Accidental Surrogate for Alpha Chapter 106: Caught

Ella

I don’t let the change slow me down. This is a dream after all – of course magical things are possible. I can move so much faster on four legs, and if I still had the ability to laugh aloud I’m sure I’d be overflowing with euphoric giggles. Instead I howl gleefully into the chill air, leaping over the fallen branches and rocks dotting the forest floor. I’m free, I’m free!!! The voice in my head cries, loping gracefully through the wintry landscape, determined to never stop.

A deep, familiar howl sends me stumbling. I was so thrilled to transform that I almost forgot about Sinclair. I suppose my own howl tipped him off. It wasn’t meant to – I was only celebrating. My conscience pouts.

I know, but now he’s onto us. I think quickly. We have to move.

I don’t know why it’s so important that I don't let Sinclair catch me, but right now the only thought in my head is to get away. I have to make it as difficult for him as possible… for some reason. That’s no problem, my inner voice brags, now that I’m free he’ll have his work cut out for him. He might be big, but I’m fast.

Then let’s go! I insist, spurring her on. Within seconds we’re galloping through the snow, even faster than before. Somewhere in the back of my mind it occurs to me to cover my tracks, but I realize Sinclair will be following my scent anyway. It’s hard for me to focus on him – as distracting as he usually is – my heart is soaring and for once it has nothing to do with the Alpha. I can’t believe I thought I’d felt free on the night of the hunt. I’m beginning to realize I didn’t even know the meaning of the word until now.

My paws, paws, can you believe it!? splash through the ice of a frozen creek, but I carry on without a care in the world. After all, wolves don’t have to worry about silly things like frostbite – I even have fur between my toes! The fur and tail aren’t the only things that are different though. This might only be a dream forest, but I’m seeing the woods like I never have before. The darkness is no longer dim, and I don’t have to squint to make out distant, blurry shapes. It seems like I can see for miles! The entire world is now in high definition, and my glowing eyes notice things my human eyes would never have caught – like the slight scratches in a nearby tree where a raccoon must have been climbing.

I can hear everything too! I’m not sure if it’s the voice in my head, or my inner child exclaiming now – but she’s right. I can hear the distant pounding of Sinclair’s feet, the low calls of owls flying overhead, and even mice and rabbits burrowing in the ground beneath my feet, with all their clicks and tiny squeaks. Then there are the smells – both good and bad. I don’t know how I’m able to recognize the scent of a deer a mile away, or the rushing water in the creek (who knew water had a smell!). Sinclair’s smell is more familiar, but it’s doing things to this form which are nothing short of scandalous. The stronger it becomes, the more my insides seem to turn to mush, and wetness pools between my legs.

Too late, I realize why his scent has grown so strong.

He’s caught up. One moment I’m flying through the night like a wild thing, the next I’m skidding to a stop when he bursts out of the trees ahead of me. I – what! How did you do that?! I demand.

To my amazement, his own voice rings in my head, Because, sweet Ella, I’m a hunter. I know how to drive my prey into a trap without them knowing. Besides, He adds, his deep rumble softening with affection, You were too caught up reveling in the fact that water has a smell to notice.

How do you know that? I inquire suspiciously, not sure how I’m managing to communicate with him.

You were shouting it at the top of your lungs. He informs me smugly.

Hmph. I narrow my eyes at the cocky Alpha, trying not to think about how powerful he is in this form – how majestic. My body is urging me towards him like we’re a pair of magnets, but my wolf isn’t ready to give up. We’re not done running yet, and if he wants to catch us, he’s going to have to do more than stage an ambush. I lunge towards the trees on my left, but Sinclair bounds forward in a single, graceful leap. He’s blocking my path, so I try to lunge in the opposite direction. To my fury he manages to block me again.

Glaring at him, I glance at his massive body, realizing that his legs are so long that I could probably slide right beneath him. Pure mischief fills me to the brim, and I pretend to timidly approach him. Sinclair isn’t convinced, watching me with the same ravenous hunger he always manages to evoke in his human form.

I’ve almost reached him when I dive between his legs, sliding on my belly through the snow and thanking the goddess for the slight slope which lets me slip right between his proverbial fingers. Overjoyed with my own brilliance, I rise to take off again, but before I can a huge heavy weight pins me to the ground.

Such a clever little she-wolf. Sinclair’s deep voice is all praise, and I can feel his tongue swiping kisses across the back of my neck.

Still, I’m not amused to have him interrupting my fun. I bare my fangs, and scowl at him over my shoulder, a pint-sized growl rumbling in my own chest.

And so vicious. From the sounds of it you’d think I was as cute as a button, and not a dangerous predator with built-in knives in my mouth and paws. But you’re caught, baby. It’s time to shift.

No, I just got out! My wolf rails defiantly. I want to run more! Let me go!

The kisses cease, and now Sinclair’s fangs close around my scruff, applying pressure. I immediately realize what he’s doing. If he applies enough pressure – especially if he lifts me off the ground – I’ll be completely immobilized. I said shift!

I don’t want to! You can be a wolf whenever you want – but this is my only chance. I protest fiercely, snarling as ferociously as I can. Let me go you big bully.

I can tell the games are over now. Sinclair pulls me up, and suddenly I’m hanging from his jaws, my feet kicking helplessly. Yield Ella! I feel his authoritative growl deep in my bones, and even though I didn’t agree to surrender, my rebelling limbs suddenly still. I go limp, and when Sinclair returns me to the ground I roll onto my back, showing him my belly.

Good girl. Sinclair’s huge black wolf gazes down at me, his emerald eyes blazing with unbridled emotion.

My wolf whimpers in my head. Why does his praise make me feel so incredible?

Because you’re mine. His gravelly voice answers, and I realize that I’ve spoken aloud again. Mine, mine, mine.Before I can think more about his statement, Sinclair is groaning in my head, just look at you, he croons. All rose gold and sass. I know he’s talking about my fur now, which is the same metallic sheen as my strawberry blonde hair. And your little white tummy. He adds, nuzzling the patch of white fluff above my navel. Mmm, my pup. My Ella. He sounds like a caveman, but his next words prove his mind is as sharp as ever. Shift mate, it’s time to finish this.

Finish this? I practically squeak.

Oh yes, Sinclair confirms darkly, his words are so animalistic that I tremble in response. I’m going to mark and claim you before you can get away again. You’re mine, and the whole world is going to know it.

All at once, I realize that the Sinclair I know is not in control. This is his wolf talking now, and suddenly I realize why he warned me not to run from him on the night of the Wild Hunt. The rational part of my brain understood… at least I thought it did… but it’s one thing to imagine it, and a very different matter to experience it.

The last time I met his wolf, I hadn’t been able to hear Sinclair’s thoughts. I hadn’t understood how different the two beings were – though it makes perfect sense that his most primal self would come out when his inner animal is in charge. Still, I can hardly recognize the Sinclair I’ve come to know and love in the beast towering over me. Then again, I hardly recognize myself right now. This is all so surreal.

He wants to claim us. My own wolf swoons, yes, yes, yes!

Listen to her, mate. Sinclair orders, she knows what you need.

I shiver with anticipation, but as soon as I contemplate shifting I realize that we have a problem. Dominic, I don’t know how to shift. I don’t even know how this happened.

Sinclair’s hulking black wolf studies me for a moment, before nodding once in understanding and determination. Don’t be afraid, sweet one. I’m going to help.

Before I can contemplate what this might mean, a wave of pure Alpha energy washes over me. Sinclair lifts his muzzle and howls into the night, and my body shudders and jerks, slowly returning to its human form. I feel a sudden and devastating loss to be back in this skin, but the next thing I know Sinclair is a man once more. He bends down and scoops me up in his arms, carrying me back towards the bed we abandoned at the beginning of the dream.

I’m staring at the bed with wide eyes, amazed to think that we’re finally going to be together the way I’ve been dreaming about for so many months.

Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting for this? Sinclair asks huskily, dipping his head close to mine.

Feeling far braver than I can ever remember being, I grin. Yes, but that’s done now. We don’t have to wait a moment longer.

His own beam is full of sultry promise. Thank the Goddess.