Surrogate For Alpha Dom

Ella

Hugo, Sinclair and I are all staring at the television with wide eyes and slack jaws,

unable to process the images flitting across the screen. It seems like every time we

manage to take a few steps forward, Lydia and the Prince find a way to send us

reeling back – and this is no exception.

“This doesn’t make any sense.” Hugo expresses, obviously overwhelmed. “Why would

he risk losing the pack’s sympathy by parading around another Woman so soon after

his wife’s death?”

“Trust me, Hugo – Damon isn’t the one calling the shots here. This is all Lydia.”

Sinclair states gruffly. “She’s going to force her way onto the throne one way or

another. Right now she’s playing the doting friend, but mark my words, by the time the

election ends she’ll be in his bed.”

“How bad is this?’ I ask, looking up at Sinclair’s handsome face, “Does she have

information that could hurt you?”

Sinclair Squeezes my shoulders, “She knows some secrets.” He relates, “but luckily

nothing I could imagine as a smoking gun. In fact most of what she knows would be

more harmful to the Prince things like my father’s attack, Things the public believes

were accidents but our private investigators proved malicious.” His mouth flattens into

a hard line. “The real danger is that she knows how we think, how we operate. Not to

mention that the Prince doesn’t have more than two brain cells to rub together, but

Lydia has plenty.”

“So what do we do?” I ask anxiously, my head replaying the news reel over and over

again. “My bed rest isn’t common knowledge, and they’re making it sound like my

absence from the public eye is suspicious. Do we tell everyone about my condition?

Or do we make an appearance?”

“I’m afraid making an appearance might play right into their hands. This could be

some sort of attempt to lure us out of hiding.” Hugo advises, looking very grim indeed.

In the distance I hear the front door open and close – a fact which comes as quite a

surprise, since my hearing has never been so sharp before.

Wheels roll over the door jam, and then Henry’s voice floats up toward us, “Good

Morning!”

“Henry!” I exclaim, both taken aback yet unsurprised we stayed in bed so long.

Sinclair’s father has been coming over almost every day since we agreed to be

invalids together, and he’s been an invaluable help, since I learned my true identity.

disappear into the

too deeply ingrained to allow

I’m definitely not changing in front

is also dressed, though much

Sinclair carrying me despite my protests. My

more every day, but it isn’t enough to free me of

all gather around the

in low, serious voices, and me feeling

It’s not that they exclude me, I

of my depth.

Ella?” Sinclair asks, turning his blazing

more

respond to this

thoughtfully, trying to ignore the

Releasing my swollen lip, I sigh, “Do

Lydia’s husband?I mean the Princess is dead, but

some other Alpha, right?” I clarify. When the men

Even if he doesn’t want her anymore,

be gallivanting

a good point.” Henry praises,

out

the

trying to understand their motivations, we

and respond without playing into their

sort of countermove to challenge

but we might be able to spin ourselves out of

them – where it

distract the pack

Hugo nods approvingly. “Good idea,

hand in support, but when I look over, his

think it’s the best

this entire situation just doesn’t

course not.” Hugo scoffs, “You don’t need to convene

is all fucked six ways to

feel like

something bothering me and I just can’t put my

on it.”

been saying from the beginning that

a political scheme.” I contribute

but one the Prince is too unimaginative to have

almost imperceptibly, and then

fist and

isn’t too unimaginative?” Sinclair growls, scanning our

faces.

Henry supplies easily. “And while Prince Damon might have seen his mate

the type to impulsively destroy

Lydia wouldn’t have any reservations about

of the way.”

I think you are?” I gape, both certain I’ve understood

believe

crazy as it seems, what other explanation do we have?” Sinclair inquires, rising

the dining table. “If the Prince had lost

and beat her to death, I wouldn’t question it. And if

you could make the case for rogues or

by Damon. But poison? That’s a

if it was a political scheme

her death and spun the details in a way that

Damon looking sympathetic.”

“Instead it just seems…

“If it was planned,