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.”

He laughs and brings his face up closer to mine. “Well, I’m so sorry to have put my angel mate through such an ordeal,” he teases, brushing his lips with mine. “I’ll have to think up some way to make it up to you.”

eyes. “Dominic,” I warn, pushing

little mate,” he murmurs, “but just because I’m hungry for you doesn’t mean I

doubting him – I know, of course, that my safety comes first in his mind,

means.

moment and tugging on the hem of my pajama

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 because you’re confident

own shirt off, grinning at me. “Don’t worry, trouble,” he says, shaking his head. “I’ll keep you in

nose in confusion. “Dominic,

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

a little. “We haven’t done that for months – and I’m your mate now, don’t

against him eagerly, like I’m something he can’t stand to be separated from for more than a moment. “You

horrified and laughing at the same time. “I smell like corn

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

limp on his arms. He laughs, letting me fall

bra and cotton panties. I certainly hadn’t worn

mine. “Wait,” I protest, glancing towards our bathroom.

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

it. I’m not eating anything but pineapple for the rest

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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