Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

“Please,” the shadow says, his voice awkward and apologetic.

I’m still rigid with fear when Conner storms out onto the balcony, his hand smacking the shadow-person in the chest, slamming him against the wall. ” Who the hell are you!?” Conner demands.

“Please!” the shadow says again, “I’m so sorry! I was just standing out here, also getting fresh air! This is a complete accident!”

And suddenly, the voice snaps into place in my memory. “Conner!” I call, Rafe fussing in my arms, not liking the sudden change in my energy and the fear spiking through me, though I’m calmer now. “Please – it’s the Atalaxian Prince. He is – I don’t believe he means us any harm.”

And even though something about that concept doesn’t match up – an Atalaxian? Not meaning us any harm? Especially after the meeting I just had with my uncle?

Still, somehow, I know the truth of it down in my bones. He doesn’t.

Conner glances at me and then backs up a little, removing his hand from the Prince’s chest. “Should I escort him out of here, Luna?”

“No,” I sigh, shaking my head. “Not unless he wants to go, of course. But the night air is for everyone. I can’t have it all to myself just because I’m the Queen.”

The prince looks between Conner and I for a moment, stepping further into the light so I can see his pale features and the details of his chic black suit. “I would…stay, for a moment, if that’s all right? Have a quiet word with you, so that we don’t leave this evening on bad terms?”

“That’s fine,” I say quietly, somehow a little pleased that he will stay. I’m still terribly curious about him, perhaps despite myself.

“Would you mind?” Conner says to the prince, his voice tight. “If I performed a body check? To ensure that you don’t have…”

and allowing Calvin

serious, I nod back to him and give him a smile, grateful for his protection. “I’ll be just inside

the door, standing

few steps closer to me not too close, but close enough to be conversational. “As he should be.

As I do, I wonder a little how did he blend so seamlessly into the shadows? It’s not

something

little bow. “The ceremony today was very moving, as was the vote. It is inspiring to see how much your people support you – the wolves and the humans

ask, turning my head a little. “Do you…not get this kind of support from your own

a little chagrined. “My father’s policy is instead to…tell the people how they feel about the royal family. And then punish them if they

eyebrows, genuinely surprised that he’s being so candid

I think this policy is wise,” I murmur, wanting to shout from the rooftop that his father is a tyrant, but

that if you wish, Queen,” Calvin says, smirking a little as he takes a step closer at me and studies my face for a moment before dropping his gaze to Rafe in my arms. ” I certainly won’t tell anyone.” He’s quiet for a moment and I adjust the baby so he can see my

son is a very handsome boy,” he says, smiling at

myself. Then I look up at Calvin, curious. He’s young, I think my

children of your own,

and smiles, bringing his gaze up to mine. “Two,” he says, his smile growing as he thinks of them. “My

liking him even more now that I know he’s a father. There’s something about that – the alliance between parents who love their children. And damn it, even if I was determined to hate the Atalaxians… well, I can’t

suppose, is perhaps what this

a little, curious. Something about his words strikes me

your other child?”

daughter just turned three,” he replies, his smile increasing. “She is…well, she makes me laugh more than I thought anyone ever could. She’s