Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

Chapter 40 – Intruder

Ella

“What?” I squeak, my voice catching in my throat. The moment the words left Sinclair’s mouth I felt my blood run cold, and now I feel as though I might topple over with the shock of it. I must have misheard him, surely he doesn’ mean what I think he does.

“That night you heard someone growling in your bathroom?” Sinclair explains, stepping forward as though he wants to reach for me, but stopping himself short when I flinch away. “I told you I didn’t smell anything… but I lied. There was someone in your rooms, I just didn’t want to scare you.”

“And you let me go back there, knowing there’d been an intruder?” I demand, indignation swirling to life amidst my fear, surprise and sorrow.

“Sweetheart, I had the guards do a thorough search of the grounds then and there. They were long gone, and I’ve had you sleeping in my rooms ever since. I also increased the guards during the day when I knew you’d be back there.” He shares. “Trust me, I’ve done everything possible to ensure your safety.”

“Except tell me that I was in danger!” I cry. “It’s no wonder you flipped out the way you did when I went to see your father! And you blamed me like I was supposed to know about the threat!”

“Ella –” He begins in a placating tone.

“No!” I cut him off, stomping my foot out of pure wrath. “How am I supposed to know it’s dangerous if you don’t tell me, Dominic?” I exclaim. “You didn’t even tell me about the rogue attack and that had nothing to do with me! All this time I thought you were being overbearing and overprotective, but I just didn’t have a clue what was happening in my own life!” Too late I realize my earlier desire to leave before I start crying is now a lost cause. Tears are sliding down my cheeks as I continue. “How could you do that! You know what I went through with Mike. I spent years thinking I knew my situation when it was all lies – and you turned around and did the exact same thing!”

Dominic’s usually golden skin goes very pale, “Goddess Ella, I never even thought about it that way.” He admits. “I was just trying to protect you and the pup. I didn’t want you to be afraid.”

was make a fool of me.” I inform him stiffly. “And for the record, you also made me more vulnerable to danger. Do you think I would have ever considered sneaking away without guards if I knew

law when they defy him, replaced by a man who has been truly humbled. “I’m truly, truly sorry. I was inconsiderate and patronizing – I assumed I knew what was best and never consulted you… I’ve been a hypocrite, I’ve been going on about being

the privilege of passing it off onto someone else. Even men without means, like Mike, often can’t admit when they’re wrong. In fact, as a woman, the number of times I’ve heard any man tell me that I’m right in a disagreement is… well, I think this

forgive me?” Sinclair is still going, coming forward to brush the hair back from my face, and

up and giving him a haughty sniff

a King. It’s in my nature to protect at all costs, and those instincts are strongest when it comes to she-wolves and pups. When I think about you in danger my wolf fairly loses his mind, and I really am concerned about this pregnancy. You’re high risk as a human, and the longer your blood pressure stays elevated, the more likely you are to become high risk in

but when he puts it in these terms I realize my baby and I might have a harder road ahead of us than I realized. I hadn’t considered myself high risk simply because I’m a human carrying a shifter pup, but it makes sense. Again I recall the doctor’s warnings about the size of the fetus, the spotting incident and now my persistent stress. I really

ahead, massaging my arms with the pads of his thumbs, “but I promise to always consider your perspective, and consult you whenever I

murmur,

strong arms around

I inquire, already

grin. “As long as you let me post

my head. “I want

he purrs in contentment. “Good.

again.” I agree, wriggling out of his hold so I can retrieve a night

that I’m complaining – so he’s stretched out on his back as I rest my uninjured cheek on his bare pec, immediately soothed by his intoxicating scent. I once

Sinclair asks, tracing his fingers in soothing patterns

his chest and landing myself with a