Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 433

gh to find each other and build a family.

But still, facing this delegation? I’m a little glad that we’ve got some intimidating credentials to speak for us. Brave little mate, Sinclair says to me down the bond, making my smirk deepen. I’m glad you’re letting them see that you’re not scared of them.

Oh, I’m scared of them, I pass back, not bothering to look up at him for support.

But you’re right. There’s no reason for them to see it.

He gives me a warm nudge of support as the first line of five Atalaxians step forward and give a bow. The man at the far left of the line steps forward then, beginning to speak. He introduces himself first – the first and most significant member – and then moves on to each new delegate, who bows his heads to us each in turn.

I turn my head a little as this formal introduction progresses, because this is … odd. I understand that this reception has a rather official quality, but each of the greetings we’ve given to each delegation before this has been warm and chatty, with people introducing themselves warmly or greeting Sinclair and I as old friends, if they know us.

The Atalaxians? They don’t say a word, instead letting their singular speaker do all the work.

Still, I do my best to follow along as Rafe begins to fuss in my arms, not liking something – I don’t know what, though. I hold him higher, tighter against me, trying to pass a little calmness down our bond so that he can relax, maybe fall asleep. The baby responds to this, resting his head against my chest a little and settling.

The speaker finishes introducing the first line of delegates, which includes the predictable ambassadors and senators who have been sent to witness the coronation and have discussions about the future connections between our two nations.

row clears, moving away and revealing the second row, I’m surprised to hear the speaker introduce a Prince, which makes my eyes raise. Why had he not been included in the first row? Wouldn’t

not catch his name, which I kick myself for. I’m a Queen now or about to be. I

bow I find myself a bit struck by him, if I’m being honest. He’s about my age, and tall, with dark hair and a

deal slimmer than my own mate, though the power

how I know it, but I do – I’m absolutely sure of it. The prince nods steadily to Sinclair, looking serious but perhaps even a little bored, like he’s done this a thousand times. And then turns his eyes to me, but when our eyes meet he goes a bit rigid in the

at me for a long moment. Sinclair reacts

regains his

I look up at my mate, whose shoulders are stiff with

earth

delegates is dismissed and Rafe starts to fuss again in

to which we respond as quickly as we can. It’s honestly the best part of being a wolf mother – and

look up at Sinclair, worried. “I think I have to take him out,” I

on my back. I need us all here, for this delegation at least. If he cries, he cries. And I nod, understanding

they each step forward and nod to us. I nod in turn, though I admit that my attention is decidedly focused on my son, who cries in earnest now, unhappy. I hold him

the line, which has worked before sometimes he passes me an emotion, or has even given me a brief impression of the thing he wants – But today, nothing. He’s just upset. My eyes are totally focused on the baby, ignoring the final members of the delegation

the speakers says, “is Duke Xander of Moon Valley, who has been given honorary citizenship in Atalaxia for his services as advisor to the King.” My eyes flash up, going wide as they focus on

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