Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

Ella

We’re able to see the true fallout of Xander’s death as the next few days pass, which are…more stressful than I’d like them to be. Cora, luckily, stays at my side through most of it, knowing that I need her support.

“Well,” she says, lounging in bed with me and flicking through her phone ” you’ll be happy to know that incidents of people calling you a hero outweigh those calling you a murderer three to one by this point!”

I sigh and throw a pretzel at my sister, giving her a little glare that she returns with a grin. Both of us are lounging around in pajamas because Sinclair has asked me not to leave our suite until things calm down a bit. Rafe lays peacefully in the blankets between us, gurgling and grabbing at his toes.

“Don’t tease me,” I murmur. “You know I hate this.”

“You need to get over it, Ells,” Cora murmurs, returning her attention to her phone. “You care way too much about what people think about you. You did what you did for everyone’s good. People just love to have someone to dogpile on. And like I said, there are way more people on your side than those who are against you, so I think it’s all turning out nicely.”

“Easy for you to say,” I sigh. “You’re the martyred duchess whose wedding I ruined.”

“I know,” she says, flashing me a wicked grin. “No one’s saying anything bad about me, the poor innocent duchess!”

I growl a little and toss another pretzel at her, satisfied when this one bounces off of her head.

Both of us turn towards the door when it opens though, and twin smiles light our faces when both Sinclair and Roger come in.

“Hey!” Cora calls, sitting up and waving to her mate. “Welcome to the slumber party!”

“I’m jealous,” Roger says as he and Sinclair cross to us. Roger easily slides onto the bed next to Cora, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “You three look so comfortable. And cozy.”

“Yeah well,” I mutter, leaning against Sinclair as he settles on the bed behind me and drops a kiss to my cheek before leaning forward to tickle Rafe’s belly. The baby giggles eagerly, which makes me smile, just a little. “You wouldn’t be so happy about it, Roger, if you were forced to be cozy because you’re on house arrest. Or suite arrest. Or whatever.”

“Well, Ella,” Roger says, looking at me with wide, innocent eyes, a wicked grin starting on his mouth. “I mean, you could always, you know, leap out the window if you’re feeling too contained

into laugher as I throw a pretzel at Roger now, hard. But he just snatches it

around my waist and pulling me close against him. He rubs his cheek warmly against my head and passes a great deal of warmth and love down the bond, knowing that I need it. It hasn’t been easy on me, these past few days. Even if Tempest article did a great deal of work to shine

rather an understatement

for your update, trouble?” Sinclair asks, planting a kiss on my cheek. “Or do we need to bring you more snacks first, so you have something to temper

lot these past few days. Anxious eating has never really been my thing but…well, I’ve

have decided not to press charges against you, calling you a political agent and a technical extension of the military. Since Xander was a war criminal and was actively committing a violent crime that would have resulted in an order to use lethal force to stop him, your actions have

up.

the role of Queen has been officially marked as a military and

lucky,” I mutter, looking down at the blankets and sighing,

giving me a nudge. I look up at him, meeting his frown with my own. “It’s right, Ella. The Queen should have political and military power in the nation if

sigh. “You’re not telling me everything,”

just makes me groan and lay down on the bed next to my baby. I close my eyes and breathe in Rafe’s sweet baby scent as he reaches out a pudgy little hand and grasps at my

before he begins. “The Atalaxians, as we

Roger adds,

this so-called offense as a rationale to go

eyes fly open. “Does this

Sinclair says, his voice serious. “They haven’t declared war. They’re just saying that this is an offense worthy of it. It’s…a bullshit move, and everyone knows it – Xander is barely their citizen. But they’re taking advantage of it, trying to back us into a corner so that we give

thin line as I stare at my little baby, my sweet Rafe, wondering what

War.

for our world right now,

somehow, I’m at the heart

was anything I could have

settles on my hip. I look up at him as he shakes his head. ” It’s not your fault Ella. It would have happened no matter

the night of

that what that Prince said?”