Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Ella

The stranger looks a lot like Sinclair, and the word “brother” strikes my interest. If they’re siblings, why is Sinclair looking at him so harshly? They don’t seem friendly at all.

“This is Ella.” Sinclair announces, sliding his arm around my waist. “My future mate, and the mother of my pup.”

“Our pup.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. I’m not sure why I said it, but the way Sinclair declared the pups as his – as if it belonged to him and not me – brought out my maternal instincts. I even growled a little as I staked my claim, making Sinclair’s lips quirk with amusement.

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” The man scoffs. “I’ve never seen or heard of you before, I didn’t have the faintest idea my brother was expecting, and he hasn’t even marked you.” I realize he’s right. Sinclair had mentioned scent marking me before the campaign dinner – whatever that means – but he hasn’t done it yet. Luckily his pup’s presence is strong enough to make me smell like a wolf, but this man clearly isn’t fooled by our pretense as a couple. “Let me guess, he just picked you up off the street because you make such a pretty womb?”

A low rumble is vibrating against my side as Sinclair’s wolf begins to growl. Meanwhile I flush with embarrassment, it’s not the truth, but it’s close enough to make me want to hide behind Sinclair’s strength and dominance. Where did that come from? The little voice in my head asks. You’ve never hidden from a problem or backed down from a challenge a day in your life. That’s true, but then again, I’ve never had anyone to hide behind before.

The man is still speaking, making fun of my naivete for expecting Sinclair to honor my role as our baby’s mother. “And you actually think he’ll keep you around once you squirt the kid out? Clearly brains and beauty don’t go hand in hand.”

“Clearly ugliness and cynicism do.” I bite back, feeling bolstered by Sinclair’s steady presence at my side. “If you ask me the fact that you haven’t heard about me says more about your low status than my own. You’re obviously not important enough to warrant the Alpha’s time.”

Sinclair chuckles darkly, giving me a small squeeze to show his approval. “She has a point, Roger.”

The man, Roger, glares at his brother before offering me a look that almost appears pitying. “Mark my words, he’ll toss you to the curb at the first opportunity.”

I notch my chin up, “You underestimate me, and Dominic.” I announce, feeling a thrum of excitement to speak his given name for the first time. I think it’s actually coming from the baby, as if I can feel Sinclair’s pleasure to hear me saying it through our pup. “He has more honor in his little finger than you do in your entire body. That much is obvious and I’ve only just met you.”

mouth to argue back, but Sinclair stops him. “Roger, give it a

He counters fiercely. “How did you even manage this,

hand circling his throat, holding him aloft. He squirms and tugs at Sinclair’s white knuckled fingers, but I don’t think he’s truly afraid because he shoots me a triumphant smirk. “More

pup that way.” Sinclair snarls, “I know it’s mine because we are bonded already, and I will be

my direction, “It’s

to the floor. “Get out,

Alpha council is going to say when they find out you attacked your own family in

think his aggression had anything to do with being unmated, I think it was because he feels so protective of his pup, and by extension – me. Besides, his brother has to know what a

Ella.” Sinclair’s attention is already back on me. “I shouldn’t have lost

it myself.” I confide, leaning into his warmth. His energy is still very agitated, and all my instincts are driving me to comfort him the same way he’s comforted me

don’t expect you to actually go through with it. It’s simply a way of explaining to people why you don’t bear my

we’re different species and he’s completely controlling, I can’t truly be

to pool low in my belly. Snap out of it! I scold myself. That’s just the

to Sinclair to make sure he’s not watching me struggle to untangle these confusing feelings, and for once, his attention is very far away. My relief immediately gives way to sympathy as I take

down at me, his grim features softening to a smile. “You

press, curious but not wanting to intrude on his private business.

his hair. “Roger and I… we’re very different people – as you saw. We’ve never

I inquire.

that I’ve pushed into such sensitive territory that he’ll refuse to tell me any more, however he surprises me again. “I took his mother away from him. She died protecting me, and he’s never forgiven me. There was already bad feelings between us – he’s older, but I was always stronger. It was clear from a young age that I, and not he, would be

intuitively wrapping my arms around him for a hug. I can tell he’s surprised, I don’t think many people instigate hugs with the future king, but I’m not a wolf, and all I see is a man in need of affection in front of me. His arms come around me in reply, and his voice purrs in