Accidental Surrogate

#Chapter 202 – A New Dawn

Ella

If I thought the world was going to look different waking up as a princess, I was wrong. Everything is the same, even though I feel like an entirely different person than I was yesterday. I suppose I should be getting used to having my entire identity and sense of self turned upside down and inside out, but it never seems to get any easier. If anything it just becomes more confusing. I still can’t believe that I know who my parents are… that my father likely killed Sinclair’s mother… that my own mother is out there somewhere. Frankly I can’t even contemplate the Goddess’s role in all this, it’s difficult enough being a princess without also being some sort of demi­god.

Above all else, I can’t wait until Sinclair is home next week. Yes, we’ll be preoccupied with the summit, but with everything that’s happening right now I simply don’t feel steady without him. I need my mate, and I know he’s just as anxious being away. He would barely release me from our dream date last night, making me promise to take it easy today and call him if I got overwhelmed. He could clearly sense my reluctance to agree – but can you blame me? I don’t want to interrupt my mate while he’s making battle alliances just because I feel a bit weepy.

I force myself to get up and out of bed, even though I feel like I could sleep for a year. I’m almost four months along now, and the baby is more active than ever. He’s also creating new challenges for my body – like testing the limits of my bladder, stomach and brain. I move in front of my mirror to marvel at my round belly, running my hands over my stretched skin. I’d been worried that my stretch marks would be gigantic since my body is trying to cram nine months of growth into six, but I see only a few feathers of purple and white around my sides and breasts. It’s also difficult to feel self-conscious about them when my mate insists on calling them love marks’ and kisses them every chance he gets.

Of course, another challenge is the fact that none of my clothes fit anymore. Luckily Gabriel’s tailors have been hard at work designing me a line of maternity dresses and gowns for the summit, but we’ve still got a week to go before they’re ready and I don’t want to walk around naked until then. I head for the closet and eye all the pretty outfits I bought when we first arrived here, sighing in resignation as I turn to Sinclair’s rack of clothes. I snag one of his t-shirts, which fits snugly on his powerful build, but hangs around my thighs like a dress, even with my baby bump. I find a pair of very stretchy leggings and don’t even bother looking at the mirror before leaving the room. I’m extremely comfortable, but I haven’t dressed this way in public since I was a teenager.

When Philippe sees me he valiantly attempts to mask his expression, so I give him a big grin. “It’s your lucky day, Philippe. We get to go shopping!

Won’t that be fun?’

His humor evaporates, and I relish the look of a man who would rather go into battle than spend the morning in a dressing room watching women try on clothes. Ha! My wolf thinks victoriously. All these big bad wolves, scared of a little shopping.

Babies. I agree, deciding to seek out Cora. Of course, I haven’t moved three feet before I notice that people are staring at me way more than usual – and I don’t think it’s my casual outfit. Everyone we come across bows their heads and moves out of my way, rather than saying hello or smiling at me like they usually do. I stop dead in my tracks. “Philippe, why is everybody acting strange?” I have a feeling I already know, but I need to hear it just to be sure.

‘You’re in a royal palace. Even the walls have ears here, and as loyal as the staff are… when it comes to gods and prophecies… nothing stays secret for long.” He remarks, shrugging in half-hearted apology.

much for the world seeming the same today.

so only Philippe can hear. “People bowing and scraping wherever I go? Afraid to look me in the eye?

a strong, steady presence. “I think you humans have a

quirks, “thank you for calling me

smile, “the point is that everyone is in shock and doesn’t know what to do… as far as we know there’s never been anyone like you before. So if you don’t want them to bow and scrape, then tell them not

be obeying me because of who I am?” I inquire

confirms. “But in time they’ll get used to it, and when you go home the people there will see how your inner circle treat you and

an appreciative hand on his arm. ‘Thank

and I

me as I continue down the halls, telling everyone I see not to fawn or grovel. I want to see the pups. My wolf huffs. They’re always too curious to have these silly

idea. I confirm,

to knock. Once I do the door swings open and Cora’s livid face greets me. “Good morning

me inside. “Did you

reached her as well. My heart sinks, I’d wanted to break

at the club!” She exclaims,

did?’ I question, taken aback by

the prince from the very beginning. They would attack and he’d rescue you to earn Sinclair’s trust. He

I confess, “But that was months ago, before he saw

know he’s not willing to betray you