answers, her eyes

he senses her gaze, frowning when he sees her sorrowful

opposed to taking her in, when you obviously love her?” I prompt, sensing that I already know the

not the same… I can’t…” She bites down on her l!p,

best for everyone – you included.” I share, “I want to see you

know that feels impossible

She cries, interrupting me and stomping her foot

goes around the pups, and the little one

idea what I’ve

have it again, nor should I! So get your annoyingly perfect nose out of my business and leave me alone!” With that she turns on her heel and storms off into her room. The door slams,

the pup in my arms cuddles closer. “Is

so sad?”” Another asks, looking up to me with wide eyes and the expectation that I hold all

she misses her.” He explains softly, easing Sadie into my arms. “Let me talk

“1’ll watch

to listen as he follows the distraught she- wolf, but with my supernatural hearing, there’s no avoiding this.

pitifully, her voice

James counters firmly. We’re going to

soft thump as though she slammed her

want to make