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.”

exploring the silky curve of her throat, I find a guarded expression on her face, as if

favorite thing about you?” I prompt, offering what she’s either too

She shrugs, not looking me in

her tightly wound little body immediately melts against mine. “It’s that warrior heart of

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

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

growing so pink that I want to whisper all my secret desires in her ear, just to see how deeply I

one bit whether her answer is about my looks or personality– as long as she has a favorite thing, she

shares softly. “Not because you think you should or that it’s the right thing to do – but

want you to be happy too, Ella.” I tell her, “I know that might feel impossible

way. However the more time that passes, the more obvious it becomes to me that Ella and I will be family. Whether we become romantically involved or

replies, alight with mischief and desire in equal measure. “You’ll let me walk

to tell the driver to turn the

our masks, I glance at the media clamoring outside and feel Ella do the same. She recoils

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

down! I insist, shaking with the effort

He insists. This was a mistake! It’s too

for our sexual tension earlier. It goes against my every instinct not to reward my mate after she submitted so beautifully, and I feel

wolf chants. I have to mark

not

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