Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 15

Ella

“What!” I exclaim, unable to wrap my head around this idea. “But I’m not ready!”

“You will be.” He promises. “Aileen will keep working with you tomorrow, and then we’ll go shopping so you can look the part. It’s only a meal, no one is going to be quizzing you on werewolf politics.”

“I don’t know.” I fret, “what if I say the wrong thing?”

“I’ll be with you the whole time.” Sinclair vows. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you put your foot in your mouth.”

This does make me feel better, but I’m still woefully far from feeling confident in my ability to pass as a completely different species. “Can’t we wait a little while?” I request anxiously. “I promise I’ll never miss another event, I just need a little more time.”

“Ella, the elections are in three months.” Sinclair says softly. “We don’t have much time to waste. Very few people change their minds at the last moment. My image has been marked with controversy from day one because I don’t have a family.”

“I don’t understand, why is that so controversial if the King is something people vote on. It’s not like having an heir is going to decide the future of succession.”

“Because it’s not about succession. It’s about personal stability. Unmated Alphas are viewed as being more temperamental and aggressive. If I have a mate and a pup however, people will view me as more grounded and cautious.” Sinclair explains.

“Is that true?” I ask, “that unmated alphas are wilder?”

Sinclair grimaces but nods, “To a degree, yes. Some men are more or less aggressive naturally, but it makes a difference when you have someone to take care of – someone who might be harmed if anything happened to you.”

“Okay, so you’re saying it has to be tomorrow?” I surmise, “the sooner you turn your image around, the better.”

“That’s right.” Sinclair agrees. “As long as you’re well enough, I need you there.”

“And you promise you won’t leave my side?” I question.

“You have my word.” He vows.

“Okay then.” I concur, not feeling half as confident as I sound.

The doctor – who by now has finished his exam – steps out, leaving me with Sinclair to change clothes before we check out. However Sinclair doesn’t leave, he stays in the exam room as if he expects me to change in front of him.

“Aren’t you going to…?” I trail off, hoping he’ll pick up on my train of thought without me saying more.

“To what?” He asks, a knowing smile on his handsome face.

“I can’t change in front of you.” I protest, my cheeks going bright pink. “I’m only wearing underwear beneath this thing.”

His brow furrows, but there’s a devious glint to his intense eyes which makes me think he knows exactly what I mean. “Human modesty.” He clucks his tongue and shakes his head. “So prudish, you’ll see soon enough, wolves aren’t nearly as repressed.”

“I’m not a prude! Or repressed!” I defend hotly, climbing down from the table and regretting it instantly. A second ago I was equal to Sinclair in height, now he towers over me. .

“The Goddess made our bodies perfect as they are, why would we hide them?” He questions silkily, the same devilish smile on his face.

Narrowing my eyes at the big man, I grumble, “fine.” Whipping the gown off over my head, I stomp over to the corner where I left my clothes neatly folded. I tug them on quickly, but not so quickly that Sinclair will think I’m embarrassed about being exposed before him. When I turn back, he looks mildly impressed.

“I didn’t think you’d actually go through with it.” He confesses. “But I’m sure glad you did.”

I notch my chin up defiantly. “I don’t back down that easily. You might have seven senses or whatever, but it will take more than that to figure me out.”

His smirk only grows as he closes the distance between us, invading my space with his powerful presence. “I can’t wait.”