Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 153

Ella

“Won’t you come to bed?” I inquire, leaning over Sinclair’s back and wrapping my arms around his neck. “You need to rest.”

My mate is sitting at his computer drafting emails and marching orders, secret correspondences to his allies and spies across the continent. He’s been trying to figure out some way to get a message to the people of the united packs, to let them know we’re alive and will not forsake them. So far the best plan we’ve come up with are for willing rebels to post bulletins and spray paint messages throughout the various cities, as well as anti-authoritarian propaganda. No one likes the idea of civilians endangering themselves in order to get the word out, but we don’t have much choice. This is a whole new world we’re living in.

“In a while.” Sinclair murmurs, rubbing his scruffy jaw against my cheek before turning to kiss me. My wolf is reaching out to his, trying to get a sense of his emotions, but she just keeps coming up against a brick wall. “You go get some sleep, baby.”

“But I want to sleep with you.” I complain, not even caring that I’m whining. I know I can’t help Sinclair unless he lets me, and I’ll stoop to any low in order to convince him.

“I know, trouble. I’ll be there soon.” He replies, kissing me again. “I just want to finish a few things up first.”

I begrudgingly agree, and slink off towards the sumptuous bed – my new nest – and climb inside. It doesn’t feel right without my mate, and I realize that I associate Sinclair with safety the same way he does with me. Our wolves don’t feel content unless they’re together. I decide to try to call him to me in a dream, wondering if this will make him fall asleep. Instead I fall into a fitful spell of dreams searching for my mate, only to be let down when I cannot find him time after time.

Eventually I wake again, and as I blink my eyes open and reach for Sinclair, I realize I’m still alone in bed. I glance at the clock, seeing that it’s almost three in the morning – four hours since I went to bed. I climb out of my nest and groggily stumble towards the door. As soon as it opens I hear the distant buzz of a video, though I’m not sure what’s happening in the feed. It sounds like scenes from a war zone, and I follow the sound with growing worry.

Sinclair is sitting on the couch with his laptop on the table before him, his attention focused entirely on the screen. I follow his gaze and see a very grainy video playing, of the Royal Army pouring through the streets of Moon Valley, forcing people out of their homes for interrogations and tests of allegiance to the former Prince… now Emperor. It doesn’t look like high quality news footage, and I slowly understand that this video has been taken in secret.

“What’s going on?” I murmur, rubbing my eyes.

“He’s shut down all the media outlets.” Sinclair responds, reaching out for me. I happily go to him, pouring myself into his lap and snuggling in. “He’s setting up his own state run news agency to spread his propaganda, and the people are risking their lives to get the word out.” As we watch, the shifter taking the video gets the attention of one of the soldiers, who storms over demanding to see what they’re filming. The soldier raises his fist and then the video turns to black and white static.

My stomach pitches and rolls as I realize the implications of this development. My wolf howls with the knowledge that these are members of our own pack, suffering terrible abuses and without anyone to protect them. I can only imagine how much worse this feels for my mate, even though he’s shielding me from actually feeling it.

“Please don’t shut me out, Dominic.” I beg, peering up at his stony face. “I know you’re hurting and I want to help. Don’t push me away.”

Sinclair purrs, dragging his lips over my brow. “I know you want to help, sweetheart. The problem is that there isn’t anything to be done. This isn’t going to get better until I find a way to make things right, and I’m afraid that won’t happen for some time.”

“You can still talk to me, let me support you.” I encourage. “I’m your mate, that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

Sinclair shakes his head with a low groan.“You’ve got enough to deal with, without me dumping my problems onto you as well.”

“But your problems are my problems.” I argue. “We’re in this together.”