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.

I get a crown?” I ask grinning up at him, but then my face falls slack with shock when he slowly begins to

seriously?” I say, my

acrown?” “It’s technically not

to

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

does not take me immediately to the vault with the crown

my ass,” I murmur angrily as I use a box cutter to cut the tape on probably my fortieth

me in his little playpen, Rafe lets out a little squeal

Prince Rafe,” I call to

“I agree.

cruel.” “I am not,” Sinclair laughs, coming into the room with a little

“I’m just following the.

rules.

really a Kingdom precisely anymore

wear them until the people have

the tray down on the bed, “onlyon state occasions.” “Again,” I sigh, pausing to look up at him, “this is a rule that I will choose, in my wisdom as Queen, not to follow.”

look wearing that crown, and only

then huffs a

“Fine,” he says.

can be

I say primly,

the fancy lids off of our plates of

hire people to refill the palace with

even know where the kitchens are and it feels strange already to be waited on

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

want to get us moved in.” I do take a moment, though, to

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

the furniture replaced with that which suits our taste a bit

into

our bedroom? We have options.” ” Yes,” I say

“I’m sure.

fitting.” I

for sure – and you are

saying that,” I reply,

doubting the fact that the coronation will go through or something?” “No,” he replies, cocking his

everything to be

“they took liberties with the privileges of this position that they

know,” I say quietly, watching my

“I hope I can be,”

then he looks over at the

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

then my face bursts

And then I laugh, crawling over to his

not be, he’s so sweet!” Sinclair smiles at me

mother thought they were too cute to do anything wrong.” Yes,” I sigh, standing and reaching down to pick up my baby and carry him over

a little love down the bond to him that makes

very best, Rafe,” Sinclair says to our boy, smiling at

you that.” “So,” I say, after a moment as I raise my baby to my shoulder