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.

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

seriously?” I say, my eyes going

“It’s technically

to be passed from Queen

you’re alive and we’re on the throne,” he grins widely at me, seeing the excitement on

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

box cutter to cut the tape on

few feet away from me in his little playpen, Rafe lets

Prince Rafe,” I

“I agree.

being cruel.” “I am not,” Sinclair laughs, coming into the room with a little tray of food for

“I’m just following the.

rules.

Kingdom precisely anymore the jewels belong to

until the people

sigh, pausing to look up at him, “this is a rule that I will choose, in my wisdom

good I’ll look wearing that crown, and

then huffs

“Fine,” he says.

can be

to start,” I say primly, turning back

says, taking the fancy lids off of our plates of sandwiches, like we’re in some kind of

people to refill the palace with

know where the kitchens are and it feels strange

going to do when I’m pregnant again? Just… wander the halls, starving, searching for the kitchens? “I’m not hungry yet,” I

I do take a moment, though, to

were here?” I ask quietly, taking

of the furniture replaced with that which suits our taste a bit better, but still…I’ll never forget the day we brought our baby

biting into his sandwich

We have options.” ”

“I’m sure.

I smile at

bedroom for sure – and you

I

there something wrong? Are you… doubting the fact that the coronation will go through or something?” “No,” he replies, cocking his head

everything to be

he shakes his head, a little angry, “they took liberties with the privileges of this position that they shouldn’t

wasn’t right.” ” I know,” I say quietly, watching

be better.” “I hope I

looks over at the

as well, when his turn comes.” “Rafe?” I say, turning to my baby

then my face

then I laugh, crawling over to his little playpen

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

well-loved little baby whose 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 to his poor worried

my baby on his head, sending a little love down the bond to him

Rafe,” Sinclair says to our boy,

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