Accidental Surrogate

Ella

James is just within reach now, and my wolf can’t help but think about how very biteable the soldier suddenly looks, in fact, he looks downright mouthwatering. There’s a tender bit of flesh poking over the top of his belt, where muscle and fat stores combine to give the man his barrel-like build. I could easily sink my fangs in there without inflicting permanent harm, not to mention it would hurt like hell. Then again… just in case I do want to do lasting damage… other much more vulnerable parts aren’t so far away.

I’ve never had such bloodthirsty thoughts before, but I also don’t question them – not after James suggested the attack on my mate was somehow fortuitous. “Lucky?” I repeat sharply, prowling closer now and trying to remember that Isabel would hate me if I truly hurt him. “Lucky that he lost his Beta and closest advisors? Lucky that he almost lost his own life? Just where do you think this pack would be without him, was it luck that got all those refugees off the continent?”

“No it was me!” James argues back, his color rising. “I’m the one who’s been going there every day and witnessing their tragedies. The other and pilots and I have been dealing with this madness all on our own, and now we don’t only have to look out for armed attacks, but for spies too? It’s too much!”

“And who gave you the planes and money to make the trips?” I counter, my hands on my hips. ”Who gave you the other pilots, and a safe place to land? Who worked with Gabriel to give our people a second home here? Who arranged for the nursery where your own daughter now lives?” I’m pacing now, and I can feel Sinclair hovering close behind me, prepared to reach out if I lost control of my wolf completely. “None of that was luck, James. That was all Dominic – all his sacrifices.”

“As they should be.” James hisses back. “That is the duty he bears, the oath he takes as an Alpha. What you do not understand about being a soldier is that no wolf, no matter how important, is worth the lives of innocent civilians. If it comes down to it, the Alpha should die protecting his people, rather than let them be hurt.”

“Well he can’t very well go back and hold up the entire front himself!” I burst, throwing my arms out in exasperation. I look to Henry, Gabriel and Roger to back me up, but they only watch in silence. “What would you have him do, James? Go home and set up his army between Damon and the refugees? So that the spies have to go through him first?”

“Maybe he should.” James suggests simply, looking past me to my mate.

The taut leash I’ve been holding on my temper – and my wolf – snaps, and suddenly I’m lunging for the pilot with a vicious growl. A powerful arm catches me around the middle before I can sink my claws in James’s handsome face, and a familiar voice purrs in my ear. “Easy now, trouble. James is right.”

I swing around to look at him in outrage. “How can you say that, he–”

“Compared to what they might have attempted, we were lucky they only attacked a few high ranking wolves – wolves who were all combatants in this war, rather than civilians. I would always rather the target be me than one of my people. You know that, Ella.” Sinclair replies gently. “And putting myself between Damon and the refugees isn’t a new idea, baby.”

isn’t?” I inquire, my voice suddenly very

time we need to plan a coup. But it wasn’t an easy decision, Ella. I know that our people will hurt worse for the strategy, and when this is all over

doesn’t need my approval, but that it always helps. “You can’t protect us if

let me bite him. My wolf snipes as I glare

pulling

on, just a little one? I

though he wants to smile. Then what

adrenaline still pumping through my heart

my last verbal statement, rather than

we can’t exactly demand their ID papers like a commercial airline – most of them have

but that would be like an invitation to Damon.” Gabriel adds, “Besides, I don’t

states soberly. “That video I showed you is

get the planes on the ground, let alone vet

got drones and state of the art weapons and who knows what else. Isn’t there some

in our government databases, most of the IDs would be useless because most of the refugees aren’t known to us.” Sinclair

the past. So between service and

idea.” Henry praises, nodding in approval. “Could we do it without further frightening the refugees? I’d hate for

suggests hesitantly. “We’d have to be gentle about it so

be trained for striking that kind of balance. How do you interrogate someone’s identity without accusing them of being

are spies. You assume they’re innocent and hope you’re wrong, not assume everyone is guilty and then force them to prove otherwise.” I shake my head, “honestly,