Accidental Surrogate

Ella

When I open my eyes, Sinclair is already gone, despite the fact that he got maybe five hours of total sleep last night. He was gone as soon as his head hit the pillow when we got back to bed. I had taken a moment to nibble on a little madeleine cookie that I’d snuck into the pocket of my robe, but I hadn’t been far behind him.

I stretch leisurely on the bed now, enjoying the ability to extend my legs and arms all the way across it with no gigantic wolf–man to block my path. Of course, I’d rather have him here than not, but we must accept life’s small luxuries when we are granted them.

I take a minute to check in on the baby – still asleep, wrapped in contentment – and then glance around the room, wondering how I want to spend my day. I’m hit with a little pang of despair, though, as I realize that… this is going to be how every day starts for the next three months. And that my options are honestly limited to television, and reading, and whatever I can find on my phone. (4)

I sigh, scolding myself a little for hesitating at a luxury that I’m sure a thousand people would jump at. And it’s not that I would prefer, at all, the sturm and drang of the past couple of months – trying to seize the country back from a mad prince, trying to end a war, worrying if Sinclair was dead, worried if I would die…

No, this was better but….damn it. I have to admit that the boredom is going to be a problem for me. I’ve always been one to spring out of bed, to leap for whatever the day has in store. Even when I was a little girl, I was always up before Cora –

I feel myself perk up at the thought of her. Yes, Cora! I grab my phone, hastily pushing the buttons and giving her a call.

“Cora?” I burst out as soon as she answers the phone.

“Ella!” she shouts, making me laugh. I hope she hasn’t just scared the hell out of one of her patients, screaming in the middle of the office. She’s been busy, I know, seeing a lot of pregnant women whose healthcare was interrupted by the war. “How are you – is everything okay?”

“I’m fine,” I laugh, cheered by the sound of her voice. I lean back against the pillows, getting cozy. Do you want to come over? Hang out?”

“Um ya,” she replies, as if it’s obvious. “But I can’t today, I have a double shift here. But tomorrow, maybe? You don’t have plans to hang out with Sinclair then, do you?”

14

disappointment. “I’m sending him off to, you know, run his kingdom.” She laughs

stuff, complaining that the world’s teetering on the brink of collapse without him.” I can almost hear her roll her eyes.

and feeling guilty. “That’s all my

Cora interrupts, stern. “You come first

back. But then, I perk up. “So you have to come over and babysit me, so he can go save the world or whatever. And tell me all about what’s going on with you and Roger. Don’t think I didn’t notice that you two

time, one too many times.”

the other line and

add, worried. “What’s

been home, he’s

a little breathless, worried

been…spending more

hell is

I really never thought to ask and just called him “doctor” in my head. “You know, the one

my eyes going wide. “Wait, so

never seeing Roger in the first place, Ella,” she lies, sounding rushed and embarrassed. Then, I hear someone calling her from wherever she is. “I’ve got to go – I’ll fill you in later.

the screen of my phone in my hand as it fades to black. Cora wasn’t

his name was Hank?

Sinclair

at it, resenting it because it represents another few hours away from Ella’s side. It’s not that I don’t want to do this work – I lead this nation, stitch it back together

a little glare. “You’re distracted. But you have to do this, Dominic! It’s bad timing to take over a nation when you’re

sighing and slumping down in my chair. “Let’s just get on with it.” He nods and brings the papers forward, explaining their contents

grateful for him, really. In the time that Ella was hospitalized, Roger really stepped up and took control of leading this nation, securing my position when it had been vulnerable. He had negotiated the cease–fire with the human forces, organized the Alphas

him. My brother really stepped up for me, and

next few weeks I’ll have to find a way to show my gratitude properly. But right