Accidental Surrogate

A King, A Queen Ella The aids go pale as they see me hurry back to the door, their eyes going wide.

This is not protocol “Ella!” Cora gasps, her eyes moving quickly over me as she bounces Rafe in her arms, trying to calm him. “What are you doing!?” “He wants me, Cora,” I breathe, hurrying to her side and reaching for my baby.

Cora doesn’t hesitate, handing him over to me, even though she rolls her eyes.

“He’s going to be fine!” “Well, he is now!” I say, already turning back to the door, my baby beginning to calm, though his face is still red and a few tears stand out on his cheeks.

The aids wave to me frantically and 1 nod to them, mouthing my apologies as I again head through the door and hurry towards the aisle.

The crowd, which had gone quiet in their confusion, suddenly bursts into the loudest cheer yet, a great deal of laughter and joy in their noise now. I laugh along with them as I head down the aisle, shrugging my apology and hoping that they understand. Because as much as I’d love to be their dignified queen?

I’m always going to be a mother first.

There’s a huge smile on my face as the crowd cheers for Rafe and I, as I coo to him and wipe the tears from his face, as I see him look around at everyone in wonder and surprise. He’s not scared anymore not with me holding him.

Someone in the crowd shouts his name and I swear he turns when he hears it, making me laugh.

then when I’m about halfway down the long aisle – I finally glance towards the throne and see my mate standing at the end of the asile, waiting for us. And my smile deepens as a thrill runs

mean for them to see it – the crowd loves it, and cheers harder. I laugh at this too, reaching out a hand for Sinclair when I come to the end of the aisle and climb the three

he takes my hand and pulls me to his side. “I tried to be dignified – it didn’t work “It’s all right, trouble,” he murmurs, kissing my hair. “This was better. It was you.” I almost purr with happiness then, pressing my face

thought the people of this nation wanted me to be their

that’s all they

the aisle, walking slowly behind Henry, who really does manage to look strong and dignified as he makes his way towards us. When he reaches the end Henry makes a short detour up the little ramp that we had built for him as Cora and Roger come up to stand at

as fast as the previous meeting

along with the head of the largest pack – a wolf – to together perform the ceremony. Sinclair and I turn towards them and he goes to one knee,

especially the words that we had changed, which promise explicitly

his sovereignty, and then the pack leader comes

stands, the crowd roars their approval. He faces them all and looks around smiling, nodding deeply to let them know that he accepts his new position with the gravity that it is due. The cheer goes on

but when the crowd dies down Sinclair turns towards the throne, accepting from one of the aids another crown from atop a

into serious lines now

I’ve joked about wanting to wear this crown and it really is very pretty – I’m well aware that it’s not a piece of costume jewelry to be