Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 146

Ella

Dominic, I’m scared. I confess, speaking through our bond. It hadn’t been easy to convince him to let me join the press conference, since I’m technically still supposed to be on bed rest. My blood pressure was still too high when we checked it this afternoon, but it remains to be seen whether that’s because of my condition or the stress of the pack finding out about our lies. I’ve been hoping that the preeclampsia was just a side effect of my wolf being trapped, but what good will that do if our lives fall apart the moment she’s freed?

I know, baby. Sinclair purrs, rubbing my back. ButI’ve got you. I’m going to take care of you no matter what happens.

I nuzzle his chest, finding that spot where his scent is the strongest and pressing my nose to it. I breathe in his wonderful scent, taking comfort in his presence and powerful embrace. I know. I tell him, my wolf rising to the surface and taking control of my words, cuz I have the strongest mate in the whole wide world… so handsome, so powerful and caring.

Sinclair’s warm chuckle fills my head, and for one blissful moment, I forget why I was upset in the first place. Sinclair is like a ray of sunshine on the darkest day, and that sensation only gets stronger the deeper our connection grows. I am still falling for this man, I realize with surprise. Despite the fact that I keep thinking I couldn’t possibly fall any deeper in love with him, my heart continues to prove me wrong. It seems like every time I think I’ve reached the bottom of the well, it falls away and introduces me to a new layer of complexity and emotion.

Silly mate, Sinclair murmurs, and I realize I’ve been unintentionally projecting my thoughts at him again. I feel myself beginning to blush, but when I look up at him, there’s only profound understanding on his rugged features. Don’t you realize there is no limit – no end to this bond? We’re going to keep falling harder and deeper every day together, and we have a lifetime to learn all the different ways we can adore each other.

My heart melts as his words hit home, and I squeeze his middle tightly. It probably feels like nothing to him, but I’m using all my strength. I want him to feel the sheer force of my appreciation for him, and he doesn’t leave me hanging. I feel it, trouble. Don’t worry. If I were an outsider observing us right now, I’d probably think we were silly – drunk on our own romance… and maybe we are, but I can’t bring myself to care because I’m not on the outside looking in. This is my life and I’ll be damned if I’m going to deny myself this joy – not when I’ve worked so hard and been through so much to reach this place.

The baby flutters in my womb, and his own happiness in response to our lovey dovey exchange fills me with hope and optimism. We can get through this. I decide, taking strength from my pup and his father. I don’t even have to worry about explaining my train of thought to Sinclair, because I’m sure he’s felt every step of my feelings journey through our bond. This press conference is just another bump in the road, if we can survive rogue attacks and kidnappings, we can survive a few reporters.

I pull back when Sinclair doesn’t respond. I can still feel his outpouring of love, but I realize I can’t sense how he’s feeling about the imminent conference. Dominic? I ask hesitantly. Am I wrong? Does he think his campaign won’t be able to recover from this?

We’re going to fight. He tells me, implying his doubts without actually admitting them. If they want to take down our campaign, we’re not going to make it easy for them… and no matter what happens, we’ll get through it. I’ll keep you safe Ella.

I feel myself tremble with unease, despite my faith in my mate. If he’s anxious enough to hide it from me, we must be in more trouble than I realized. Hugo walks in, his grave expression only increasing my worry. “It’s time.”