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…”

prince says, spreading his arms wide and allowing Calvin to

quite serious, I nod back to him and give him a smile, grateful for his

voice. Conner nods again and steps to the door, standing with one foot in the ballroom and the other out on the balcony, a constant threat to Calvin should he make one

steps closer to me not too close,

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

is something

moving, as was the vote. It is inspiring to

head a little. “Do you…not

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

my eyebrows, genuinely surprised that he’s being

can’t say that I think this policy is wise,” I murmur, wanting to shout from the rooftop that his father is a tyrant, but working very, very hard to

harsher than 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

comes to Calvin’s face. “Your son is a very handsome boy,” he says, smiling at Rafe. “I’m sure he’ll grow to be a

down at Rafe myself. Then I look up at Calvin, curious. He’s young, I think my own age – certainly younger than Sinclair – but, well, I’m a parent,

you have children of your own, Calvin?”

find myself surprised when he nods and smiles, bringing his gaze up to mine. “Two,” he says, his smile growing as he thinks of them. “My Luna gave birth to our son just a few months ago – he’s

I know he’s a father. There’s something about that – the alliance between parents who love their children. And damn

perhaps what this prince

his words strikes me as…wrong. And I can’t put my finger on it

other child?” I

increasing. “She is…well, she makes me laugh more than I thought anyone