idental Surrogate For Alpha Novel Chapter 17
Some of my confidence has waned on the ride home. Sinir has been so mysterious about this scent
marking business, and I don’t like the way he keeps looking at me – as if I’m some prey to be
devoured.
There’s still so much I don’t understand about this word, like how carrying his child can make me smell
more like a wolf myself, or how someone can leave a mark which must be sensed and smelled, rather
than seen with the naked eye. Not for the first time, I’m jealous of shifters’ heightened abilities. The
more time that passes, the more enchanted I am by the idea of transforming, of letting out one’s inner
animal and being truly wild and free. I don’t know why I like the idea so much – it’s not like I have an
inner animal to release, so I’m not actually missing out.
“You look nervous.” Sinir observes, resting one proprietary hand on my knee as the car speeds
along. Of course, his touch only makes me more antsy.
“You can fix that.” I suggest, “it doesn’t have to be a surprise.”
“True, but it’s much more fun this way.” He smirks.
“Fun for you maybe.” I mutter mutinously. “Besides, if you want your scent to be strongest tomorrow,
shouldn’t we wait?”
“And deprive myself of the opportunity to do it a second time?” He arches a brow, “why on earth would I
do that?”
“I…” I don’t know what to make of this. If he were anyone else I’d think he was flirting with me, but
that’s not possible. Wolves and humans don’t mix. Maybe he simply enjoys teasing me, like a cat
toying with a mouse. He certainly enjoys making me squirm. I realize this must be the reason, and
suddenly I find myself feeling very indignant. I don’t like the idea of being some ything to the hungry
predator. I narrow my eyes at him. “Maybe I won’t let you.” I decide.
The hand on my knee tightens, but not enough to hurt. “What was rule number one, little human?”
“That I should be as rxed and happy through my pregnancy, so you shouldn’t be making me
nervous.” I reason, knowing full well he expects me to confirm that he – as Alpha – is in charge.
“You forget I have a link straight to our pup, I know when you’re stressed, and when you’re just making
mischief.” Sinir rumbles. “But if you want more justification for doing it often, it’s to avoid scenes like
what just happened. If people can’t see your shoulder and also smell me on you very powerfully, they
can be fooled into thinking I have marked you. We can give the mating ceremony excuse to those who
ask, but it would be better to avoid the questions altogether.”
A little whileter, Sinir is standing in front of me in my room, looking so powerful and attractive I’m
almost too distracted to hear him speak. “Take off your clothes.” He instructs.
“What, all of them?” I squeak.
“You can keep your underwear on, but it’s better if we’re skin-to-skin.” He says, unbuttoning his own
shirt.
I watch with wide eyes as he strips down to his boxer-briefs, taking in the sight of his muscr body
and feeling my jaw go ck. I’ve never seen anyone so rugged and chiseled.
“Do I need to take them off for you?” He asks, arching a brow and stepping forward.
“What? No!” I yelp, reminding myself that he’s already seen me in my bra and panties. Taking a deep
breath, I carefully lift my dress over my head, bracing myself for whatever is toe next.
_________________
Standing beside Sinir in a ball gown, done up from head to toe in makeup, jewelry and heels, it
seems hard to believe Sinir was rubbing his mostly naked body all over me an hour ago. Scent
marking – I’ve learned – is a deeply intimate act, one that confuses me more than I care to admit.
Yesterday when he marked me the first time, he took it slow and exined every step of the process,
making sure I understood why it was so important to impart his scent on every inch of my body. This
second time, however, waspletely different. There were no exnations, no soothing caresses for
my frazzled nerves. He came to me with a mission in mind, and slowly, sensuously covered me in his
pheromones. If he noticed my body’s response to his attentions – my aching breasts and liquid arousal,
he gave no indication.
Now those feelings are long gone, as we’re finally at the campaign dinner I’ve been preparing for non-
stop over thest 48 hours. Sinir quizzed me in the car on the way over, testing my knowledge of
shifter society and nodding with approval when I smoothly answered each of his prompts. He hasn’t
said a word otherwise, which tells me just how much tension he’s carrying in anticipation of the event.
When we arrive at an incredible pce, I can’t keep my jaw from dropping to the floor. “I’ve never seen
such a beautiful estate.”
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“This is where our pup will be raised if my campaign is sessful.” He shares, “The King’s Pce.”
“Why is the current King stepping down?” I ask as we climb the marble stairs, mostly trying to distract
myself from all the shing cameras and reporters screaming out to get Sinir’s attention.
“Alpha Dominic, over here!”
“Alpha Dominic, who’s your date?”
“It wasn’t his choice.” Sinir shares. “He’s getting old and is no longer the strongest among us. The
alpha council voted to force him to abdicate.”
“Does he not have heirs of his own?” I question, trying my best to smile and wave at the crowd vying
for attention around us.
“His eldest son is my biggestpetition – and he would be a disaster.” Sinir intimates, ducking his
head low enough that his lips brush the shell of my ear. “You’re doing brilliantly by the way – look at
them all, eating out of the palm of your hand.”
I giggle quietly, feeling a wave of appreciation for the support. Normally I would be beside myself with
nerves to walk into a room like this, surrounded by rich and powerful people – shifters. However next to
Sinir, the tant stares and avid attention doesn’t bother me. I feel confident by his side, even as I’m
bowled over by his raw power. I didn’t realize how much of it he keeps reined in on a day-to-day basis.
Now however I can feel it viscerally, flowing off of him in a riptide of authority.
Before I know it, we’ve left the reporters behind and are crossing the ballroom to a pair of thrones at the
end of a great hall. The throngs of people part to let us pass, and I have to admit – I do feel like royalty.
No one has ever shown me so much respect or admiration.
I’m still reveling in the attention we’re drawing when we stop in front of the King and Queen. They’re
both incredibly impressive. The king’s hair is streaked with gray, but he still has an air of
unquestionable strength. His Luna is lovely and dignified, with features that hint to great beauty in her
younger years.
Sinir nods to each of them, while I dip into a curtsy. “Alpha Dominic,” The king greets Sinir with a
smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Dare I say you’ve finally found a mate?”
“That’s right.” Sinir announces, loudly enough for all to hear. “And the Goddess has blessed us with
a pup.”
“Well I must say you have excellent taste. You, my dear, are an incredible beauty.” The Luna smiles, no
more genuinely than her husband. “Congrattions to you both!”
The announcement prompts a rush of supporters to gather around us both, and before I even realize
it’s happened, Sinir is no longer beside me, we’re separated by a few people, but I can still see him,
so I try not to panic. “You must tell us your name!” A small throng of women gush in front of me.
“I’m E.” I share, unsure whether I should use my own surname, or his. “Soon to be Sinir.” I lie,
deciding to stick with our cover.
They squeal with excitement, and more people swirl around me, until atst I’m faced by an imposing
looking man. He’s watching me sharply, almost with suspicion. “Tell me, E, where are you from? How
is it we’ve never seen you before?”
“Ie from the Shadow Pack, in the north.” I exin, repeating the lie Sinir and I agreed upon. “I
was in town visiting my cousin when I met Sinir, and the rest is history.”
“Oh, what cousin?” He asks, zeroing in on the detail.
“Aileen Corentin.” I bluff, smiling widely.
“As in the wife of Dominic’s beta?” He presses. “And you only met him recently?”
“Yes – our families are deeply estranged. Bad blood you know, divided allegiances and all that.” I
exin. “I only recently learned I had a cousin here, but once I did I reached out so we could meet.”
“Hmm,” He murmurs thoughtfully. “Still you must have been here some time, if you’re already
breeding.”
“Not long at all.” I correct him, “but you know how it is when you find the one… or maybe you don’t. I
didn’t believe in love at first sight myself, until I found Dominic.” I beam towards the man in question,
trying to look as if I’m head over heels in love.
It must have worked, because he excuses himself and slips away into the crowd, a thoughtful
expression on his face.
I watch him stride away, hoping Sinir will return to my side soon. I can’t exin why, but I feel that
wasn’t thest I’ll see of that man, and I don’t want to be alone the next time he finds me.