Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 247

#Chapter 247 – Kieran Shares Something Unexpected

Ella

Dinner is a tense affair.

I wish I could say it’s clear whether or not our efforts with this summit are paying off, but all of these Alphas play their cards so close to their chests – well, all except Kieran. The Storm Forest Alpha spends the evening glaring at everyone around him, even his own men. I’m beginning to think that there isn’t any way for us to win him over and that we should focus our attention elsewhere – on the Alpha’s we can form alliances with. Still, I understand that excluding him might make his animosity towards our cause even greater.

I ponder my conversation with Sinclair, wondering if Kieran is actively betraying us. Has he told Damon that my mate still lives? Is he planning on helping him attempt another assassination? I don’t believe he cares about people beyond his pack or perhaps beyond Vanara, but I didn’t believe he was stupid. It’s one thing to refuse to join forces with us, and another entirely to make a suicide pact with a madman – for that’s surely what joining Damon would mean.

Of course, I’ve been wrong before. Sinclair believes he’s hiding something, and I have to admit the Alpha’s behavior is suspect. So my only mission tonight is to persuade Kieran to come clean, and I know exactly how I’m going to do it.

I start with simple observation, knowing just how uncomfortable persistent and unwanted attention can be to one with a guilty conscience. I don’t hide the fact that I’m watching him. Every time Kieran looks up and finds my eyes on him, I stare with the same expression I’ve always used for misbehaving children. It’s not threatening or cold, rather deliberate and dismayed. It says: I know what you’ve done and I’m already disappointed, don’t make things worse by lying to me.

I begin sprinkling bait into my conversations as well, which isn’t difficult when all the delegates want to debrief about their excursion today. “It was absolutely sickening.” The Black Alder is saying next to me. “I’ve never seen so many people in so much pain.” He’s looking at me with wide eyed sincerity, eager to hear my perspective. They all are – being a child of the Goddess has its benefits.

“And to think the person inflicting all that horror is the one who is meant to protect them.” I sigh, shaking my head sadly. “It’s the worst kind of betrayal. What kind of Alpha could possibly stomach harming so many shifters, let alone those in his care?”

“But it wasn’t only shifters!” The Silver Dawn Alpha pipes up. “The human settlements were even worse.”

I pretend like this is news to me, though my pain and outrage over the details they share are completely genuine. “You see, this is why we have to stop thinking about our peoples as separate. Damon doesn’t care who he hurts, and if some of us suffer then we all do. If we only help the shifters and leave the humans behind, then those settlements you saw today will only grow. The people will see that we only care for our own kind – they will see us prosper while they languish, and they will hate us for it.” I scan the faces around me, taking my attention off of Kieran only long enough to argue my case.

“When I first learned about shifters, Dominic explained to me that he doesn’t lead because he wants to. He does it because his power is a grave responsibility – he has the strength to spare, so he’s obligated to lend it to those in need. This is the same principle. Vanara has the power and strength that all those beings fleeing the war, and everyone who remains trapped under Damon’s thumb, lack.” Sinclair has one arm slung over the back of my chair, and his fingers trace circles on my upper arm, encouraging me to continue.