Surrogate For Alpha Dom

gh to find each other and build a family.

But still, facing this delegation? I’m a little glad that we’ve got some intimidating credentials to speak for us. Brave little mate, Sinclair says to me down the bond, making my smirk deepen. I’m glad you’re letting them see that you’re not scared of them.

Oh, I’m scared of them, I pass back, not bothering to look up at him for support.

But you’re right. There’s no reason for them to see it.

He gives me a warm nudge of support as the first line of five Atalaxians step forward and give a bow. The man at the far left of the line steps forward then, beginning to speak. He introduces himself first – the first and most significant member – and then moves on to each new delegate, who bows his heads to us each in turn.

I turn my head a little as this formal introduction progresses, because this is … odd. I understand that this reception has a rather official quality, but each of the greetings we’ve given to each delegation before this has been warm and chatty, with people introducing themselves warmly or greeting Sinclair and I as old friends, if they know us.

The Atalaxians? They don’t say a word, instead letting their singular speaker do all the work.

Still, I do my best to follow along as Rafe begins to fuss in my arms, not liking something – I don’t know what, though. I hold him higher, tighter against me, trying to pass a little calmness down our bond so that he can relax, maybe fall asleep. The baby responds to this, resting his head against my chest a little and settling.

The speaker finishes introducing the first line of delegates, which includes the predictable ambassadors and senators who have been sent to witness the coronation and have discussions about the future connections between our two nations.

second row, I’m surprised to hear the speaker introduce a Prince, which makes my eyes raise. Why

I do not catch

He’s about my age, and

deal slimmer than my own mate, though the power than emanates from

surprised. He is…not someone to be trifled with. I don’t know how I know it, but I do – I’m absolutely sure of it. The prince nods steadily to Sinclair, looking serious but perhaps even a little bored, like he’s done this a thousand

a long moment. Sinclair reacts instantly, a subtle growl building in his

Prince comes back to himself in a second, his eyes flicking to Sinclair before he regains his bored composure, nodding to me, and then to Cora, and

up at my mate, whose shoulders are

earth just

of delegates is dismissed and Rafe starts

baby hardly ever cries, instead letting us know what he needs through little taps and pulses down the bond to which we respond as quickly as we can. It’s honestly the best part of being a wolf

to take

me to settle on my back. I need us all here, for this delegation at least. If he cries, he cries. And I nod, understanding and turning

nod to us. I nod in turn, though I admit that my attention is decidedly focused on my son, who cries in earnest now, unhappy. I hold him tight, bouncing him in

thing he wants – But today, nothing. He’s just upset. My eyes are totally focused on the baby, ignoring the

honorary citizenship in Atalaxia for his services as advisor to the King.” My eyes