Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 206

Ella

When I wake I’m in my nest, hooked up to about a dozen machines and wracking my brains for some explanation of how I got here. Of course… the moment my memory kicks in, I wish it hadn’t. My wolf howls in my head, but I shut out the tumultuous emotions threatening to consume me. It might not be healthy, but if there’s one thing I’m good at – it’s repressing feelings.

I clench my eyes shut. “It’s not real, it’s not real.” I insist to the empty room, reflexively tracing the outline of my womb. “Are you alright, little one?” I squeak, wondering if my pain is about to multiply by a million.

The baby flutters and sends feelings of sleepy confusion through our bond, and the tightness in my heart eases a bit. He’s okay. I tell my whining wolf, but we both know she’s not just worried for the baby’s sake.

They’re both okay. My wolf assures me, sounding surprisingly confident for all her nervous whimpering. I don’t care what anyone says. We would feel it if he was gone. I would feel it.

But what if he’s too far away? I ask, hating myself for the kernel of doubt currently sitting in my stomach like a boulder.

I would still know. She insists. Trust me, no amount of distance could fool me. Our bond is in tact, just out of reach.

Then why are you so worried, I can feel how feral you are. I remind her, praying she’s right and that this isn’t simply bravado.

Because he’s out there alone somewhere and someone just tried to kill him… they succeeded in killing all his men. She answers, and I can feel the truth in her words.

As if we don’t know who’s responsible. I growl fiercely. This is Damon’s doing. I don’t know how he managed it, but I will not rest until that bastard is six feet in the ground. Too late I realized I growled out loud, and a man’s voice breaks through our private conversation.

“Oh good, you’re up.” The palace doctor is standing in the doorway, looking at me with the pitying expression of someone who wants to be sensitive but doesn’t know how. “You gave us quite the scare, Ella.”

Well at least he didn’t call us Your Highness. My wolf remarks dryly, noting the trend that far too many of the Vanarans and refugees have recently adopted.

“What happened?” I ask, my hands still resting on my belly. “Is my pup alright?”

“You had what is called a hypertensive crisis.” He answers evenly. “At times of extreme stress, your blood pressure can skyrocket to very dangerous levels. In your case it triggered false labor and a dizzy spell which thankfully caused you to pass out before your heart or child could be harmed.” He explains. “We’ve got you hooked up to an IV to get some fluids into your system, and it also allows us to administer anxiety medications and sedatives as efficiently as possible.”

“Do I have to go back onto bed rest?” I question worriedly.

“For the time being.” He confirms. “I’m very worried about you, Ella. High blood pressure is very dangerous during pregnancy and you’re under far too much stress. I know the doctors in Moon Valley diagnosed you with preeclampsia, and when you arrived here we thought that the condition had been mitigated by your wolf waking. But based on the numbers I’m seeing, you’re at risk of the condition returning. We need to get your stress levels under control.”

“That’s easier said than done.” I answer sullenly. “We’re at war… and my mate…” I know if I tell him that Sinclair isn’t dead he’ll just think I’m in denial, but I can’t bring myself to lie either.

“I was very sorry to hear about Alpha Dominic.” The doctor tells me sympathetically. “I know it’s hardly a comfort, but his death is a huge loss for all shifter kind.”