Accidental Surrogate

Borrowed Trouble Ella I feel the poor human woman’s shoulders shake and I take a deep breath, remembering my duty to her as well. “Come on,” I say, trying to keep my voice light as I turn her and her daughters away. “I’m so sorry about this – let’s get somewhere more peaceful.” And as we begin to walk away, I leave my faith in Sinclair to settle this as he will.

But I hope to hell the Atalaxians know what’s good for them, because my mate?

He won’t hesitate to fight, if they push him to it. And if they do? I shake my head, considering how fast each of them will lose.

But I put this out of my mind, chatting lightly with the woman as we move away, asking her name. The woman introduces herself as Tempest Bowers, a journalist and the wife of an elected official of one of our eastern provinces.

Genuinely pleased to meet her, I begin to ask more questions about their lives as we move to the head table, where I know for certain that there is plenty of candy for the girls to take.

But before we can get there, someone hits my shoulder – hard as they pass, making me stumble. My ankle twists in my high heel and I lose my balance, threatening to fall, gasping and holding Rafe tight to me.

Tempest grabs my arm just in time.

“Oh my goodness,” she says, her eyes wide as she helps me regain my balance. And then both of our eyes move to follow the hateful old man my uncle, of course who hit me hard with his shoulder on his way out. He does not bother to look back and apologize.

Of course, why would he? He did it on purpose.

old creep, isn’t he?” I ask, frowning after the man, and the woman to my surprise – bursts out

work,” she says, nodding along

“He’s my uncle,” I say with

pleasant too. So, I can emote with that.” I smile genuinely at her then, liking this woman very much. We finish crossing to the table where Sinclair and I had our dinner and I hand the girls as many candy bars as I can find left on the table, knowing no one will miss them. The

Tempest says, putting her hands out and laughing. ” Go find dad, all right?” she says,

as

flatters himself so,” I say on a happy little sigh, looking down at my kid with a smile. “And I agree, but I am biased.” Tempest glances over her shoulder, seeing Sinclair striding towards us. ” I’ll leave you to this,” she says, gesturing towards him. “But it was very nice to meet you, your highness – and thank you, very much, for your help over there. I apologize for any trouble – we really didn’t know – ” “Please,” I say, my eyebrows going up. “You did nothing wrong. And please call me Ella,” I say

I say, pleased, “though I wish it hadn’t happened at all. I mean honestly, why would the Atalaxians even come to a party of mixed humans and wolves when

for them. I mean, come on they had to know he’s at the end of his rope and wasn’t going to just come along for the ride.” “Clever,” I say, stepping closer to him and likewise

cards.” “And it may not be done,” he sighs. I

that?” Roger stands solidly next to Sinclair and I turn my fond gaze to him now. He’s not as familiar with human wedding traditions as Cora and I are, but I have to

recap the events? He’s every

breath, so grateful again for my family, but I’m

have to agree,” a voice chimes in, and Roger and Sinclair part to reveal Calvin standing there behind them, his own face worried. “I came to let you know that trouble is brewing, but…I think you’ve already figured it out.” “Really?” I say, taking a step forward, my face falling. “Is he…do you know what he has planned?” “I don’t think he has a plan,” Calvin says, his eyes immediately on me and only on me. “But he believes