Accidental Surrogate

Ella

I pace back and forth outside Gabriel’s chambers, absolutely beside myself over Phil!ppe’s fate. I have the worst feeling that Sinclair is going to fire or demote the guard because of my actions, and I’m already preparing a furious speech to deliver to my mate if he does so. I can’t hear a single word of their conversation because the King’s chambers are soundproofed – a luxury I decide Sinclair and I should definitely invest in when we return home.

The waiting is horrible, but eventually my faithful guard emerges, looking thoroughly dejected. I can’t stop myself from racing up to him with man energy. “Did he demote you? Is he still on the call –I’ll talk to him-“

“Woah,” He catches me by the shoulders. “It’s okay, Ella. He didn’t demote me, he just did a lot of yelling”

“Im so sorry.” I profess wringing my hands.

“Don’t be.” Phil!ppe says evenly, staring me straight in the eye so I can see the honesty in his expression. “You were right. Being someone’s guard is a really intimate relationship. You have to trust me with your very life, with all your secrets

He sighs, shaking his head. “Most people get to choose their guards but you didn’t pick me, you didn’t even know who I was when Dominic a.ssigned me to you.”

“So?” I protest, still feeling indignant on his behalf.

“So it’s right that I should have to prove myself to you.” He chuckles. “Trust has to be earned.”

Phil!ppe pauses, giving me an assessing look. “But I have to tell you that if it had gone on much longer. I don’t think I could’ve kept it up.. part of protecting you means looking out for your health and well-being even when you don’t want me to do it. You weren’t doing well and I’m glad Dominic got through to you. I don’t want to be in that position again.”

“I respect that.” I reply contritely. “And Ill try to do better.” I promise, wondering if my sudden urge to explain myself is actually to help him understand, or to make myself feel better. I have a terrible sense that it’s the latter, but I forge ahead anyway as we begin walking down the opulent corridor.”

These last few months have gone by in such a whirlwind. My entire life is different now and I’m still struggling to catch up.”

I had my sister and no one else. And now I’m à wolf and I’m going to be a mother, and I have a mate and a pack, and I’m in charge of a world I didn’t know existed, and I’m in the middle of a war, and I might even have parents out there somewhere.” I know I’m rambling, and Goddess love Phil!ppe for standing beside me and listening without judgment. “I love it, but it’s still hard. I’m still suffering major growing pains… maybe most of

I look over I find Phil!ppe watching me closely. He leans back on his heels, pursing his l!ps. “Is that part of why you’re so intent on continuing

about all the words I just blurted

fact that your parents might be out there somewhere.” Phil!ppe clarifies, “I don’t think any of us… I mean we all realized you’d been left with the humans and that the Goddess was involved, but I think maybe we were so distracted by how amazing it

widen, and suddenly I feel very vulnerable. I wrap my arms around myself. “What orphan doesn’t

secret project for the government and that they’d had to leave us in the orphanage for our safety. But they left us together so we wouldn’t have to be alone.”

haven’t answered him. “I think it’s part of it.” I confess. “Ive been saying I have to find out where I came from – which is true. But in my brain finding out where I came from is one in the same as finding out who my parents were and why

for the first time since I was eight, I feel like there’s hope I might find the answers… and that’s not a chance

can motivate us

why therapy

I gr0an, thinking

“Not you too!”

in self defense, “hey, I’m just following my

deride, throwing my arms up. “That’s

the sitting room with Leon, Henry, and my small

ether trip – a fact

from Leon to travel into the past. As soon as

the first time ever, I have a

but she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The strange thing is that I find it hard to take in all of her features at once. I can only focus on