Accidental Surrogate

Sinclair

The entire capital seems to have turned out to welcome the delegations from around the continent, for beyond the palace gates there is a sea of excited onlookers, clamoring to watch the parade of Alpha’s approach the summit. Gabriel and I lead our party down the palace steps to await them, and though our group is small, we’re surrounded on all sides by guards and courtiers. Servants gather just out of sight, ready and waiting to rush forward and collect the traveller’s bags or do their bidding.

I keep Ella tucked under my arm, watching as the first delegations begin to stream in. Though none of the visitors have done anything too extravagent, given the somber tone of the event, they’ve certainly gone out of their way to show off their power and wealth. The flood in dressed to the nines, driving their most luxurious cars and flanked by their fiercest looking men. Vanarium gleams everywhere the eye can see, and I have to squint against the glare of the metal in the hot sun.

It appears they all want to show off, but their reasons are undoubtedly varied. Some of the war’s opponents probably want to rub their prowess in our faces – to show us what we can’t have. Others are doubtless trying to curry favor with their king, or simply win a leading role in the battles to come. However no matter their motives, I see all eyes gravitating to Ella. They stay glued to her in a way that betrays their curiosity and admiration, and suddenly I wonder if they aren’t showing off for her sake.

We greet the Alphas, their families and Betas one by one – first Gabriel, then Ella and me. They bow for us all, but none so deeply as for Ella, the one wolf among us who was not voted into power, but chosen – created by the Goddess herself. A new hope sparks in my chest, a prayer that my mate’s heritage might be enough to overcome our recent challenges. I always knew she was going to be my secret weapon- right from the very beginning – but I hadn’t expected everyone else to recognize it so quickly.

The welcome process takes the better part of the afternoon, but finally every delegation is settled in their suites, and their staffs dispersed among the palace. Ella is practically sleeping on her feet by the end, leaning her slight weight into my side and resting her cheek against my chest, sweet sighs falling from her lips. I carry her inside for a brief nap before dinner, but she wakes fresh and eager to get to the feast.

It’s a good thing too, because the event isn’t the apolitical meet and greet we’d originally planned. Instead the Alphas dive straight into discussions of the war, and as enamored as they may have been to meet a living demi­goddess, the consensus is far from supportive.

“Alpha Dominic, we were all extremely concerned when we heard of the attack on your convoy and we’re beyond relieved that you’re alright.” The Storm Forest leader begins. I sense the ‘but’ coming already, though it’s no surprise – I’d feared this Alpha would pose difficult. “But the fact remains the incident proved your war is already bleeding over into our territory.”

“It’s not my war.” I correct him coldly, ignoring my food and leaning back in my chair. “It’s all of ours – all shifter kind.” I glance around at the others, trying to gauge their reactions and finding a room full of poker faces.

satisfied with conquering one continent,

interjects, brushing off this concern. “Or leave him for

you came to us looking to rally support, and we applaud your determination to return home and defeat the Usurper – it’s what any good leader would do.” The White

the threat Damon poses,” The Black Alder leader proclaims evenly. “It’s because of the human threat. Every shifter on the planet is at risk now, so we have to look beyond the tragedys in your homeland and think about

short sighted. Even if we win against Damon, it would only be a temporary fix, a distraction from the human problem.” Ella shifts uneasily in her chair, and I can sense her displeasure with

world cannot possibly be accommodated in Vanara – and even if they could, it would only be a matter of time before the humans

they’ve never found us

before.” The King reminds him, a warning

a silken voice pipes up beside me. “Not to mention

room of intimidating wolves, but Ella doesn’t even bat an eye. When no one says anything, she continues,” I’ve been amazed ever since I arrived in this land – from the freedom your people are privileged enough to enjoy, to your technologies and advancement. It’s truly remarkable, but I wonder how many of you have spent time in

you must understand is that our worlds are completely intertwined. There is no separating the human and shifter economies –

love.” She tells me, before turning back to them. “What do you imagine will happen if one third of the societies around the world suddenly disappear?” She inquires, ‘Your territories may be hidden, but

she speaks. It was a calculated argument, and not the one I expecte from my

The Silver Dawn leader demands. ’The humans are already talking of

not only shifters suffering at Damon’s hands. Millions of humans are being displaced and murdered – they have every right to fight back, and it’s not