Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

Chapter 73 – The Masquerade

Sinclair

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask, studying Ella.

Her golden eyes sparkle up at me. “Yes Dominic, for the thousandth time.” She sasses, “I’m sure.”

I chuckle, dropping a kiss to her hair. “Imp.”

We’re in the back of a limousine as it rolls slowly down the street, lined on all sides by clambering pack members eager to catch a glimpse of the shifter elite on their way to the King’s palace. Ella is tucked safely against my side, wearing an off the shoulder gown of deepest green.

Layer upon layer of sheer fabric winds around her body in graceful tendrils, leaving small flashes of her fair skin bared and outlining her feminine figure in the most tantalizing design, before cascading to the ground in a waterfall of chiffon. Amber gemstones glitter in her skirts, perfectly matching the delicate jewels of her necklace and earrings. Her hair has been piled up on top of her head, save for a few wisps left free, and her small feet are confined in a pair of sky high heels. Her mask is resting in her lap, waiting for the moment we’ll exit the car and don the intricate disguises required for the ball. Every time I look at her my lungs stop pumping, and I have to remind myself to breathe, struggling to remember how it’s done.

“I know you don’t like being told how beautiful you are, but sometimes it’s hard for me to keep it to myself.” I sigh, leaning down to nuzzle her neck and bask in her sweet scent.

Ella tilts her head to the side, giving me more room to work as I brush my nose and lips over her skin. “It’s not that I mind compliments,” Her breath hitches when I pause to nibble the place where her neck meets her shoulder. “I just don’t like being made to feel like that’s all I am.”

“Well you don’t have to worry there, because as lovely as you are, your beauty is my least favorite thing about you.” I remark, completely serious.

“Sure it is.” She giggles, the sound filling my body with pure sunshine.

“I mean it.” I reply honestly, “Of course, it’s not like that means much because I like all of you. Talking about my least favorite part is like talking about my least favorite dessert – at the end of the day it’s still dessert.”

of her throat, I find a

you?” I prompt, offering what she’s either too afraid or too shy to

shrugs, not looking me in the

body immediately melts against mine. “It’s that warrior heart

“No one has ever mistaken me for a warrior before.” She admonishes. “I think you’re just

not liking her self-deprecating tone. “I know warriors, and I know you. You have a heart that cannot be quelled –

that I want to whisper all my secret desires in her ear, just to see how deeply I can make her flush. She peeks up at me from beneath her lashes. “Do you want to know my favorite

one bit whether her answer is about my looks or personality– as long as she

should or that it’s the right thing to do – but because you want to. You want to understand, and you want your people

even if it’s only a brief graze of our lips. “I want you to be happy too, Ella.” I tell her, “I know that might feel impossible right now, with everything you’ve been through, but

family. Whether we become romantically involved or not, we’re going to share a pup

you won’t boss me around anymore?” The minx replies, alight with mischief and desire in equal measure. “You’ll

my head back, barking with laughter even as I fight the urge to tell the driver to turn the

media clamoring outside and feel Ella do the same. She recoils in surprise, and a rush or protectiveness slams into me.

out. My wolf demands. I’ll kill them before they lay a hand on

shaking with the effort of holding him

This was a mistake! It’s

though I see threats everywhere I look, and I’d like nothing more than to attack every reporter in sight. Deep down, I also know that I wouldn’t be so on edge if we’d found an outlet for our sexual tension earlier. It goes against my every instinct not to reward my mate after she submitted so beautifully, and I feel as though my job is unfinished. Moreover, I wasn’t able to take the edge off of my own

chants. I have to

not a wolf, it would

nibble? He begs, She smells

to get Ella out of the car and through the crowd, but no sooner have we stepped into the ballroom that Ella turns toward me with an exasperated