Accidental Surrogate

King and Queen Ella “I’m glad we did that,” I say later that afternoon as Sinclair pulls our car around to the front entrance of the palace.

“I couldn’t stand to say goodbye to that house if it was to a stranger.

Too many memories there.” ” I agree,” Sinclair says, parking directly out front in what feels…well, feels too informal for the future King’s first entrance to the palace, his new home.

” Doesn’t this place have like, a garage?” I murmur, looking into the back seat to check on little Rafe, who is happily chewing on the sleeve of his little baby hoodie and staring at himself in a mirror attached to his car seat.

“I… think so…” Sinclair says, and I look up in surprise to see him grimacing at me a little.

“I’ve only really been here for state occasions,” he says, shrugging.” And the birth of our child,” I point out.

“Well for that,” he says, “wealsojust parked out front.” “True true,” I say, turning away to my door.

“I guess we’ll figure it all out.

Yes, we will,” he murmurs, getting out of the car and opening the back seat to lift out Rafe’s carrier.

While I wait for them to come around to my side, I stare up at the gorgeous palace in front of me.

“I can’t believe this is going to be my home,” I murmur.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a King,” he sighs.

I look up at him, studying the lines of his handsome face.

“Yeah,” I agree.

“Me neither.” Sinclair laughs and shakes his head down at me.

“Well, I would hope thatyouwould try to chuff me up a little bit there.” I laugh and take his arm, squeezing it.

“Well, you know I think you cando it,” I say, grinning, “and that I don’t think anyone else could do it any better.

I just,” I consider it for a moment, shaking my head.

“I don’t know.

I’m not going to be able to get used to people calling you King.” “Will you be able to get used to people calling you Queen?” he asks, brow arched.

I laugh up into his face at the ridiculousness of it.

“Absolutely not,” I reply.

“They’ll all just have to call me Ella, or I’ll walk right past them without realizing that they’re talking to me.” “You don’t do so poorly responding to Luna,” he says, pulling his arm from my grip and wrapping it around my shoulder to pull me close.

Yes, but that feels more real,” I say quietly.

“I…know what a Luna’s supposed to do.

I want to protect my pack, help them in all things.” “I imagine Queen is much the same,” he says softly.

“You’ll get used to it.

great.” “Do I get a crown?” I ask grinning up at him,

I say, my

get acrown?” “It’s technically not yours,” he replies,

nation to be passed

the throne,” he grins widely at me, seeing the excitement on my face, “you get a crown.” “Well then let’s go!” I shout,

the hell are we waiting for!” To my extreme disappointment, Sinclair does not take me immediately to the vault with the crown jewels and let me wear my

to cut the tape

me in his little playpen, Rafe lets out a little squeal that I choose

you, Prince Rafe,”

“I agree.

“I am not,” Sinclair laughs, coming into the room with

“I’m just following the.

rules.

Kingdom precisely anymore the jewels

wear them until the people have officially

a rule that I will choose, in my wisdom as Queen, not to follow.” And then I send him a mental image down the bond of when,

good I’ll look wearing that crown,

then huffs a laugh, grinning at

“Fine,” he says.

can

to start,” I say primly, turning back

the fancy lids off of our plates of

people to refill the palace with workers and get it back to fully functioning, hired a head

kitchens are and it feels strange already to be

Just… wander the halls, starving, searching for the kitchens? “I’m not hungry yet,”

take a moment, though, to look around the main

last time we were here?” I ask quietly, taking in

taste a bit better, but still…I’ll never forget the day we brought

into his sandwich and

our bedroom? We have options.”

“I’m sure.

fitting.” I

a King’s bedroom for sure – and you are a King!” “Not

that,” I

something wrong? Are you… doubting the fact that the coronation will go through or something?” “No,”

just…want everything to be

“they took liberties with the

I say quietly, watching my whole-hearted mate struggle with his

“I hope I

looks over at

hope I can convince him to be as well, when his turn comes.” “Rafe?” I say, turning to

then my face

great Prince! And a wonderful King!” And then I laugh, crawling over to his little playpen and peeking over

he not be, he’s so sweet!”

whose mother thought they were too cute to do anything wrong.” Yes,” I sigh, standing and reaching

a little love down

best, Rafe,” Sinclair says to our

moment as I raise my baby