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 ask grinning up at him, but then

say, my

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

the nation to be passed from Queen

seeing the excitement on my face, “you get a crown.” “Well then let’s go!” I

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

a box cutter to cut

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

you, Prince Rafe,” I call

“I agree.

Sinclair laughs, coming into the room with a

“I’m just following the.

rules.

a Kingdom precisely

right to wear them until the people have officially given

I will choose, in my

I’ll look wearing that crown,

blinks and then huffs a laugh, grinning

“Fine,” he says.

exception can be

start,” I say primly, turning back to my task at

lids off of our plates of sandwiches, like we’re in some

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

are and it feels strange already to

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

to get us moved in.” I do take a

I ask quietly, taking in the tall windows,

our taste a bit better,

murmurs, biting into his sandwich and watching

sure you still want us to be our bedroom? We have options.” ” Yes,” I say with a little sigh,

“I’m sure.

I

and you are a King!” “Not yet, he

that,” I reply, frowning

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

everything to

head, a little angry, “they took liberties with the privileges of this position

I say quietly, watching my whole-hearted mate struggle

you’ll be better.” “I hope I can be,”

then he looks over at

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

my face bursts

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

he’s so sweet!” Sinclair smiles

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

his head, sending a little love down the bond to him that makes him

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

promise you that.” “So,” I say, after a moment as I