Accidental Surrogate

#Chapter 223 – The Summit Begins

Ella

Warm hands trail over my bare skin as I come awake, tracing the curve of my belly, outlining the shape of my breasts. Sinclair’s perusal is slow and steady, not meaning to arouse, but merely explore. My back is flush to his chest, and his broad shoulders offer endless support for my aching spine.

His warm voice rumbles in my ear, but I quickly realize he’s not talking to me. “The cities were magnificent.” He declares in a quiet, almost reverent tone. “I wish you had been able to see them, but I promise I’ll take you some day – you and your Mommy. They had things I never even imagined were real: entire territories powered on Vanarium with no need for fuel, and cars that can transform into boats or aircraft in the blink of an eye.”

“Your Uncle Gabriel is clever but he’s a bit old fashioned too – some of his Alpha’s are much more interested in showing off their innovations than celebrating their history.” Sinclair continues to caress my tummy as the baby flutters in response – not understanding his father’s words, but loving the sound of his voice and not wanting it to end.

I don’t want Sinclair to stop either, so I pretend I’m still asleep. At the same time, my bladder is screaming for me to get up, and my rumbling stomach isn’t far behind. “When you grow up we’re all going to be living in a very different world,” my mate continues. “It’s exciting to imagine how far society and technology will have come… and daunting too. But there are some things that are truly timeless – and I’ll teach you all about them. How to control your power; how to hunt and survive in every kind of climate; how to track a target and fight as both man and wolf.”

Sinclair pauses thoughtfully, and for a moment I think he’s onto me, but then he carries on as before. “How to trust your wolf’s instincts and lead with your heart and your head as well as your strength.” A gravelly note enters his deep bass, and suddenly I feel sharp fangs are scraping across the curve of my neck, “How to know when you’ve met your mate, and what to do with her when she makes mischief – like pretending to be asleep so she can eavesdrop on your conversations with your pup.”

I gasp and giggle as his fingers begin tickling my sides, the sensations taking over me before I’ve finished processing his words. My eyes snap open and I try to wriggle away from the sly wolf, who grins down at me triumphantly. “Did you really think I couldn’t tell, trouble?” He croons, nibbling my shoulder as his wolf’s voice chants Mine in my head.

Joy blooms in my chest in response to my mate’s playful mood – he so rarely gets to be silly, even though it’s one of my favorite aspects of his personality. I don’t want the fun to end for either of us, but the persistent pinching in my lower abdomen is only growing sharper the more I laugh.

“Dominic stop! I have to pee!” I squeal, still trying to escape his hands.

“You should have thought of that before, little wolf.” He teases, laughter vibrating in his chest. “You’ll never get away from me now!”

and finally lets up, helping me find my feet and sending me off to the bathroom with a playful swat on my – still sore – behind. I yelp but rush off, and when I finish my business and return, I pin my mate with my fiercest glower. “I hope you know I won’t ever forgive you if you make me sully my beautiful nest.” I growl in warning, poising my hands on my hips.

about the nest.” He confesses, rising

like laughing with you, and I liked hearing you talk to Rafe.”

senses exactly how vulnerable I’m feeling. “Poor

scent. We stay like that for a long moment, simply holding one another, stealing yet another moment

for today?” Sinclair asks after a while, referring to the

I confess. “I’m not sure what to expect. I remember some of the details you shared about your visits, but there were so many. Besides, the delegations are so large I’m going to need a cheat sheet just

for any one person to keep track of and anyway, I didn’t even make it to all the packs. Some of these meetings are going to be happening completely cold, and it’s entirely likely that the bombing undermined or altered the conversations I

think our presence here threatens them?” I guess, knowing I should start getting dressed

replied, sounding tense. “I’m not sure we shouldn’t have called them all to

I don’t think investing more time and effort in building relationships is ever a mistake.” I offer, kissing one of his muscular pecs. “At least they know what you stand for

think we might have wasted valuable time.

only been a month.” I remind him gently. “It seems like ages because you feel every single loss of life on your own conscience, but

I steal long afternoons to lie in bed with my mate and

his shoulder, only the smallest doubt slipping

second I don’t spend on the war.” He admits, “But I know it’s necessary to keep myself going, and I also wouldn’t trade that time

squeezing him even more tightly than before.

_________________

mirror. Cora enters and scans the room with an eagle-eyed