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.

grinning up at him, but

seriously?” I say, my eyes

acrown?” “It’s technically

to the nation to be passed from Queen

we’re on the throne,” 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

Sinclair does not take me immediately to the vault with the crown jewels and let

cutter to cut the tape on probably my fortieth box and

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

you, Prince Rafe,” I call

“I agree.

laughs, coming into the room with a little tray

“I’m just following the.

rules.

not really a Kingdom precisely anymore the jewels

them until the people have

putting 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.” And then I send him a mental image down the bond of when, precisely,

look wearing that

huffs a

“Fine,” he says.

exception can be

start,” I say primly, turning back to my

of our plates of sandwiches, like

hire people to refill the palace with workers and

don’t even know where the kitchens are and it feels strange already to be waited on like

kitchens? “I’m not hungry yet,” I say to Sinclair, laying

in.” I do take

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

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

murmurs, biting into his sandwich and

us to be our bedroom? We have options.” ” Yes,” I say with

“I’m sure.

I

and you are a King!” “Not yet,

I reply, frowning at

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

everything to be

his father…” he shakes his head, a little angry, “they took liberties with the

right.” ” I know,” I say quietly, watching my whole-hearted mate struggle

be better.” “I hope

he looks over at

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

my face bursts

laugh, crawling over to his little playpen and

he’s so sweet!” Sinclair smiles

baby whose mother thought they were too cute to do anything wrong.” Yes,” I

we’ll raise him right.” I kiss my baby on his head, sending a little love down

Rafe,” Sinclair

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