Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

Ella

I feel the poor human woman’s shoulders shake and I take a deep breath, remembering my duty to her as well. “Come on,” I say, trying to keep my voice light as I turn her and her daughters away. “I’m so sorry about this – let’s get somewhere more peaceful.”

And as we begin to walk away, I leave my faith in Sinclair to settle this as he will. But I hope to hell the Atalaxians know what’s good for them, because my mate?

He won’t hesitate to fight, if they push him to it. And if they do? I shake my head, considering how fast each of them will lose.

But I put this out of my mind, chatting lightly with the woman as we move away, asking her name. The woman introduces herself as Tempest Bowers, a journalist and the wife of an elected official of one of our eastern provinces. Genuinely pleased to meet her, I begin to ask more questions about their lives as we move to the head table, where I know for certain that there is plenty of candy for the girls to take.

But before we can get there, someone hits my shoulder – hard as they pass, making me stumble. My ankle twists in my high heel and I lose my balance, threatening to fall, gasping and holding Rafe tight to me.

Tempest grabs my arm just in time.

“Oh my goodness,” she says, her eyes wide as she helps me regain my balance. And then both of our eyes move to follow the hateful old man my uncle, of course who hit me hard with his shoulder on his way out. He does not bother to look back and apologize.

Of course, why would he? He did it on purpose.

“He’s a hateful old creep, isn’t he?” I ask, frowning after the man, and the woman to my surprise – bursts out laughing.

“He is certainly a piece of work,” she says, nodding along and dropping my arm. “Do you…know him?”

“He’s my uncle,” I say with a grimace, making her laugh again, harder this time.

“I have some in my family,” Tempest says, looking after him as he storms from the room, “who are…less pleasant too. So, I can emote with that.”

finish crossing to the table where Sinclair and I had our dinner and I hand the girls as many candy bars as

says, putting her hands out and laughing. ” Go find dad,

I say as I watch them run

Rafe’s sleepy cheek. “Your

down at my kid with a smile. “And I agree, but I

her shoulder, seeing Sinclair striding towards us.

your highness – and thank you, very much, for your help over there. I apologize for any trouble –

“You did nothing wrong. And please call me Ella,” I say with a grin. “After that? We have to be on a first name

a little

asks, his voice worried. Then his eyes follow

mean honestly, why would the Atalaxians even

they were looking for a bit of a fight. Or, at least

I ask, my eyes

Xander just left, “if the Atalaxians brought him to have someone to pick their fight for them. I mean, come on they had to know he’s at the end of his rope and wasn’t going to just come along

looking towards the door. “Bringing someone who they knew would

I look up at Sinclair to ask why,

close to me and I think unconsciously reaching for the baby. I smile a little, handing him over to her, pleased

and I turn my fond gaze to him now. He’s not as familiar with human wedding traditions as Cora and I are, but I have to admit – he makes quite the handsome groom,

Sinclair recap the events? He’s every bit the King’s responsible second, eager to

grateful again for my family, but I’m distracted from

If he was publicly embarrassed and his new nation didn’t stand up for what he believes to be his rights, as you suggest, I’m not sure a man like Xander is going to be content with just going

to reveal Calvin standing there behind them, his own face worried. “I came to let you know that trouble is

say, taking a step forward, my face falling. “Is he…do you know what he