Accidental Surrogate for Alpha novel Chapter 34

Ella

I wake up alone in bed, and promptly rush to the restroom to empty the contents of my stomach. When I finally emerge, I find Aileen waiting for me, a breakfast tray in her hands and a kind smile on her face. “How are you doing, my love?”

“I am thankful my baby is growing big and strong.” I recite, clutching my belly and repeating the same mantra I keep employing whenever the morning sickness or mood swings act up.

Aileen chuckles, “but you feel like hell?” She guesses.

I nod pitifully, and Aileen offers me a steaming cup of tea. “Here, have some of this. When I was carrying my pips nothing banished the sickness better.” I take a sip of the herbal brew, sighing happily as warmth fills me up from the inside out. “That’s it.” Aileen encourages. “I can already see some color coming back into your cheeks.”

“More Luna lessons today?” I guess, thanking her kindness with a wide smile and a squeeze of her soft hands.

“And not a moment too soon.” She reports, “We shouldn’t have put it off this long with the holidays coming up so soon, but Dominic wanted to give you time to rest.”

“The holidays?” I repeat, the wheels slowly turning over in my mind. Her words take a moment to sink in, I’m so ravenous after going to bed without supper that it’s all I can do not to shove my face full of the cream scones and raspberry jam laid out on the breakfast tray. “Of course,” I eventually murmur, “It hadn’t even occurred to me that if you have your own gods you’d have your own holidays and traditions.”

Aileen smiles kindly. “It’s alright, this is all a lot to take in, but we don’t have much time to waste either. The Winter Solstice is next week, and you are going to be very busy, my dear.”

I know enough about ancient pagan traditions to know that the Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year, but beyond that I’m fairly clueless about how werewolves might celebrate the occasion. “What happens at the Winter Solstice?”

“Well, it’s all about honoring nature and the goddess, rebirth, transformations and new beginnings – finding light in the dark half of the year. It’s really beautiful. The week before the solstice day is seven days straight of different festivals and activities, I’ve got a calendar around her somewhere.” She adds, moving back towards the breakfast tray and searching through the contents. “It’s all wonderful: bonfires, drinking and dancing, parading through the streets and decorating the city, lighting candles, giving gifts. Then there’s feasts and rituals, and it all culminates in a grand ball at the Royal Palace.”

Her words ring a few bells in my mind. I’ve always known there are exclusive parties and festivals in the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods, but I always assumed they were for the human holiday celebrations, not anything supernatural. I’ve never attended because I’ve never had the money or access to such entertainment, but it also sounds like Aileen is talking about events far more extensive than the few of which I’m aware.

“A ball?” I repeat, latching onto her last comment. “Like… an actual ball?”

“I take it you’ve never been to one?” Aileen surmises, arching a brow.

I simply laugh, “When would i have ever had the opportunity? The only humans who have them are rich and famous!”

“I see,” Aileen muses. “Well, I knew I was going to have to teach you our dances, but I suppose we’ll have to be a bit more thorough regarding etiquette and the like.”

I remember the dances Sinclair showed me at the shifter club, and my heart begins to pound. “What kind of dances?

“Nothing like what you’re thinking.” Aileen assures me. “I swear they’re all perfectly tasteful.”

“And the festivals and rituals?” I gulp, remembering Sinclair’s teasing about humans being prudish and repressed.

“Now they can get a bit scandalous, but I promise Sinclair will be with you every step of the way.” She promises.

Sure, I think, a bitter taste in my mouth. I’ve heard that before. Before I can say anything of the sort or ask any additional questions, Aileen abruptly stops rustling through the tray, “Aha! Here it is!” She offers me a sheet of parchment, and I look down at the page with trepidation and awe.

Moon Valley Solstice Festival Schedule of Events

Night 1: Bonfire Night - Wulver Hill

Night 2: Solstice Procession - Old Town