Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“Do we have to stay too long? I ask Sinclair, snuggling up to him. ” We’ve just finished the wedding party and the party is moving to the ballroom. The orchestra warms up in the distance, and the guests slowly shrink to outside the great hall, attracted by the promise of dancing.

” I think we have to stay until the opening dance, at least . He retorts, kissing my forehead as his fingers trace circles on my thigh. “I may have hijacked this event, but it’s still part of the summit. Why? ” He asks, sliding his wolf eyes to my flushed face, ” Is there anything you’d rather be doing, little wolf? “.

I shoot him a grumpy look , “you know exactly what I do.” I want to do it, Dominic. ”

Sinclair adopts a look of confusion, which my wolf doesn’t believe not for a second. ” I’m sure not. “He lies—the rat! “Do you want to go for a run? ” _ _

The offer is surprisingly tempting. It’s been almost a week since I last let go of my she-wolf, and she carries the weight of my belly with far more grace than I do. I would give a lot for the freedom to run and play as easily as __her_ yes , and I have a feeling that the nostalgia will only increase with the course of the pregnancy . Still , I don’t let my companion distract me: “No. I have a very different activity in mind.”

“Well, you know all you have to do is ask, honey . ” Sinclair states in a gravel voice, which betrays his own desire. “Tell me what you need and I’ll give it to you. ”

I fight a groan. He knows I can’t ask for these things in public, it’s hard enough to talk those words in the privacy of our bedroom. “My cunning wolf wants to do it anyway , use his own dirty trick against him, _speaking our desires_ and leaving his own animal Inside so angry that he will be forced to drag us along like a caveman . Unfortunately, my timid sensibilities and preoccupation with political optics prevail over it, so I can only nibble on my cake and pout while Sinclair murmurs promises in my ear.

” Soon, problems. ” He calms down, his hot breath vibrating over my skin, ” I’m so Eager to take her to bed as much as you, we just have to be patient . ”

Reluctantly, I allow Sinclair to lead me to the ballroom, where we receive the honor of the first dance — both as hosts of the gathering and as a newlywed couple ‘ . Sinclair spins me across the dance floor in his arms, and I avoid becoming dizzy looking into her beautiful eyes. _

feeling lighter than the air . Only when my feet start screaming in protest does my companion immobilize me with one of

tell me.carry to our room

front of the room . – Just one more toast

adding a mating ceremony to the mixture . My lovely fiancée Ella was up day and night making sure everything was perfect, as well as hundreds of planners, coordinators, florists , chefs and Palace staff. “He keeps raising the glass ,” for my brother, my sister-in-law, and our friend Elizabeth, you were instrumental in transforming the night and _ _ _ _helping -me to surprise my companion, and I am extremely grateful to all of

does he turn his attention to the Summit delegations . “As some of you may know, we were extremely excited to reach an agreement of summit last night. I am thrilled to announce that we will be forgingan alliance with the bands of Vanaran in the war against Emperor Damon, and we are moving very quickly in view of the urgent situation . I cannot express the size of my respect and appreciation for all the delegations present here , as well as for its people across the continent – its support and Loyalty is a gift we will never be able to repay, and I am proud from be with all of you.

Sinclair is still talking, describing the challenges ahead and the importance of this fight for shifters and humans. I have to admit that he

put an end tothis devastating conflict as soon as possible As soon as possible, but I’m also hesitant to make promises about battle timelines. War is unpredictable and chaotic at best ,

Vanara so soon. I suppose I was so wrapped up in my plans to find my mother, that I couldn’t calculate how a _a successful alliance_ would affect my companion’s movements . Therefore, it is an unwelcome

a chain of freebies that seem to drag on for too long. By the time my mate finally gets back to my side, I’m struggling to stay calm . ” Did I

but I can’t formulate an answer. _ _

big hand circling the back of my

symphony of raucous applause. No one seems to notice that none of us seem as

Sinclair murmurs as soon as we’re out of reach of

but it’s my fault. I don’t… I don’t… I didn’t expect you to be back so soon. ”

–

away his features. “I’m sorry, Ella. I should have talked to you about it directly. We just finalized the plans this afternoon. The visit to the continent was an unwelcome reminder of the promises I made.I did it to myself when we left. I cannot – in good conscience – stay away now that we have the military support that we needed to. Besides, with you leaving to find your mother , there’s no reason