Surrogate For Alpha Dom

Ella

I look back and forth between Roger and Isabel, noting her pallid skin tone and his quiet concern. “

How long overdue is the plane?” I inquire, checking the time on my phone.

“It was supposed to get in five hours ago. James has never been late before.” Isabel pipes up, bouncing Sadie in her arms and visibly trying to control the tremors of fear wracking her body. I rise from my chair and attempt to put an arm around her, but she j.erks away from my touch like a skittish horse. Sighing, I drop my hand.

“Is it possible there weren’t any refugees needing to make the journey today?” Henry asks, logical as ever.

“We haven’t had a single day without a new batch.” Gabriel answers grimly, “the wait list back on the continent is a mile long. If he didn’t come today, then something has gone wrong.”

“Is the news out of the continent still blacked out?” I question, even though I already know the answer. Damon shut such a tight lid on the media that the only information available to us anymore is brouğht by refugees and spies.

“Yes.” Gabriel replies, with the same dark expression. “I’ll see if I can tap into our spy network. I have a few people stationed around the egress points on the coast. But to be frank the fact that they haven’t reported in either doesn’t bode well.”

“What do we do?” Isabel frets aloud, looking hopefully at the King. “Can you stage a rescue mission?”

“We can’t go in blind.” Phil!ppe declares evenly.

We need to know what we’re dealing with before we send relief troops or more aircraft.”

“But if the camps on the coast are under attack then they need your help now.” Isabel argues, swinging her frantic gaze to me, “Ella, do something!”

“We will.” I promise, resisting the urge to reach for her again. “We’re not going to just leave our people to fend for themselves, but Phil!ppe is right, if we charge in blind then not only do we risk failure, but we risk losing even more people than were already in danger.”

says they, I can hear the secret fear she won’t allow herself to voice. She means he could be dead already. He James, the soldier who rescued Sadie and delivered frightened orphans to the safety of Isabel’s nursery every day, who comforted the aloof she-wolf despite her ferocious protests. I’d known she was becoming attached to him, but I hadn’t realized quite how far she’s already fallen. I say a silent prayer to the Goddess for the man’s safety, to spare my cranky friend more pain if nothing

her gently, “but we don’t have many

closer. “Like I’m some hysterical

over my c.hest, an instinctive growl bubbling to life in my c.hest. Isabel jolts, her wolf reflexively quivering in the face of my warning, “That’s not what I’m doing, and lashing out at me isn’t going

eyes widen slightly, and then she deflates, submitting to my

arm around her shoulder and leading her

comes racing up behind us, “We just got word, James’s plane

her

joining us as we change direction. We all pile into the King’s car and speed towards the airfield. Isabel is shaking with relief beside me, and I try to lean against her for comfort without letting her realize what I’m doing. She glares

home – worse even than before. There are too many people, and the looks on their faces break my heart. These aren’t the panicked but hopeful expressions of relief at a long journey’s end, but the hollow-eyed numbness of those that

soon as they’re in reach. Sadie

growls and tugs her closer, burying his head in her neck. She allows him this much, though she still has the sulky energy of a she-wolf who is determined not to be mollified.

separates the injured from the unharmed, individuals from families and unaccompanied children from temporary guardians. I go to a.ssist with the intake process, trying to offer

a couple with minor injuries to the medical tent, and Cora meets me in the doorway with wide eyes.

know.” I sigh, “but

mutterS, searching my face for understanding.

exchange confused glances. “What pact?” I’m glad that my sister asks, because as Luna I should probably know about the major treaties

mate explains gruffly, though this

all along… but it’s

strike fear into my heart, but I still don’t understand them. I don’t know about any secrecy pact, but I don’t want to force these weary wolves to explain things when they need to be focused on healing. “It’s okay.” I mumur, “go with Cora here and she’ll get you cleaned up, there

the pilot. I approach behind them, just in time to hear James saying, his army breached the borders in broad daylight – fully shifted, and set upon the humans. It seems Damon is done with shadow tactics that

as I’ve ever heard him. “Not some