Accidental Surrogate

Sinclair

“Hey baby!” I say cheerfully to Sinclair as he appears in the doorway to our room late that night, leaning against the frame and smiling tiredly at me. “Do you want some pizza?” I hold up the greasy square box perched on the edge of my nest. “There’s only half a slice left but…” I shrug, “it’s really good.

“No, Ella,” he replies, laughing and coming into the room, sitting on the edge of the bed. “That’s your cold, hours–old pizza. You keep that for you.”

“Right answer,” I murmur, snapping the box closed, pleased. I was saving that half–slice for my inevitable midnight craving, when I knew I’d be starving for it. “Is it normal?” I ask suddenly, turning my head to Sinclair. “To be this hungry in a werewolf pregnancy?”

He nods, smiling at me and laying down to bring his face closer to my stomach, placing a warm hand on it and saying hello to our pup through the bond. “Yes, it’s normal,” he says, looking back up at me. “There’s a notable uptick in feeding habits in a wolf pregnancy. Baby is hungry and mostly formed, all he has to do now is grow. He needs lots of food for that.”

“Good,” I murmur, running my hands through Sinclair’s hair as he gently strokes my stomach, murmuring little nothings to our pup. “I didn’t just want to be a pig.” As soon as I say the word, though, I have a sudden, striking desire for bacon. My stomach grumbles with longing, making Sinclair laugh.

He looks fondly up at me. “Can I get you anything, oh hungry one?”

I laugh and swat at him. “No,” I say, nodding towards my food reserves on the bedside table. “I’m set for a while. Besides, I just want you.” I scootch myself down so that I’m flat on the bed, moving down so that Sinclair’s face is even with mine, instead of my belly. “I missed you all day,” I pout

“Did you,” he murmurs, wrapping one of his huge hands around the small of my back to pull me close against him. He angles his head down, nuzzling my mating mark and giving it a gentle lick. I feel a little thrill climb up my spine.

“Yes,” I murmur, running my hands through his dark hair again. “Even though I know you were off being important and powerful,” I sigh dramatically, “It was a great sacrifice for me.”

closer to mine. “Well, I’m so sorry to have put my angel mate through such an

I see in his eyes. “Dominic,” I warn, pushing him away a little. “You know we can’t

because I’m hungry for you doesn’t mean I can’t control myself. And it doesn’t

know, of course, that my safety comes first in his mind, above all other things. “Close?” I ask, curious what he

means.

a moment and tugging on the hem

shirt up over my head so that I’m sitting only in my pajama pants and a bra. I wonder what the hell he has in mind. “What are you doing? Just

grinning at me. “Don’t worry, trouble,” he says, shaking his head.

“Dominic, what

briefs on as he sits back on the bed and gathers me back in his arms. “I’m going to scent mark you,” he

a little. “We haven’t done that for months – and I’m your mate now, don’t I already smell like you?”

back against him eagerly, like I’m something he can’t stand to be separated

the same

the two empty bags on the nightstand. “You’ve been hoovering them all day

god,” I moan, covering my face in embarrassment and going limp on his arms. He laughs, letting me fall flat on the

my plain bra and cotton panties. I certainly hadn’t worn anything s*xy or alluring – I hadn’t known this was on the table. Beautiful,” he mutters, and then slowly moves to cover my body again with

close to mine. “Wait,” I protest, glancing towards our bathroom. “let me

on the bed. “It’s not your breath – it’s in

mortification. “That’s it. I’m not eating anything but pineapple for the rest of this pregnancy.

22

hums as he places a simple kiss on my throat. “You should eat whatever you want – you have to follow your instincts. Your body just telling you what it needs.” He brings his face to mine, nudging my nose with his, coaxing a little smile from my mouth. “And when