Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

“How is he?” I ask, feeling both guilty for not asking sooner, but also afraid of hearing the answer. How

much of my ordeal was the pup able to feel? Surely if he can sense my feelings he can feel my fear

and pain. Is he also aware that his father just put me over his knee? Oh that is so wrong – no child

should have to know those things about their parents.

“I wish you could see your face right now.” Sinclair teases, “But I promise he’s much too young to

understand any of this. All he knows is that you were sad, and that you feel better now we’re together.

He feels better too.”

“Was he very frightened last night?” I inquire, closing my eyes and leaning into his side.

“He was distressed, because he could feel your fear, but everything he knows is in response to you.

And his own feelings haven’t become more complicated than sad or happy – they won’t until after he’s

born.” He explains.

“But you could tell what he was making me crave.” I remind him, striving to understand.

Sinclair nods, “Hunger, pain, tiredness, those are all reflexive instincts, not emotions.” I sigh, taking this

in and pressing my nose to his chest and breathing in his scent. “You see?” |I can hear a smile in his

voice. “You’re soothed my scent, so he’s happy.”

“But I thought I liked smelling you because it’s what he needs?” I murmur.

“That’s the way with mothers and pups – that’s why I say you have a connection every bit as magical

as my own. Your wants and needs become one in the same.”

Sinclair shares.

“Okay.” I breathe, knowing that the harder I think about this, the less sense it will make. The more time

that passes, the more I’m learning that magic and logic do not always mix.

We pass the next few moments in silence, and though I’m still so needy I think I might scream, I also

haven’t forgotten the reason we fought. My ball gown remains in a puddle on the floor, it’s gauzy,

gemstone studded skirts glinting up at me in the low lighting.

Dominic?”

“Yes?” He prompts, running his fingers up and down my arm in the most distracting way. His touch is

featherlight, and I know it’s intended to comfort me rather than excite, but I’m beginning to think that it’s

impossible to be in physical contact with this man without being turned on. Hell, I was even turned on

when he was spanking me – and it hurt like hell. On some level l understand it was his dominance I

liked, rather than the pain, but it still seems so wrong.

“I think I need you to stop touching me.” I whisper, hating myself even as I say it.

“Okay.” He agrees, reluctantly shifting my small body away from his. I instantly feel cold and

incomplete, and my feelings must show on my face because Sinclair laughs and taps his finger on my

nose. “You asked for it, beautiful.”

“I know.”I complain, pulling the duvet up around me so that l won’t feel so exposed. Sinclair watches my

movement with narrowed eyes, and I can see he’s holding back some bossy statement. Probably

something about not hiding myself from him, though he seems to understand I won’t calm down as long

as his gaze is raking over my n*ked skin. “I want to talk about the ball.”

“Ella-“

“No!” I insist, cutting him off, “Please just hear me out?”

Sinclair exhales heavily, “Go ahead.”

“Look, you were obviously right that I wasn’t okay.” I begin, feeling resigned. “But l wasn’t wrong either.

We can’t let the Prince win.”

“We’re not.” Sinclair promises. “But you need your rest. You’ve been through a lot.”

“I’ve been through worse.” I announce, surprising us both. I didn’t intend on sharing that with Sinclair,

but I need him to know l’m not going to fall to pieces at the first sign of danger. He doesn’t look

surprised, he merely grimaces, as if he hates hearing this but also wants to ask for more details.

Sensing this, I forge ahead before he can act on his impulse. “You made such a big deal about the

Solstice, about how much these events mean.

If we skip it, the Prince will have an advantage.”

“The Prince doesn’t have a breeding mate.” Sinclair counters, “pregnant she-wolves get a lot more free

passes in our society than those who are not.”

“But he’ll know.” | state stubbornly. “He’ll feel emboldened like his plan is working. We have to show him

it isn’t.”

Sinclair studies me for a long moment. “ls this truly what you want, or are you trying to prove something

to me – because I promise you don’t have to.”

“Not everything is about you, you know.” I answer saucily, feeling a bit more of myself now.

Warmth floods my body at the sound of his laughter.

“Careful little one, or I might think you didn’t learn your lesson the first time.”

“Please Dominic?” I request. “I want to go to the ball.

“Hmm.”He hums thoughtfully. “If l agree, will you do something for me in return?”

“That depends,” I answer warily. “What do you want?

“Will you promise to tell me about those worse things you’ve been through some day?” Sinclair

inquires, grazing his knuckles over my cheek.

I go very still now. “I’ve never talked about those things with anyone. I’m not sure I know how.”

“I could help you.” Sinclair offers, “Like I helped you today.”

“if you think l’m going to let you spank me again -“I begin indignantly.

“Oh so you let me, did you?” He rumbles, sliding his hand around to my nape and making my toes curl.

He grins wolfishly, shaking his head.”I hate to break it to you, baby – but that was far from your last

sp*nking, whether it’s to help you tap into your feelings or not.

“You’re a tyrant, you know that?” I remark, shooting him a sullen glare.

“ls that a no?” He asks, arching a brow.

“But why bother digging into all of that?” I question. It’s in the past. Surely it’s better to leave it there.”

“I think we both know these things never stay in the past, Ella.” Sinclair answers gravely. “I could see

them weighing on you before you ever said a word.”

“You could?” I squeak, hating to think I’m so transparent.

“Yes.” He affrms gently, “And I don’t want you carrying all that alone.”

“But it’s my burden to carry, not yours.” I reason, not looking him in the eye.

Sinclair catches my chin between his thumb and forefinger, pulling my eyes up to his. “And I suppose

you asked to carry it? You sought out the pain and heartache?”

I can see his point, though l don’t want to. I can also see the advantage in keeping this deal some

vague promise of the future. The ball is tonight, so I can agree to share and then put off following

through indefinitely.

It’s not a lie – not really. I know I’m not ever going to be ready to talk about those horrible things with

Sinclair, so l just have to tell him as much when the time comes.

“Okay.” I finally confirm. “You have a deal.”