Surrogate For Alpha Dom

Ella

I dream that I’m on a boat, rocking gently in a starlit sea. I stare up at the night sky, bathed in the light of the full moon. My belly is swollen with my pup, and Sinclair is beside me, telling me stories about shifters – all the myths and legends of his people. His voice carries me along the waves, until he begins describing the life we’ll have together with our baby. He paints a picture of perfection, a happy life as a family of three – my child and I pampered and cared for while he rules his empire, wanting for nothing.

It all seems too good to be true, and it’s not until I realize I’m dreaming that I understand why. When I blink my eyes open, I realize that there are tears in them. I really am rocking, but not in any boat. Sinclair is carrying me inside from the car and clearly trying very hard not to wake me.

I must have fallen asleep. I realize dazedly.

“You don’t have to carry me.” I murmur, hoping the emotion in my voice can be passed off as grogginess.

“Hush now.” He croons, “I don’t mind. You just rest.”

Another time I might argue, but I’m so sleepy, and his arms feel so good around me that I just snuggle in. To my surprise, Sinclair leans his face towards my hair and inhales a deep breath. “You smell more like a wolf every day.” He shares. “The baby must be very healthy.”

This idea makes me smile, “Will I be able to feel it move soon, if pregnancy is so much shorter?”

“After a couple of months, yes.” He confirms.

This is still sooner than human babies quicken, but I feel so impatient. “Hmph, that’s so long to wait.”

Sinclair chuckles. “Maybe, but it will be so worth the wait, sweet Ella.”

“Do… do shifter pregnancies ever have complications?” I ask, finally feeling brave enough to voice this hidden worry. It’s been on my mind ever since the doctor told me the baby was developing slowly, but Sinclair seemed so confident that I told myself everything was fine.

“But it happens. That’s why I’m being so cautious with you – I don’t

his chest and inhaling his own scent. “I think you just

and I’ll show you what strict really is.” Before I can respond or contemplate what this might mean, he pushes into my bedroom, striding towards my bed

want a shower first.”

you sure? It’s

bed not feeling clean.” After a childhood of almost always

more and more myself as more of the day washes away. I felt like a different person with all that makeup and finery on,

baby. I don’t know how I can recognize his growl from anyone elses, but in my heart, I know that danger is near. Did someone come into the bathroom after me? I wonder frantically, trying to peer through the fogged up glass, how did they

don’t think ten seconds passed before the door

me curled up in a ball in the corner. “I swear someone was in here with me.” I confess shakily. “I could hear them growling and snarling, but

begins scenting the air and searching the room. “I don’t smell anything” He tells me after a moment, “but I’ll have the guards search anyway, just in case” He charges out of the room only long enough to bark some orders at his guards, telling them to begin searching the grounds. While he’s away, I wrap a towel around my naked body, trying to ease my

Sinclair returns, he pulls me into his arms. “It’s okay

what’s wrong

it’s probably just all the stress piling up on you.” He reasons. “But if you don’t feel safe you can sleep

the first time. He

so frayed that I don’t even object when he swings my legs up into his arms, or think about stopping to grab night clothes, I simply let Sinclair carry me back to his rooms. When he sets me down I realize I didn’t bring anything to sleep in. I pause, trying to decide if I want to go back or ask to borrow something, when Sinclair’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “Oh

anxiously, spinning around and searching

me, and suddenly I’m

scent.” He frowns,

sleep. No one

his head. “We can’t take