Accidental Surrogate

Sinclair

Sleeping with my pregnant mate is becoming increasingly challenging as her body grows with our pup. Even though Ella takes as many naps as the pups in the nursery these days, she’s still exhausted by the end of the night and I’m not faring much better amidst all this stress and activity. Still, exhaustion isn’t enough to get us off to dreamland when getting Ella comfortable enough to rest is a nightly struggle.

The nest is a blessing, as the incredible abundance of pillows surrounding her on all sides can easily be shifted and fluffed to perfectly cradle her precious form – the difficulty is figuring out where I fit into the cozy retreat. Most of the time Ella just treats me as an extra large body pillow. More than once, I’ve woken in the middle of the night to find her sneakily trying to rearrange my limbs to her liking. Each time I’ve told her to simply wake me so I can help, or to turn the light on for her late night bathroom trips so she doesn’t risk running into something or tripping in the dark. Of course, my instructions go in one ear and out the other because Ella feels too guilty to willingly rob me of my sleep.

This morning is worse than most, because I have to be up at the crack of dawn despite the fact that Ella managed to completely sprawl herself over my body last night. If it wasn’t for my prior engagement, it would be picture perfect: she’s on her side with her arms and legs tangled around my own, her round belly resting on my torso. Her long rose-gold hair cascades over my chest, and her heartbeat is in perfect sync with the baby’s. Rafe and Ella’s sweet smells overtakes my senses, and my groggy wolf sighs with utter contentment.

I mentally curse this summit. The last thing I want to do is get out of this bed, shortly followed by waking the angel on top of me. I try to extract myself as carefully as I can, rolling her small body away from me and attempting to replace my mass with pillows. I almost manage it, but every time I manage to free one limb from her clutches, she latches onto a different part of me. Eventually she stirs and I emit a hushed swear, knowing the battle is lost.

“See is not nice waking your mate.” She mumbles, her words slurred with speech as she nuzzles my bare chest.

“I’m sorry baby, I have to get up.” I confess, kissing her her hair. “I have to meet with Roger before todays’ events get started.”

Ella sighs, snuggling closer, “uh-huh.” She sighs, her soft breath fluttering over my skin. “Stay.”

“I wish I could.” I answer honestly, once more trying to pry her determined paws from my body. “I’m so sorry little wolf, but you have to let me go.”

“But you’re my pillow.” She murmurs. Her wolf begins whining pitifully in my head, which only upsets my own wolf and sends my temper spiraling further downward.

Exhaling miserably I make a third escape attempt, to no avail. “Goddess you’re like an octopus, when did you get so strong?”

have the heart to deny me.” She’s right, I could easily

has clearly slept through his alarm. The lights are

around inside, the door swings open and Roger appears. He squints at me in the low light, looking completely baffled. “What

war. The bloody delegations.

his door wide and ushers me inside, yawning and

neatly leaned against the walls and leaving a huge empty space in the middle of the

to clean up after me, so I’ve been trying to put it to rights slowly – but there’s not much time.”

in my chest, and without thinking I pull him into my arms, enveloping him in a bear hug. He tenses, but quickly

at you, big brother.” I tease in a saccharine voice,

complains, pushing me away. “Enough of

Beta takes power under normal circumstances, there’s a ceremony and celebration. I wish I could give you that, but everything is moving so fast and I need to be fully bonded to you before the

the oath at five o’clock in

hating that I

shakes his head. “Okay,

my mouth, quickly slicing a gash in my palm. I use my left hand, because my right still bears the scar where I forged this bond with Hugo, and I can’t bear to mark over it. Hot, sticky blood seeps from the wound, and I offer my bleeding paw to Roger. He follows suit, biting

have passed. “As my second in command, it will be your duty to support and balance my wolf.

Roger replies soberly. “I’m committed to serving you, as well as the

on you as a cornerstone of our leadership. If anything should ever happen to me, it will be your obligation to take over from