Accidental Surrogate

Sinclair

If I’d thought getting out of bed with my mate was difficult yesterday, it’s nothing compared to the struggle facing me today. Now that Ella and I have decided to undergo another separation, my wolf is even more on edge than before. All night I slept with my precious mate wrapped so tightly in my arms she couldn’t move an inch – a fact which became apparent when she pinched me awake in the middle of the night so that she could go pee. Of course, the moment she returned to my arms I wasted no time making love to her again, but it only appeased my wolf temporarily.

Now, as I watch her snuggle closer to me in the cool morning air, I wonder if I can truly go through with this. Right on cue, Ella opens her glorious gold eyes, and I fall into the bottomless pools. “Good morning.” She murmurs, yawning and stretching before leaning in for a kiss. Her lips meet mine with familiar ease, but the taste of my delectable mate sets my wolf to howling, and fire sparks in my blood. It’s further proof of what I already know – that no matter how much time passes or how often we come together, my passion for this she-wolf will never dim.

“I changed my mind.” I rumble when we finally part. “I can’t let you go, Ella.”

My sweet mate sighs, frowning deeply as she caresses my muscular arm.” Dominic, we talked about this. It’s for the best.”

“How can it be for the best when we aren’t together?” I posit stubbornly, not caring one bit that I sound like a lovesick pup.

‘The same way it was for the best for us to divide and conquer when you went visiting the Vanaran territories and I stayed behind.” Ella reminds me, kissing my shoulder and drawing my hand to her belly to feel our pup. Rafe is wide awake and alight with energy, though he clearly senses our tangled emotions. There’s an edge of confusion and anxiety in his otherwise content consciousness, and I know the clever minx is directing my attention to this on purpose.

“Stop being so rational.” I huff, letting my wolf take over. “What happened to the little hellion who made me feel like a murderer for leaving her behind?”

“She learned from her mistakes.” Ella answers steadily. “I didn’t understand then, I let my hurt feelings and anxiety blind me – but I know better now.” A door opens in our bond, and she lets me feel the pain she’s struggling to overcome herself – pain she kept hidden last night. I suspect she did so to prevent me using it as an excuse to stay together, but now she shares it to let me feel how she hates this every bit as much as I do.

“What about Rafe?” I demand, “you remember how angry he was with me when I finally returned? How abandoned he felt?”

“And he recovered, because you’re a wonderful father and you showed him that you’ll always be there for him – even when he doesn’t want you to be.” Ella counters in the same gentle tone. “Besides, I’ll tell him every day that it’s my fault and if he should be angry with anyone, it’s me.”

“He can’t be missing me and cross with you at once – it’s

so he can retroactively hate me… and we will be back together,

of her, sending visible ripples over her taut skin. “I just want there to

into battle. You

a knowing glint in her shining eyes that betrays her calculation. “I didn’t think it would be this

her fingers through my hair – soothing me against my will. I’m well aware that she’s giving me a taste of my own medicine, and I have to admit it’s rather infuriating. Clever mate, my wolf growls through our bond, though it’s not clear whether

think about how wonderful our reunion will be. Her wolf answers suggestively. We’re not going to have any big scares this time. We’re just going

we need, or before I have to go into battle.

I will come to you before he arrives. Even if I have to turn around and leave immediately afterwards, I’m not going to let this child come into the

do, Ella. You might not want to,

point is that you will be there. She insists, because we’re going

can and will go awry, and that’s when all else is normal – which our lives are certainly not. Even

sitting room, expectantly anticipating an explanation for our mysterious summons. The day’s summit events are about to kick off and I’m sure they all assume we’re here to talk about that, so it

Cora demands, nervously looking back and forth

Goddess’s plans and my own power.” She explains soberly. “It wasn’t an easy decision by any means, but the more time that passes, the clearer it becomes that I can’t fulfill my destiny

Isabel demands,

sighs, “I don’t want to go, especially not when everything is so tense. But I don’t

the refugees, the children?” Isabel snaps,