Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 169

Ella

“Ella, why are we doing this?” Cora inquires in exasperation, her legs treading the steaming water of the palace baths.

“Because I’m avoiding Dominic and water is the only way I know to hide my scent.” I answer primly, swimming around her in circles. I’m wearing a borrowed swimsuit, and I’d even showered with Cora’s soap and worn her clothes on the way here – anything to try and disguise my scent.

I then persuaded Gabriel to show me some of the hidden passages in the Royal residence so that Sinclair couldn’t track me through the halls, and as far as I know my mate doesn’t even know these baths exist. They’re a relic from a bygone era, when it had been in fashion to bathe socially rather than in private. I wouldn’t know about them if I hadn’t asked. Luckily the King seems so amused by my schemes that he hasn’t shown any reluctance to help me, regardless of his friendship with my mate.

“This is silly,” Cora complains, rolling her big brown eyes. “He can’t make you forgive him if you’re not ready.”

I snort with laughter, rubbing my belly and sharing my amusement with my unborn pup. “Try telling that to an Alpha.” I retort wryly. “As far as Dominic is concerned he can declare our fight over and sex me into complacency.”

“I still don’t see why you should have to hide. I mean he might think that but it’s not like it could actually work…” She trails off, studying me closely. “Right?”

“Well not the way you mean.” I admit flushing deep pink. “It’s not like it would change my feelings or make me forget why I’m upset, but I also won’t be able to resist him.” I confess, heat pooling in my belly at the very thought. “He has this power over me, Cora. Even though I want to stay angry because I feel in my bones that I’m right, part of me still wants him to find me, because he’s my mate and it’s right that he should.” She still looks confused, so I continue, “It’s a mark of his power, proof that I don’t ever have to worry about being lost because he’ll always find me. And it’s the same with sex… I respond to his dominance on an instinctual level, and when he employs it against me… I don’t stand a chance – which I hate but also secretly love.”

“So if he does figure out you’re here and drag you off like a caveman, you’ll cave?” Cora surmises, shaking her head. “My lionhearted sister? No, I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it,” I sigh mournfully. “I’ll be putty in his hands and afterwards I’ll be all sated and sleepy and he’ll start sweet talking me… and the next thing you know I’ll be cuddling up to him instead of kicking him out of bed to sleep on the couch where he belongs.”

“That sounds diabolical.” Cora frowns, sharing my indignation with such ruthless tactics.

“Just you wait.” I chuckle,“If you don’t find a way to dissuade Roger you’ll be in the same boat soon.”

“No, actually I think he got the message.” Cora denies, and an image flashes into my mind of an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. “He hasn’t made a move or mentioned it again.”

I can only scoff, “It was just yesterday, Cora.” Briefly I wonder if I’m making things better or worse by warning her. The more I’ve considered it, the more I think a wolf like Roger might be good for my sister, and if she knows what’s coming she’ll be prepared. She’ll also probably resist her feelings all the more, which will egg his wolf on like nothing else. “I guarantee he didn’t give up that quickly. In fact, the more quiet things are the more worried I’d be. Knowing wolves he’ll wait until the very moment you think you’re safe before jumping out and snatching you up.”

“Very well put, mate.” Sinclair’s rumbling voice sounds behind us, and Cora and I both jump a foot into the air. I don’t know how he managed to sneak up on us, when I’m as attuned to his scent as I am, but damned if he didn’t find a way. Cora and I swim to the other side of the pool, determined to make a break for it, but Sinclair is too fast. He’s there waiting when I reach the water’s edge, and before I can consider turning to race away in the opposite direction he plucks me out of the sunken bath.

“Dominic, let me go! This isn’t fair.” I object, wriggling and writhing in his arms.

“I disagree.” He purrs with dark amusement. “These were your terms baby, you set the challenge and I rose to it. And before you try to pretend otherwise, you should know I can feel how satisfied your wolf is. She knows this is the way it’s supposed to be.”