Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 155

Ella

When I walk into breakfast the next morning, I have to try and hide my wince as I sit down. My bottom is sore and stings when it meets the chair, but the bite of pain also sends a pulse of heat through my body, calling up the memories of what came next.

I feel my mate’s eyes on me, and when I look up, Sinclair is watching me with a knowing smirk. He looks so wolfish in this moment that I find myself wondering how I ever thought he was anything but a ruthless predator. Is there a problem, trouble? He asks in my head.

I don’t know what you’re talking about. I sniff, turning my nose up at him.

This earns only a smug chuckle in reply, and I have to fight to hide my blush. “Well you two certainly found each other.” The king observes warmly. “You’d think there wasn’t anyone else in the room.”

Feeling a spark of inspiration, I jolt, “Oh, your majesty, when did you get here?” The entire table laughs, and Sinclair slides his hand onto my thigh, sending zings of pure affection through our bond.

“Please call me Gabriel, Ella. There are no formalities in my household.” The King replies, smiling widely. “How did you sleep last night?”

“Very well.” I answer happily, and the steady weight of Sinclair’s hand shifts as his fingers begin to trace circles on my inner thigh.

As we continue making small talk he slides his hands even higher, slipping right up my skirt between my legs. No one would ever know from looking at him that he’s doing anything under the table, but he can barely smother his hungry growl when he realizes I’m not wearing panties. Going commando, you bad girl?

I didn’t intend to, but when I tried putting on my panties the fabric just irritated my… skin. It’s a struggle even to get the words out. I can feel my skin heating with excitement and embarrassment, shocked by my own daring. I can’t believe he’s touching me this way with so many people around us, when we could be discovered at any moment.

Oh come on, Sinclair teases, circling my clit. You can do better than that.

My heart rate is increasing, and I’m sure the others can hear it, surely Sinclair isn’t going to actually continue this teasing. If it goes on much longer everyone will be able to smell my desire. Before I can think to reply, the King speaks again, pulling our attention away from one another. “I do hope you’ll join our tour of the city today, now that you’re off bed rest.”

“I can’t wait.” I answer honestly. I’d been jealous when he first offered to take our group around today and show us the capital, assuming that I wouldn’t be able to join. Now I can’t wait. After everything we’ve been through, we could use some normalcy – even if it’s only for a day.

“You’ll have to take notes of your favorite things so you can tell me all about them later.” He tells me, and I blink in surprise.

“You mean you aren’t coming?” I clarify, my wolf whining with unhappiness. He sends back a silent purr, and I lash out at the comforting sound.

“I wish I could, sweetheart.” Sinclair frowns. “But I have too much work to do. The news last night… things are even worse than I feared.”

“I know everything is terrible, Dominic. I was just excited to spend the day with you.” I reply, giving him my best puppy dog eyes. “When was the last time we got to be out together without the campaign looming over us, have we ever?”

Sinclair’s wolf groans in my head. “Don’t give me that look, baby. I can’t stand it.” His hand goes still, retreating from my intimate flesh to rest on my thigh. “Every minute counts here. Every second we waste is another moment the people in the united pack suffer. Mere minutes could be the difference between life and death for too many to count.”

“But you can’t help them if you burn out, Dominic.” I argue, recalling the wave of appreciation he’d sent to me last night just before we fell asleep. I’m fully embracing my duty to help my mate decompress and find small ways to feel in control amidst chaos.

“Your mate is right, Dom.” Gabriel echoes, “You all have been through far too much. You need to take a breather so that you can come back for your people stronger than ever.”

Sinclair looks as though he doesn’t like this idea one bit. His face closes off, and I can feel his stubborn wolf digging in his heels. “I appreciate what you’re both saying, and I can even acknowledge that there’s some truth in it. But being able to disconnect is a privilege the Moon Valley wolves simply don’t have right now, and I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I did when they need me most.”