Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Sinclair

“I’m not jealous!” Ella explodes, almost as soon as the question left my mouth. Her heart is pounding in her chest, so fast and loud that I wouldn’t be able to tune it out if I tried. Her cheeks are consumed by a crimson blush, and my wolf is already celebrating in my head.

She’s jealous! She has feelings! She knows she’s mine! Mine, mine, mine!

He has a point. Ella is not a good liar, and though she may be able to disguise her feelings under usual circumstances, her emotions are much too turbulent to allow that now. She sounded about as believable as a fox caught breaking into a henhouse, insisting it only wanted to look at the tasty morsels inside.

I arch my brow skeptically and, seeming to realize how defensive she just sounded, Ella takes a deep breath and tries again. “I’m not jealous.” She repeats, and though she does sound more convincing now, her body is still betraying her. Her color is still so high, and her heart is still racing. “I’m angry because you lied to me.”

I know I should correct her right here and now, explain exactly what happened last night whether she wants to hear it or not. But my inner hunter knows I’m onto something, and there’s no turning off my prey drive. “Then you don’t care whether I sleep with other she-wolves, as long as I’m honest about it?”

Her plump, pink lip – still stained with blood – trembles dangerously, and her voice sounds suddenly tight. “That’s right.”

Liar, liar, pants on fire! My wolf chants, running triumphant laps through my consciousness. He’s zooming around like a puppy, though I can’t let Ella see how excited I am. As thrilling as this revelation is, she is lying to me. I might be able to forgive that since I know she’s trying to protect her tender heart, but forgiveness doesn’t mean acceptance. “Are you being honest with me, little human?” I rumble, pinning her with a stern glower.

part on a startled gasp. I can see her preparing to answer me, to tell me another falsehood, but before she can say yes, she seems to realize how hypocritical the question is. “Why should I have to be honest

growl, a clear

to your ex after promising that there was nothing between you.” She accuses. “Last night probably wasn’t even the first time! How long have you been sneaking around with her, Dominic? Has everything that’s happened since I got pregnant been some scheme you two orchestrated to get an heir and win the campaign? Did you arrange the switch at the sperm bank to send all this into motion? What are

jealousy disappears immediately. He whimpers pitifully, devastated to see her so miserable – so

from the day we met, and it pains me to think she might have been tormented by such paranoia, but I could also understand how her baggage might turn one trigger into this maelstrom. I want to tell Ella these ideas are absurd, I want to

firmly, “Look

want to.” She snaps, stubbornly turning her

hand to her belly, letting her feel the solid weight, praying my warmth will bleed through

I remember that she’s not only a woman who’s been deeply scarred by her past, but also one

you were. Sweetheart, you remember how angry and unreasonable I was at the time.” I remind her, biting back a smile. “I couldn’t fake that if I tried, nor is it how any sane human would act if they wanted to draw someone into a trap.” I forge

complete. Of course, the more she unwinds, the closer she comes to falling apart. Soon her tears are falling freely, and she looks utterly ashamed of herself. “I’m sorry, I know I’m being crazy.” She hiccups. “I don’t even know why I said those

person.” I tease gently, reflexively pulling her closer, trying to

outrage, and she pushes my hands away. “I’m not jealous!” She